Nova Media Player (Authentic)
Seamlessly browse files via SMB (V1, V2, V3), UPnP/DLNA, FTP, SFTP, and FTPS.
Beyond the core functions, Nova includes a collection of features that cater to power users:
| Feature | | VLC for Android | MX Player | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Ads | None (Donation only) | None | Yes (Heavy in free version) | | Privacy | No tracking | Open Source/Fair | Collects usage data | | Gesture Customization | Excellent (static) | Good | Limited | | AC3/DTS Audio | Yes (Built-in) | Requires separate pack | Requires custom codec | | Android TV Support | Fair (Leanback UI) | Excellent | Poor (Mobile UI) | | File Explorer | Minimalist | Advanced | Overwhelming |
Kodi is an incredibly powerful, highly customizable entertainment suite. However, it can be intimidating to set up, highly resource-intensive, and prone to breaking due to plugin updates. Nova acts as a "Kodi Lite." It gives you the beautiful movie wall interface and network streaming capabilities of Kodi, but installs in seconds, runs flawlessly on low-end hardware, and requires zero configuration. nova media player
For connecting to media servers like Plex, Emby, or Twonky. FTP/SFTP and FTPS: For secure remote access to files.
While Nova works excellently on touchscreens, its interface truly shines on Android TV, Google TV, and Fire TV devices. The user interface is built around leanback navigation, meaning it is fully controllable via a standard TV remote. It supports system-level integration, allowing its content recommendations to appear directly on the Android TV home screen. Nova Video Player vs. The Competition
Focuses on hardware acceleration for smooth playback of high-bitrate 4K content. Seamlessly browse files via SMB (V1, V2, V3),
When first installed, Nova scans your local storage or connected USB drives. It is recommended to keep movies and TV shows in separate folders to ensure the scraper identifies them correctly.
On your Windows PC or NAS, ensure the folder containing your movies or TV shows is set to "Shared" within your network settings, and note down your local IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.50).
Long-press on a folder and select to trigger the automatic metadata scraper. Step 4: Adjust Playback Settings Open the settings menu during playback to: Nova acts as a "Kodi Lite
Nova Player typically utilizes (Google’s media player library) or VLC as its decoding backend.
| Feature | VLC | KODI | PLEX | NOVA Video Player | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Simple, universal playback | Full-featured media center with limitless customizability | Server-client media streaming ecosystem | Elegant player with built-in library organizer | | Key Strength | Plays virtually any file, any codec | Extremely customizable, add-ons for everything | Stream your library to any device, anywhere | Best balance of simplicity and library management | | Setup Ease | Minimal | Can be complex and time-consuming | Moderate (server setup) | Very easy | | User Interface | Basic, functional | Highly customizable, but can be overwhelming | Polished, professional | Modern, intuitive, and TV-friendly | | Metadata/Scraping | None (just file names) | Excellent, but requires proper file naming | Excellent, automatic | Excellent, and more forgiving than Kodi | | Best For | Casual users who just want to play a file | Power users, tinkerers, and home theater enthusiasts | Users with large libraries who want to access content remotely | Users who want a beautiful library without the complexity of Kodi |
Originally a fork of the Archos Video Player, it has evolved into a powerful tool for users who want to organize and stream their personal media collections without the heavy overhead of suites like Plex or Kodi.