I also use, Real alternative and qt alternative(old wmp with codecs to support real and qt.(windows media player classic)) if vlc fails wmp classic usually handles it. To the best of my knolage wmp classic is clean, unlike wmp. divx player sucked 4 me. winamp is lame, I have herd good things about b.s.player as well as bad. I haven't used it vcl and wm classic(real,qt alternative)play every clip/movie/song I have ever encounter. Nimo's codec pack is what I contribute to my success.