If there is a type of program that is not lacking, it is the media player or the software that allows you to open the video files, recordings and films to view them on the computer, whatever the operating system used (Windows, Mac or Linux ) Given the popularity and power of an open source program like VLC, it is clear that no one will ever pay a media player because the free offer is absolutely rich and complete.
In this particular sector of programs for watching videos on PC, where VLC and Gom Player (as well as Windows Media Player) are the masters, today we see an interesting alternative recently released for all types of computers.
Universal Media Player or UMPlayer is a program for playing video files of any kind which is based on MPlayer and which can be installed on Windows, Linux and Mac .
The best features of UMPlayer are in its ability to integrate the codecs of the various video formats and in the integration with the online services YouTube and Shoutcast.
I liked UMPlayer for its simple interface that allows you to immediately find all the functions it has, without having to search through the menus as it happens, for example, in VLC.
During installation, it is advisable to put the recommended settings from the drop-down menu and remove the selection under the items " associate video and audio files ".
This way UMPlayer can be tried without becoming the default video and music player.
On the technical side, UMPlayer is able to open a good number of digital formats without the need for additional codecs .
This includes DVDs and CDs (not BluRay) and HD files (including Matroska MKV video).
To be precise, it supports the classic MPEG / VOB, AVI, Ogg, ASF / WMA / WMV, QT / MOV / MP4, RealMedia, MKV formats and supports VideoCD, SVCD, DVD, DivX, WMV and H.264.
Another advantage is the support for any graphics card, including the older ones so UMPlayer should go smoothly and without interruption even on dated or underpowered PCs.
As mentioned above, all the main functions are immediately visible as buttons on the main interface:
- you can open a file;
- open a folder by playing all the videos inside;
- view the contents of video CDs or DVDs;
- open network sources or streams;
- save screenshots with a click and then capture frames;
- save and add subtitles to the film or video available perhaps only in the original language; - access preferences.
At the top right there is the search box to find videos on Youtube that will be played on UMPlayer as if they were normal computer files, without advertising.
Each Youtube video can also be downloaded to your computer by pressing the red button on the recorder.
In the preferences there are the options (in Performance) to determine the display quality of the videos, the quality with which they are to be saved on the computer and the format between MP4 and FLV.
Also interesting is the integration with Winamp's Shoutcast service which allows you to listen to numerous amateur radio stations full of music of all kinds, in streaming.
As for the subtitles, however, it allows you to download them directly and add them without any manual configuration to do.
The program is in Italian and fully customizable with numerous options for choosing the coloring of the interface (by going to the Options menu -> Skins ).
In the settings there are many other options which, as they are written in Italian, are easy to understand and test.
Interesting, in the Performance section, the ability to decide how many computer resources the Mplayer process can consume.
In conclusion I would say that a test deserves it then will be to the taste and needs of each the choice of the default media player.
