VLC arrives for Windows 8.

[GoodBytes]

VLC Windows 8 App is now available in the Windows Store.

The developer Kickstarter project got funded a while back, and now has finally come a reality.

Like the desktop version, VLC Windows 8 App can play all sorts of file format. The interface follows the Modern UI look, which a nice upgrade over it's original dated Windows 9x/2000'ish looks of the desktop player.

The developer warns however that this is a beta version, and is prone to bugs and crashes, and to be patient while they iron them up as it moves to the official version.

 

This application:

works on Windows 8.0 and 8.1: too many people are still on 8.0, so we had to use that. This decreases the stability of the application, though...

is compiled for Intel x86 CPUs: Windows RT version will follow as soon as we are able to compile it. ARM version will also apply to Windows Phone.

plays all video and audio formats of VLC, including MKV, Ogg and Mov files or FLAC and MPC;

supports the same codecs as the VLC application for desktop, from MPEG-1 to H.265, through WMV3 and VC-1;

supports multiple-audio tracks selection;

supports embedded subtitles;

supports Background Audio playback;

features a easy-to-navigate but complete UI, notably for audio browsing;

supports Live Tiles!

supports removable storage and DLNA servers.

However, there are a few limitations:

This app is currently slow, and is slower than VLC for desktop for video decoding and has no hardware acceleration;

Subtitles support is not very good yet, and notably it only supports embedded subtitles; this is our major point of focus for now.

Audio does not seem to work in all configurations;

Playlists and streams are not supported in the UI (they are present in the core)

It's clearly not as stable as it should be.

It is currently not available for Windows 8 RT, whoever, so for those with Surface 1 and 2, you have to wait a bit longer.

For those with Windows 8 devices, and Surface Pro 1 and 2's, you are ready to enjoy it.

The app is of course, free.

Download: http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/vlc-for-windows-8/c527ff2d-b5d0-45b6-bfc3-92fb7357ef72

Source: http://www.jbkempf.com/blog/post/2014/First-achievement-unlocked

[Excon]

I'll stick with the desktop app. I avoid modern UI as much as I can.

[ijKs Snow]

How's the weight of the player? I remember VLC getting knocked down for CPU/RAM usage scenarios compared to GOM player which is what I'm currently using. Might switch back to VLC if it's lightweight.

[AndyCapets]

Ignore it, everything made for the Metro UI is bullcrap, just take a look at Skype... The desktop versions of every single app is just better.

[Probenja]

IDK But i like metro apps, i like the fact that they are pretty and full screened, i think for a htpc this app would be very nice.

[flibberdipper]

I'll get this and try it out.

[warmmilk]

awesome!  Imma install it on my surface when I get home

[GoodBytes]

Ignore it, everything made for the Metro UI is bullcrap, just take a look at Skype... The desktop versions of every single app is just better.

Ignore the desktop version. The fact that you have people making viruses and malware with languages like C/C++, C#, Java and more, should show that these software can't be trusted.

Also, look at games like the recently released: Rambo: The Video Game. We should ban all video games, as they all must be of this quality.

[Guest]

IDK But i like metro apps, i like the fact that they are pretty and full screened, i think for a htpc this app would be very nice.

Being forced to use it in fullsceen is why I hate metro app. I like having windowed apps. I even play my games in windowed mode

[Nineshadow]

Ignore the desktop version. The fact that you have people making viruses and malware with languages like C/C++, C#, Java and more

I like to trick my friends with Java.I made a program that opened around 1000 windows(JFrames) and in each of it there was porn.It was .jar and I told my triend "Hey dude,this is my modded minecraft .jar".Everytime he opened minecraft....ehehe.It took him some time to realise that.

 

Being forced to use it in fullsceen is why I hate metro app. I like having windowed apps. I even play my games in windowed mode

O_o

Why...?

[flibberdipper]

I LIKE IT.

[beebskadoo]

meh

[Maskot]

I stick with the desktop app. I avoid modern UI as much as I can.

The only good thing about modern UI is the ability to have infinite easy to click icons for games and programs, I like to have a clean desktop.

 

[Giddyguy]

Being forced to use it in fullsceen is why I hate metro app. I like having windowed apps. I even play my games in windowed mode

exactly, I have a Surface Pro and am torn between using Modern and Desktop apps. My issue with the modern apps is that they can't be resized in windows. I mean using "Windows" is how the OS got its name right? (I actually don't know)

[GoodBytes]

On my Surface Pro 2:

Crazy world we live in, I know...

Look at Windows 8 Apps as loft style windows.

They are from top to bottom. So they are windows.

And like in Windows tradition, you can move them around.

Here is another example:

[EricX2]

I have a Surface RT (Don't laugh) and sure hope it actually comes out. The built in movie player sucks as far as what video formats it supports.

[GoodBytes]

There is nothing funny about the Surface 1. I think it's a great device, especially if you just want to watch videos, use Office and surf the web.

And while people complained about its lack of performance, it runs a millions times faster than the same Tegra 3 with Android (had it). Man, 0 optimization was done by ASUS. It was a slide show, and your not even running a complex OS like Windows. I initially that the Tegra 3 was just overhyped slow chip. But seeing what Microsoft did! Man what;'s the deal? No wonder Nvidia was all exited about it. It's a shame they are not pushing for their game stream on it (or Surface 2), and not make it exclusive for the Tegra Tab and Nvidia Shield which really don't sale well. At least with the Surface 2, you can build up reasons to get it.

It's just a shame that the chip is in the old side when the Surface 1 came out. My guess is that Nvidia was desperate to get their chip out there and properly showcased (as for some reason they are having a hard time, despite an impressive chip at release.), so they probably give Microsoft a good deal, and really give full support to Microsoft, to get the most of the chip, and help get Windows running on it.

Anyway. To answer your question, the goal of the Kickstarter was to make it for Windows 8 RT as well. So it should be coming in time.

Anyway, just trying VLC now, and it just crashed on me a bunch of times. As they said, still needs a lot of work. So I don't think you are missing out anything now.

[Humbug]

Got confused at first reading the thread title... was thinking VLC already works fine on Windows 8.

[Brughc]

Maybe there is finally a good video player in the Modern UI. I'll certainly check it out!

[mgsstar]

Thanks for the info @GoodBytes but seeing the reviews and itself having a 3.5/5 rating, I'll probably stick to the desktop app for now as it works fine for 8.1. 

[E.Beadle]

You don't have to run windows 8 apps in full screen if you don't want to. There are programs like stardock that makes it so you may run it in window mode. 

This isn't releated to apps. But you can really do some interesting things with your desktop setup if you want to. 

 

[Audio]

after using skype for windows 8 i have no interest in ever using a metro ui app ever again

[E.Beadle]

For myself I avoid the Metro Apps. For clients, I tell them to use them as they will sync across their window Os platforms and save them time on upgrades and reformats. 

[silencerbob]

No1 cares about metro/modern ui. Mediaportal is much better than VLC anyway.

[TheProfosist]

MPC-HC + madVR FTW