Free MKV player for MKV video files and media files - playing MKV media files on VLC Player 1.0.5

Requirements
Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows XP

Author/Supplier
Videolan

File Size
18MB

File Name
vlc-1.0.5-win32.exe

Software Type and License
Free MKV player (open source)

[Click here to Download]

Description
What is an MKV file?
An MKV file is a media format that is named after the matryoshka* - Russian dolls that fit inside each other. MKV files are different to most video files in one key area - they allow different types of content to be wrapped up together. This can include a range of video, audio, picture or sub-title tracks. The easiest way to think of it is like a handbag for various media files. For example, if you went on holiday, you could easier include videos, photographs and even music or other sounds in one simple file. Unlike most video formats where you must rigidly stick to one type of video file (eg Quicktime), you are free to include different file types - such as video captured from different cameras. Plus you can put in sub-titles in parts where a particular person's voice has not been recorded clearly.

Is there a free MKV player available?
In order to view the contents of an MKV file, you need a special player. Windows Media Player or Quicktime can't play MKV files unless you track down the correct codec pack for each. Even this may create problems if the MKV file contains formats such as RealPlayer or you have certain problematic versions of these players or their codecs on your system. The easiest solution is VLC Player, a free MKV player that can view both MKV video files and many other common media files. It will allow you to play MKV files on most Windows systems. The free download package listed above will install version 1.0.5 of the VLC player onto your system.

*Matroska can confuse Russian speakers as it is a transliteration from Russian into English. In Russian, Matroska means sailor suit. The correct Russian word should be matryoshka.

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