VLC 3.0 is here: the popular player now supports Chromecast

VLC has long been one of QuickTime Player's main competitors. The versatility to play virtually any Video and Audio file, as well as a cross-platform service and open source development, have made it one of the most popular players to date.

This update was worth waiting for. In addition to the typical performance improvements and application optimization, we have many new options. Among them is compatibility with chromecast. From now on you can launch the content of your reproduction to the television compatible with the Google device.

Before detailing all the news, let's first comment on where it should improve in future versions. Practically all the consulted media agree on the interface, which has been the same for 10 or 15 years, only with small touches. This adds versatility, but also a somewhat dated image. Furthermore, it does not reflect the quality of the program within it.

Instead, yes what internal changes have occurred. The process has been streamlined and benefits from hardware acceleration. We will see the benefits later, but for now to say that it plays heavy videos, consuming fewer resources.

As we said, one of the points in its favor is the compatibility of formats. The most common audio or mobile phones, plays them without problems. But it does the same with very specific formats like TDSC, Canopus HQX, Cineform, SpeedHQ or Pixlet, among others. As well improves content playback within a network with NFS, SMB, SFTP, FTP formats and others.

And finally, as more significant news, in addition to the aforementioned Chromecast, we can now Play 360-degree videos, 10- and 12-bit high dynamic range (HDR) playback support, and 4K and 8k playback. 

Both those who want to update and download for the first time the application, they must download it from the application website. At least in my case, the option to search for a new update in version 2 of the application has not worked for me.