A new version of free, open source HD video player Miro launched today. The makers of Miro 2.0 say that this is the “biggest update in the project’s history.”

Miro is a collaborative project developed by the Participatory Culture Foundation (PCF), a non-profit organization, and by volunteers around the world. PCF has a mission to create a more open and decentralized online video space. Miro is used by hundreds of thousands of people around the world— only a quarter of whom are based in the United States.

Miro was downloaded more than 4 million times last year and has been translated into more than 40 languages by volunteers around the world.

The built-in “Miro Guide” content directory was just updated in anticipation of the release of Miro 2.0. “The Miro Guide now has 6,000 free video podcasts, many of which are in HD,” said Dean Jansen, Outreach Director. “We’re building the best combination of player and directory anywhere, and it’s all completely open.”

Developers say this version of Miro is less a collection of features than a “rethinking” of how people can use video online. “Miro 2.0 is specifically designed for the emergence of HD video online— the video quality goes way beyond what is possible on even the best streaming websites,” said Nicholas Reville, Executive Director and Co-Founder.

Miro can be downloaded here.

Miro 2.0 introduces several key new features:

• All-new interface, including new list view option
• Browse while viewing: users can play videos in a separate window
• Users can add streaming shows like those on Hulu to their sidebar, making Miro a comprehensive video player for both podcast and streaming video
• Faster performance, lower memory use, and faster torrent downloads
• User can add sites like Archive.org or Legaltorrents.com to the Miro sidebar and download with a single click
• New support for audio podcasts as well as video