Media Player Classic - Home Cinema (MPC-HC) is a free, open-source audio and video player for Windows. Derived from the original Media Player Classic (MPC), it was designed to be lightweight, minimalist, and highly capable of playing a vast array of media formats without requiring external codec packs. After its initial discontinuation in 2017, it was later forked and maintained by the community, remaining a staple utility for power users seeking a no-nonsense media experience.
| Feature | MPC-HC | VLC | Plex HTPC | Kodi | |---------|--------|-----|-----------|------| | GPU-accelerated HDR | Yes (madVR) | No (tonemapped) | Yes | Yes (limited) | | 3D MVC (Blu-ray 3D) | Yes | No | No | Partial | | Subtitle rendering accuracy | High (libass) | Medium | Medium | High | | Remote control support | Yes (WM_INPUT) | Limited | Yes | Native | | System footprint | ~15 MB RAM | ~60 MB RAM | ~200 MB+ | ~150 MB+ | mpc homecinema
High-fidelity audio for home cinema requires bit-perfect passthrough. Media Player Classic - Home Cinema (MPC-HC) is