Kyle's Blog
The Unreasonable Effectiveness of VLC
A media player in 2023 has no business being this good
May 18, 2023
The enshitification of software is inevitable as its popularity rises founders will eventually need to bring in outside help and either sell or go public, either is enough to kill a good company. The orange traffic cone is different, defiant yet innocent, unassuming yet indomitable. The first time you downloaded VLC maybe you were like me, fifteen, just heard of this show called South Park making the rounds on AOL. Real Player sucked, so you Asked Jeeves, whats a good media player?
Part I: The Media Player Without Peers
VLC is a phoenix, rising from the ashes of a French academic project from 1996 known as, the VideoLAN.
In the beginning, VLC was just a client, a humble part of a
grand scheme known as VideoLAN. The “VideoLAN Client” they
called it was a kid trying to fit into a world that hadn’t yet
recognized its value. VLC was a rebel, designed to stream
videos from satellite dishes across a university campus and
play DRM protected DVDs. It was a tool created by students,
not corporations, out of necessity rather than for profit and
largely remains so to this day.
VLC For Sale
Why does VLC have a traffic cone for its logo? Because you can’t ignore it. The VLC icon — a traffic cone — is a tribute to the traffic cones collected by École Centrale’s Networking Students’ Association. A little dose of the absurd, to remind us that this tool wasn’t created by suits in a boardroom but by students with a penchant for stealing traffic cones and causing trouble.
First, Some of The Most Interesting and Esoteric Things VLC Media Player Can Do!
- Stream any video from your laptop to any smart TV: I use this feature daily, it's amazing to be able to watch ANY video from your laptop on ANY smart TV, MacOS and Windows still can't do this out of the box.
- Convert video and audio formats: ffmpeg is great but this is just as fast to convert between file formats (MKV -> MP4, etc.) directly in the player.
- Record video and capture screen: built-in screen recording, can capture video streams from webcams, etc.
- Download YouTube videos: just pasting the URL of a YouTube video into VLC, you can play and download the video!
- Manage media libraries: organize media into custom playlists, making it a good media manager.
- Support any codec: nearly any video/audio format without requiring external codec packs.
- Stream media from URLs: stream media from various online sources like network streams or URLs, radio stations or online TV.
- Add subtitles to any video: easily download or sync subtitles for any video, as well as adjust subtitle timing.
- Adjust video playback speed: speed up or slow down video playback without affecting the pitch.
- Apply video and audio effects: adjust brightness, contrast, or add filters in real-time.
- Loop and crop videos: loop specific sections of videos or crop out parts of the screen for custom viewing.
- Play incomplete or "damaged" media files: partial, corrupted or DRM protected media files play fine that other players can't handle, VLC ain't no bitch and eats big media's DRM for breakfast.
- Rip DVDs and CDs: yes, it does this too!
- Sync audio/video tracks: allows manual adjustment of audio and video synchronization.
- Stream live camera feeds: stream and record from live camera feeds, like IP cameras, I used this for awhile for my cheap surveillance setup.
- Integrate with streaming services: connect to streaming services via plugins.
Born
free and open-source, VLC media player wasn’t just an
underdog; it was a pioneer. It was the first player to support
playback of encrypted DVDs on Linux and macOS using the
libdvdcss DVD decryption library, a move that sparked legal
controversy, and perhaps, some a lot of admiration.
The evolution of VLC is a testament to its resilience. In 1998, it was rewritten from scratch, abandoning its old shell for a new one, a process as painful as it was transformative. Its server-program, VideoLan Server (VLS), was mostly absorbed into VLC, rendering it obsolete. The project name was changed, too. The “client” was dropped because VLC had become more than that. It wasn’t just a client in a server-client architecture anymore; it was a standalone titan.
Only after 13 years of development, after overcoming countless challenges, the first full version of VLC, version 1.0.0 was released!
The birth of VLC (VideoLAN Client) came as a subset of this larger project, its raison d’etre being the creation of software capable of playing any video, irrespective of the format. The school students crafted VLC with a singular focus — creating a versatile, reliable, and format-agnostic video player.
However, the turning point for VLC came when it was released under the General Public License in February 2001. This transition to open source meant that anyone could view, modify, and distribute the software, leading to its rapid growth and development. With the collective intelligence of the global developer community behind it, VLC began evolving at an unprecedented rate.
Over the years, key version upgrades bolstered VLC’s standing in the realm of media players. The introduction of major features like playback for encrypted DVDs, the addition of a fuller streaming feature set, support for additional file formats, and improvements in the interface in different versions progressively enhanced VLC’s reputation. Each of these upgrades not only added to the user experience but also significantly expanded VLC’s user base.
According to the VideoLAN organization, VLC has been downloaded more than 3.5 billion times as of 2022. This extraordinary number is a testament to its global reach and acceptance. The rise in popularity can be attributed to its unique selling proposition — its format-agnostic nature and the freedom from codec packs, which gives it an edge over other media players.
Furthermore, VLC’s evolution didn’t stop at being an excellent desktop media player. The developers rose to the challenge of adapting VLC for Android, iOS, and web browsers, thereby expanding its accessibility and usage. While the transition to mobile and web platforms presented its own set of challenges, the triumph over these obstacles marked a new chapter in VLC’s growth story.
The influence of VLC has been profound, not just among users but also within the tech industry. It has received numerous awards and recognitions for its effectiveness and contribution to open source culture. VLC has set a benchmark for other media players and significantly shaped the open source community’s ethos.
As of 2023, VLC continues to innovate and evolve, never resting on its laurels. The VideoLAN organization has hinted at various exciting developments, further solidifying VLC’s place as an industry leader. The journey of VLC, from a humble student project to a global phenomenon, underscores the power of open source and how a simple solution to a common problem can grow into an indispensable tool for millions.
A. Codec Compatibility
B. Versatile Media Player
C. Advanced Features
D. Customizable Interface
Part IV: VLC as a Multifunctional Tool
A. Beyond being a media player
B. Case studies of unique uses of VLC
A. Explanation of “Open Source”
B. The Role of the Community in VLC’s Development
C. Notable Contributions and Improvements Made by the Community
A. Potential future features and improvements
B. Expected trends in user base and usage scenarios
The future of VLC seems bright and promising. As it continues to adapt and grow with technological advancements and user needs, we can expect to see it maintain its position as a reliable, versatile, and effective tool in the tech landscape!
The evolution of VLC is a testament to its resilience. In 1998, it was rewritten from scratch, abandoning its old shell for a new one, a process as painful as it was transformative. Its server-program, VideoLan Server (VLS), was mostly absorbed into VLC, rendering it obsolete. The project name was changed, too. The “client” was dropped because VLC had become more than that. It wasn’t just a client in a server-client architecture anymore; it was a standalone titan.
Only after 13 years of development, after overcoming countless challenges, the first full version of VLC, version 1.0.0 was released!
Part II: The History of VLC
The story of VLC starts at Ecole Centrale Paris, a prestigious engineering school in France, where students began a networking project in the late 1990s. This project, later known as the VideoLAN project, was initially conceived to connect all the computers on the campus network, facilitating the streaming of videos across the network. It aimed to provide a solution to the prevalent problem of watching videos in different formats on various types of computers.The birth of VLC (VideoLAN Client) came as a subset of this larger project, its raison d’etre being the creation of software capable of playing any video, irrespective of the format. The school students crafted VLC with a singular focus — creating a versatile, reliable, and format-agnostic video player.
However, the turning point for VLC came when it was released under the General Public License in February 2001. This transition to open source meant that anyone could view, modify, and distribute the software, leading to its rapid growth and development. With the collective intelligence of the global developer community behind it, VLC began evolving at an unprecedented rate.
Over the years, key version upgrades bolstered VLC’s standing in the realm of media players. The introduction of major features like playback for encrypted DVDs, the addition of a fuller streaming feature set, support for additional file formats, and improvements in the interface in different versions progressively enhanced VLC’s reputation. Each of these upgrades not only added to the user experience but also significantly expanded VLC’s user base.
According to the VideoLAN organization, VLC has been downloaded more than 3.5 billion times as of 2022. This extraordinary number is a testament to its global reach and acceptance. The rise in popularity can be attributed to its unique selling proposition — its format-agnostic nature and the freedom from codec packs, which gives it an edge over other media players.
Furthermore, VLC’s evolution didn’t stop at being an excellent desktop media player. The developers rose to the challenge of adapting VLC for Android, iOS, and web browsers, thereby expanding its accessibility and usage. While the transition to mobile and web platforms presented its own set of challenges, the triumph over these obstacles marked a new chapter in VLC’s growth story.
The influence of VLC has been profound, not just among users but also within the tech industry. It has received numerous awards and recognitions for its effectiveness and contribution to open source culture. VLC has set a benchmark for other media players and significantly shaped the open source community’s ethos.
As of 2023, VLC continues to innovate and evolve, never resting on its laurels. The VideoLAN organization has hinted at various exciting developments, further solidifying VLC’s place as an industry leader. The journey of VLC, from a humble student project to a global phenomenon, underscores the power of open source and how a simple solution to a common problem can grow into an indispensable tool for millions.
Part III: The Unparalleled Features of VLC
VLC Media Player has earned its stripes in the digital world by virtue of its robust and versatile features. Let’s delve into these distinguishing attributes that make it a cut above the rest.
A. Codec Compatibility
Understanding the term ‘codec’ is instrumental to
appreciating VLC’s power. A codec is a software used to
compress or decompress a digital media file, such as a song
or video. There is a myriad of codecs, each tailored for
different file types and sizes.
Where VLC shines is its sweeping codec support, unmatched by many of its counterparts. It natively supports a broad range of codecs, eliminating the need to download a codec pack every time you stumble upon a new media file type. This is indeed a lifesaver, sparing you from the troubles of compatibility issues.
Where VLC shines is its sweeping codec support, unmatched by many of its counterparts. It natively supports a broad range of codecs, eliminating the need to download a codec pack every time you stumble upon a new media file type. This is indeed a lifesaver, sparing you from the troubles of compatibility issues.
B. Versatile Media Player
VLC’s
versatility is another compelling feature that gives it an
edge over other media players. Its ability to play virtually
any media file format, be it popular ones like MP4, AVI, or
WMV, or less common ones like MKV, FLAC, makes it a go-to
media player for many users.
But that’s not all. VLC also serves as an effective streaming platform. It supports streaming from various sources, including URLs and local networks, and can convert media files to a stream.
But that’s not all. VLC also serves as an effective streaming platform. It supports streaming from various sources, including URLs and local networks, and can convert media files to a stream.
C. Advanced Features
Beyond
basic media playback, VLC is loaded with advanced features
that offer users a customized viewing or listening
experience. It enables subtitle synchronization, allowing
you to align subtitles perfectly with the dialogue. Its
independent audio and video track adjustment feature lets
you tailor the media playback to your liking.
VLC also offers video and audio filters, enabling you to tweak the visual effects and sound quality. Plus, it comes with a snapshot and recording function, facilitating content creators to capture or record a specific segment of a video.
VLC also offers video and audio filters, enabling you to tweak the visual effects and sound quality. Plus, it comes with a snapshot and recording function, facilitating content creators to capture or record a specific segment of a video.
D. Customizable Interface
VLC’s
interface is as customizable as it gets. You can change the
player’s skin, giving it a personal touch that matches your
style. In addition, it offers interface modification
options, enabling you to arrange and display the controls as
per your preference.
With VLC, personalization is not confined to visual appeal. You can tweak the settings to get detailed information about the file you’re playing, making your interaction with the media player more engaging and informative.
To sum up, VLC’s exhaustive feature set cements its place as one of the most comprehensive and user-friendly media players out there. Its ability to support a vast array of codecs and media file formats, coupled with its advanced features and customizable interface, make VLC a must-have tool for any digital media enthusiast.
With VLC, personalization is not confined to visual appeal. You can tweak the settings to get detailed information about the file you’re playing, making your interaction with the media player more engaging and informative.
To sum up, VLC’s exhaustive feature set cements its place as one of the most comprehensive and user-friendly media players out there. Its ability to support a vast array of codecs and media file formats, coupled with its advanced features and customizable interface, make VLC a must-have tool for any digital media enthusiast.
Part IV: VLC as a Multifunctional Tool
Most
people recognize VLC as a robust media player, but few are
aware of its range of functions beyond that scope. Let’s
shed light on how VLC serves as a multifunctional tool,
making it even more unreasonably effective.
A. Beyond being a media player
1. Use
as a video converter: One of VLC’s lesser-known features is
its ability to convert media files from one format to
another. Have a file in an uncommon format that you need in
a more widely accepted one? VLC has got you covered. Its
simple yet effective conversion tool supports a wide array
of input and output formats, making it a valuable tool for
all your conversion needs.
2.
Network streaming server capabilities: VLC’s functionality
doesn’t stop at local media playback and conversion. It can
also act as a streaming server over a network. This allows
users to broadcast a media file in real-time over a local
network or even over the internet, a feature particularly
beneficial in professional environments.
B. Case studies of unique uses of VLC
1.
Educational settings: In the realm of education, VLC has
found unique uses. Teachers often use VLC’s streaming
feature to broadcast educational videos or presentations to
students across a school network. Its easy-to-use interface,
compatibility with various media formats, and
cost-effectiveness (being free) make it an ideal tool for
educational purposes.
2. Professional broadcast environments: VLC’s ability to function as a streaming server also lends itself to professional broadcast environments. Television broadcasters can use VLC to stream content to a network of computers or devices. Additionally, its comprehensive codec support allows for compatibility with a range of professional media formats.
2. Professional broadcast environments: VLC’s ability to function as a streaming server also lends itself to professional broadcast environments. Television broadcasters can use VLC to stream content to a network of computers or devices. Additionally, its comprehensive codec support allows for compatibility with a range of professional media formats.
Part IV: The Role of the Open Source Community
VLC owes a large part of its success and effectiveness to its status as open source software. Let’s look at the contributions of this community in detail.
A. Explanation of “Open Source”
Before
we delve into the specifics, let’s take a moment to explain
what “open source” means. In the world of software, “open
source” refers to a type of computer software in which the
source code is released under a license where the copyright
holder grants users the rights to use, study, change, and
distribute the software to anyone and for any purpose.
B. The Role of the Community in VLC’s Development
Being an
open source software, VLC invites the global community of
developers and enthusiasts to contribute to its development.
This practice encourages collective problem-solving and
accelerates innovation and improvement.
C. Notable Contributions and Improvements Made by the Community
1. The
open source community has had a significant impact on VLC’s
development and growth. From minor bug fixes to major
feature enhancements, community members worldwide have made
significant contributions to the software.
2. One prominent example is the addition of support for new codecs and formats. As new media formats emerge, community developers often take the initiative to incorporate these into VLC, ensuring that the player remains compatible with a broad range of media.
3. Similarly, many of VLC’s advanced features, like video filters and subtitle synchronization, can be attributed to the innovative ideas and tireless efforts of the open source community.
2. One prominent example is the addition of support for new codecs and formats. As new media formats emerge, community developers often take the initiative to incorporate these into VLC, ensuring that the player remains compatible with a broad range of media.
3. Similarly, many of VLC’s advanced features, like video filters and subtitle synchronization, can be attributed to the innovative ideas and tireless efforts of the open source community.
Part V: The Future of VLC
While VLC has solidified its position as a versatile and powerful media player, its journey doesn’t stop here.
A. Potential future features and improvements
1.
Integration with emerging technologies: As technology
continues to evolve, so does the potential for VLC. One can
foresee VLC integrating more closely with emerging
technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality,
perhaps offering enhanced playback capabilities for such
media formats.
2. Advanced AI-driven features: With the advancement in artificial intelligence and machine learning, VLC may develop new features to enhance user experience. This could include AI-driven media organization and curation, smart recommendations based on viewing patterns, or even intelligent quality enhancements for low-quality media files.
2. Advanced AI-driven features: With the advancement in artificial intelligence and machine learning, VLC may develop new features to enhance user experience. This could include AI-driven media organization and curation, smart recommendations based on viewing patterns, or even intelligent quality enhancements for low-quality media files.
B. Expected trends in user base and usage scenarios
1.
Increase in user base: Given its reputation and value
proposition, VLC’s user base is expected to continue its
steady growth. More users across different demographics will
likely discover VLC and appreciate its capabilities, from
everyday users seeking a reliable media player to
professionals requiring advanced features and versatility.
2. Expanding usage scenarios: As VLC continues to add features and improve its existing ones, it’s reasonable to expect an expansion in usage scenarios. It might be used more in professional settings for its streaming and conversion capabilities, or in educational settings for its accessible, cost-effective solutions. VLC might also be increasingly used as a central media hub within smart homes, given its compatibility with a wide range of file formats and devices.
2. Expanding usage scenarios: As VLC continues to add features and improve its existing ones, it’s reasonable to expect an expansion in usage scenarios. It might be used more in professional settings for its streaming and conversion capabilities, or in educational settings for its accessible, cost-effective solutions. VLC might also be increasingly used as a central media hub within smart homes, given its compatibility with a wide range of file formats and devices.
The future of VLC seems bright and promising. As it continues to adapt and grow with technological advancements and user needs, we can expect to see it maintain its position as a reliable, versatile, and effective tool in the tech landscape!