Not gonna lie, as much as @mikeappsreviewer geeked out over Elmedia (and, yeah, it is a solid pick if you want something plug-n-play for weird files and streaming), I gotta challenge the idea there isn’t anything else worth considering—especially for folks who tinker with all sorts of formats or want a more open-source route.
Personally, I gave IINA a run on Sequoia, and it’s smooth as butter on everything I’ve thrown at it—4K MKVs, HEVC, all the subs you can imagine. Where Elmedia impresses with plug-and-play, IINA wins on customization. Keyboard shortcuts? You bet. Visual tweaks? Tons. Extra filters? They’re there. Bonus: It has an honestly nice Mac-friendly UI (feels a little more modern to me), and it’s all free, which matters if you like open-source stuff.
That being said, AirPlay and streaming get dicey with IINA compared to Elmedia—so yeah, if seamless TV casting is your jam, Elmedia does edge ahead. But for the purists, hobbyists, or those who like to tweak every little playback quirk, IINA is hard to beat. I wouldn’t say Elmedia is the “only” choice, but for less techy folks or anyone who just wants it to “work” without extra effort, it definitely earns the rep @mikeappsreviewer gives it.
tl;dr:
- Elmedia Player: foolproof, format-eater, best for anyone who’s had enough of “this file can’t be played”-style trauma.
- IINA: for the customization-obsessed or open-source fans who don’t mind fiddling with settings and might skip on seamless streaming.
It’s more Coke/Pepsi than “there’s only one answer.” Just comes down to which problems annoy you more—file compatibility headaches, or hunting for an extra feature. YMMV, but at least you’ve got real picks on Sequoia now.