Windows 7: Looking for the best free media player

Hello. I'm looking for the best free, open source media player. Does anyone have any suggestions? I know different software is better for different reasons...I'm looking for all-around performance. Thanks.

Hello there, welcome to Seven Forums.

I'd recommend VLC media player, it's one of the best media players out there. Willl play almost any video file without problems & it doesn't need any codec installation.

You can also try out any of the following:
mplayer - it's an alternative to VLC, but not quite as popular.
KMplayer - this one doesn't require codecs to be installed either.

Windows Media Player , Winamp, Quicktime/iTunes, DivX Player - some of these might need codecs
to play video files.
Codec Packs
K-Lite Codec Pack - the best comprehensive codec pack available.
Combined Community Codec Pack - an alternative to K-Lite.

I'm still a fan of winamp. Plays all my various formats without needing to convert.

I throw everything at Windows Media Player-Home Cinema either from here
Media Player Classic - Home Cinema - Video Player
or the daily updated versions from here
Media Player Classic Home Cinema (x86/x64) - XvidVideo.RU

in the slim chance it doesn't play it I use VLC, like TheReaper already suggested
(VLC comes with build in codecs so it plays virtually everything...not only that, its also extremely simple to extract a clip/a certain sequence out of a movie. Simply press the record button

-DG

Awesome! I downloaded VLC and love it. There are certain files that I have been trying to play FOREVER and this one actually plays them. Crazy.

I really appreciate all the suggestions and responses. Thank you very much.

Glad you like it & we could be of assistance.
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Have a nice day.

Done.

IMO and since half a year ago I started using this Chinese Splayer and fine it to be really convenient.

SPlayer_Official Website_The award winning high performance all-in-one player

I recommend using only the portable version. This player plays every type of media and does it quite well. It is also able to auto search for subtitle that is your files are name "well". similar to VLC, this player is also able to play broken files and IMO better than VLC.

You you had not tried it, I suggest the "Portable" version, no harm done anyway.

cheers.