Currently, it is absolutely essential for network users to have a video player that provides various quality functions, but above all has support for almost any audiovisual format . Given that, these elements are those that exhibit a greater distribution on all Internet platforms.
Now, today, 4K technology is taking a noticeable boom both in movies, as well as in video clips that are uploaded to the network. Since, it is a resolution that has taken a good look at the future and for this, has been integrated into new camcorders , various TVs and a variety of products.
In this sense, it is valuable to have on hand the best alternatives to play videos in 4K , either through a Windows or Mac computer and even on any Android or iOS smartphone. So, in this post, we have collected several programs and mobile apps capable of reproducing this format , which you will know later.
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What features should a good media player have to play in 4K videos?
Because you can find several solutions when looking for a media player, you may have doubts about the which may be more suitable for playing videos in 4K , in order to obtain the Best possible assistance. Therefore, we recommend that you take some time to review all the options offered by such software or application.
It should be noted that, this is extremely important to prevent the media player from failing when running a video with this technology. Since, many times it is possible to hear what happens in the movie, but you see absolutely nothing on screen.
In this sense, below, we present the main features that should be displayed an optimal multimedia player 4K resolution :
Compatibility
Without a doubt, the most essential feature in these cases is that the player to select is compatible with the 4K audiovisual format and beyond this, it is also of relevance that it shows the maximum possible compatibility . To do this, have a tool that guarantees full versatility .
In this sense, whether it is a compressed video or not, you will also be totally sure that the player can be used without any problems . Taking into account that, in any alternative of this class, compatibility with formats such as MP4, AVI, MKV, etc. cannot be lacking. And also with the main audio settings , such as: MP3; MPEG; WMA; MIDI, OGG, etc. In view of that, they are the most distributed in the world of computing.
The amount of resources you consume
When choosing a software or app capable of playing videos in 4K, it is also very wise to take into account the amount of resources you consume on your computer. Thanks to that, this will allow you to make sure that the tool shows a good functioning , especially in those computers or mobiles that are not so powerful.
Which, in short, means that the less resources the player consumes, the better it will be to get good support.
Other features
- It is valuable that has an added file browser . Since, this allows to locate the contents to be reproduced in a simpler and faster way.
- Because the 4K format is native to the movies, it is also important that the player has support of subtitles . Being a special feature for those users who choose to watch the movies in their original version (usually in English).
- Although it is not necessary for many users, the truth is that it is also good that it is a free mobile application or program .
- Since streaming is in vogue, it is considered important that the player contains streaming playback support , in order to manage to watch videos and live broadcasts directly from the Internet.
What features should my computer or mobile phone have to play quality videos 4K?
Apart from knowing the most valuable features that a 4K player must have to choose the most optimal alternative on the market, it is also significant to know if your computer or smartphone is capable of reproducing content of this type from these tools .
For this, it is necessary to detail the main features that must have a PC and a Mac, as well as a mobile phone to support the player to download and above all, to be able to show the content with 4K quality without restrictions :
Requirements for computers
- You must have a 4K compatible screen .
- In order to connect, you need to have an HDMI 2.0 cable .
- In reference to the graphics card, which is a priority component, we emphasize that it must be NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 or higher . The most important thing is that it corresponds to the GeForce GTX range.
- As for RAM, it must be at least 8 GB .
- It is valuable that has an i5 processor, or i3 of the Kaby Lake family .
- An SSD hard drive and a good Internet connection that ensures a bandwidth of 25 Mbps per second or higher.
- All the updated codecs and, of course, a media player with support for 4K technology.
Main specifications for mobiles
- As the perception of the resolution depends on the size of the screen, of course this must be compatible with the 4K format .
- They must have a high frame rate per second (greater than 60), so that the image does not stop at any time.
- It is important that they have the ability to decode 4K videos .
- Integrate next-generation codecs through hardware. Which allows you to watch high resolution clips.
List of the top 10 video players in 4K for the Windows PC and Mac
Now, it is time to start with the collection of the best solutions there are, nowadays, to watch videos with 4K technology without having a Smart TV, that is, directly from your computer. So, then, know these 10 ideal softwares for it:
VLC Media Player
With support 4K, 5K and HD ; This program is one of the most recognized options for playing videos from the computer, starting because it has compatibility with the main operating systems, that is, with Windows, MacOS and also Linux . Apart from this, it is a free and easy installation tool that has support for most of the audiovisual formats that exist and without the requirement to install codecs constantly.
On the other hand, pointing out other features of interest, we highlight that VLC also presents compatibility with the new 8K content, 360-degree images and network content. Additionally, it manages to read and play subtitles , is open source and allows to expand its functionalities through certain extensions .
Download VLC Media Player Windows
Download VLC Media Player MacOS
KMPlayer
Another alternative compatible with Windows 32 and 64 bits, as with Mac ; It is this video player that has the ability to open and display all content hosted in the different audiovisual formats existing to this day. So, also plays in high resolution 4K, 8K and has excellent support for 3D video clips.
For its part, one of its greatest advantages is that it is an extremely lightweight software that consumes few resources , it is also free of advertising in the playback mode and it is a completely free solution . However, it contains advertisements on the main screen and its initial version is not able to recognize some codecs, so it is required to update them .
Download KMPlayer Windows
Download KMPlayer MacOS
Potplayer
Only available for Windows , this is a program that you can get for free to play and enjoy any amount of 4K quality videos. Which contains extremely interesting functionalities, especially since it has been designed as a kind of competence of the renowned VLC Media Player.
Among these important features to know, we find that it has support for the reproduction of 3D videos and with extensive compatibility with different types of 3D glasses. In addition, it offers the possibility of taking screenshots of the videos you play, has support for subtitles and various options to configure the video and audio, it also allows to prepare playback queues to load entire series, even.
Download Potplayer Windows
5K Player
It is a free and cross-platform program that manages to reproduce almost all formats and especially those of high resolution such as: HDR 4k / 8k in MP4, H.265 / 264, VP8 / VP9, MTS, MKV and VR 360. So, it is a very complete and specialized solution to watch videos of all kinds from the comfort of your computer.
In addition to this, 5K Player supports streaming playback and offers the tools necessary to download videos from different platforms. Among which are YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Vimeo, DailyMotion, UStream, MTV, etc. Also, the program allows you to listen to the radio, it is compatible with AirPlay and DLNA, emits high quality sound reproduction , among others.
Download 5K Player Windows
Download 5K Player MacOS
Free Smith Media Player
As another alternative for Windows users , we find this free multimedia player that manages to open most of the most popular music and video formats today. In addition to that, it offers support for subtitles, streaming reproductions and also for content in 4K quality .
Among other details, we highlight that consumes very few resources on the PC and thanks to this, it is considered as one of the best solutions for users who have little powerful equipment. As for its interface, it should be noted that is very simple and offers help to users to know the details of each of the functions it provides, so that they know how it works correctly .
Download Free Smith Media Player Windows
JustPlay
It is a free program only available for MacOS devices that has the ability to play the main video formats without any limitation, such as: MP4, MOV, FLV, M4V, AVI, MKV and Also some audio formats. Therefore, it ensures excellent assistance and especially because it supports the reproduction of HD, 4K and up to 8K . This, thanks to its powerful decoding function accelerated by Mac hardware.
Among other details, it contains an advanced configuration and thanks to that, users get absolute control over playback by synchronizing speed, as well as audio and subtitles as long as necessary. As an extra detail, we highlight that has a deinterlacing function capable of improving the overall quality of the clip’s content.
Aiseesoft Blu-ray Player
It is another of the most powerful options to play 4K on any Windows and Mac computer , which offers support for Blu-Ray discs and additionally, it has the ability to play many formats of recognized video. Such as: MP4, FLV, MKV, MPEG, WMV, MXF, MTS, etc. And also high resolution videos with incredible quality.
In addition to this, this program adds configuration options with which it is possible to adjust the playback effects and even select audio tracks and if you wish, you can also choose subtitles. Now, highlighting its best advantages, we indicate that the program ensures maximum quality and, therefore, there will never be loss of resolution or audio in the content.
Download Aiseesoft Blu-ray Player Windows
Download Aiseesoft Blu-ray Player MacOS
DivX Player
Users of Windows and Mac can also install this program on their PC to view all the 4K videos they want. This being a player focused on opening and displaying multimedia files with the best quality . In this sense, it has a very striking user interface, friendly and easy to handle.
It should be noted that DivX Player offers advanced functions to manage various activities with the video clips you want, since allows you to transform any video to various formats that it supports . Apart from this, it has support for the playback of HD and UHD clips, the program can be used to encode video sequences with other applications and shows a lower consumption of system resources. It’s free.