The latest version of the VLC software supports 8K resolution, HDR, and 360 video. It also features support for casting video to Chromecast.

A major update
The open source VLC software, designed for playback of video stored locally, just got a lot more capable with a major 3.0 release. There are so many new features that we don’t know where to start.

- “VLC 3.0.0 is the first version of "Vetinari" branch of our popular media player,” the organization said. “ activates hardware decoding by default, to get 4K and 8K playback!”

Besides support for 4K and 8K, VLC 3.0 now supports HDR10. It also supports 360 video, and passthrough or HD audio formarts. The list goes on and covers everything from 12-bit video to support for HD DVD .evo container and Blu-ray java menus. The full list of new features can be found here.




VLC is available on a range of devices spanning from PCs to mobile devices to TV platforms such as Apple TV and Android TV. Not all of the new features are available on every platform, obviously, but the PC version is now more capable than ever. There are also a dozen Android-specific new features such as support for picture-in-picture. 

In addition, VLC 3.0 includes Chromecast support, “even in formats not supported natively”, the organization said.

VLC 3.0 is free to download and available now.

 
VLC 3.0 highlights
 
 
VLC 3.0 activates hardware decoding by default, to get 4K and 8K playback!
 
 It supports 10bits and HDR
VLC supports 360 video and 3D audio, up to Ambisoncics 3rd order
 
 Can stream to Chromecast devices, even in formats not supported natively
 
Allows audio passthrough for HD audio codecs
 
 Can play Blu-Ray Java menus: BD-J
 
VLC supports browsing of local network drives and NAS
 
 
 - Source: VLC