VLC Media Player is one of those software programs you can find on almost everyone’s PC or laptop. But if you ask people what they use it for, the only answer you’ll usually hear is playing music and videos. I don’t blame them, as the app is so goated that hardly anyone ever gets to understand its true capabilities. I was just like them, using it as a dependable media player until a few years ago, when I decided to dig deep into the settings and menus of the platform. As I explored, I discovered that VLC is packed with tools that can replace several standalone apps many of us keep installed. In this guide, I’ll share some of the hidden features of VLC Media Player so you can start using the app to its fullest.
One of the first hidden features that I came across was the direct streaming feature of online videos through VLC. I usually keep more than one tab open in my web browsers, and streaming videos through them is sometimes messy. Between ads, notifications, and dozens of tabs, it becomes distracting. That’s when I started opening certain videos directly in VLC. The experience felt cleaner and more focused. All I needed was the video link, and VLC handled the rest.
If you want to try it, copy the URL of the video you want to watch. Open VLC, click on Media and then Open Network Stream. Paste the link into the box and press Play. VLC will start streaming the video within the player. It works particularly well with supported online video links, although some streaming services with content protection restrictions may not work.
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We all struggle to convert files using the unreliable free online tools or download an extra app that would take up memory and space on our devices. However, digging through the settings, I get to know that the app can double down as a file conversion tool. Hence, I no longer need to go on the hunt for reliable software or a website. Since I discovered this feature, I only use VLC to convert files. Like, I recently needed a video in a format that would play on an older device. Instead of searching for another programme, I simply opened VLC and converted the file in a few minutes.
If you’re looking for how you can also do that, then let me tell you it’s very simple. All you need to do is open VLC and click Media, followed by Convert/Save. Add the file you want to convert and press Convert/Save again. Select the output format you want, specify the destination of the newly created file and begin the process. When it is done, you will have your newly converted file ready to use.
There is nothing more frustrating than launching your webcam before a meeting and finding that the camera app refuses to cooperate. While the Photo Booth on a Mac is pretty reliable, that’s not the case with the Windows Camera app. I’ve run into that situation more than once. One day, I was so frustrated that I started looking for alternative apps, and then I discovered that VLC could display my webcam feed. What started as a quick test soon became a feature I actually rely on. Whenever I want to check if my camera is working properly, VLC is often the first app I open.
The added benefit is that VLC can also record the webcam feed and save it in different formats. If you also want to use this feature, then head to your VLC media player and select ‘Media’. Now, click Open Capture Device, choose your webcam source and start the preview. Within seconds, you’ll be able to see your camera feed directly inside VLC.
For years, I completely ignored VLC’s effects menu, as I assumed the player was only meant to play content. However, it turns out that VLC also includes several tools that can help improve both audio and video playback. I first used these controls while watching a movie with unusually dark scenes. Instead of adjusting my monitor settings, I opened VLC’s video controls and tweaked the brightness, and to my surprise, the difference was immediate.
The audio tools can be just as useful. I’ve used the equaliser to make dialogue clearer and improve the overall sound experience when using basic speakers or headphones. To access these settings, you need to navigate to the VLC player and click on ‘Tools’ followed by ‘Effects and Filters’. Once you have done that, you can alternate between the audio and video controls. This will include things like equaliser controls, sound improvements, brightness controls, colour controls, and many others.
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Physical media might not be as popular today, but if you’re an OG, it’s highly possible that you still have some physical media that is important to you. The challenge is that modern computers and laptops are gradually moving away from built-in disc drives, making it harder to access those older collections.
That’s where VLC surprised me once again. It can rip audio CDs and save the tracks directly to your computer. If you’ve ever ripped a CD before, you know how frustrating the process could be. It was important to see that the ripping did not get interrupted and corrupted along the way because a minor problem could result in the failure of the extraction and you would have to repeat the whole thing again. Apart from that, the software selection was not diverse and quite difficult to use.
Unlike when using other specialised software, I was able to take advantage of the software which was preinstalled on my computer. In case I needed to back up some of my old music CDs, VLC made everything very easy and simple.
To rip a CD on your device, you need to insert the disc into your computer’s drive and launch VLC. Select Media and then Convert/Save. Open the Disc tab and choose Audio CD. Select your disc drive and continue to the Convert option. From there, choose the format you want and start the process. VLC will save the tracks to your computer, making them easier to access on modern devices.