also some framerate issues.

I think, so far, bs player has been by far the best with mkv files but they require several codecs to install. I believe a 'haali" media splitter or something actually caused my computer windows explorer to completely and utterly crash ad nauseum, so hesitant to use it for sure

my comp's pretty old, but it's still alienware. 2.3 ghz duo-core, 2gbs ram, etc.. windows vista ultimate.

well you can try VLC or download the K-lite codec pack for window media player

Get CCCP, it has all codecs built in and it also installs MPC (media player classic) best media player for movies I've ever used.

Try VLC and I really think you should upgrade to windows 7.

I use the full version of K-Lite Codec Pack + MPC to watch .mkv formats, but you can use Basic or Standard. You can download it as a package by following the link below:

http://www.codecguide.com/download_kl.htm

You should be able to play .mkv files just fine. I think the k-lite codec pack removes all the "bad" codecs you might have installed on the system. You could just install VLC player but I think media player classic does a better job though.

I have 512mb ram + Pentium 4(2.79GHZ) + 128mb Intel integrated graphics and I watch 720p anime releases with minimal shuttering.

Use JetAudio. It plays it flawlessly and even other files that I haven't even heard of O.o

I prefer CCCP + (inbuilt w/ CCCP) Classic media player Homecinema over k-lite. (default softsubtitle font is very nice)
But it doesn't really matter as long the videos don't lag. You are not going to look at the GUI when watching movies anyways


CoreAVC is a very good codec, and they even claim to be "Worlds Fastest High Definition H.264 Video Software Decoder." Works very well too, but cost money...

I find VLC is the only player that can play the most number of file types.
However, there's no option to auto-save the Playlist like Real Player.

I'd go with either KMPlayer or VLC. More KMPlayer as it's a cleaner looking program.