MPC-HC: A Lightweight Media Player for Windows
MPC-HC is a versatile media player with a simple interface, wide format support, and customizable features.
MPC-HC, developed by the MPC-HC Team, is a lightweight and versatile media player software for Windows that supports a wide range of audio and video file formats. With a user-friendly interface and numerous features, MPC-HC provides users with a comprehensive multimedia playback experience.
- Wide Format Support: MPC-HC can play various audio and video file formats, including popular formats like MP4, AVI, MKV, MP3, FLAC, and more. Users can enjoy a diverse range of multimedia content without the need for additional codecs.
- Customizable Playback: The software offers a range of customizable settings for playback, such as audio and video effects, subtitles support, playback speed adjustments, and playlist management. Users can tailor their playback experience to suit their preferences.
- Compatibility: MPC-HC is designed to be compatible with Windows operating systems, providing stable performance and reliable playback on different Windows versions. Users can enjoy seamless playback on their Windows PCs without compatibility issues.
- Lightweight and Fast: MPC-HC is known for its fast and lightweight nature, consuming minimal system resources while delivering smooth playback performance. The software offers quick startup times and responsive playback control for an optimized user experience.
- Keyboard Shortcuts: Users can take advantage of customizable keyboard shortcuts in MPC-HC for convenient playback control. Shortcut keys allow users to navigate through media files, adjust settings, and manage playback functions with ease.
- Subtitle Support: MPC-HC provides robust subtitle support, allowing users to load external subtitle files, customize subtitle display settings, adjust synchronization, and choose from various subtitle formats. Users can enhance their viewing experience with accurate subtitle display.
- Enhanced Visuals: The software includes options for video rendering settings, color corrections, post-processing filters, and shader support to improve visual quality during playback. Users can enhance video output and customize the display to achieve optimal viewing results.
Overview
MPC-HC is a Shareware software in the category Miscellaneous developed by MPC-HC Team.
The users of our client application UpdateStar have checked MPC-HC for updates 9,519 times during the last month.
The latest version of MPC-HC is 2.4.1, released on 03/24/2025. It was initially added to our database on 06/01/2012. The most prevalent version is 2.4.0, which is used by 20% of all installations.
MPC-HC runs on the following operating systems: Windows. The download file has a size of 21MB.
Users of MPC-HC gave it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
Pros
- Lightweight and fast media player
- Supports a wide range of audio and video formats
- Customizable options for playback settings
- Ability to play DVDs and Blu-ray discs directly from the application
- Simple and easy to use interface
Cons
- Development for the software has been discontinued, so future updates or bug fixes may be limited
- Lacks some advanced features found in other media players
- No official support for newer technologies like 4K HDR playback
FAQ
What is MPC-HC?
MPC-HC stands for Media Player Classic Home Cinema, a free and open source media player for Windows.
What file formats does MPC-HC support?
MPC-HC supports a wide range of audio and video file formats, including MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.264, HEVC, AVI, WMV, QuickTime, FLAC, MP3, and many others.
Is MPC-HC easy to use?
Yes, MPC-HC has a user-friendly interface which is easy to navigate. It also has hotkeys that enable users to perform different functions with ease.
Is MPC-HC safe to download and use?
Yes, MPC-HC is safe to download and use. It is an open-source project that has been audited by security experts and does not contain any malicious code.
Can MPC-HC play DVDs and Blu-ray discs?
Yes, MPC-HC can play DVDs and Blu-ray discs with the help of external codecs.
Can I customize MPC-HC?
Yes, MPC-HC can be customized using skins and plugins that allow users to add new features or change the appearance of the player.
How do I update MPC-HC?
To update MPC-HC, simply download and install the latest version from the official website.
Can I donate to support the development of MPC-HC?
Yes, you can donate to the project via PayPal or Bitcoin. There is also a Patreon page for ongoing contributions.
Does MPC-HC work on Mac or Linux operating systems?
No, MPC-HC is only available for Windows operating systems.
Is there a user manual for MPC-HC?
Yes, there is a user manual available on the official website that provides detailed information on how to use the player and its different features.
Pete Milner
I'm Pete, a software reviewer at UpdateStar with a passion for the ever-evolving world of technology. My background in engineering gives me a unique insight into the intricacies of software, allowing me to provide in-depth, knowledgeable reviews and analyses. Whether it's the newest software releases, tech innovations, or the latest trends, I'm here to break it all down for you. I work from UpdateStar’s Berlin main office.
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