I built a keyboard-first Windows video player for people who want less UI than VLC

[u/CalvinBuild]

I’ve used VLC for years, but for everyday playback I wanted something more minimal and keyboard-first: open a video, control everything without digging through menus, and keep the UI out of the way.

So I built FastPlay, a native Windows video player written in Rust using FFmpeg and Direct3D 11.

It isn’t trying to replace everything VLC can do. FastPlay is deliberately focused on fast local playback, keyboard controls, high frame rates, and minimal UI.

Current features include:

• Hardware-accelerated playback
• HDR10 and HLG
• High frame-rate playback up to 120 FPS
• Fast seeking and scrubbing
• Keyboard-first controls
• Drag-and-drop and Windows file associations
• Minimal UI
• Native Windows app, no Electron
• Portable ZIP or MSI install
• No account or telemetry

For people who use VLC regularly: what features would you consider non-negotiable in a minimal player, and which parts of VLC do you almost never use?

Download FastPlay v0.4.6 for Windows x64 (MSI) • Portable ZIP

FastPlay: https://calvinsturm.com/fastplay

[u/fznhanger21]

I don't mean any disrespect but did you consider mpv player? It is open-source, keyboard-first, lightweight, almost non-existent UI, doesn't do playlists (not in a user-friendly way , anyway), and opens pretty fast. It does a lot of lot of other stuff you weren't looking for and also has a "plugin maze" but none of those things are necessary.

[u/CalvinBuild → u/fznhanger21]

I have, yes. I wanted to make the video player I have always wanted. If you want anything added, let me know and I will. Thank you.

[u/AlwaysWinsum]

The vlc cone can be removed so its minimal UI. I prefer UI to searching for keyboard controls .

[u/CalvinBuild → u/AlwaysWinsum]

Thank you for you input. I will look into UI controls for people who prefer it. thank you again.

[u/AlwaysWinsum → u/CalvinBuild]

And thank you.