VLC Media Player has long been my go-to choice for media playback, handling an impressive array of file formats without any cost. In the many years I’ve been using it, it has rarely crashed.
However, I recently encountered an issue while trying to play a high-bitrate 4K HDR video on a standard laptop. I experienced dropped frames, stuttering, and desaturated colors no matter how I adjusted the settings. Switching to mpv, the same video played smoothly on the same computer, without any issues.
Enhanced Performance and Visual Quality
mpv is a free, open-source media player built from MPlayer and mplayer2, with ongoing development since 2012. Unlike VLC, which aims to fulfill a vast array of user needs, mpv adopts a minimalist design philosophy.
The performance improvements come from a cleaner structure; VLC contains a lot of outdated elements, whereas mpv is leaner and utilizes GPU rendering with technologies like OpenGL, Vulkan, or Direct3D. This allows it to manage modern video formats more effectively.
When upscaling videos, the quality noticeably improves. mpv opts for advanced scaling methods like Spline36 or ewa_lanczossharp instead of basic bilinear scaling. Its HDR tone mapping ensures that SDR displays don’t appear dull—an issue I frequently faced with VLC.
When hardware decoding is enabled, mpv significantly reduces CPU usage during high-bitrate 4K playback. It supports a wide range of formats due to its reliance on FFmpeg for decoding, offering performance on par with VLC whether dealing with HEVC, VP9, AV1, or older DivX files from years gone by.
mpv Excels with a Minimalist Approach
Minimal User Interface
The most striking difference lies in the interface, or lack thereof. mpv showcases a barely-there UI; an on-screen controller only appears when the mouse is moved and disappears shortly afterward. Configuration happens through text files like mpv.conf and input.conf rather than a graphical settings menu.
This makes it an excellent option for those who frequently watch 4K or HDR content and prioritize scaling and subtitle rendering, as long as they’re comfortable editing text files for configuration.
Conversely, users who depend on a graphical interface or need to navigate DVDs and Blu-rays might prefer VLC, which excels in that area. For less tech-savvy users or those relying on VLC’s streaming capabilities, mpv may prove too cumbersome.
My practical solution has been to keep both players installed—using mpv for the best picture quality while retaining VLC for physical media and specific tasks.
Configuration Demands More Effort
mpv’s minimalist approach presents challenges, as all settings are found in text files without any graphical interface. Typically, you can access these by entering %APPDATA%\mpv in Windows Explorer or the run dialog. If the necessary files aren’t there, you must create them manually by referring to templates available on GitHub for guidance.
You’ll also need to master some keyboard shortcuts since mpv lacks a media library or complex playlist features. If you prefer organizing files with cover art and metadata, a different media player may suit your needs better.
Manual File Association Changes Required
On Windows, the setup process can be slightly complex, as the installation does not automatically establish file associations. If using prebuilt versions from shinchiro, you’ll need to run the mpv-install.bat script to add the “Open with mpv” option for right-click actions.
Keeping Both Players on My PC
While VLC has built a solid reputation over the years, it does come loaded with features I seldom use, which can sometimes slow its performance. After dedicating about 15 minutes to set up mpv, I found that my HDR playback issues were resolved successfully.
Over time, I grew to appreciate the minimalist interface; what initially felt stark became refreshing compared to other players or streaming services that seem cluttered by comparison.
