UMPlayer Editor's Review

More and more these days our PC video players are stuffed with the right codecs in order to play any video format without the need of additional utility installations. Players like GOM, VLC, or Mplayer are multi-format media players that have already taken this trend to an upper level. But if you feel like there is something missing, you may well try the new UMPlayer. Based on Mplayer, the application has inherited all the major aspects from its original model but has brought also some new features like the ability to run TV or Radio online stations and even a recording module.

The program comes with a basic and simple interface with some smart direct access buttons for opening files or folders, access the CD/DVD drive, frame snapshot, etc. Practically you have access to all major features directly from the screen window. If you are not satisfied with the layout you can use additional skins to reset the original interface. Besides the ability to play online TV and radio stations, with UMPlayer you can also search and stream any video from the YouTube or Shoutcast network.

On the downside, UMPlayer features no online TV or radio station lists, demanding the user to know the specific web adress in order to access any station. I encountered also some problems while running DVD movies with the menus enabled. It seems like this option is still in an experimetal stage. I hope that the developers will improve this features as it seems almost impossible to navigate through the original DVD menu.

On the good side, UMPlayer includes over 200 codecs which seem to work flawless without any conflicts. There is also an option to load subtitles from OpenSubtitles.org after detecting the title of the movie that is already playing. The detecting operation runs automatically and the chances to find the right subtitle for your foreign movie are pretty high. Another important aspect of this player is the small usage of the system resources while running, compared to its bigger opponents.

Pluses: free, open source, YouTube and Shoutcast search option, automatically loads subtitles from online database, small resources usage, frame snapshot, additional skins;

Drawbacks/flaws: almost impossible to run DVD's with the menu option activated, lack of any TV or radio station list;

In conclusion: UMPlayer is an open source multi-format media player that features 200 codecs and offers additional features for online streaming in a stylish manner.