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Ad free, privacy focused video player with broad codec support, gesture controls, streaming and HDR

Ad free, privacy focused video player with broad codec support, gesture controls, streaming and HDR

Vote (1 votes)

Program license Free

Developer Marcel Dopita

Version 0.212

Works under Android

Also known as Just (Video) Player

Vote

(1 votes)

Developer

Marcel Dopita

Works under

Android

Program license

Free

Version

0.212

Also known as

Just (Video) Player

Pros

  • Very broad audio codec support, including AC3, EAC3, DTS, DTS-HD and TrueHD
  • Plays modern video formats and containers, with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision on compatible hardware
  • Good Bluetooth audio sync that keeps sound aligned with the picture
  • Gesture based controls for seeking, brightness, volume and zoom, plus playback speed adjustment
  • Picture in Picture support, with a resizable floating window on Android 11 and newer
  • Fast subtitle loading, support for SRT, SSA, TTML and VTT, and automatic loading of external subtitles from a chosen folder
  • No ads, no tracking components and no unnecessary permissions, with open source code
  • Auto frame rate matching on Android TV and TV boxes (Android 6 and above)

Cons

  • Only one subtitle track can be displayed at a time, so dual language subtitles are not available
  • Lack of an on screen Back/Exit button can make leaving full screen playback awkward on gesture based Android navigation
  • Does not include any built in media catalog or online content, so you must supply all files or streams yourself

Just Video Player focuses on one clear task: playing the videos and streams you already have access to, with broad format support, precise touch controls and no advertising getting in the way. It suits viewers who want a straightforward, privacy friendly Android player that can handle everything from everyday clips to advanced surround audio formats.

Wide codec coverage for demanding media collections

Under the hood, Just Video Player is built on the ExoPlayer framework with its ffmpeg extension configured to accept all available audio formats. In practice this means it understands a long list of codecs, including:

- Popular compressed audio such as MP3, MP1, MP2, AMR (narrowband and wideband) and several AAC profiles, including xHE AAC on Android 9 and newer

- Higher fidelity options like Vorbis, Opus, FLAC, ALAC and PCM/WAVE (μ-law and A-law)

- Home theater oriented formats such as AC3, EAC3, DTS, DTS-HD and TrueHD

On the video side, the app supports H.263, H.264/AVC (with Main Profile available from Android 6), H.265/HEVC, MPEG-4 SP, VP8, VP9 and AV1. Containers such as MP4, MOV, WebM, MKV, Ogg, TS, PS and FLV are accepted, so mixed libraries of files from different sources are well covered.

Streaming is not an afterthought. Just Video Player can play content delivered via DASH, HLS, SmoothStreaming and RTSP, in addition to local files. High dynamic range is also supported: HDR10+ and Dolby Vision playback works on devices whose hardware and firmware allow it.

A standout detail is its handling of wireless sound. The player is designed to keep Bluetooth audio in sync with the video track, which is very helpful when you use Bluetooth earphones or speakers and want lip sync to stay tight.

Controls that stay out of the way

The interface puts the picture first, with controls that appear when needed and otherwise stay unobtrusive. Navigation feels direct, and most actions can be done with intuitive gestures instead of digging through menus.

Key playback features include:

- Playback speed control, so you can watch faster or slower without switching apps

- Horizontal swipes and double taps to jump forward or backward quickly along the timeline

- Vertical swipes to adjust brightness on the left side of the screen and volume on the right

- Pinch to zoom (from Android 7) plus resize options to fit or crop the video area

- A volume boost option when a file is mastered too quietly

There are also post playback options, such as skipping to the next file or removing the one you just watched, which makes it easier to manage a folder of videos directly from the player. A touch lock, activated with a long press, helps avoid accidental taps once you have everything set the way you want.

Taken together, these tools keep interaction quick and focused on the video itself rather than interface clutter.

Subtitle handling and language support

Subtitles are well covered. Just Video Player can display SRT, SSA, TTML and VTT files and lets you choose among available audio and subtitle tracks. External subtitles that are not embedded in the video can be loaded from storage, and the app can automatically pick matching files from a root video folder you designate, which reduces manual searching.

In use, subtitle files in SRT format load promptly, and the video starts right away instead of pausing for a lengthy font cache build. This helps keep the viewing experience fluid when you work with separate subtitle files.

There is one notable limitation: the player currently shows only one subtitle track at a time. If you like to watch with two subtitle languages displayed simultaneously, that setup is not supported here.

Picture in Picture, multitasking and TV features

For multitaskers, Picture in Picture support is a highlight. On Android 8 and later, you can put the video into a floating PiP window so you can use other apps while it keeps playing. On Android 11 and above that window is resizable, which aligns with the app’s ability to let you shrink and reposition the video on the screen.

Just Video Player is also a strong fit for Android TV and TV boxes. It supports automatic frame rate matching on Android TV devices running Android 6 or newer, so the refresh rate can adjust to match the video. That helps reduce judder on large screens and makes the most of the HDR capabilities mentioned earlier, as long as your hardware supports them.

Privacy conscious, ad free design

One of the most appealing aspects of Just Video Player is its restraint. There are no ads, no embedded tracking components and no bloated permission list. The app focuses solely on accessing and playing the media you already have, either locally or via supported streaming protocols, and it does not provide or promote any video catalog of its own.

The project is also open source, with the code made publicly available, which increases transparency around how it works. For users who value privacy and control over their apps, this combination of no advertising, minimal permissions and open development is a strong selling point.

Where it could improve

The overall approach is intentionally minimal, which will please many users, but there are a few areas where the experience could be smoother.

On phones that use gesture navigation in Android 10 and 11, leaving full screen playback can feel awkward. The app does not provide a prominent Back or Exit button in the upper left corner, so you rely on system gestures, which are not always convenient in landscape orientation. A visible on screen exit control would make navigation simpler on those devices.

As mentioned earlier, the inability to show more than one subtitle track at the same time is another limitation, especially for language learners who like dual subtitle setups.

Finally, because the app is focused on playback, it does not bundle any media store or streaming catalog. It only plays files and streams you bring yourself, which keeps it clean but may not satisfy those looking for built in content discovery.

Overall, Just Video Player is a strong choice for anyone who wants a compact, respectful Android video player with serious codec support, precise control gestures and a clear stance on privacy.

Pros

  • Very broad audio codec support, including AC3, EAC3, DTS, DTS-HD and TrueHD
  • Plays modern video formats and containers, with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision on compatible hardware
  • Good Bluetooth audio sync that keeps sound aligned with the picture
  • Gesture based controls for seeking, brightness, volume and zoom, plus playback speed adjustment
  • Picture in Picture support, with a resizable floating window on Android 11 and newer
  • Fast subtitle loading, support for SRT, SSA, TTML and VTT, and automatic loading of external subtitles from a chosen folder
  • No ads, no tracking components and no unnecessary permissions, with open source code
  • Auto frame rate matching on Android TV and TV boxes (Android 6 and above)

Cons

  • Only one subtitle track can be displayed at a time, so dual language subtitles are not available
  • Lack of an on screen Back/Exit button can make leaving full screen playback awkward on gesture based Android navigation
  • Does not include any built in media catalog or online content, so you must supply all files or streams yourself

Screenshots of Just Video Player APK