Mpv – A free, open-source, and cross-platform media player

The best media player available on linux. The worst GUI (none) out of the box. Bearable after tinkering a bit with configs.

> The best media player available on linux

Strong clam, this ...

PS. For the controversy: Please note I am not disputing the claim - particularly when many claim this is the best player on any platform, not just Linux.-

> Strong clam, this ...

What's better?

mplayer

Isn't mpv a more modern and maintained mplayer fork? Mplayer was my go-to for many many years, starting in the early 2000s, but I switched at one point and can't remember why. What do you prefer about mplayer?

If I recall correctly, for a brief time mplayer disappeared from Debian. At the time I evaluated various alternatives and mpv was one of them, but I switched back to mplayer as soon as it made its way back to the distribution. For me, mplayer is the standard media player. I guess I just don't see any reason to switch to mpv or to any other player.

I see no reason to cling to mplayer/mplayer2, mpv has pushed things forward from there.

mplayer is what I used to use ages ago, can't think of a single thing I miss that it did which mpv doesn't. Like you, I was introduced to mpv through the debian disappearance, and it's been fine. Forks can be necessary to keep development active; it's one of the core features of FOSS.