Overview

OpenSubtitles.org is a well-known website with a huge subtitles database. Except for the subtitles, Open Subtitles is also known for MKV Player, a media player that includes the most common features found in any other player, equipped with some unique functions like API integration with OpenSubtitles.org that allows you to download, upload, vote etc. subtitles for the movie you’re watching, detection and updating of missing codecs and others.

Installation

Nothing special in this setup procedure. A few steps after launching the installer you will be asked whether you want to install Babylon Toolbar and set Babylon as the default homepage and search provider. After a few more steps the program will prompt you to choose which components you want to install. The available ones are subtitle integration with OpenSubtitles.org, Additional Skins and ALLConverterPRO. Then the installation will begin.

It is supported by all Windows OS.

Interface

It has a cool interface which can be changed since there is support for various skins. The playback controls are aligned at the bottom of the player along with other buttons, such as a button to turn on/off the subtitles and a button that brings up a context menu regarding filters. The configuration button is located at the bottom right corner, below the volume slider and next to the Playlist and Fullscreen buttons. Right clicking on the screen will open a menu that you can use to access all of the program’s features.

Pros

There are many advantages to using this program. Firstly, it has API integration with OpenSubtitles.org and therefore you can download, upload, vote and report subtitles from the website’s database. A unique feature of MKV Player is Intelligent Subtitles, which analyzes the subtitles length and sets the time display properly so that you won’t miss any part of the subtitles due to short time display.

The program can play DivX, MKV, WMV, AVI, Xvid, DVD, PM3, MP4, VOB, 3GP, FLAC, Flash, QuickTime and other types of files. For any video file, MKV Player detects missing codecs (if needed) and with LiveUpdate you can download and install their latest version.

If you checked to install ALLConverter during the setup, you will now be able to convert media files from one file format to another. Just open a video file in MKV Player, go to Preferences -> Tools -> ALLConverter and click start. The conversion process will begin.

Cons

It is a buggy player, with graphical glitches here and there, as well as Polish phrases that haven’t been translated to English. The preferences menu and the fonts used are inelegant, rough and unfashionable. Also, the relationship between MKV Player and ALLPlayer is not clear. MKV Player is based on ALLPlayer, but ALLPlayer continues to update as a separate media player, even though the email addresses that are used to contact MKV Player’s staff refer to ALLPlayer.

Alternatives

Media Player Classic (free), or MPC for short, is one of the greatest video players of all time. The compatibility with audio and video files is exceptional, and its features are limitless. It is highly customizable and very lightweight, making it perfect for any kind of use. Another awesome media player is VideoLAN (VLC for short, free), which relies only in its built-in codecs to play video files, this being the reason why it has such an outstanding playback compatibility.

Conclusion

All in all, this is a media player you should use only if you are a regular visitor of OpenSubtitles.org, and in any other case it is a good idea to look for an alternative that is more modern, attractive and less glitchy.