MPC-HC is old-school software in the best possible way

Media Player Classic - Home Cinema (MPC-HC) is a free, open-source video and audio player designed for Windows. Based on the original Guliverkli project, MPC-HC includes numerous enhancements and bug fixes. Compatible with a wide range of video and audio formats, this player features a DVD player with real-time zoom, AVI subtitle support, and several built-in codecs.

Created and maintained by programmer Gabest, MPC-HC began as a mod of the Media Player Classic, specifically designed for home cinema use. After the original project's cessation in 2017, a community fork led by clsid2 on GitHub took over development, providing regular updates and bug fixes. The current version includes codec updates, such as AV1 and HEVC improvements, as well as enhancements to compatibility with modern Windows versions.

MPC-HC also supports GPU-accelerated decoding, reducing CPU usage during playback of high-definition or 4K video. Although it lacks the modern interface and extensive feature set of some other media players, MPC-HC remains lightweight and closely adheres to its classic design. Users can customize various settings, such as playback position, video effects, keyboard shortcuts, and more.

While the player is updated periodically with new features and improvements, the frequency of updates has slowed compared to other media players. Despite this, the latest updates still occur several times a year, ensuring the software remains functional and up-to-date.