Author Topic: Video player: What's the quickest (fastest/lightest)? (Read 114094 times)

superboyac · « **Reply #125 on:** December 08, 2010, 09:19 PM »

Light Alloy is making big progress! A new beta for v4.5 has been released. The new features are:
Portable version! Yes!
Also, it is now being packaged with internal codecs, which a lot of people prefer. He is also offering the lighter, no-codec version also. So he has covered all bases. Great developer. Fantastic video player. My favorite general purpose player.
http://www.light-all...y.ru/download_v45up/

Woohoo!

techidave · « **Reply #126 on:** December 08, 2010, 09:33 PM »

is there an english site?

superboyac · « **Reply #127 on:** December 08, 2010, 09:45 PM »

is there an english site?
-techidave (December 08, 2010, 09:33 PM)

unfortunately, no. but just translate it with google, download it. Once you start it, you can change the language to english in the preferences and everything will be fine.

Curt · « **Reply #128 on:** December 09, 2010, 02:11 AM »

is there an english site?
-techidave (December 08, 2010, 09:33 PM)
unfortunately, no.
-superboyac (December 08, 2010, 09:45 PM)

http://www.softella.com/

have you been hanging out with those Russians for too long, boy?

Renegade · « **Reply #129 on:** December 09, 2010, 06:10 AM »

ALShow was recently renamed to ALPlayer and it's finally out in version 2 now.

Curt · « **Reply #130 on:** December 09, 2010, 06:23 AM »

I use ALSong for music.
(...)
Disclaimer: I work for the company.
-Renegade (August 05, 2007, 08:21 AM)
(...)
So: When are ALTools gonna launch a genuine media player (ALLPlay) ???
- I cannot be the only one longing for this version!?
-Curt (August 06, 2007, 09:59 AM)

ALShow was recently renamed to ALPlayer and it's finally out in version 2 now.
-Renegade (December 09, 2010, 06:10 AM)

Thanks for telling

superboyac · « **Reply #131 on:** December 09, 2010, 01:19 PM »

is there an english site?
-techidave (December 08, 2010, 09:33 PM)
unfortunately, no.
-superboyac (December 08, 2010, 09:45 PM)
(see attachment in previous post)
http://www.softella.com/

have you been hanging out with those Russians for too long, boy?

-Curt (December 09, 2010, 02:11 AM)

That site has not been updated for years. Do not think you are getting the latest information or downloads there. The current stuff is all on the russian site and the russian forum. Although if you wish to purchase the program, I think you can still do that with the old english site above.

tomos · « **Reply #132 on:** December 13, 2010, 02:16 PM »

Light Alloy is making big progress! A new beta for v4.5 has been released. The new features are:
Portable version! Yes!
Also, it is now being packaged with internal codecs, which a lot of people prefer. He is also offering the lighter, no-codec version also. So he has covered all bases. Great developer. Fantastic video player. My favorite general purpose player.
http://www.light-all...y.ru/download_v45up/

Woohoo!
-superboyac (December 08, 2010, 09:19 PM)

thanks for the recommendation
easy and plays nice

MilesAhead · « **Reply #133 on:** December 13, 2010, 05:20 PM »

I'm starting to like SPlayer myself. Since VLC crashes incessantly on my Windows Seven machine I've been looking for alternatives. SPlayer uses GPU acceleration even though the card in the W7 machine is only nVidia with 128 MB dedicated ram(even Splash Lite won't do acceleration on that PC.) Doesn't dig out embedded PGS subs but it will pick up idx/sub with same base filename so I can get around that by demuxing the subs and using BDSup2Sub to export idx/sub.

mrainey · « **Reply #134 on:** February 11, 2011, 10:30 AM »

Apparently Light Alloy is now freeware. I used the Google translator and scrolled to the bottom.

http://www.light-alloy.ru/

MilesAhead · « **Reply #135 on:** February 11, 2011, 03:56 PM »

Apparently Light Alloy is now freeware. I used the Google translator and scrolled to the bottom.

http://www.light-alloy.ru/

-mrainey (February 11, 2011, 10:30 AM)

Cool. You can also download the standard version from Softpedia instead of waiting for the download server count down:

http://www.softpedia...rs/Light-Alloy.shtml

superboyac · « **Reply #136 on:** February 11, 2011, 11:43 PM »

Apparently Light Alloy is now freeware. I used the Google translator and scrolled to the bottom.

http://www.light-alloy.ru/

-mrainey (February 11, 2011, 10:30 AM)
Cool. You can also download the standard version from Softpedia instead of waiting for the download server count down:

http://www.softpedia...rs/Light-Alloy.shtml

-MilesAhead (February 11, 2011, 03:56 PM)

Very cool, thanks! THat's way better.

Curt · « **Reply #137 on:** February 12, 2011, 04:02 AM »

So, how much has Light Alloy developed; what are the pros and cons, now?

lanux128 · « **Reply #138 on:** February 12, 2011, 06:43 AM »

Apparently Light Alloy is now freeware. I used the Google translator and scrolled to the bottom.

http://www.light-alloy.ru/
-mrainey (February 11, 2011, 10:30 AM)

thanks for the heads-up. i noticed that there is also a portable version on the download page. might be a good time to check out this player.

Kinjal · « **Reply #139 on:** August 15, 2011, 09:36 PM »

>So, how much has Light Alloy developed; what are the pros and cons, now?
Well, since I'm a head developer of Light Alloy, my opinion can be slightly preconceived, but I will try to be objective.
I would prefer to start with cons:
- Lack of unicode support (gonna be fixed in Light Alloy 4.6.0 RC-3)
- Some performance issues (also gonna be fixed in 4.6.0 RC-3)
- Same problems with codecs, as MPC-HC has (since we use MPC-HC's codecs/splitters, but slightly modified to fit our needs).
- Lack of online-video support (url/rtsp, we have plans to add support for it in 4.6.1)
- Video-oriented player, not audio (major changes about this gonna happen in Light Alloy 5.0)
- Playlist without tabs.
- No looking up subtitles online (planned for LA 4.6.1 or 5.0)
- No uICE support, WinLIRC only
- Newer versions (4.6.0 RC-1/2) are buggy and can stop respond (because of very active development since August 2010 and major changes in code, in 2007-2010 development of player was actually stopped), but we working on it

- Not unified look (additional windows like subtitle options/picture options and so on are not skinned at all), but we gonna something to do with it in 4.6.0 RC-3.

Pros:
- Well, it can play video with dxva

- It can show you charge of your notebook battery when you watching movie -- http://light-alloy.r...er/batterycharge.jpg -- sorry, but I can't show you real-case screenshot because I haven't notebook.

- It has timeline, instead of progressbar. -- http://www.light-alloy.ru/timeline.png (first one - it's timeline in LA)
- It has media-oriented open dialog -- http://sourceforge.n...r_open_dialog_en.jpg -- with highlight recently created files/folders
- Not so much options, like KMPlayer/PotPlayer have -- http://sourceforge.n...t/scr_options_en.jpg -- and I think its a good decision. I think there is very small amount of people who need full-set of features/tweaks that KMP/Potplayer provide.
- Easy accessable subtitle options dialog -- http://sourceforge.n.../scr_mw_subsopts.jpg -- with a lot of options out-of-box (others hided in Preferences->OSD->Subtitles).
- Can create screenshots with customized OSD info: http://www.light-all...r/screenshot_osd.jpg
- Allows to create customized thumbnails.
Settings: http://www.light-all.../thumbs_settings.jpg
Result: http://www.light-all.../dcoder/TrueGrit.png -- "Additional" shows you presence of embedded subs/chapters in file.
- Most player button in control panel are click-able via right mouse button -- http://www.light-all...coder/adds_menus.jpg -- for easy to access to often requested options (for example, right click on 'sound options' button will show you pop-up with audio streams available to switch).
- Scheduler - http://www.light-all...dcoder/scheduler.jpg
- Easy File/Subtitles browser like in GomPlayer -- http://www.light-all.../easyfilebrowser.jpg -- also controlable via WinLIRC.
- Popup menu with often uses functions - http://www.light-all...dcoder/popupmenu.jpg (i would not say about it like a 'pros', but anyway)

But after all, its just another media player

No actual pros/cons.

P.S. Since August 2010 its fully freeware. Also home page and forums can be displayed in english language, not only russian.
P.P.S. Mine pros/cons based on Light Alloy 4.6.0 RC-1, but battery charge screenshot has been made in 4.6.0 RC-3 (this feature available also in v4.5, but without battery preview like on screenshot which has been added in v4.6.0)
P.P.S Sorry for my bad English.

superboyac · « **Reply #140 on:** August 16, 2011, 09:05 AM »

Fantastic!!
I didn't realize it was freeware now. It's probably my favorite player now. Light Alloy and KMP are my two most used players. Here's what I like about Light Alloy:
As I've said many times, it's the most responsive and quickest of the players I've tried. That's subjective, but it you use it a few times, you'll notice it.
The developers have been VERY active lately. Really making a lot of nice improvements and continuously fine tuning every little thing. I had an error the other night, which automatically generated an error email, and by the next morning the developer had emailed me with the solution and the bug would be fixed in the next build. Amazing customer support, free or paid.
The program comes in three flavors:
--player only (uses system codecs)
--complete player (uses internal codecs, like kmp)
--portable player (also uses internal codecs, obviously)

One of my favorite software. Whoever introduced it to me here...thanks!

JavaJones · « **Reply #141 on:** August 16, 2011, 02:18 PM »

Great to see the dev post here. Thanks for stopping by Kinjal! Your English is fine.

I will have to take another look at LightAlloy.

- Oshyan

superboyac · « **Reply #142 on:** August 16, 2011, 02:31 PM »

Great to see the dev post here. Thanks for stopping by Kinjal! Your English is fine.

I will have to take another look at LightAlloy.

- Oshyan
-JavaJones (August 16, 2011, 02:18 PM)

I would actually love to hear your thoughts on it.

JavaJones · « **Reply #143 on:** August 16, 2011, 04:45 PM »

I did take a look at it briefly in the past. But as I mentioned, will have to revisit. The consideration changes given it's totally free now, too. Although I still loves me some KM, heh.

- Oshyan

superboyac · « **Reply #144 on:** August 16, 2011, 05:27 PM »

I did take a look at it briefly in the past. But as I mentioned, will have to revisit. The consideration changes given it's totally free now, too. Although I still loves me some KM, heh.

- Oshyan
-JavaJones (August 16, 2011, 04:45 PM)

Ah, that's right. I remember reading that.

Yes, let me mention some of the changes I've noticed in the latest 4.6 beta. The new gray skin is much better than the previous ones. It's more polished and nicer to look at. I think you and I have the same ultimate question: "What would make me choose Light Alloy over KMP?" I don't have a good answer to that since I can't really find too many faults with KMP, hardly any. One of the reasons why I like Light Alloy is because it's being very actively developed, and I like the types of improvements they are making. So it feels more personal to me. Geez...I think I'm taking my software a little too seriously...

JavaJones · « **Reply #145 on:** August 16, 2011, 06:14 PM »

I hear you, those "intangibles" can actually have a big influence on me as well. I have always hated that the KMPlayer dev wasn't that accessible (in English) and now with Pandora.tv owning it, I'm also a bit uncomfortable with that. I tried PotPlayer but it didn't really work for me even though it was nice to see more rapid development again. Honestly something like Splash is a beautiful attempt to simplify this whole thing while bringing it in to the modern age (full GPU acceleration, good scaling and other effects), but it falls short in other areas like format support and is missing a few too many options. Light Alloy seems very promising, especially now, given an active and accessible dev with English speaking ability (and willingness? hehe). I use The KMP not because I'm totally happy with it but because I haven't found anything better...

- Oshyan

Kinjal · « **Reply #146 on:** August 17, 2011, 12:03 AM »

>I will have to take another look at LightAlloy.
Don't review 4.6.0 RC-2, since it buggy a bit, wait for 4.6.0 RC-3 (i'll also notify here somewhere when it became available, approximately we plan to release it in 25 August, just when we finish with rewrite major parts of code for unicode support and finish move to Delphi XE).
By the way, about your review, just had read it, well I liked it

Very objective and unprejudiced review.

>and accessible dev with English speaking ability
Actually, anyone who has problems with player can easily add me to his ICQ/Skype/Live account for technical support/suggestions, I'm open-minded about it.

>What would make me choose Light Alloy over KMP?
It's depends. If you need not much heavy player, and you don't need a lot of tweaks that KMP/Potplayer provide you, and if you not gonna play some very extra rare media formats(that MPC-HC also cannot support), than you can drop a look at Light Alloy. Plus, since we use MPC-HC's codecs/splitters, all what is MPC can play also Light Alloy can to play.

P.S. And just a few words, about english-speaking users support. I was actually thinking, that no one use my video player outside of Russian-speaking countries, but as I can see at least a few people use it

So if any problems with player ooccur for you, feel free to write to: our forums (my nickname there is "Vortex"), or to mine e-mail -

, or skype/icq/livemessenger
P.P.S And again sorry for my bad English.

Curt · « **Reply #147 on:** August 17, 2011, 01:15 AM »

I refuse to use Ligt Alloy if you don't stop excusing your English! Donationcoder's forum is made of people from all over the world; we have all learned to search for the meaning rather than for the good English..., so to speak. Your English is just fine :-) and I am looking forward to test the next version of Light Alloy.

JavaJones · « **Reply #148 on:** August 17, 2011, 03:19 PM »

Thanks for being so supportive of your users here, this is really impressive from a freeware developer. Honestly I would drop KMP for LA on that basis alone, as long as all the major features I need are there. I *like* the extreme customizability of KMP, at least in principle, but I have to admit that I don't always know what I'm doing with it and do sometimes find it hard to fix some problems that I know KMP can resolve, but I don't know the right settings. If something "just works" as well or better than KMP, with fewer settings, that's good enough for me.

I hope to get another look at LA in the near future. Your RC3 post will remind me, hehe.

And by the way, as I said before, your English is fine.

- Oshyan

superboyac · « **Reply #149 on:** August 18, 2011, 01:12 PM »

Yes kinjal, your english is perfectly fine! We love that you are participating here, and hopefully more people will appreciate the good effort being made with this video player.

One of the tiny little feature requests I have is this (I got the idea from KMP):
It would be great to be able to control the volume steps. Right now, Light Alloy can change the volume in increments of 5%. I'd like to be able to set that increment to something else (either larger or smaller). KMPlayer does it in this way: