mpv-android is a video player for Android based on libmpv.

Features:

* Hardware and software video decoding

* Gesture-based seeking, volume/brightness control and more

* libass support for styled subtitles

* Advanced video settings (interpolation, debanding, scalers, ...)

* Play network streams with the "Open URL" function

* Background playback, Picture-in-Picture, keyboard input supported

The full set of dependencies for each build can be found in the release notes on our GitHub repository.

mpv-android is a free and open-source video player application for Android devices, ported from the acclaimed desktop media player, mpv. Its primary focus is on providing a powerful and versatile playback experience, prioritizing functionality and customizability over a polished or streamlined user interface. This minimalist approach appeals to users seeking granular control over their video playback, offering a wealth of options and settings typically absent in mainstream mobile video players.

The core strength of mpv-android lies in its inheritance of mpv's robust playback engine. This engine supports a vast array of video and audio codecs, container formats, and subtitle types, ensuring compatibility with virtually any media file. Furthermore, mpv-android leverages hardware acceleration whenever possible, optimizing performance and minimizing battery consumption. This efficient playback capability allows users to enjoy high-resolution videos smoothly, even on less powerful devices.

Unlike many mobile video players that rely on external decoders, mpv-android incorporates its own internal decoders, providing a consistent playback experience across different Android devices. This eliminates the inconsistencies and compatibility issues often encountered when relying on the device's pre-installed codecs. This internal decoding capability also allows for more precise control over video rendering, enabling advanced features like custom shader support.

The user interface of mpv-android is deliberately minimalistic, focusing on providing essential playback controls without unnecessary clutter. While this minimalist design might appear spartan to some, it allows for a distraction-free viewing experience and facilitates quick access to core functions. The on-screen controls are intuitive and easily customizable, allowing users to tailor the interface to their preferences.

Gesture-based controls are a key feature of mpv-android, enabling users to adjust playback speed, volume, and brightness with simple swipes and taps. This intuitive control scheme further enhances the user experience, eliminating the need for cumbersome button presses and menus. These gestures are also highly customizable, allowing users to define their preferred actions for specific gestures.

Subtitle support in mpv-android is extensive, encompassing a wide range of subtitle formats and offering granular control over appearance and synchronization. Users can easily load external subtitle files or utilize embedded subtitles within video files. Advanced features like subtitle styling and character encoding customization provide further flexibility for optimizing the subtitle viewing experience.

Network streaming is another significant capability of mpv-android, enabling users to play videos directly from URLs or network shares. This functionality expands the player's versatility beyond local files, allowing access to online video content without the need for external applications. Support for various streaming protocols ensures compatibility with a wide range of online video sources.

Advanced users can further enhance mpv-android's functionality through the use of configuration files and scripts. This level of customization allows for fine-tuning of playback parameters, enabling features like custom keybindings, video filters, and audio processing. This extensive configurability makes mpv-android a powerful tool for users seeking granular control over their video playback environment.

While mpv-android excels in functionality and customizability, its minimalist interface and reliance on configuration files might present a steeper learning curve for novice users. However, the wealth of online resources and community support available can assist users in navigating the application's complexities and unlocking its full potential. This active community ensures continuous development and improvement of the application.

In conclusion, mpv-android stands as a compelling alternative to mainstream mobile video players, offering a powerful and highly customizable playback experience. Its focus on functionality, extensive codec support, and advanced customization options make it an ideal choice for users seeking granular control over their video playback. While its minimalist interface might not appeal to everyone, its underlying power and versatility make it a valuable tool for discerning video enthusiasts.