Media Player Classic - Home Cinema (MPC-HC) is a free, open-source media player for Windows, known for its lightweight design and comprehensive format support. Originating as a fork of the original Media Player Classic (MPC), MPC-HC was created to enhance and update the functionalities of its predecessor.
The original MPC was developed by Microsoft in 2003 as a lightweight, customizable media player. However, development ceased when the lead developer became inactive. Recognizing the need for continued development, Casimir666 initiated the MPC-HC project in 2006, building upon the groundwork laid by MPC. This revival aimed to provide a modern, efficient media player while retaining the simplicity and performance of the original.
MPC-HC introduced numerous enhancements, including:
The project saw active development and community engagement, earning recognition as SourceForge's "Community Choice" Project of the Month in November 2014.
Development continued robustly until July 16, 2017, when version 1.7.13 was released, marking the official end of active development due to a shortage of developers. Despite this, the open-source nature of MPC-HC allowed the community to continue its legacy. Notably, a developer known as clsid2 has maintained and updated the player, ensuring its compatibility with modern codecs and operating systems.
Today, MPC-HC lives on in clsid2's fork
