mplayer and mplayer2 use the Windows codec libraries. Playing a video usually means having to learn about codec packs like ffdshow from Google searches and ran

mplayer and mplayer2 use the Windows codec libraries. Playing a video usually means having to learn about codec packs like ffdshow from Google searches and random internet forums, and then finding the legitimate website for the codec pack (not a linkspam site or a rehosting company like cnet who bundle Ask toolbar into the installer), then locating and downloading the codec pack on the (sometimes intentionally) badly designed website, and giving it blanket permission to alter files on your hdd. I don't want this to become a fanboy flamewar, but the above process is time consuming, technically difficult & also requires a broad and complex network of social trusts. Whereas VLC "just works", well at least the older versions. --- I don't know where my responses would lead a media player developer. I don't like licensed codecs, but I understand that encoding groups will use the codecs which work best; illegally if necessary since encoding tv & movies for free downloading are all still legal and moral grey-areas. And I know people want to be paid for their art which others have demand for. And free media player developers don't want to pay to license codecs when they gain no benefit over just supporting whatever codec libraries the OS has installed.