Online streaming services like Netflix are slowly but surely becoming the preferred way of watching movies and TV shows. However, it’s going to take a while longer until everybody switches to these types of platforms. A lot of people are still perfectly content with popping in a DVD or Blu-ray disc and watching their favorite movies the old-fashioned way, so to speak. If you are among this group of people you probably already know that a good HD video player is crucial if you want to properly enjoy digital media.

As with most types of software, there are a plethora of great media players to choose from so all you have to do is download them and you’re good to go. Finding a good HD media player is not too difficult but deciding which one to use from the myriad of available options is another thing altogether. Don’t worry, though, because we’re here to help. Today we’re going to take a look at a total of 10 video players that are known for their accessibility and their great features. With that in mind, let’s kick things off with our first pick.

DVDFab Player 6

If you’re looking for a professional HD media player software that supports every format and comes with a ton of great features, you’re going to absolutely love DVDFab Player 6. This is a premium player so expect it to perform quite a bit better than its competitors in terms of reading speeds and stability. This HD video player also comes with two playback modes, several UI skins to choose from, and menu support for any DVDs,Blu-rays and 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays. The player also can handle UHD, 4K and even 3D videos, which makes it a great choice for those looking to set up their own home theaters. Some of these features are only available in the Standard or Ultra versions but there’s also a Free version if you just want to try out the software and see what it’s all about.

KMPlayer

KMPlayer is a well-known HD media player that can reliably play most types of video files currently available. Whenever possible the software tries to automatically update in order to support the latest codecs for a smoother experience. Another nice feature of this HD video player is that it comes with a customizable user interface. The default look is actually not that bad but it’s always nice to have a few extra options in this department.

5KPlayer

5KPlayer is a good pick if you want an easy to use HD video player that’s also capable of downloading content from certain websites. The software is fairly standard in terms of its ability to play video files so expect support for most of the common formats you’ll come across. In terms of its downloading capabilities, 5KPlayer can pull content from websites such as YouTube, DailyMotion, and Vimeo. You also have the option of converting downloaded video to audio files.

Media Player Classic Home Cinema

Media Player Classic Home Cinema is for all intents and purposes an improved version of Windows Media Player. At first glance, the software looks nearly identical to Microsoft’s own HD video player but one tool is clearly better than the other. Whereas Windows Media Player is quite limited in terms of its functionality, this player can support a lot more formats and comes with some nice customization options to boot.

VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player has been a very popular choice for many years now and it’s easy to see why. The HD media player is easy to use and can run pretty much anything you throw at it. The software is also available on all major operating systems and can stream content from several different websites. And if you’re the type of person that likes having a lot of customization options you’re definitely going to have a field day with this HD video player.

PotPlayer

PotPlayer is a deceivingly minimalistic HD media player that looks like it might not have much to offer. However, looks can be deceiving because in spite of its simplicity, this player does offer some interesting features. The software can handle most types of video files, offers nice customization tools, and comes with a companion service. The service is used to stream online content from a couple of different websites and launches automatically when you open the player.

DivX Player

DivX is an HD media player that has been around on Windows for many, many years. The software underwent a number of changes over the years in order to remain relevant to modern users. As such, the player you see today is very different when compared to the old DivX Players. For starters, the software can easily play modern video files, including UHD. This HD video player can also be used as a streaming platform for music and videos.

GOM Player

The goal of this HD media player software is to run every possible type of video format imaginable. It does a pretty good job at that straight out of the box but also includes an online codec finder just in case you’re trying to play a file that’s not normally supported. In addition to codecs, the software can also search for subtitles, which is always a nice feature to have. To top it all off, GOM Player comes with a mobile app that can be used as a remote control for the player.

Parma Video Player

A lot of media players tend to be available on multiple platforms but that’s not the case with this one. Parma Video Player was designed specifically for Windows 10 and does not run on anything else. Some people might see this as a drawback, however, you’re definitely going to love Parma if you’re a Windows 10 user because this HD video player blends perfectly with the aesthetic of the operating system. If you’re going for style over advanced functionality this is the player for you.

ACG Player

ACG is similar to Parma in the sense that it was also designed specifically for Windows 10. However, the difference between the two is that ACG Player does offer a lot of extra features. The most noticeable aspect of this HD media player is that the whole settings menu is an integral part of the home screen. This allows users to easily access all the available configuration options while they’re watching a video. The player also supports screen casting, online streaming, and plenty of nice customization tools.

Conclusion

Finding a great HD video player can be quite a hassle if you’re not sure what to look for so hopefully this article can help you in your search. There are definitely plenty of nice options available, many of which are available for free. You can rely on most of the free tools when you want to play digital videos but disc-based movies are a different story. You’re going to need a premium HD media player like DVDFab Player 5 if you want to reliably play DVD or Blu-ray discs without having to worry about any loss of quality or not being able to play certain formats. The Standard and Ultra versions of the software may not be free but you’ll find they are worth every penny.