VLC Media Player It's one of those essential programs that almost always appears installed on any computer, whether for novice users or true multimedia enthusiasts. However, it's most commonly used for its most basic function, limiting us to its most visible aspect: playing video and audio files.
Little by little, new versions and options have appeared that make it a true All-in-one for managing, converting and editing multimedia filesIf you've ever been curious about what VLC has to offer, here's a collection of tricks, little-known features, and tips to help you get the most out of it and take your experience far beyond just watching movies or listening to music.
Convert videos and audios to other formats without extra programs
One of the most useful features of VLC is its powerful format conversion tool.Forget downloading dubious converters or paid programs: with VLC, you can transform both videos and audios into the extension of your choice in just a few clicks.
Just open VLC, go to the menu Medium (o Archive on Mac) and select Convert. Then, choose the file you want to convert, select the output format from a generous list (such as MP4, AVI, MKV, MP3, etc.), and decide where to save it. All this in a clean and easy-to-follow interface, perfect for users of any skill level.
Furthermore, You can adjust the quality and technical details of the resulting file, in case you need something specific for your device or want to reduce the file size. This option is perfect if you have videos with a strange extension that won't play on your TV or phone, or if you need to quickly convert audio without complicating your life.
How to download videos from YouTube and other websites with VLC
Download videos directly from the internet, especially from YouTube, has become an increasingly common need. VLC allows you to do this without relying on external websites that are often full of ads and pose risks to your computer. While it's not the most direct solution, it is one of the most reliable and secure.
How does it work? You just have to open the option Open network location on the menu Medium, paste the URL of the video you are interested in (e.g., from YouTube) and press play. Once the upload starts, go to Tools > Codec Information and there you will see a field called Place (o Location on Mac). Copy that link and paste it into your browser: as soon as the video loads, right-click and select Save video as. Video download without headaches!
This trick is perfect for saving presentations, online tutorials, or any content you want to view offline or keep in your personal library.
Play everything from compressed videos to online content
One of the reasons why VLC Media Player is so loved is its ability to support virtually any video or audio format you can throw at it, even the less common ones. But that's not all: if you have files compressed in ZIP or RAR (even if they're fragmented into several parts), simply drag the file or open it normally in VLC to play them without having to decompress them first.
Likewise, you can play online videos directly from any link, not just from YouTube, thanks to the function Open network locationThis is very useful for taking advantage of the power of VLC (with all its advanced controls and options) instead of playing videos in less stable or less feature-rich browsers.
Record video clips, your desktop, or webcam with ease
VLC goes one step further than simple playback: it is also capable of Record what happens on your desktop, capture your webcam, or extract video and audio clips. while you're playing them. These features are ideal for creating tutorials, sharing visual explanations, or simply catching up on that specific piece of a movie or song.
To record the desktop, use the option Open capture device, select the mode Desktop and choose the frame rate (15 fps for general use, 30 fps for fast motion). From there, you can choose the output format, resolution, and where to save the recording.
In the case of the webcam, Select Directshow In capture mode, choose your video and audio device and record without installing additional software. You can also adjust technical parameters such as bit rate and camera properties.
To extract specific fragments of a video or audio you are watching, activate the advanced controls on the menu Eyeglasses and use the record button when you reach the desired point. VLC will automatically save the fragment to your video or music folder. It's a useful tool for quickly editing your files or extracting memorable parts.
Add subtitles and sync them like a pro
Add subtitles to your videos in VLC It was never so simpleYou can do this in several ways: from the menu Subtitle > Add subtitle file, simply dragging the SRT file onto the playback window, or even leaving the subtitle file with the same name and in the same folder as the video, so that VLC will load it automatically.
Subtitles out of sync with the picture? No problem, VLC allows you to do this. adjust the delay from the effects and filters menu, so that the image and text are perfectly in sync. You can also manually sync the audio with the image if you notice any discrepancies, which is an advantage over other players.
Subscribe to and manage your favorite podcasts and radio stations
Did you know that VLC is also an excellent podcast and online radio managerYou can add any podcast using its RSS address. Just go to the Play list (Ctrl+L or from the menu View), look for the section Podcast within the section Internet and tap the add icon. Paste the RSS feed URL and you'll have access to all its episodes directly from VLC.
Managing radio stations works in a very similar way: add the URL of your favorite station in Open network location and then save it in your Play list o media library for quick access whenever you want to listen to live content. It's a perfect solution for centralizing your preferences without switching apps.
Customize the look and feel of VLC in unexpected ways
VLC allows customize your interface to adapt it to your taste. Access Tools > Customize Interface and modify the buttons and controls that appear on the screen. This way, you can create an environment that's perfectly tailored to your needs, whether for greater comfort or simply to have an interface you like better.
But customization goes further: you can control VLC from your browser web, either on your mobile or computer, as long as both devices are on the same network. You just need to enable the option in Tools > Preferences > Interface, activate the web interface and set a password in the section Moon. After restarting and configuring the firewall, access http://localhost:8080/ from any device and you will have complete control over your content.
Use videos as your desktop background
Want to surprise your friends or give your desktop a unique look? VLC offers the option to display a video as wallpaperIt's very simple: from Tools > Preferences > Video, Select DirectX (DirectDraw) in the video output. After restarting the player, simply play any video and from the menu Institutional choose the option Set as Wallpaper.
Edit, add audio and video effects and add watermarks
For those who enjoy the light edition, VLC allows you to modify parameters such as brightness, contrast, saturation and audio synchronization.. Accede to Tools> Effects and Filters and explore the different tabs (audio, video and synchronization).
Also, you can add watermarks to your videos using the tab OverlapChoose to add text or an image (for example, your logo), and adjust its position and transparency to personalize or protect your creations.
Normalizes volume and optimizes sound in one step
Have you ever noticed that some videos sound much quieter than others? VLC has the option to normalize the volume intensity. From Tools> Preferences in the section Audio, active Normalize volume and adjust the level to your preference. This way, you'll hear all your files at a consistent volume without any interruptions.
VLC Advanced Features and Fun Facts
The player hides curious and surprising options. For example, you can play videos in ASCII mode to turn the image into typographic art. Just go to Tools > Preferences > Video > Output and select ASCII-art color video outputAfter rebooting, you'll enjoy movies with a retro, artistic style.
Another fun feature is the "Inception" effect: it opens Medium > Open Network Location and writes Screen:// as a URL. The VLC window will play itself in an infinite loop, simulating the scene in the movie where dreams contain other dreams.
Create custom bookmarks to access key scenes
If you want to mark specific playback times, you can use custom bookmarks. In Playback > Custom Favorites You can save specific points and name them for quick access later, without manually rewinding or searching scene by scene.
Extra tricks and essential keyboard shortcuts
We cannot close this review without mentioning keyboard shortcuts, which make controlling the program much easier. Some of the most useful include:
- F: Fullscreen
- I: Exit full screen mode
- Space bar: Pause or resume
- V: Turn subtitles on or off
- Ctrl + Up/Down Arrow: Increase or decrease the volume
- Ctrl + D: Open disk
- Ctrl + R: Advanced Conversion and Saving
- N: Next file
- S: Stop playback
- Ctrl + P: Preferences
- Ctrl + L: Playlist
- M: Mute
- T: Show elapsed or remaining time
- Ctrl + E: Effects and filters
- Ctrl + B: Manage bookmarks
- Ctrl + N: Open network menu
There are many more combinations, and each important function usually has its own shortcut, which makes working with VLC much more convenient and efficient.
VLC Media Player is packed with features, shortcuts, and hidden tricks that let you take full advantage of its capabilities, from customizations to advanced features and fun options. Just explore its menus and dare to try new options to completely transform the way you enjoy multimedia content with a free, secure, and versatile player.