5 Hidden Features in VLC Player That You Need to Know

VLC can play online video files like YouTube videos, play almost all video codecs,  is available on almost every platform including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iPhone, and more. It can easily control playback framerate, bookmark exact moments in media files, and can even boost its out-the-box media playback features with extensions and plugins. VLC Media Player is an absolute beast of a program that can even be set up as your webcam.

In truth, though, VLC Media Playeris so much more than just an open-source media player and does more than simply play video files or other media files. In fact, VideoLan can be used as a video editor as it has editing capabilities, advanced controls, and much more. Unfortunately, many of these hidden features may not be apparent unless you read up on all that VLC Player has to offer. tick with us for the best VLC tricks. Here are some hidden VLC tips that can make VLC Media Player much more powerful and save you tons of time.

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More than a video player: Top 5 hidden VLC features

1. Creating Audio and Video Effects

Sometimes when streaming, the audio file isn’t correctly synced up with the video, and this can be incredibly annoying. To fix this issue (or just to create some cool audio/video effects of your own,) open VLC Player and select Tools, then click on Effects and Filters. Next, choose Audio Effect or Video Effect. Here you can play around with the effects that are available and see the changes you make live. This menu item also allows you to change the Brightness, Hue, and other effects. Change the tab to Synchronization to correct the audio-video syncing problem.

2. Take a snapshot of a Video

Taking a snapshot of a video is usually a tedious process involving Print Screen and Microsoft Paint. To take a snapshot with VLC, play a video and right-click on the desired screenshot. Hover the cursor over the Context drop-down Menu on the option that says Video. To enter capture mode and open capture device you need to select Take Snapshot in the popup menu. That’s all there is to it.

Transform VLC Player into a Screen Capture App

Find out how

3. Use a Video as Your Desktop Wallpaper

Screen recorder and desktop recording. No other media player offers this particular feature. Open VLC Player and go to the Preferences window. Choose the icon that says Video. Next, choose the Output box and select DirectX (DirectDraw). Restart VLC. Then load the video you wish to use and click the Video menu again. Choose Set as Wallpaper. When you are finished, change the Output setting back to Automatic and restart.

Convert/save files with VLC. Follow the link below to learn how to convert video and convert media files using VLC Media player.

Use VLC media player as a video converter to mp4

Click Convert

4. Listen to Online Radio Stations

Literally hundreds of SHOUTcast radio stations are available in VLC Player, but these stations have to be enabled to be accessible. Go to Media and select Services Discovery, then choose SHOUTcast. Finally, open the Playlist and find the station you wish to play. This feature can turn any compatible audio device into a powerful internet radio

5. Stream Podcasts

Forget downloading extra software to stream the podcasts you want to see. Open VLC Player and select the View menu. Then choose Playlist. Hover your cursor over the Podcast selection area in the sidebar. Click the + button, and then paste the address of the podcast feed into the box. VLC Player can then stream that podcast.

Check out VLC for Windows 10 to get a jump on the future of audio and video!