Warning: Many websites distribute fake or malware-infested codec packs. Only download from reputable sources.
Open MX Player → Settings → Decoder → Look for “NEON” under HW+/HW decoder info.
If NEON is listed as “Yes,” you have ARMv8 NEON.
If you are trying to install a codec for a specific version (like 1.49.0 or build 1490) and it is failing:
Why “1490 top”? In the XDA thread, version 1.49.0 had three NEON variants: armv8 neon codec for mx player 1490 top
The “top” referred to the top pipeline of the CPU—the out-of-order execution engine. The codec dynamically detected if the CPU supported LSE (Large System Extensions) and CRC32 instructions. If yes, it unlocked a hidden path: double-issue NEON instructions alongside integer ALU ops. On a Kirin 960 or Snapdragon 835, this gave a 22% performance boost over the standard 64-bit build.
The thread creator wrote, cryptically:
“This is not for benchmark chasers. This is for those who hear their CPU whisper.” The “top” referred to the top pipeline of
| Feature | Generic ARMv7 Codec | ARMv8 NEON Codec (Old v1.24) | ARMv8 NEON Codec for MX Player 1490 (Top) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Architecture | 32-bit | 64-bit (partial) | Full 64-bit ARMv8 | | NEON Utilization | Basic | Good | Advanced (SIMD vectorized) | | HEVC 10-bit Playback | Stutters above 720p | Choppy at 1080p | Smooth at 4K 60fps | | Battery Drain | High (SW decode) | Moderate | Low (HW+ decode) | | Android 12+ Support | Crashes often | Unstable | Fully compatible | | Audio Passthrough | No | Limited | Yes (HDMI/Bluetooth) |
If you are experiencing "This codec is not compatible with your MX Player version" – you need the 1490 top variant.
As of 2025, MX Player has shifted focus toward streaming and OTT content, but its offline playback engine remains strong. The next logical evolution is Vulkan Video decoding and AV1 codec support. However, the ARMv8 NEON codec for MX Player 1490 will likely remain relevant for another 2–3 years, especially for legacy formats like XviD, DivX, and older MKV containers. “This is not for benchmark chasers
If you are using a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Dimensity 9300 device, you might eventually need a v1.50+ codec. But for 99% of current content, v1490 "top" is the gold standard.
In this context, "top" signifies the highest performance tier. It implies using the codec pack that fully leverages ARMv8's 64-bit capabilities and NEON optimizations for the fastest, smoothest playback—especially for 4K, 10-bit HEVC, or high-bitrate MKV files.