The internet’s most reliable media player is getting its fourth major update.
In terms of quality, there are few consumer-ready media players more flexible than VLC. A staple among PC users since 2001, the orange traffic cone icon has become a legendary piece of software, serving as a beacon of hope for those struggling to find a player compatible with their bizarre file type.
This includes everything from FLV, ACC, and DivX, to FLAC, Theora, Xvid, and a slew of other formats I don’t even recognize.
Image Credit: VideoLan at FOSDEM 2019
In November of 2016, VideoLan broadened its already stellar compatibility lineup with support for 360-degree content, including panorama, video, and audio. Now, with Update 4.0 on the horizon — the first major release since their ‘Vetinari’ 3.0 Update back in February of last year — the team is teasing a fresh new user interface, its first media library browser, and upgrades to all their video output functions, just to name a few.
Even more exciting is the team’s plan to finally add support for major VR headsets, such as the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, PSVR, R-E, and Windows Mixed Reality lineup, via OpenHMD; a welcomed addition to the desktop edition, which currently involves the dreaded click-and-drag functionality.
Image Credit: VideoLan at FOSDEM 2019
While speaking at FOSDEM 2019 in Belgium earlier this week, Jean Baptiste Kempf, President and Lead Developer of VIdeoLan, spoke in-depth regarding VLC 4.0. Codenamed Otto Chriek, the update will supposedly feature a completely redone user interface, a dedicated media library, and support for 3D content up to Ambisonics 3rd order accessible via Nvidia or a standard HDMI.
Other eventual additions will include GNOME and KDE adaptations, integration with Wayland and X11, as well as both client and server-side support. As a result of these upgrades, system requirements will be raised on macOS, iOS, and Android; meanwhile support for Windows XP and Vista will be dropped entirely.
Image Credit: VideoLan at FOSDEM 2019
There’s no specific date attached to 4.0 as of yet, but VideoLan referred to these improvements as their ‘2019 Promises,’ so hopefully we’ll be seeing it sooner than later.
Whether it’s the painful click-and-drag control of the desktop software, or clumsily panning and rotating your phone, I think we can all agree that a VR headset is the preferred method of viewing 360-degree content. Adding support for major HMD’s will no doubt increase the value in VLC media player as a 360-degree content viewer.
The post The Next VLC Media Player Update Will Include VR Support appeared first on VRScout.
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