Fermata Auto is a free compact multimedia app that delivers a user-friendly platform for enjoying audio, video, and TV content. Despite its small size, it's replete with features, enhancing the user's media playing experience and providing a robust solution for all entertainment needs.

Compared to VLC or MX Video Player, Fermata Auto is quite capable and offers an extensive feature set. It supports multiple media engines for improved performance and compatibility, adding IPTV streams, and a built-in equalizer to change the sound to users’ preferences. A standout feature is its ability to work with Android Auto and Android TV devices.

Entertainment in a flash

Fermata Auto supports a wide range of features, including the ability to play media files organized in folders and playlists from various sources, support for IPTV with EPG and archives, and add-ons for YouTube and web browsing. It also supports accessing network folders such as SFTP, SMB (CIFS), and Google Drive.

If you prefer a different media engine for better media processing and transcoding, you can opt to use those from MediaPlayer, ExoPlayer, or VLC. For audio, you can configure effects and playback speed for individual tracks and folders, or utilize the built-in EQ to change and apply custom tuning and signature for your speakers and all the media you will play across the board.

However, users need to navigate many features, which can be overwhelming for some. The app does a good job of remembering the last played track and position for each folder, and it allows for significant customization, including audio effects and playback speed for individual tracks and folders.

A caveat

Another important thing to be aware of is that, due to Google’s new policies with Android Auto, Fermata Auto is no longer available for download directly from the Play Store. Instead, you will need to get the latest release from the developer’s official GitHub page and sideload the application to your device to keep it up-to-date with the latest additions and fixes.

For media enthusiasts

Fermata Auto offers a comprehensive media playing experience for users seeking a full-featured experience that's able to play pretty much anything they want. However, the extensive features, which is one of its strengths, could also be a source of confusion and can overwhelming for some. That said, for those seeking a customizable and feature-rich media player, this app proves to be a convenient option.