I dumped streaming apps for a local Android player; the difference was night and day

In the era of skyrocketing streaming service costs, ads, and constant buffering, a local Android media player like VLC has become a game-changer for one journalist. After enduring constant buffering, quality throttling, and intrusive ads while trying to watch shows like "The Grand Tour" on Prime, the writer realized it was time to switch back to a reliable local player.

VLC, a media player he'd used since 2001, offered a night-and-day difference in playback reliability and content quality. By downloading and ripping movies and TV shows from various sources or physical DVDs, the writer stored them on a portable SSD, NAS, phone storage, and microSD cards. Using VLC's hardware acceleration feature, he could enjoy smoother playback and higher-resolution content without ads or buffering interruptions.

VLC's ability to access NAS via SMB service added convenience, while the app's familiarity and low battery consumption were additional bonuses. For those considering a switch, VLC offers a more personalized media experience, lower costs, and the satisfaction of owning a collection of high-quality content.