VLC 2.4.1
Regardless of what you might think of VideoLAN’s work, VLC remains one of the most popular video players in the world. After being accepted for the second time in the iTunes App Store, VLC for iOS finally started to become the video platform that everyone wanted on their iDevice.
Nice design, not much flow
The UI as a whole is well designed, but the first thing that hits you is the confusing file management window which is actually the home screen of VLC, if you will. Folders aren’t represented by anything too iconic, there’s no way to toggle between different views, and placing videos into folders is extremely counter intuitive.
The rest of the interface is almost flawless, which leaves us scratching our heads as to why VideoLAN chose to leave the welcome screen unattended.
All the buttons and options are very well designed and spaced out, and the player window includes just the right amount of playback options you need. VLC plays videos in portrait and landscape modes and goes full-screen.
THE universal player
VLC can handle a massive array of formats, and when I say massive I mean almost every format in existence. Same goes for audio.
You can control every aspect in the player window, such as playback speed, brightness and colors (you can even do a little editing if you’re so adventurous), and picture quality. Gestures allow you to control the playback without bringing up the heads-up display.
Hit the VLC cone at the top-left side of the UI and you’ll be presented with a huge subset of settings and features, like Open Network Stream, Downloads, WiFi Upload, Dropbox, and more.
You can feed VLC your videos either through iTunes (with your iDevice connected to the computer), or through WiFi Upload. Alternately, you can just integrate the player with Dropbox or Google Drive, and you’ll be able to wirelessly download your stuff from there. VideoLAN even considered securing users’ video libraries with a passcode lock.
On iPad, VLC’s interface is much easier on the eyes and file management is also improved because of this. Other than that, the tablet version is almost identical and only takes advantage of the bigger screen.
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0/5
Hits & Misses
hits
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misses
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Bottom Line
Design / UI6
Despite being well thought out overall, the interface is crippled because of the lackluster welcome screen, pixelated previews, and nightmarish file maneger. |
Function9
Holds true to the promise of delivering support for any format out there, and that’s enough for everyone. Some things could work better |
Security7
Cloud integration should ask to authenticate after leaving the app, passcode lock is too easy to disable |
Battery6
It’s a player. Don’t expect it to run forever, and especially on iPhone and iPod touch. |
Price10
VideoLAN doesn’t mess about with ads and in-app purchases. They’ll take donations any day of the week, but they won’t beg. |
Compatibility9
Requires iOS 6.1, supports everything from iPhone 3GS to iPhone 5s, and iPads are a go starting with the second-generation model. |
Play all your movies and shows in their respective formats without conversion
Specifications
- price:
- 100% Free
- current version:
- 2.4.1
- reviewed version:
- 2.3.0
- developer:
- VideoLAN
- category:
- VIDEO
- os version req.:
- 6.1
- age rating:
- 4+
- in-app purchases:
- No
- hits:
- 1240