When I first downloaded VLC I thought it might be another media player using windows media in the backend(especially since the size was low) but when I started using it I knew this was hardcore:-)
It not only supports a host of formats but it supports a loads of features like encoding, streaming, dvd playback ripping and what else!
The interface is plain but once you explore all options you’ll find out how advanced it is & the beast is hidden in that simple interface. The performance is exceptionally good even with minimal hardware requirements, in short it does not require heavy metal hardware like media player and jet audio and runs even on baremini machines and the playback quality is exceptional. The package is very small in size and includes everything and the installation is pretty straightforward. The interface is not so plain and simple as winamp but again for the features it offers and the option of skins available its good.
The performance seemed to be a little better on Linux compared to windows and sometimes it opens up a black window of some Dirext X YUV filter. Earlier versions used to corrupt main screen but they seems to have fixed this bug in the latest versions(linux does nto seem to have this bug).I dont know about any other platform versions of vlc.
The number of formats supported are vast and do not require plugins like other players. You will rarely find any formats that cannot be played .divx, dvd, xvid, mpg, vcd .and its a long list. The player is independent and uses its own engine so you are no longer at the grace of windows components. Overall a good and worthy choice and if you are geeky then there is no way you will use any other player.but I always swing between another player called https://smplayer.sourceforge.net/(SMplayer) and VLC since sometimes SMplayer has better playback quality.but ah yes there is very little and a tight competition between these 2 players and so decision is really difficult. Overall a good, stable and advanced player and its availability across linux, windows, unix, mac etc make it a powerful multimedia player worth trying out.