Best Media Player For Mac 2018 Reddit

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  • Top 3 Best Free Media Players for Mac 2018 If you are in a great need of a free media player for Mac, you can't miss this article. Here I give a good comparison of three popular free media players for Mac - VLC, Mplayer and Cisdem Video Player, you can have a clear knowledge of each features and advantages quickly and get best media player Mac.
  • We are here with a list of the best available Mac media players for OS X. This list is by no means an exhaustive one. The choice of a media player to use entirely depends on the user and the use case scenario.
  • Today, we look at Elmedia Player, one of the best video players of 2018 available in the market for Mac. Of course, as a potential consumer, you have the right why you should spend your money on this media player, and nothing something else, and that is exactly why we are going to review Elmedia Player.
  • If you are a Mac user and looking for a simple yet feature-rich music player to replace, iTunes check out the Vox Media Player. One of the best things about this app is its support for multiple audio formats.

There are many ways to watch online content on your TV. Your television itself might have apps, or you might have a Blu-ray player or game system connected with built-in streaming services. If neither case applies, or if your TV, Blu-ray player, or game system doesn't have the exact media features you want, you can get a dedicated media streaming hub. Most media streamers allow you to set up your TV with any online or local media streaming services you need for well under $100.

The #7 entry on our list of best media players is DivX Player for Windows. It calls itself the first of its kind media player that offers free HEVC playback. The salient features to sort the best media player are the quality of video support, the complexity of User Interface, Audio quality, frequent upgrades, plug-ins requirement, number of built-in tools, the range of audio and video format and subtitle supported. We are here with a list of the best available Mac media players for OS X. This list is by no means an exhaustive one. The choice of a media player to use entirely depends on.

Among the media streamers currently available, five platforms stand out: Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Google Cast, and Roku. All of these platforms except Google Cast have on-screen menu systems and dedicated remotes so you can view whatever you want from the couch, without a mobile device to control everything. Google Cast is a bit different, as it relies on a PC, smartphone, or tablet, with Cast-compatible apps to stream content. No matter which you choose, they each give you access to many of the most popular music and video streaming services available.

Mac

Resolution is another big factor to consider. All of the platforms mentioned have options for ultra high-definition (4K) and HDR content. In the list above you'll find the top-rated media streamers we've tested. Below is a closer looking at the top media streaming platforms.

What about 8K, you might be wondering? Don't worry about it. Seriously, there's no consumer 8K streaming service, or even consumer 8K media, available. 8K TVs have only started to trickle out, and they won't be much more than novelties for early adopters for at least two more years.

Amazon Fire TV

Amazon's Fire TV platform a modified version of Android designed with Amazon's content in mind. Fire TV devices are focused heavily on Amazon Prime media, with Amazon Instant Video and Amazon Prime Music built prominently into the menu system. There are plenty of other content services available through Fire TV as individual apps, like Hulu, Netflix, and YouTube, but the big advantage of Fire TV is having all of your Prime content right at your fingertips.

Media

Amazon has equipped Fire TV with Alexa, the same voice assistant used in the company's Echo speakers. It's a useful tool to use with the voice remote included with the current Fire TV Sticks. If you want hands-free Alexa with your Fire TV, the Fire TV Cube features a far-field microphone array that can pick up your commands just like an Echo, without needing to use the remote.

The Fire TV Stick 4K recently replaced the Fire TV as the 'standard' Fire TV device. It's a budget-friendly $50 stick that supports 4K media streaming with both HDR10 and Dolby Vision (the Fire TV Cube curiously only supports HDR10). If you haven't made the jump to 4K yet, you can save a few bucks with the basic $40 Fire TV Stick, which is now the only non-4K Fire TV streamer.

If you still want to watch broadcast television even after you cut the cord, and enjoy a local DVR instead of relying on a streaming live TV service, Amazon's Fire TV Recast has you covered. It's a Fire TV-powered OTA tuner with a DVR, letting you watch local programming and record it at your leisure, and stream both live TV and DVR recordings to any Fire TV device in your home or any mobile device over the internet. It isn't a replacement for a Fire TV; it has no on-screen interface or remote on its own. You connect it to your home network and access it through a Fire TV to manage recordings and watch live cable. Fire TV also supports most streaming live TV services as well, including DirecTV Now, Hulu, and Sling TV.

Android TV

Android TV is Google's dedicated Android-based media streamer menu system, different from the heavily modified version of Android used in Amazon's Fire TV products. The Android TV-powered Nvidia Shield TV was the first platform to offer Netflix 4K content outside of a TV with the Netflix 4K app built in, and it remains a powerful system. It also features Google Assistant, putting it on the same footing as the Fire TV with Alexa and the Apple TV with Siri. Android TV devices are also all Google Cast compatible, so you can use your smartphone or tablet to stream content to it just as if you had a Chromecast.

Google hasn't made a first-party Android TV media streamer yet, instead focusing on Chromecast devices and leaving Android TV to other companies. Nvidia and Sony have both come through on this with the Nvidia Shield TV and several Hisense and Sony smart TVs. Thanks to far-field microphones, some Android TV devices like the Shield TV controller and the Sony's high-end TVs even offer hands-free Google Assistant, letting you control them entirely with your voice without picking up a remote.

Apple TV

The Apple TV as a media streamer is likely on its way out. The announcement of the new Apple TV app, Apple TV+, and the availability of both (along with AirPlay 2) on various smart TV and media streaming platforms leads up to believe that Apple is planning to eventually phase out the Apple TV itself and rely on other companies' hardware for accessing its content stores and libraries.

If you simply want to access iTunes content on your TV and already have an iPhone or iPad, your TV might be able to do just that without a media streamer. Several 2017, 2018, and 2019 LG, Samsung, Sony, and Vizio TVs are getting or have gotten Apple AirPlay 2 support, which lets you stream media from your iOS device directly to your TV over Apple's own platform. Those platforms, along with Fire TV and Roku, will also be getting the Apple TV app in May, and will be able to access Apple TV+ when it launches this fall.

The Apple TV 4K is still available, though it's expensive compared with nearly every other alternative out there. For the price, you get a remote that lets you talk to Siri, lots of streaming compatibility with your iOS and OS X devices, and a decent handful of apps via the Apple TV app store. However, with AirPlay 2 and the Apple TV app coming to other, much more affordable media streamers, we can't find much of a reason to recommend the Apple TV 4K much longer, even if you're a dedicated iOS user.

Google Cast

Google Cast is the least visually obtrusive and physically complicated media streaming platform; you take a Chromecast, plug it into a power source, plug it into your TV or sound system, and control everything through your mobile device. There are no remotes, no on-screen interfaces, and no app stores to separately navigate. You just connect your Chromecast to your home network and stream whatever you're watching (from a Google Cast-compatible app, of which there are many) on your smartphone or tablet.

It's easy to use and economical. And Chromecast devices connect with Google Assistant smart speakers, so you can issue voice commands for what you want to watch, and even see supplemental information related to voice searches (such as your Google Calendar).

Windows Media Player For Mac

Roku

Roku calls the services and apps available on its devices Channels, and currently offers thousands of choices in the Roku Channel Store. All of the big streaming media names are available, including Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus, Netflix, Sling TV, and Twitch, along with many smaller, niche apps and services for movies, sports, weather, news, and international content.

Roku's current lineup is its largest, with a total of six models across a wide range of prices and features. The Roku Streaming Stick+ and Ultra stand out as our top choices, both offering 4K video with HDR10 support. The Ultra is more expensive and larger than the Streaming Stick+, but it offers benefits like wired connection options and a remote with a headphone jack.

For a less expensive alternative, the Roku Premiere and Premiere+ are 4K-capable streamers available for $40 and $50, with the Wal-Mart exclusive Premiere+ featuring a voice remote and the standard Premiere relying on an infrared remote with no microphone. The Roku Express and Express+ are viable streamers for anyone who hasn't yet upgraded to 4K, with the Express+ providing legacy SD video support through composite video.

Roku has also pushed into the television market with its Roku TV platform. The company doesn't make TVs itself, but it offers its technology to manufacturers to incorporate into their screens. This has allowed many more budget-priced televisions to include connected features they couldn't use a few years ago, while keeping prices low. Roku TVs (like the TCL 55R617) work just like Roku media streamers, only they're built directly into the sets themselves. Now the majority of Roku TVs natively support 4K as well.

Ultimately, any device here is a great choice for bringing online content to your TV. For even more options, check out our media streamer product guide.

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Windows media player for mac

Best Media Streaming Devices Featured in This Roundup:

Best Media Player For Mac 2018 Reddit Tv

  • Amazon Fire TV Cube Review


    MSRP: $119.99

    Pros: Hands-free voice control with Alexa. Lots of connected apps and services. Far-field microphone array can understand your voice over TV audio. Voice control works for home theater as well as smart home devices.

    Cons: Does not support Google Play content. No Dolby Vision capability. Alexa can occasionally get confused by syntax.

    Bottom Line: The Amazon Fire TV Cube combines the best features of the Fire TV with the hands-free voice control and Alexa capabilities of the Echo, in a single media streamer.

    Read Review
  • Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Review


    MSRP: $49.99

    Pros: Affordable. Supports 4K with HDR10 and Dolby Vision. Amazon Alexa. Quick Wi-Fi streaming and menu navigation.

    Cons: No Google Play apps. Ethernet adapter not included.

    Bottom Line: With 4K HDR, Amazon Alexa, and very peppy performance, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is the best media streamer you can buy for under $50.

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  • Amazon Fire TV Stick With Alexa Voice Remote Review


    MSRP: $39.99

    Pros: Inexpensive. Comes with improved voice remote that can control your TV. Voice search and Amazon Alexa are very useful. Fast performance.

    Cons: Missing some notable streaming services.

    Bottom Line: Amazon's Fire TV Stick is faster and less expensive than ever, and comes with an Alexa-enabled voice remote out of the box, making it the best budget-friendly media streamer you can buy.

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  • Roku Premiere+ (2018) Review


    MSRP: $49.99

    Pros: Inexpensive. Quick performance. Voice remote doesn't need line of sight and can control your TV. Supports HDR10.

    Cons: Voice features are limited to search, with no voice assistant functionality.

    Bottom Line: The affordable, Walmart-exclusive Roku Premiere+ is identical to the regular Premiere 4K media streamer, but with a much more useful wireless remote.

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  • Apple TV 4K Review


    MSRP: $179.00

    Pros: 4K and HDR support for both HDR10 and Dolby Vision. Strong Wi-Fi performance. Siri with voice remote.

    Cons: Expensive. Apple's streaming apps selection is still relatively small. Some apps not yet updated for 4K streaming.

    Bottom Line: It's been a long time coming, but Apple has finally made the move to 4K HDR video streaming. The wait for Apple TV 4K was worth it, especially for those living exclusively in the iOS ecosystem.

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  • Google Chromecast Ultra Review


    MSRP: $69.00

    Pros: Ethernet port for reliable 4K streaming. Relatively inexpensive for a 4K media streamer.

    Cons: Requires a smartphone, tablet, or PC. Almost twice the price of the 1080p Chromecast.

    Bottom Line: Google's 4K-capable Chromecast Ultra is the least expensive UHD media streamer available, but you still need a smartphone, tablet, or computer to control it.

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  • Nvidia Shield TV (2017) Review


    MSRP: $199.99

    Pros: Streaming game options work very well. 4K and HDR media support. Hands-free Google Assistant support.

    Cons: Relatively expensive. Streaming games requires a very fast and reliable network connection.

    Bottom Line: The Shield TV is a powerful Android TV-based media streaming microconsole with plenty of gaming tricks and hands-free Google Assistant support to help justify its hefty price tag.

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  • Google Chromecast (2018) Review


    MSRP: $35.00

    Pros: Inexpensive. Responsive. Lots of supported apps. Can mirror mobile device screens and display Chrome tabs.

    Cons: 1080p maximum resolution. No on-screen interface or remote.

    Bottom Line: The new Google Chromecast media streamer is almost completely unchanged from its previous version. It's still functional and affordable, but without 4K it's much less appealing than the competition.

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  • Roku Premiere (2018) Review


    MSRP: $39.99

    Pros: Inexpensive. Quick performance. Supports HDR10.

    Cons: IR remote must be pointed directly at Roku box.

    Bottom Line: At just $40, the Roku Premiere is the most affordable 4K-capable media streamer out there, if you don't mind dealing with a line-of-sight infrared remote.

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