MPUI

MPUI represents a graphical interface for the MPlayer command-line app, allowing users to play multimedia files in a comfortable environment that resembles Windows Media Player 6.

This is a portable app, so there is no setup pack involved. You can drop the executable file anywhere on the hard disk and click it to run.

Alternatively, you can run MPUI on any machine from a USB flash disk or similar device. What's more, it doesn't add new entries to the Windows registry, Start menu, or any other part of the HDD.

Media files can be loaded into the workspace via the file browser or drag-and-drop support, from the computer, an external device or URL. Aside from standard media controls (e.g. volume adjustment, full-screen mode), you can make the frame stay on top of other windows and enable OSD.

It is possible to create and save playlists, enable shuffle or repeat mode, load subtitle tracks, change the aspect ratio, turn on deinterlacing, and view clip information.

As far as program settings go, you can select the sound output driver, DirectSound output device, post-processing mode, and UI language, rebuild the file index if necessary, run MPUI with higher priority, as well as enable volume boost and enter additional MPlayer command-line parameters.

MPUI uses a light amount of CPU and RAM, so it doesn't affect system performance. It has a good response time and works well. We have not experienced any issues in our evaluation since the app did not cause Windows to hang, crash or show error notifications. However, MPUI has not been updated for a while.