11 best media players

Ratings of electronics and engineering goods

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

As consumer electronics evolve, they tend to be more versatile. A typical example is smartphones, which are often not used by many for their intended purpose (phone calls). For home entertainment, however, standalone dedicated media players remain the most convenient form factor. Today we will consider a selection of media players that received the highest marks from experts based on the realities of 2019.

What do we mean by a media player

To begin with, let's clarify the question of definitions – what should generally be understood by the term 'media player' in our time. And here there are two definitions of completely different things.

Media player as a device

Modern media players are a much broader concept in terms of functionality compared to devices of previous generations. VHS, CD, DVD, BluRay – players with such abbreviations in the nomenclature clearly gave an idea of ​​their leading function. Now the number of popular technologies and widespread media formats is so great that it is time to first understand the definitions before analyzing specific models.

So, a modern media player can be of any size, weight, form factor; in contrast to past generations, where at least to some extent the minimum dimensions were dictated by the information carrier itself. The functionality can also be very different – from a simple audio track and video player to a complex device with built-in Smart TV, wireless communication and a set of additional functions. Actually, set-top boxes for receiving a digital signal DVB-T2 also fall into the category of media players, in part due to these additional functions.

Media player as a program

Finally, the term 'media player', which means an electronic device, has a homonym, meaning an application for playing media content in a particular operating system. Especially for those of our readers who are interested in this particular issue, within the framework of this review, we will also consider a small selection of the most worthy and popular media players for Windows in 2019.

Rating of the best media players

Nomination a place Name of product price
Best inexpensive media players 1 Tanix TX3 Mini RUB 1,900
2 iconBIT XDS304K RUB 2,449
3 Google Chromecast 2018 RUB 2 750
Best multifunctional media players 1 Apple TV 4K 32 / 64GB RUB 12,000
2 NVIDIA SHIELD RUB 13,990
3 Dune HD Pro 4K RUB 16 529
4 Xiaomi Mi Box International Version RUB 4,990
5 MINIX NEO U9-H RUB 8,790
Best media players apps for Windows 1 KMPlayer
2 PotPlayer
3 VLC

Best inexpensive media players

At the beginning of the review, we will traditionally consider a selection of the most inexpensive, but efficient and not bad media players in terms of key characteristics. Trademarks, except for Google Chromecast, will say little to the average user, but here it is not too important.

Tanix TX3 Mini

Rating: 4.8

Tanix TX3 Mini

The player of the Chinese brand Tanix will open our review. It is a fairly basic set-top box that has unexpectedly decent performance and has earned strictly positive user feedback.

Outwardly, this media player is a compact TV box with dimensions of 105x15x105mm and a weight of 151g. The body is plastic, black, mostly matte surface texture. The design is minimalist, and thus almost universal for any interior and context. Powered by a 220V power supply through an external power supply. Cooling is passive.

There are no controls on the body, only connection interfaces. All control is carried out from the remote control included in the delivery set. The modes themselves and other information are displayed on a primitive, but sufficient LCD screen.

The developers of this model built the software part on the basis of OS Android 7.1. A set of standard applications is preinstalled – YouTube, the Chrome browser, media playback programs, TV Center and more. Apps are displayed on the home screen as user-familiar Android tile links. Keep in mind that some applications will require a classic mouse.

We present the capabilities of Tanix TX3 Mini in terms of media playback in detail, since this is one of the most important indicators in the context of this type of device. So, the media player supports the following file formats: video and related – MKV, AVI, WMV, ISO, VOB, MOV, MP4, DAT, MPG, FLV, RM, RMVB with MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4, XviD, DivX, H.264 codecs , WMV9, AVCHD, VC1, HEVC (H.265), VP9; audio – MP3, WMA, AAC, Ogg, PCM, FLAC, APE; images – JPEG, GIF, BMP, PNG, TIFF. All of the above can be played back in 4K UHD, with the exception of video playback in the YouTube app, where the maximum is 720p.

This model also provides a very decent set of interfaces and communication modules. There are outputs: stereo and optical audio, composite, HDMI version 2.0, network Ethernet with RJ45 socket (speed up to 100 Mbps), two USB 2.0 TypeA ports, wireless modules Wi-Fi 802.11n and Bluetooth, slots for microSD and microSDHC memory cards. There is internet radio.

The hardware in this case is built on the basis of Amlogic S905W and in such an environment the processor shows decent performance. Graphics – Mali-T450. Equipped with memory: from 2GB of RAM and from 16GB – built-in. This is the most affordable memory configuration on the market.

Advantages

  • compact and lightweight;
  • convenient and understandable Russian-language interface;
  • fast work;
  • support for 4K UHD resolution;
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth;
  • wired network connection.

disadvantages

  • there are cases of freezing – they are solved by installing elementary active cooling.

iconBIT XDS304K

Rating: 4.7

iconBIT XDS304K

The second in the review, we propose for consideration a Korean-made media player of the iconBIT trademark. This model practically does not differ from the previous one in terms of price and minimum in terms of functionality.

The external design of the device is in many ways similar to the previous model – the same form-factor of a gray plastic 'box', only slightly larger with dimensions of 119x28x119mm. External power supply, passive cooling. The controls are assembled on the remote control, and on the box body itself along the perimeter there are only interfaces and a mechanical power button.

The remote control itself is much more functional here than in the case described above. It offers impressive customization and is versatile in and of itself. It can be used simultaneously to control both the box itself and the TV.

The media player supports 4K high definition playback as well as 3D format. Support for media formats and codecs is as broad as Tanix with minimal differences. Hereinafter, all the most popular content and file formats are supported, and experts recommend that you be interested in support of the rarer ones separately at the point of sale and in real user reviews.

The player runs on OS Android 7. Its feature, which is strongly emphasized by the manufacturer, is support for content playback in non-stop mode 24/7/365 without pauses and return to the menu. This workflow is often used in the commercial space – in salesrooms, at exhibitions and other events where presentation screens are used.

The memory configuration of this model is two times more modest than that of the previous one – 1GB of RAM and 8GB of built-in flash memory. The interfaces are the same, only there are not two USB 2.0 TypeA ports, but four. There is a Wi-Fi 802.11n module and a wired network interface. Bluetooth not provided. There are slots for SD, SDHC and MultiMedia Card.

Advantages

  • support for 4K UHD;
  • wired and wireless network connections;
  • multifunctional remote control with flexible settings;
  • endurance and the ability to work without interruption for a long time.

disadvantages

  • there is relatively little built-in and RAM.

Google Chromecast 2018

Rating: 4.7

GOOGLE CHROMECAST 2018

The third and final media player in the mini-selection of budget models is a well-known product from Google. At the price of Chromecast 2018, it is comparable to the two previous models, in terms of functionality it is cut down in some places, but its popularity is determined by other important qualities.

The 2018 model is the third generation of Google Chromecast. So far, such a solution keeps stable high demand and positive feedback from users. The main wording is that the device turns any TV, monitor or projector into a powerful Smart TV receiver. At the same time, its dimensions are minimal, the weight is negligible, and in general, Chromecast 2018 resembles a keychain.

The device is capable of playing videos in resolutions up to 1080p and up to 30 frames per second. If you lower the resolution to 720p, the frame rate can go up to 60fps. Some users lack 4K, but there is no such support here, and this is not a drawback. To watch 4K video, you should look at the Chromecast Ultra model. Supported video formats – MKV, AVI, WMV, MOV, H.264 and VC1 decoding; audio – MP3, AAC, WAV; raster graphics (photo) – JPEG, GIF, BMP, PNG, TIFF.

HDMI is used to connect the Chromecast to the playback device. There is also a wireless high-speed dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi module. There is also a microUSB port with recharge support.

All interaction and control of the device is carried out through any wearable gadget with installed proprietary software. OS users Android can even stream any activity on their smartphone or tablet to the TV. Perhaps the same function will appear in future versions for gadget users Apple, but in the 2018 version there is no such possibility yet.

Google Chromecast is capable of working as part of an integrated multi-source home audio system. Many popular apps have built-in Chromecast support, making it faster, easier and more convenient to connect and use.

Advantages

  • brand;
  • portable form factor;
  • reliability;
  • compatibility with many applications;
  • autonomy;
  • support for IPTV;
  • control from a smartphone and voice.

disadvantages

  • minor subjective comments from users.

Best multifunctional media players

In a more extensive selection of the review of the best media players of 2019 according to the version, we will consider the most popular models on the market without any restrictions in terms of cost. Some devices have a distinct 'specialization' (games, TV), but do not exclude other use cases.

Apple TV 4K 32 / 64GB

Rating: 4.9

Apple TV 4K 32 / 64GB

Let's start right away with the most 'notable' boxing because of the famous brand. Here the Cupertinos are just as true to their ideology – minimalism and elegance in design, power and performance in the stuffing. I would also like to add a high price, but in this collection there are models that are much more expensive.

Externally Apple TV is exactly the same small box with dimensions 98x35x98mm and weight 0.425kg. And even a similar shape with rounded edges, and almost the same black plastic. However, here you can still feel the developer's 'proprietary' attention to detail, even with all the minimalism of the design.

This is the fifth generation Apple TV, and it differs from the previous one in almost the only circumstance – support for 4K resolution. But in 2019 (the media player was released in the fall of 2017) this moment already looks like a fundamental one due to the active conquest of the market by the UltraHD format. The electronic part of the device is based on the Apple A10X Fusion processor. Installed 32GB of RAM and 64GB of internal. Built-in power supply, passive cooling.

The media player runs on tvOS. Supports video files of MOV, MP4 formats with decoding MPEG4, H.264, HEVC (H.265), HEVC Main 10. Compatible audio formats – MP3, AAC, WAV, FLAC, AC3; images – JPEG, GIF, TIFF. It connects to a TV via HDMI 2.0a, and to play 4K, you need a compatible HDMI cable of the second generation.

In addition to HDMI, the device also has on board a Wi-Fi 802.11ac wireless module (dual-band), Bluetooth, a built-in gigabit network adapter with RJ45 output. AirPlay is supported.

The functionality and compatibility of this model includes support for a number of online services – iTunes, Apple Music, Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Showtime; Siri voice control (English only); Dolby Vision; HDR10; IPTV.

The package includes a proprietary Lightning cable. Here it is needed for the sole purpose of recharging the battery of the remote control. Such a solution looks redundant, but for any user of technology Apple the presence of one more, very expensive original Lightning cable 1 meter long is a tangible and pleasant bonus. But the HDMI cable, which is simply necessary, was not included in the kit in the previous generations, so it is not in the current one.

Advantages

  • famous brand;
  • elegant design;
  • powerful electronics;
  • wide compatibility with formats and services;
  • support for 4K UHD;
  • Siri voice control.

disadvantages

  • individual user comments.

NVIDIA SHIELD

Rating: 4.8

NVIDIA SHIELD

The next model in the review is an example of a media player with a special specialization, namely, gaming. The very name of the manufacturer NVIDIA hints at this unambiguously. But gaming is, of course, not the only functionality of the device. At the time of its release in 2017, this model attracted a lot of attention from specialists, and the detailed reviews that followed led many to enthusiastic conclusions.

Outwardly, this player is already slightly more expressive than previous models, but still in the same restrained design with a predominance of straight lines and angular breaks. There is a backlight element. The body is made of high-quality black plastic. Powered by a 220V network through an external power supply. The physical dimensions of the functional unit are 159x26x98mm, weight – 0.25kg. Active cooling – one compact fan, although many descriptions of this model on the network mistakenly indicate the passive type of cooling.

NVIDIA SHIELD electronics are based on the powerful NVIDIA Tegra X1 processor on four ARM Cortex-A57 cores and four ARM Cortex-A53 cores with a frequency of up to 2 GHz. Top graphics for similar systems – GeForce 6 ULP (GM204). There are 3GB of DDR3 RAM and 16GB of eMMC built-in persistent memory. The package includes a game console, but there are configurations without it, so if you are not a gamer, there is an opportunity not to overpay for this accessory.

From the software side in a broad sense, we see large-scale support for formats here: 19 video file formats; more than a dozen codecs; audio formats including Ogg and FLAC; image formats JPEG, GIF, BMP and PNG. Operating system – Android 7.0.

This media player implements Chromecast technology, has Google Assistant installed as voice control, and uses the GeForce Now gaming platform. Gaming capabilities of this model include compatibility with games from Google Play, streaming from a desktop computer via the built-in NVIDIA GameStream, and cloud streaming via GeForce NOW.

Advantages

  • support for 4K UHD;
  • high performance and stability of work;
  • wide support for media formats and codecs;
  • significant gaming component of the functionality;
  • voice control;
  • gigabit Wi-Fi module;
  • spectacular design.

disadvantages

  • unsystematic comments from users.

Dune HD Pro 4K

Rating: 4.7

Dune HD Pro 4K

The third number in the review of the best media players in 2019 according to the version, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with a rather high-end device, closer to premium. This is Dune HD Pro 4K stationary media player. Dune HD is headquartered in Taiwan, but the brand is believed to be of Russian origin.

It should be emphasized here that we are talking about the most affordable model from the Dune media player series. The fact is that other popular models – Dune HD Pro 4K Plus, Dune HD Max 4K – are completely different devices, despite the similarity of names. They differ significantly, even externally, and are much more expensive. It makes sense to take a closer look at them if the functionality and characteristics of Dune HD Pro 4K are not enough for you.

Externally, the media player is a small box 188x27x128mm in a black plastic case with a discreet design. Weight without packaging – 0.51kg. Cooling is passive. The media player is controlled through a learning IR remote control powered by AAA batteries.

The device combines the tasks of a media content player and a Smart TV set-top box Android, and all this with significantly wider possibilities compared to budget media players. So, it supports not only ultra-high resolution 4K at 60fps, but also 10-bit color depth, HDR technology, various 3D video formats and much more.

On the hardware side, the developers took care of high performance due to a combination of a Cortex A53 processor with a frequency of up to 1.5 GHz, Mali-T820 graphics, 2 gigabytes of RAM. Built-in memory – 16GB flash and 4GB for file storage. The media player has a built-in interface for connecting a SATA hard drive. HDMI 2.0a is used to connect to a TV, and there is also an additional HDMI input.

For wireless connection of devices, a module Bluetooth 4.x is provided, for connection to networks – a wired network card with a standard RJ45 socket and a wireless dual-band high-speed Wi-Fi module.

Everything described is an extremely concise description of the capabilities of this media player. Its full functionality is wide and varied. Unfortunately, this model is not without its drawbacks, which are caused by the 'dampness' of the firmware and some omissions in functionality. These shortcomings are mostly solvable, but create inconveniences. However, the manufacturer actively responds to feedback and tries to quickly eliminate the shortcomings. In fact, significant improvements are made in every new batch.

Advantages

  • 4K and 3D support;
  • 10-bit color depth;
  • introduction of innovations;
  • extended functionality in general;
  • ease of use and flexibility of settings;
  • wide compatibility with products Apple.

disadvantages

  • flaws in the firmware and functionality (solved).

Xiaomi Mi Box International Version

Rating: 4.6

XIAOMI MI BOX INTERNATIONAL VERSION

Another media player that our experts suggested for review is the famous Mi Box made Xiaomi, namely, its international version. The model has perfectly proven itself among the mass consumer and has passed the test of time. The quite affordable price adds glasses to the device on the market.

Externally, the player is a compact box with dimensions 101x20x101mm in a black plastic case with smooth lines and rounded edges in design. Weight without packaging – 0.18kg. Powered by a network through an external power supply, passive cooling. Controlled by a remote control with voice functions.

This model supports all the most popular video and audio formats and codecs, including FLAC. Image formats – JPEG, GIF, BMP and PNG. The software runs in Android 6.0 environment. The player supports IPTV technology, is compatible with iPhone in terms of audio, has a built-in Internet radio. Supports the installation of additional software directly from the Google play market.

The player's electronics are based on the Amlogic S905 chipset running an ARM Cortex A53 processor with a core frequency of up to 2.0GHz. Provides 2GB of RAM and 8GB of built-in flash memory. The electronics here are quite decent, but questions remain for optimization, since even with such hardware, some users note performance drawdowns, especially when it comes to resource-intensive content.

To connect the player itself and additional devices, HDMI 2.0 interfaces, standard audio output, USB 2.0 TypeA, wireless modules Bluetooth and dual-band Wi-Fi are used. Built-in DLNA, AirPlay and Miracast support. There is no wired network interface; if necessary, you can connect to a wired network through an adapter plugged into a USB port.

Experts recommend updating the firmware to OS Android 8.0 immediately after purchasing the gadget. This will solve almost all problems with lags and other performance issues.

Advantages

  • support for 4K;
  • remote control with voice functions;
  • combination of price, functions and quality;
  • reliability and stability;
  • dual band Wi-Fi.

disadvantages

  • optimization flaws – are solved by updating the firmware.

MINIX NEO U9-H

Rating: 4.5

MINIX NEO U9-H

Completing the selection of the best multifunctional media players in 2019 according to the online magazine is another compact media player of the mid-price category of the MINIX trademark – owned by MINIX Technology Limited (Hong Kong). The brand has long been known for quality mini PCs and Android boxes.

The form factor of this model is similar to almost all the devices described above – a compact plastic case, discreet design, rounded corners. A clearly noticeable feature is the presence of an external antenna to enhance the wireless signal. The box can only be installed on a desktop, wall mount is not provided.

No controls on the case – everything is only through the remote control, and this is one of the player's weak points. The standard remote control is clearly underdeveloped both from the point of view of convenience and in terms of its direct duties – the sensitivity of the IR sensor is weak. The situation is solved by the availability of HDMI CEC – control, in which the media player modes can be switched by the remote control from the TV, provided there is sufficient compatibility.

The media capabilities of MINIX NEO U9-H are largely determined by the characteristics of its predecessor, the legendary MINIX Neo U1 media player. This model pleases with support for a variety of media formats and codecs, including ultra-high definition 4K; television IPTV; 3D video (Side-By-Side and Top-and-Bottom only); Torrent Stream Controller technologies, HD VideoBox and much more. The device supports some relatively rare functions for this class of devices, such as the coordinated operation of webcams during video conferencing.

The wide functionality does not require the weakest hardware, and in this regard, MINIX NEO U9-H is all right. The electronics are not the most top-end, but completely sufficient for the tasks at hand: ARM Cortex-A53 processor with 8 cores with a frequency of up to 1.5 GHz; graphics – ARM Mali-T820MP3; 2GB DDR3 RAM; 16GB eMMC internal storage; support for external memory cards.

The interaction of the media player and other devices is carried out through a set of interfaces: three USB 2.0 ports, one microUSB port, HDMI 2.0a output, HDMI of the previous generation, S / PDIF optics; wired communication – a gigabit network card with a standard connector, wireless communication – modules Bluetooth 4.1 and 2-band Wi-Fi with support for external 2×2 MIMO antennas.

Advantages

  • support for 4K;
  • support for 3D video;
  • performance;
  • stability and reliability;
  • the ability to use one remote control for TV and media player.

disadvantages

  • flaws in the remote control (solved by adapting the remote control from the TV).

Best media players apps for Windows

In the final part of the review, we will pay attention to those readers of the magazine who are interested in the current topic, but in relation to media player applications used to play media content on devices. Despite the seemingly narrow specialization, such applications have a lot of nuances related to compatibility, format support and functionality in general.

KMPlayer

Rating: 4.9

KMPlayer

Let's start with the super popular media player developed by the team of Korean programmers Pandora TV, which has remained relevant for more than 10 years and is regularly updated. KMPlayer appeared as one of the numerous alternatives at that time to the extremely limited media player built into Windows. The trouble with the standard player was the weak support for formats and especially codecs, which, due to the lack of intelligible standardization, were actively proliferating, causing confusion.

The main advantage of KMPlayer at the time of the release of the full version was the availability of the most complete package of all kinds of codecs for pre-installation. Thus, an unpleasant problem was solved when a video in one format or another was opened on one computer, but not on the other, precisely because of the use of 'exotic' codecs when converting and compressing video.

The range of capabilities of the KMPlayer as it is at the end of 2019 is exhaustive. The media player can work with different audio tracks, control playback modes, play non-streaming and streaming video, transform the 'picture', recognize (within reasonable limits) damaged and incomplete media files.

In general, it is a powerful, multifunctional and flexible software package for playing a variety of media content. Of course, it is not without its shortcomings, but it is difficult to formulate completely objective and serious claims against it. So, for example, KMPlayer is clearly bulky in terms of resource intensity to ensure its own work. Accordingly, on weak (even new) computers, video even in FullHD can slow down, and 4K is almost guaranteed to play poorly. But this can be considered a problem not with KMPlayer, the device. And if a technical upgrade is not planned, it makes sense to install a largely similar, but much less voracious media player – PotPlayer.

Fresh updates to KMPlayer are increasingly met with harsh criticism from users because of the obsessive suggestion of installing unnecessary additional applications, displaying ads, etc. This cannot be called a lack of a media player in terms of functionality, but it should be borne in mind.

Advantages

  • playing streaming and stationary video;
  • support for a record number of formats and codecs;
  • flexibility of settings;
  • reading incomplete and damaged files;
  • many additional functions;
  • convenient hotkeys and combinations.

disadvantages

  • resource-intensive in itself – not for weak computers;
  • negative feedback from increasingly intrusive ads.

PotPlayer

Rating: 4.8

PotPlayer

At the first acquaintance with PotPlayer, there is a strong feeling that this is the 'little brother' of the above-described KMPlayer. This is largely true, since KMPlayer formed the basis for the creation of PotPlayer, but already within the walls of another studio – Kakao Corp., where one of the authors of KMPlayer moved at one time. Until 2017, the media player bore the full name Daum PotPlayer, but the Daum prefix was removed in recent versions.

PotPlayer is very similar to its prototype in design and interface. The application is just as easy to use and flexible in settings. The average user will not notice the difference in capabilities – PotPlayer is also able to play all conceivable formats and codecs, manipulate hot keys, play a stream, recognize broken and incomplete media files, play different audio tracks, show subtitles (including from external files ), connect DSP plugins and much more.

With all the advantages listed above, one of the most important advantages of this media player is improved optimization and a conscious refusal of the developer to support rarely used functions for the sake of performance. Thus, even on weak systems, PotPlayer is able to work correctly and play video in high definition without lags. At the same time, the volume of the player's distribution kit is minimal and incomparable with the monstrous KMPlayer.

Unlike its progenitor, PotPlayer does not force the user to watch ads or install third-party software for marketing purposes. This is one of the major factors in the massive transition of users to PotPlayer instead of KMPlayer. But the latter still remains relevant due to the ability to solve a number of specific problems.

Advantages

  • fast correct work;
  • convenient and intuitive interface;
  • many settings;
  • all other major advantages of KMPlayer;
  • good optimization and low resource intensity;
  • completely free and no ads.

disadvantages

  • may hang hopelessly on damaged files.

VLC

Rating: 4.

VLC

In conclusion, let us consider another project with worldwide popularity and recognition, which started in 1996 as a VideoLAN media player. Already from the name it becomes clear to many that the emphasis when creating the product was placed on working with streaming video in all kinds of networks.

The idea of ​​creating a media player was largely in the desire to solve the problem of watching videos online before it was still mainstream (almost 10 years were left before the advent of YouTube). The main goal set by the developers for the final product, at the same time, solved a number of intermediate problems, such as the correct playback of under-downloaded files, including with a 'torn' download of torrent-like protocols. Today, all self-respecting media players have this ability, but still the chances of successfully opening a broken video in VLC are on average higher than in any other player.

VLC was created with the expectation of including weak systems, so the developers paid maximum attention to optimization. Over the past 10 years, the application interface has hardly undergone major changes, remaining the same minimalistic. At the same time, the program itself has been 'overgrown' with many add-ons and add-ons, turning into a powerful cross-platform player with unusually flexible compatibility and the ability to integrate into other software thanks to the built-in ActiveX component.

VLC supports installing extensions that enrich its already decent functionality. In the same way, you can download and install themes that change their appearance beyond recognition, as it is convenient and preferable for the user.

Advantages

  • recognition of many formats and codecs;
  • better ability to play 'broken' and underloaded files;
  • ease of integration into other applications;
  • good optimization;
  • flexibility of settings;
  • ease of use;
  • cross-platform;
  • completely free.

disadvantages

  • personal preferences and subjective opinions of users.


Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

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