The Chromebook’s built-in media player has a very restricted feature set. It lacks keyboard shortcuts and is unable to display subtitles, switch the audio track, or even view two videos simultaneously.
In addition, it does not support widely used file types like MKV and AVI. Therefore, if you want to view movies on your Chromebook without becoming annoyed, you must use a third-party video player.
The best Chrome, Android, and Linux applications for playing videos on Chromebooks are listed below.
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In This Article
4 Top Media Players for Chromebook
Each media player on this list is compatible with a broad range of video file types and has access to standard keyboard shortcuts. Most significantly, each application on the list makes use of Chromebook’s horizontal desktop layout.
Let’s start with the first two, which I find to be the best and which I use on my Chromebook.
MX Player for Android
MX Player contains practically everything you could ever need. It’s one of the top video players for Chromebooks and the most feature-rich Android app, starting with keyboard shortcuts for equalization, modifying the playing speed, synchronizing the subtitles, etc.
It can be opened immediately from the app drawer and configured as the default video player, unlike the InBasic Chrome addon. The MX Player’s customizability is its main benefit.
But there is a catch as well. The software is designed for touchscreen cell phones. Therefore, using a mouse to control is cumbersome. For instance, when you move the pointer, no controls will appear on the screen. For you to view them, left-click on the screen. The controls also vanish pretty rapidly.
A few functions, including zoom control, are only available with touch controllers. None of these is a huge problem since most Chromebooks have touch screens, although using a mouse can be rather cumbersome.
Pros
- Several features, such as a sleep timer and adjustable playing speed.
- Several file types are supported.
- You can make it your default video player.
Cons
- Ads are everywhere throughout the app.
- Challenging to operate with a mouse.
InBasic Media Player (Chrome Extension)
This Chrome extension allows you to play both local and remote movies. In comparison to the built-in video player on Chromebooks, it is leagues ahead.
All the features you would anticipate from a video player are included, including keyboard shortcuts, subtitles, picture-in-picture mode, looping, shuffle, Chromecast, the ability to change the audio track if the video file allows it, etc.
It is based on the well-known video.js project and attempts to provide Chrome extension media playing capabilities similar to VLC. Also, it plays audio files and shows wave images while doing so.
But it also has several drawbacks of its own. Since it isn’t an app, you cannot set it as the default video player or find it in the app drawer. To play the video file, you must manually open the Chrome browser and start the MediaPlayer plugin.
Also, it is deficient in capabilities like aspect ratio adjustment, video synchronization, subtitle support, etc. one of the top available video players for Chromebooks.
Pros
- A lightweight video editor that works with the majority of Chromebooks.
- Simple functions like Chromecast and keyboard shortcuts.
- Since it is based on video.js, it supports the majority of file types.
- Plays videos from local and web sources.
Cons
- Not accessible from the app drawer; first start Chrome, then launch the extension.
- You cannot open movies directly in MediaPlayer or set it as your preferred program.
- a few things are lacking, like changing the aspect ratio.
VLC Player for Android
On Chromebooks, VLC and MX Players have a lot of similarities. Both provide a wide range of features and work with most video file types. Similar to MX Player, VLC has features including a sleep timer, playing speed, keyboard shortcuts, and aspect ratio adjustment.
The MX player offers modifications that the VLC player does not, which is where the distinction lies. You can modify the behaviour of actions like tapping the screen, entirely turning off a few player features, changing the progress bar’s colour, adding subtitles, etc.
On the other hand, VLC is ad-free and considerably more advanced with superior responsiveness. VLC can be used for music and pictures as well. Thus, it can serve as your go-to media app. Video files can also be converted using it. For instance, you can convert MKV to MP4 and play it on the media player that comes installed.
The mouse controls for VLC and MX Player are identical. When you move the pointer, control buttons are hidden. The screen must be left-clicked. It abruptly exits full-screen mode to show video controls, which is inconvenient.
Pros
- Several file types are supported.
- One can make it the default player.
- Open source and without advertisements.
Cons
- Do not work properly with a mouse.
- Not many modifications.
VLC Player for Linux
The VLC Linux app fixes every issue you had with the VLC Android app. It includes all the functionality, works well with the mouse, and supports MKV and the majority of video formats. We are after all using one of the all-time greatest desktop-calibre Chromebook video players.
It takes some time to install VLC on Linux. On a Chromebook, turn on Linux first, then press Ctrl+Alt+T to access the terminal. To install the Linux version of VLC Player, enter sudo apt-get install vlc vlc into the terminal now.
The main problem is that since Linux software operates in its virtual environment, you cannot select them as the default apps on Chromebooks.
Pros
Complete video player.
Operates well with the mouse and supports keyboard shortcuts.
Cons
It’s heavy software for the majority of Chromebooks.
Can’t be used as the default video player.
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Other Excellent Media Players for Chromebook
1. Wuffy Media Player
An IPTV player and a video player are both functions of the multifaceted Wuffy Media player. Videos in formats including Flv, Mkv, WMV, MOV, mpg, MP4, mts, Ogg, DivX, Rm, and ts are available for viewing. Also, it supports a variety of audio formats, such as DivX, WMV, vp9, mpeg4, hevc, h263, speex, mp3, ac3, and amr.
You can employ cutting-edge features like multitrack audio, subtitles, and multi-core decoding with Wuffy Player. Moreover, it aids with screen control motions (brightness, volume, seeking).
Using protocols like Acestream and Torrent, you can also stream content. MMS, RTMP, RTSP, HTTPS, etc. If you don’t mind a few commercial interruptions while viewing videos, this free media player will meet all of your requirements.
2. Power Media Player
Both a free and a pro version are available. The Pro edition is ad-free and features DTS audio, but the free version has occasional commercial breaks.
The user-friendly and slick design of Power Media Player is renowned for its wealth of capabilities. This media player for audio files has features like equalizers, single-click tweaks, and gesture control for brightness and volume, among others.
Videos in the H.264, H.263, MPEG4, MP4, 3GP, M4V, VP8, RM, RMVB, MOV, etc. formats can be played. Also, it supports several audio file types, such as MP3, MIDI, ADTS, AIFF, AU, FLAC, AAC, DTS, and WAV. 360-degree video and picture playing are also possible with Power Media playback.
3. Kodi
This is another well-known cross-platform streaming service and media player. For radio, music videos, movies, TV programs, web series, and other media, Kodi offers a variety of channels and add-ons. Users of Chromebooks can choose whether to install Kodi or use the browser add-on.
With so many free channels and add-ons, you will never run out of entertainment options on Kodi.
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4. Plex
Being a 2-in-1 platform, Plex provides a broad variety of entertainment. You can stream movies, live TV, podcasts, online shows, and audio in addition to using it as a media player. It provides you with playback, audio synchronization, and subtitles just like any other platform for a video player.
One of Plex’s biggest advantages is its seamless, ad-free streaming and video-playing capabilities. Depending on your choice, you can use either the Free or the Premium version.
5. Xtreme Media Player
Xtreme Media Player is another excellent app-based media player. Numerous video and audio file types, such as M2P, RMDV, TS, VOB, WEB, WMV, MP4, MP3, MPEG, MPEG1, FLV, GFX, DIVX, DAT, M2V, M2TS, MPEG4, and others, are supported.
Also, this player has a library area where you can put your preferred content in an orderly fashion. Moreover, it provides casting for a variety of devices. There are commercial interruptions since it is free. These pauses do not, however, happen regularly.
6. GOM Player
Because of its streamlined user interface, GOM Player is a well-known media player. Finger controls, subtitle synchronization, audio adjustments, and speed controls are among its features. Also, it offers an automated screen-off sleep timer option.
You can add your favourites to the library area of GOM Player. For simple streaming, the current version now supports online storage such as Google Drive, FTP, and Dropbox.
What’s best? With its VR Theater mode and hands-free control, you can experience watching a movie as if you were in a theatre. You don’t need to squander money on anything since it is free.
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7. Archos Video Player
Archos provides a variety of functionalities. It is equipped with a multitrack and subtitle feature just like any other video player. Moreover, it provides HW-accelerated encoding, subtitle synchronization, and audio boosting for audio files with poor audio quality.
The Archos Video Player is compatible with a variety of video formats, including FLV, AVI, WMV, MP4, and others, as well as subtitle codecs in SRT, SUB, and ASS.
Additionally, it supports 3D movies and has a built-in 3D player. This implies that you can watch a 3D movie in the convenience of your own home using a Chromebook and a pair of 3D glasses.
8. CnX Player
CnX Player is one of the finest players for watching videos with resolutions like Full HD, 4K Ultra HD, 1080P, 720P, etc. Also, it supports audio files in MP4, WEBM, XVID, 3GP, AVI, and other formats.
This video player lets you use features like auto-rotate, switch decoder, and screen gesture controls for a smooth experience while offering some intriguing themes for playing music.
The floating window is its finest feature. While using other Chromebook programs, you can stream your video file using the floating window. It is available for free download from the Google Play store.
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Using the Best Media Players on your Chromebook
Chromebooks’ video player situation is hit or miss. There are benefits and drawbacks to every software. Which video player software is more important to you depends on your needs.
The Android applications MX Player and VLC Player are both feature-rich but have issues with the mouse. All you need is the VLC Linux program, but most Chromebooks can’t handle its size.
In the end, I chose the lightweight InBasic MediaPlayer since it had all the functionality I needed. Nevertheless, you are free to use any of these video players at your discretion.