Here's what's new in Kodi 19 'Matrix' August 10, 2020 https://betanews.com/2020/08/10/whats-new-kodi-19-matrix/ Kodi 19.x "Matrix" - Alpha 1
Kodi 19 “Matrix” Alpha 2 launches with new fixes October 6, 2020 https://www.neowin.net/news/kodi-19-matrix-alpha-2-launches-with-new-fixes Kodi 19.x "Matrix" - Alpha 2
For Windows, I don't know. I never tried Kodi on Windows. For Kubuntu, Kodi plays specifically Disney/Pixar DVDs much better than VLC media player or any other media player that I tested on Kubuntu. See my March 28 post in the 'What's your default Video Player?' thread. I haven't tested Kodi with anything else than Disney/Pixar DVDs. For simple video or audio files I use VLC media player on Kubuntu.
IMHO it's like comparing apples vs oranges. VLC and MPC-BE are "just" media players. Kodi is a media center software.
New Kodi 19 'Matrix' release delivers major feature changes November 2, 2020 https://betanews.com/2020/11/02/new-kodi-19-matrix-release-feature-changes/ Kodi 19.x "Matrix" - Alpha 3
New Kodi 19 'Matrix' release is the build you've been waiting for November 22, 2020 https://betanews.com/2020/11/22/new-kodi-19-matrix-release-beta/ Kodi 19.x "Matrix" - Beta 1
Brand new Kodi 19 'Matrix' available -- download it NOW! December 9, 2020 https://betanews.com/2020/12/09/new-kodi-19-matrix-release-beta2/ Kodi 19.x "Matrix" - Beta 2