VLC Media Player (VLC) 8 Little Known Tricks.

VLC is a free multimedia player used by huge number of users and favorite of many.

1. 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.

2. 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

3. 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

4. Video Streaming

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 too  or even Dailymotion and other popular online Video libraries.

5. 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.

6. Record from WebCam

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

7. 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)

8. 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.