mpvLinux
vs
Microsoft SilverlightWindows
mpv as a Linux alternative to Microsoft Silverlight
Updated
Our verdict
mpv is not a direct replacement for Microsoft Silverlight, but it can help in specific scenarios where the goal is to play media streams that were once delivered through Silverlight, especially if you can extract the stream URL. It won’t run Silverlight-based web applications or interactive content, and offers no DRM support. However, for users who only need to view legacy video streams outside the browser—such as archived media from defunct platforms—mpv’s broad codec support and streaming capabilities make it a practical tool when combined with external stream extraction tools.
- License
- GPL-2.0+ AND LGPL-2.0-or-later
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- v0.41.0 (December 21, 2025)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both can play video and audio content
- Support for streaming media from URLs
- Cross-platform availability
- Lightweight and fast media rendering
What is different
- mpv is a standalone media player, not a browser plugin
- No support for Silverlight’s .xap applications or interactive content
- Lacks DRM handling (e.g., PlayReady)
- Cannot execute .NET-based Silverlight code
- No integration with web-based enterprise apps that required plugin runtime
Opening your Microsoft Silverlight files
mpv cannot open Silverlight-specific files like .xap packages or .xaml content. If the media stream inside a Silverlight application can be extracted (e.g., via network inspection or third-party tools), mpv can often play the resulting video stream, especially if it's in common formats like H.264 or MP3. There is no built-in functionality to parse or convert Silverlight containers, so file compatibility depends entirely on external extraction methods.
Switching from Microsoft Silverlight to mpv, step by step
- Identify the actual media stream URL using browser developer tools or third-party extractors
- Copy the direct stream link (e.g., .m3u8, .ism/manifest, or .mpd)
- Launch mpv from the terminal with the stream URL: mpv 'stream_url'
- Use --demuxer=hls or --stream-lavf-o=protocol_whitelist="file,http,https,tcp,tls" if needed
- For repeated use, save configurations in ~/.config/mpv/mpv.conf
Key features of mpv
- Wide format and codec support
- Keyboard‑driven control
- Drag‑and‑drop playlist
- External configuration files
- Multimedia key support
- Scriptable via Lua and JSON‑RPC
How to install mpv on Linux
flatpak install flathub io.mpv.Mpvsudo apt install mpvsudo apt install mpvsudo dnf install mpvsudo pacman -S mpvsudo zypper install mpvFrequently asked questions
Can mpv play DRM-protected videos from old Silverlight sites?
No. mpv does not support DRM systems like Microsoft PlayReady. If the content was protected, you won’t be able to play it, even if you have valid credentials or a license.
Can I use mpv as a browser plugin like Silverlight?
No. mpv has no browser plugin functionality. It runs as a standalone application and cannot embed into web pages or execute inline interactive content.
What tools can help extract streams from old Silverlight content?
Tools like Streamlink, youtube-dl/yt-dlp, or browser network inspectors can sometimes capture direct media URLs from websites that once used Silverlight for streaming.