MacRecon > A guide to Mac video players

There many video players available for the Mac. Perhaps too many. Then how are you supposed to know which ones will best fit your entertainment needs? Here is a quick look into some of the most popular video players currently available, where maybe you’ll discover a gem or two for enhancing your movie watching experience.

For iTunes video: iTunes.
In the case that there were doubts, any video downloaded from the iTunes Store is only able to play in authorized computers — either using iTunes, QuickTime, or another proper Apple-supported app. And since iTunes offers your video library organized from the beginning, this one’s as far as you have to go to see them at their best.

For everything: QuickTime.
Ever since the first QuickTime version, it has been an unstoppable force in the multimedia market. QuickTime is easy to use, it’s responsive, and plays many video formats that may already be in your Mac. But if you want more…

For everything, and more: QuickTime with Perian.
…Perian is a plugin for extending the list of compatible video formats to play within QuickTime. With this, QuickTime is now close to perfection…

For WMVs: QuickTime with Flip4Mac WMV Player.
…But if you have one or two WMV files that you’re eager to watch, but haven’t been successful at attempts to make it to play, this plugin may just as well be the answer.

For those seeking an alternative to QuickTime: VideoLAN Client (VLC).
This is one of the most powerful media players available for the Mac. If a video format exists, chances are that VLC will play it. Look out, QuickTime!

For DivX: DivX Player.
DivX is a format that’s had an increase in popularity since its introduction. There aren’t much alternatives for your Mac to play it, but the best still is the official player.

For DVDs: Leopard’s DVD Player.
Plays any DVDs in your Mac, whether they’re spinning in your drive or just have a DVD image somewhere on your HD. And the rumor is that Apple will soon release the Blu-ray Player.

For YouTube: TubeTV.
You’ve found that one video in YouTube that you just have to save inside your HD — what are your options for downloading the movie? You manually do everything, like it was shown in this guide — or try TubeTV, which will download and convert the movie into a more friendly format.

For almost any video on the web, nowadays: SWF & FLV Player.
If you still have an unconverted SWF or FLV video file in your Mac, this one will allow it to play flawlessly — in the case that any QuickTime extension wasn’t up to the job.

For your video collection: yFlicks.
The ultimate app for storing, organizing, and playing your non-iTunes video collection. It has a very attractive interface, and a lot of power packed under its hood. With integrated options like saving video directly from various websites, what’s not to love about it? Well, some may think twice about it because of its €16.95 price tag.

For RSS video feeds and more: Miro.
Formerly known as the Democracy player, Miro has evolved to take command of net video downloads via an RSS feed. It’s also stylish enough as a player, so those videos might just as well have a permanent home right there. What makes this one shine? Maybe that you’ll never have to miss another episode of your favorite TV show if you follow LifeHacker’s guide to Democracy Miro automatization.

For Tivo-like functionality: EyeTV.
For use only if you already have one of ElGato’s DVRs. This app will allow you to record live TV and then watch it — or even convert it into a smaller video format that’s also more friendly with popular devices like the iPod.

For those seeking simplicity: NicePlayer.
NicePlayer relies on QuickTime, but still manages to add compatibility for other video formats — and even DVDs. It has a simple interface, supports playlists, and has a plugin architecture for adding more video options.

For web TV: Joost.
After Skype, its founders went on to design Joost as the next big thing that everyone will be running inside their computers. What Joost does is deliver on-demand content from networks that have signed on to the project — for free. This will likely be the future of TV — all taking place inside your Mac.

Have a favorite video player that’s not here? List it in the comments.

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