10 Little Known Tricks about VLC Media Player to Squeeze Most out of its Versatility

VLC is a free multimedia player used by huge number of users and favorite of many. When you ask “why” , answer begins with- ease of use, codec, speed, reliability but above all, the concept of ” versatility “. Famous Orange Cone is much more than a Video Player.

This article is a list of some useful tricks which could be performed on VLC Media Player. Transform, convert, broadcast and capture are the new verbs apart from “play” with VLC Media Player.

Some of these are useful while there are some which are meant just for fun.

Jigsaw Puzzle Game on VLC Video

The playback of video could be broken down into number of parts / pieces similar to what we have in Puzzle Games.

Tools > Effects and Filters > Video Effects > Geometry > Enable Puzzle Game and select number of Columns and rows on screen.

Make Artistic Sketch

Gradient Effect on VLC Media player could show Video as if its a sketch drawn by an Artist on Canvas.

Tools > Effects and Filters > Video Effects > Image Modification > check on Gradient

Add Logo / Watermark on Video

Though we have already covered a article on how to add Image Logo / Watermark on Video but if you want to have a temporary logo on the video only during playback in presentation, then VLC can do that too.

Tools > Effects and Filters > Video Effects > Logo > Check on Logo and give the file location of Image File either PNG or JPG.

Inbuilt Video Converter

When I say it’s more than a payer then you can expect common Multimedia features in VLC. It can convert any video to most popular Video formats without need of any extra software.

Media > Convert/ Save >Add File > Convert > Select Output format and directory to start processing video

Inception / Desktop inside Desktop Effect

Not so useful, Meant just for fun to see your Desktop screen go upto infinity.

Media > Open Network Stream > Type screen:// and Hit play button

Video Streaming

Not just Local Files (Saved on Compute) but also online media could be played on VLC directly.

You just need to have Video URL which has to be put in Media > Open Network Stream >Enter URL and Play. This could be even Youtube URL to play Youtube Videos on VLC or even Dailymotion and other popular online Video libraries.

Play RAR files / Splitted video Parts

Movie when downloaded from internet comes in several parts with extension .001 .002 which are splitted using WinRAR. You no more need another software to join those files for playback. Just drag the .001 file into VLC Player and you are ready to watch the movie.

Record from WebCam

Media > Open Capture Device and Play after selecting the WebCam. In my case, it was integrated Webcam to my Laptop.

Download Online Media / Streaming Videos

While online media is playing then you can obtain a direct link to download it using VLC. Go to Tools > Codec Information and at the bottom, you will find address of file in Location box.

Alternatively, we can do it by just using Record Option to capture live streaming of video.

Enable Advanced Control from View menu and you will see RECORD button (Red circle)

Video Screenshots

You may want to capture some video still and export into JPG / PNG Image file then VLC has Snapshot feature. Right on Video Playback screen and click on Snapshot.

Image file will be saved to the directory you have mentioned in Preferences of VLC.

Were you aware that these all functions could be done using simple Media player? Imagine how many software could be trashed off from your computer which were meant to perform those small operations mentioned above.