A Media Player Without Peers – The Unreasonable Effectiveness of VLC
Kyle Benzle

          
          Kyle's
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          The Unreasonable Effectiveness of VLC
          
          A media player in 2023 has no business being this good
          
          
          
          
          
            
              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. 
              
            
            
            VLC Media Player Features
            
            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!
                    
                        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.
                
              
                  
                   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.
                
              
                  
                   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.
                
              
                  
                   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.
                
              
                  
                   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.
                
                  
                
               
                        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.
                
                  
                
              
                     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.
                
              
                  
                   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.
                
              
                  
                   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!
              
              
            
            
          
        