VideoLAN Wiki - User contributions [en]

VLC HowTo/Rip a DVD

2011-06-12T23:49:28Z

RogerDPack: /* Related */

{{howto|create a video file from a DVD using VLC}}

You can use VLC to rip a "raw" video file from a DVD, or you can use VLC to create a condensed "transcoded" video file from a DVD. This page mostly deals with using it to rip a raw video file from the command line.

Here is an example. You'll need to type this at the command prompt (windows) or terminal (linux), all on one line. You may also need to give the full path to vlc (ie, replace vlc with "C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\vlc\vlc.exe", or wherever you installed vlc)

This is how to rip the "raw" video from a DVD, assuming you want to rip your DVD's title "1" to filename dvdout.mpg, from drive dvd:\

$ vlc dvdsimple://d:\@1 --sout "#standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst=dvdout.mpg}" vlc://quit

the vlc://quit at the end just tells it to exit after ripping. You can also add a --qt-start-minimized, if desired.

Note that the above doesn't do any transcoding on the video stream, it just basically dumps a verbatim copy to your hard drive. In comparison with other ripping programs, this is sometimes lacking a few frames from the original (up to 10), but is typically pretty accurate. If you want one that is even more accurate, use mplayer's dumpstream or makemkv.

You may have some luck ripping the DVD from [http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/2696/how-to-rip-dvds-with-vlc the GUI], as well, though this is a bit tricky [1]. See also note at bottom. Using the GUI may help if you want to both rip and [transcode] simultaneously, as the above commands only do a raw copy. Recommend using handbrake if you want to do transcoding too. NB that if you use the GUI you will need to name your output filename with the correct extension for your mux type or VLC will silently ignore your request to convert the stream on the DVD, and just display the video instead. Silently, mind you. (If it is working right it won't show you a video by default). You will also need to check the 'no DVD menus' option, which instructs it to use dvdsimple:// instead of dvd:// which [http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=52748 loops back] to the main menu after playing the title.

If it stops halfway through, cleaning your disc might help. If it still fails half-way through, it may work better to use dvd:// (in the GUI, that's not check 'no DVD menus') instead of dvdsimple:// but this is probably not a good option as it never stops but loops back to the main menu forever so you will have to stop it manually by monitoring it. Recommend mplayer's dumpstream in this case.

$ vlc dvd://d:\@1 --sout "#standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst=dvdout.mpg}" vlc://quit

It might also help to set the cacheing value either higher or to 0 (in the GUI: under advanced options).

OS X example (you may be able to use dvdsimple:///Volumes/volumeName as well).

$ /Applications/VLC.app/Contents/MacOS/VLC dvdsimple:///dev/disk1@1 --sout #standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst=dvdout.dvdsimple.vlc.mpg}

== Related ==

http://wiki.videolan.org/WindowsFAQ-1.1.x#Some_DVD_movies_don.27t_work_at_all_or_they_crash.2Ffreeze_to_menu_or_playback

[http://handbrake.fr Handbrake] is a free user friendly open source tool for ripping DVD's and simultaneously transcoding (condensing) the output file. It uses VLC by default for ripping if installed on OS X. For windows users handbrake can also use VLC's libdvdcss if you first [https://forum.handbrake.fr/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=16670#p78021 install it].

Mplayer is another excellent option for ripping a raw mpeg stream from a DVD. Here's an example (title 1, dvd on d:\):

$ mplayer -dumpstream dvdnav://1 -nocache -dvd-device d: -dumpfile dvdout.mpg

MakeMKV is also good for ripping a DVD or blu-ray to a raw mpeg file. To select certain titles, count down from the top of the checked title options. The first one at the top is "title 1." You could then convert it (condense/transcode it) after using handbrake or VLC.

If you want to convert makemkv's output to an mpeg file (mpeg-ts) then you could use tsmuxer. OS X users will need a [http://instantitunes.wordpress.com/2010/02/26/use-tsmuxer-on-snow-leopard/ special version] of tsmuxer.

VLC HowTo/Rip a DVD

2011-06-12T23:44:52Z

RogerDPack: /* Further reading */

{{howto|create a video file from a DVD using VLC}}

You can use VLC to rip a "raw" video file from a DVD, or you can use VLC to create a condensed "transcoded" video file from a DVD. This page mostly deals with using it to rip a raw video file from the command line.

Here is an example. You'll need to type this at the command prompt (windows) or terminal (linux), all on one line. You may also need to give the full path to vlc (ie, replace vlc with "C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\vlc\vlc.exe", or wherever you installed vlc)

This is how to rip the "raw" video from a DVD, assuming you want to rip your DVD's title "1" to filename dvdout.mpg, from drive dvd:\

$ vlc dvdsimple://d:\@1 --sout "#standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst=dvdout.mpg}" vlc://quit

the vlc://quit at the end just tells it to exit after ripping. You can also add a --qt-start-minimized, if desired.

Note that the above doesn't do any transcoding on the video stream, it just basically dumps a verbatim copy to your hard drive. In comparison with other ripping programs, this is sometimes lacking a few frames from the original (up to 10), but is typically pretty accurate. If you want one that is even more accurate, use mplayer's dumpstream or makemkv.

You may have some luck ripping the DVD from [http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/2696/how-to-rip-dvds-with-vlc the GUI], as well, though this is a bit tricky [1]. See also note at bottom. Using the GUI may help if you want to both rip and [transcode] simultaneously, as the above commands only do a raw copy. Recommend using handbrake if you want to do transcoding too. NB that if you use the GUI you will need to name your output filename with the correct extension for your mux type or VLC will silently ignore your request to convert the stream on the DVD, and just display the video instead. Silently, mind you. (If it is working right it won't show you a video by default). You will also need to check the 'no DVD menus' option, which instructs it to use dvdsimple:// instead of dvd:// which [http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=52748 loops back] to the main menu after playing the title.

If it stops halfway through, cleaning your disc might help. If it still fails half-way through, it may work better to use dvd:// (in the GUI, that's not check 'no DVD menus') instead of dvdsimple:// but this is probably not a good option as it never stops but loops back to the main menu forever so you will have to stop it manually by monitoring it. Recommend mplayer's dumpstream in this case.

$ vlc dvd://d:\@1 --sout "#standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst=dvdout.mpg}" vlc://quit

It might also help to set the cacheing value either higher or to 0 (in the GUI: under advanced options).

OS X example (you may be able to use dvdsimple:///Volumes/volumeName as well).

$ /Applications/VLC.app/Contents/MacOS/VLC dvdsimple:///dev/disk1@1 --sout #standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst=dvdout.dvdsimple.vlc.mpg}

== Related ==

http://wiki.videolan.org/WindowsFAQ-1.1.x#Some_DVD_movies_don.27t_work_at_all_or_they_crash.2Ffreeze_to_menu_or_playback

[http://handbrake.fr Handbrake] is a free user friendly open source tool for ripping DVD's and transcoding (condensing) the output. It uses VLC by default for ripping if installed on OS X. For windows users handbrake can also use VLC's libdvdcss if you first [https://forum.handbrake.fr/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=16670#p78021 install it].

Mplayer is also a good option for ripping a raw mpeg stream from a DVD. Here's an example (title 1, dvd on d:\):

$ mplayer -dumpstream dvdnav://1 -nocache -dvd-device d: -dumpfile dvdout.mpg

MakeMKV is also good for ripping a DVD or blu-ray to a raw mpeg file. To select certain titles, count down from the top of the checked title options. The first one at the top is "title 1." You could then convert it (condense/transcode it) after using handbrake or VLC.

If you want to convert makemkv's output to an mpeg file (mpeg-ts) then you could use tsmuxer.

VLC HowTo/Rip a DVD

2011-06-12T23:41:57Z

RogerDPack: note makemkv, mplayer

{{howto|create a video file from a DVD using VLC}}

You can use VLC to rip a "raw" video file from a DVD, or you can use VLC to create a condensed "transcoded" video file from a DVD. This page mostly deals with using it to rip a raw video file from the command line.

Here is an example. You'll need to type this at the command prompt (windows) or terminal (linux), all on one line. You may also need to give the full path to vlc (ie, replace vlc with "C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\vlc\vlc.exe", or wherever you installed vlc)

This is how to rip the "raw" video from a DVD, assuming you want to rip your DVD's title "1" to filename dvdout.mpg, from drive dvd:\

$ vlc dvdsimple://d:\@1 --sout "#standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst=dvdout.mpg}" vlc://quit

the vlc://quit at the end just tells it to exit after ripping. You can also add a --qt-start-minimized, if desired.

Note that the above doesn't do any transcoding on the video stream, it just basically dumps a verbatim copy to your hard drive. In comparison with other ripping programs, this is sometimes lacking a few frames from the original (up to 10), but is typically pretty accurate. If you want one that is even more accurate, use mplayer's dumpstream or makemkv.

You may have some luck ripping the DVD from [http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/2696/how-to-rip-dvds-with-vlc the GUI], as well, though this is a bit tricky [1]. See also note at bottom. Using the GUI may help if you want to both rip and [transcode] simultaneously, as the above commands only do a raw copy. Recommend using handbrake if you want to do transcoding too. NB that if you use the GUI you will need to name your output filename with the correct extension for your mux type or VLC will silently ignore your request to convert the stream on the DVD, and just display the video instead. Silently, mind you. (If it is working right it won't show you a video by default). You will also need to check the 'no DVD menus' option, which instructs it to use dvdsimple:// instead of dvd:// which [http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=52748 loops back] to the main menu after playing the title.

If it stops halfway through, cleaning your disc might help. If it still fails half-way through, it may work better to use dvd:// (in the GUI, that's not check 'no DVD menus') instead of dvdsimple:// but this is probably not a good option as it never stops but loops back to the main menu forever so you will have to stop it manually by monitoring it. Recommend mplayer's dumpstream in this case.

$ vlc dvd://d:\@1 --sout "#standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst=dvdout.mpg}" vlc://quit

It might also help to set the cacheing value either higher or to 0 (in the GUI: under advanced options).

OS X example (you may be able to use dvdsimple:///Volumes/volumeName as well).

$ /Applications/VLC.app/Contents/MacOS/VLC dvdsimple:///dev/disk1@1 --sout #standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst=dvdout.dvdsimple.vlc.mpg}

== Further reading ==

http://wiki.videolan.org/WindowsFAQ-1.1.x#Some_DVD_movies_don.27t_work_at_all_or_they_crash.2Ffreeze_to_menu_or_playback

[http://handbrake.fr Handbrake] is a free user friendly open source tool for ripping DVD's and transcoding (condensing) the output. It uses VLC by default for ripping if installed on OS X. For windows users handbrake can also use VLC's libdvdcss if you first [https://forum.handbrake.fr/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=16670#p78021 install it].

Mplayer is also a good option for ripping a raw mpeg stream from a DVD. Here's an example (title 1, dvd on d:\):

$ mplayer -dumpstream dvdnav://1 -nocache -dvd-device d: -dumpfile dvdout.mpg

MakeMKV is also good for ripping a DVD or blu-ray to a raw mpeg file. To select certain titles, count down from the top of the checked title options. The first one at the top is "title 1." You could then convert it (condense/transcode it) after using handbrake or VLC.

If you want to convert makemkv's output to an mpeg file (mpeg-ts) then you could use tsmuxer.

VLC HowTo/Rip a DVD

2011-06-12T23:36:04Z

RogerDPack:

{{howto|create a video file from a DVD using VLC}}

You can use VLC to rip a "raw" video file from a DVD, or you can use VLC to create a condensed "transcoded" video file from a DVD. This page mostly deals with using it to rip a raw video file from the command line.

Here is an example. You'll need to type this at the command prompt (windows) or terminal (linux), all on one line. You may also need to give the full path to vlc (ie, replace vlc with "C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\vlc\vlc.exe", or wherever you installed vlc)

This is how to rip the "raw" video from a DVD, assuming you want to rip your DVD's title "1" to filename dvdout.mpg, from drive dvd:\

$ vlc dvdsimple://d:\@1 --sout "#standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst=dvdout.mpg}" vlc://quit

the vlc://quit at the end just tells it to exit after ripping. You can also add a --qt-start-minimized, if desired.

Note that the above doesn't do any transcoding on the video stream, it just basically dumps a verbatim copy to your hard drive. In comparison with other ripping programs, this is sometimes lacking a few frames from the original (up to 10), but is typically pretty accurate. If you want one that is even more accurate, use mplayer's dumpstream or makemkv.

You may have some luck ripping the DVD from [http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/2696/how-to-rip-dvds-with-vlc the GUI], as well, though this is a bit tricky [1]. See also note at bottom. Using the GUI may help if you want to both rip and [transcode] simultaneously, as the above commands only do a raw copy. Recommend using handbrake if you want to do transcoding too. NB that if you use the GUI you will need to name your output filename with the correct extension for your mux type or VLC will silently ignore your request to convert the stream on the DVD, and just display the video instead. Silently, mind you. (If it is working right it won't show you a video by default). You will also need to check the 'no DVD menus' option, which instructs it to use dvdsimple:// instead of dvd:// which [http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=52748 loops back] to the main menu after playing the title.

If it stops halfway through, cleaning your disc might help. If it still fails half-way through, it may work better to use dvd:// (in the GUI, that's not check 'no DVD menus') instead of dvdsimple:// but this is probably not a good option as it never stops but loops back to the main menu forever so you will have to stop it manually by monitoring it. Recommend mplayer's dumpstream in this case.

$ vlc dvd://d:\@1 --sout "#standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst=dvdout.mpg}" vlc://quit

It might also help to set the cacheing value either higher or to 0 (in the GUI: under advanced options).

OS X example (you may be able to use dvdsimple:///Volumes/volumeName as well).

$ /Applications/VLC.app/Contents/MacOS/VLC dvdsimple:///dev/disk1@1 --sout #standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst=dvdout.dvdsimple.vlc.mpg}

== Further reading ==

http://wiki.videolan.org/WindowsFAQ-1.1.x#Some_DVD_movies_don.27t_work_at_all_or_they_crash.2Ffreeze_to_menu_or_playback

[http://handbrake.fr Handbrake] is a free user friendly open source tool for ripping DVD's. Unfortunately it only transcodes from DVD to a file (not a raw rip), but it does it well. It uses VLC by default for ripping if installed on OS X. For windows users handbrake can use VLC's libdvdcss if you [https://forum.handbrake.fr/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=16670#p78021 install it].

MakeMKV is also good for ripping a DVD or blu-ray to raw mpeg. You can then convert it using handbrake or VLC. VLC is not fine tuned for accurate ripping, though it does pretty well, these other tools may be better.

VLC HowTo/Rip a DVD

2011-06-12T23:31:23Z

RogerDPack:

{{howto|create a video file from a DVD using VLC}}

Here is an example. You'll need to type this at the command prompt (windows) or terminal (linux), all on one line. You may also need to give the full path to vlc (ie, replace vlc with "C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\vlc\vlc.exe", or wherever you installed vlc)

This is how to rip the "raw mpg" from a DVD, assuming you want to rip your DVD's title "1" to filename dvdout.mpg

$ vlc dvdsimple://d:\@1 --sout "#standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst=dvdout.mpg}" vlc://quit

the vlc://quit at the end just tells it to start, complete the rip, then exit. You can also add a --qt-start-minimized to that, if desired.

Note that the above doesn't do any transcoding on the video stream, it just basically dumps a verbatim copy to your hard drive.

You may have some luck ripping the DVD from [http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/2696/how-to-rip-dvds-with-vlc the GUI], as well, though this is a bit tricky [1]. See also note at bottom. Using the GUI may be easier for if you want to both rip and [transcode] simultaneously, as the above commands only do a raw copy. NB that if you use the GUI you will need to name your output filename with the correct extension for your mux type or VLC will silently ignore your desire to convert, and just display the video instead. Silently, mind you. (If it is working right it won't show you a video by default). You will also need to check the 'no DVD menus' option, which instructs it to use dvdsimple:// instead of dvd:// which [http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=52748 loops back] to the main menu after playing the title.

If it stops halfway through, cleaning your disc might help. If it still fails half-way through, it may work better to use dvd:// (in the GUI, that's not check 'no DVD menus') instead of dvdsimple:// but this is probably not a good option as it never stops it loops back to the main menu forever so you will have to stop it manually by watching it.

$ vlc dvd://d:\@1 --sout "#standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst=dvdout.mpg}" vlc://quit

It might also help to set the cacheing value either higher or to 0 (in the GUI: under advanced options).

OS X

$ /Applications/VLC.app/Contents/MacOS/VLC dvdsimple:///dev/disk1@1 --sout #standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst=dvdout.dvdsimple.vlc.mpg}

== Further reading ==

http://wiki.videolan.org/WindowsFAQ-1.1.x#Some_DVD_movies_don.27t_work_at_all_or_they_crash.2Ffreeze_to_menu_or_playback

[http://handbrake.fr Handbrake] is a free user friendly open source tool for ripping DVD's. Unfortunately it only transcodes from DVD to a file (not a raw rip), but it does it well. It uses VLC by default for ripping if installed on OS X. For windows users handbrake can use VLC's libdvdcss if you [https://forum.handbrake.fr/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=16670#p78021 install it].

MakeMKV is also good for ripping a DVD or blu-ray to raw mpeg. You can then convert it using handbrake or VLC. VLC is not fine tuned for accurate ripping, though it does pretty well, these other tools may be better.

VLC HowTo/Make a DVD

2011-06-12T22:41:57Z

RogerDPack:

{{howto|create a DVD to play in your DVD player from video files stored on your computer}}

== DVD Formats ==
To make a DVD, you first have to change your movie file into the DVD format, which is MPEG 2. This format is:

=== PAL Format ===
Europe and elsewhere
* Encapsulation (mux): '''mpeg ps''' up to 10.08 Mbps total for everything.
* Video:
** Format '''mp2v''' (MPEG-2 Video), up to 9.8 Mbps
** Resolution of '''720x576''' (Full D1), '''704x576''', '''352x576''' (Half D1), '''352x288''' (same as VCD)
** '''25''' frames/sec
* Audio:
** Up to 8 audio tracks in the following formats. At least one track must be in a52, mp2a or raw.
*** '''mp2a''' Standard MPEG Audio.
*** '''a52''' AC3 Dolby Digital
*** DTS Audio
*** PCM Uncompressed ('''raw''')
** Format: '''48000 Hz''', 32 - 1536 kbps

=== NTSC Format ===
Used mainly in USA
* Encapsulation (mux): '''mpeg ps''' up to 10.08 Mbps total for everything.
* Video:
** Format '''mp2v''' (MPEG-2 Video), up to 9.8 Mbps
** Resolution of '''720x480''' (Full D1), '''704x480''', '''352x480''' (Half D1), '''352x240''' (same as VCD)
** '''29.97''' frames/sec
* Audio:
** Up to 8 audio tracks in the following formats. At least one track must be in a52 or raw.
*** '''mp2a''' Standard MPEG Audio.
*** '''a52''' AC3 Dolby Digital
*** DTS Audio
*** PCM Uncompressed ('''raw''')
** Format: '''48000 Hz''', 32 - 1536 kbps

== Encoding the Video with VLC ==

* Format a file into a .mpg, mpeg ps encapsulation, mp2v video (a good bitrate is 4 Mbps).

* For audio, mp2a 2-channel 192K works well. If you need more channels, use a52 and increase the bitrate; budget 64 or 96K/channel (2 channels 192K, 6 channel 384K,...

* A DVD format file should be 720x480 resolution for NTSC, or 720x576 resolution for PAL.

* Set the --sout-transcode-fps to match your target, using 29.97 for NTSC, 25 for PAL.

* Set the --sout-ffmpeg-keyint to 16 (possibly not needed, but I use this and it works)

* Set the --sout-ffmpeg-strict-rc (see notes below)

* Use the --aspect-ratio switch to control things. For instance, a Webcam or framegrabber with 640x480 or 320x240 resolution has an --aspect-ratio of 4:3. You need to specify this so that the transcoding doesn't make the output video "fat", stretch things to fit the wider DVD width. Standard DVD "letterbox" has an aspect ratio of 16:9.

Here is an example. The .asf source movie is a 640x480 frame grabber. You'll need to type this at the command prompt (windows) or terminal (linux), all on one line. You may also need to give the full path to vlc (ie, replace ''vlc'' with ''"C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\vlc\vlc"'', or wherever you installed vlc)

* In the command I included '''--stop-time=20''', which tells VLC to only encode the first 20 seconds. This is so you can then view the output and make sure it looks OK. To encode the full thing, just use the same command without the --stop-time=20.
* This command goes all on one line. Important bits (which you should edit) are shown in bold.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
vlc "C:\Movies\Your File.asf" :sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb='''4096''',acodec=mp2a,ab='''192''',scale=1,'''channels=2'''}:std{access=file,mux=ps,url="C:\Movies\Your File Output.ps.mpg"} '''--aspect-ratio="4:3"''' --sout-transcode-width='''720''' --sout-transcode-height='''480''' --sout-transcode-fps='''29.97''' --sout-ffmpeg-keyint=16 --sout-ffmpeg-strict-rc '''--stop-time=20'''
</BLOCKQUOTE>

Explained:
*'''channels=2''' - needed because mp2a can only cope with 2 channels, it's not needed (or wanted) if you used a52
* '''aspect-rato="..."''' - to avoid stretching to image, set this to the ratio of your source file.
* If you use PAL, don't forget to change 720, 480 and 29.97!
* '''sout-ffmpeg-keyint''' - number of keyframes (this is to do with the encoding. Inclusion will help the quality of the output file)
* '''sout-ffmpeg-strict-rc''' ffmpeg by default uses a variable bit rate. This flag keeps the max rate of the VBR closer to the average rate. Without this flag, ffmpeg may produce a file with a max rate that will be incompatible for DVD.
* '''stop-time''' delete this to encode the whole thing

'''Alternative''' - This is a slightly different way to do the encoding:

<BLOCKQUOTE>
vlc C:\Movies\DiveModules1to3_2Mbps.asf :sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=4096,scale=1,acodec=mp2a, ab=192,channels=2}:duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ps,url="C:\TEMP\Dive1_3_out.mpg"}} --aspect-ratio "4:3" --sout-transcode-width 720 --sout-transcode-height 480 --sout-transcode-fps 29.97 --sout-ffmpeg-keyint 16 --sout-ffmpeg-strict-rc
</BLOCKQUOTE>

Note that the ''sout-ffmpeg-strict-rc'', or ''strict rate control'', flag can be permanently set in the Preferences as an Advanced Option under Input/Codecs->Other Codecs->FFmpeg. Note that this may be necessary to create a mpeg2 file that is DVD compatible

== DVD ISO Creation and Burning ==

=== Windows ===

This example shows how to create a DVD using [http://sourceforge.net/projects/dvd-hive/ DVDHive] and [http://www.cdburnerxp.se/ CDBurnerXP]. These are good, ''free'' tools, and you will need to install both of these.

* DVD Hive SourceForge.net project is inactive.
* Launch DVD Hive
* Select Options, type in a name you want for the video
* Select Add, then browse to the .mpg file and select it.
* Select Hive -- it will create a .iso image.
* If the resulting ISO is < 4.4GB you should be OK. Otherwise reencode with VLC, knocking the bitrate down a bit (the 4 mbps mp2v/192k mp2a works fine, with a full-length video). Also note that some versions of windows (mainly 98) and filesystems (FAT16, FAT32) can't cope with files over 4GB (XP on NTFS is fine).

* Launch CDBurnerXP
* A "New Compilation" window opens -- pick the first choice, which says "...and/or burn an ISO image..."
* In the upper left corner of the main window, select File -- Write Disc From ISO File
* "Write ISO Image" screen opens.
* "No ISO Image" -- click the "..." button next to it, and browse to where you put the .ISO (DVD-Hive defaults to putting it in c:\program files\DVD Hive\ISO).
* "Writing Speed" -- select the minimum value specified for your media and DVD drive. For example, my DVD supports 8X write, but I often use 4X write media, so I change it to say 4X.
* "Write Disc" -- click it, and the image will be burned.

=== Linux ===

You can burn DVDs in linux using [http://dvdauthor.sourceforge.net dvdauthor]. It's quite tricky to use that on its own, so you should download a front-end - try [http://qdvdauthor.sourceforge.net/ Q DVD Author] or [http://dvdstyler.sourceforge.net/ DVD Styler].

VideoLan VideoConference

2010-11-23T01:10:14Z

RogerDPack: /* See also */

'''VideoLan VideoConference''' (VLVC) is a plugin for the [[VLC media player]].It adds videoconferencing functions, it can connect from 2 to 10 people so that they can see and hear each others with the help of a computer and a webcam. This software is free and is supported on [[Windows]], [[Linux]] and [[Mac OS]]. It can be downloaded on the Internet and it aims to be used by private individuals and professionals as well.

It received good reviews [http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies-archive.cfm/1081016.html].

==Modes==
VLVC will allow four kinds of videoconferencing modes, thus covering most of the users' needs.
* Chatroom mode : All users can hear and see each others, everybody can speak freely.
* Conference mode : This mode has one single user, the server, who transmits his sound and video streams to all other users. In other words, he is the only one who can be heard and seen.
* Amphitheatre mode : This mode is still under development. It is an advanced version of the Conference mode that allows the administrator (the server) to grant and revoke the right of speech to one single user at a time.
* Meeting mode : This mode is under development too. It is similar to the Amphitheatre mode, but it can grant and revoke the rights of speech to multiple users at a time.

==The team==
The project was created in 2003 by a group of students of Epitech, it was then taken over in 2005. Considering the good results of VLVC as a school project, new students have joined the team to take over the work.

===Founders of the project===
* Arnaud Deredec : Former project leader
* Julien Arnaud : Former communication supervisor
* Julien Cupillard : Former development supervisor
* Florian Gustin : Former member in charge of external relationships
* Guillaume Martin : Former system administrator
* Floren Nguyen : Former technical developer
* Thomas Delon : Project leader
* Romain Lavocat : Communication supervisor
* William Lienard : Development supervisor
* Julien Passeri : Member in charge of external relationships
* Sylvestre Ho Tam Chay : Technical developer
* David Yu : Technical developer
* Mathavarajan Sugumaran : Technical developer

*Current status of this project is unknown. There appears to be some code and documentation here [http://sourceforge.net/projects/vlvc/] [http://vlvc.svn.sourceforge.net/viewvc/vlvc/]. Last work apparently done in 2007. Note that the downloadable stuff seems based on a more recent SVN version than their repository does?

==See also ==

* [[VideoLAN]]
* [[VLC media player]]

In general, a single instance of VLC can "play" or "transcode" several streams at once, just not to the same window.

[[VLM]] (a stream scheduler) within VLC, can help with that, as well as the telnet and web interfaces.

More things that might help for playing multiple streams at once:

[[Mosaic]]

VLC can also "add" (combine) streams iff the encoding and bitrates of the two streams match, using VLC "slave input"
You could theoretically use this to combine video with a separate audio file, or possibly "overlay" a video with audio, or combine two audio files together. Haven't tried it though.

VideoLan VideoConference

2010-11-20T13:13:22Z

RogerDPack: /* See also */

'''VideoLan VideoConference''' (VLVC) is a plugin for the [[VLC media player]].It adds videoconferencing functions, it can connect from 2 to 10 people so that they can see and hear each others with the help of a computer and a webcam. This software is free and is supported on [[Windows]], [[Linux]] and [[Mac OS]]. It can be downloaded on the Internet and it aims to be used by private individuals and professionals as well.

It received good reviews [http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies-archive.cfm/1081016.html].

==Modes==
VLVC will allow four kinds of videoconferencing modes, thus covering most of the users' needs.
* Chatroom mode : All users can hear and see each others, everybody can speak freely.
* Conference mode : This mode has one single user, the server, who transmits his sound and video streams to all other users. In other words, he is the only one who can be heard and seen.
* Amphitheatre mode : This mode is still under development. It is an advanced version of the Conference mode that allows the administrator (the server) to grant and revoke the right of speech to one single user at a time.
* Meeting mode : This mode is under development too. It is similar to the Amphitheatre mode, but it can grant and revoke the rights of speech to multiple users at a time.

==The team==
The project was created in 2003 by a group of students of Epitech, it was then taken over in 2005. Considering the good results of VLVC as a school project, new students have joined the team to take over the work.

===Founders of the project===
* Arnaud Deredec : Former project leader
* Julien Arnaud : Former communication supervisor
* Julien Cupillard : Former development supervisor
* Florian Gustin : Former member in charge of external relationships
* Guillaume Martin : Former system administrator
* Floren Nguyen : Former technical developer
* Thomas Delon : Project leader
* Romain Lavocat : Communication supervisor
* William Lienard : Development supervisor
* Julien Passeri : Member in charge of external relationships
* Sylvestre Ho Tam Chay : Technical developer
* David Yu : Technical developer
* Mathavarajan Sugumaran : Technical developer

*Current status of this project is unknown. There appears to be some code and documentation here [http://sourceforge.net/projects/vlvc/] [http://vlvc.svn.sourceforge.net/viewvc/vlvc/]. Last work apparently done in 2007. Note that the downloadable stuff seems based on a more recent SVN version than their repository does?

==See also ==

* [[VideoLAN]]
* [[VLC media player]]

In general, a single instance of VLC can "play" or "transcode" several streams at once, just not to the same window.

[[VLM]] (a stream scheduler) within VLC, can help with that, as well as the telnet and web interfaces.

More things that might help for playing multiple streams at once:

[[Mosaic]]

VLC can also "add" (combine) streams iff the encoding and bitrates of the two streams match, using "slave input"
You could theoretically use this to combine video with a separate audio file, etc.

XSPF

2010-11-19T12:33:34Z

RogerDPack: /* Unsafe operations */

{{website|XPSF|http://www.xspf.org/}}
'''XSPF''', pronounced "spiff", is a [[playlist]] in [[XML]] format, which is supported by [[Xiph]]. It is a free and open format so can be easily, freely used for sharing playlists.

== Sample ==
A very simple document looks like this:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<playlist version="1" xmlns="http://xspf.org/ns/0/">
<trackList>
<track><location>file:///mp3s/song_1.mp3</location></track>
<track><location>file:///mp3s/song_2.mp3</location></track>
<track><location>file:///mp3s/song_3.mp3</location></track>
</trackList>
</playlist>

== Compatability ==
{{compat}}

== VLC Extensions ==
XSPF supports extensions to allow applications to add special data. These extensions can appear in the following entries:
* playlist
* track

The extension format is defined in the namespace <code>xmlns:vlc="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/ns/0/"</code>:
<playlist version="1" xmlns="http://xspf.org/ns/0/" xmlns:vlc="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/ns/0/">
...
<extension application="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/0">
...
</extension>
</playlist>

Currently, extensions support the following elements:
* vlc:node
* vlc:item
* vlc:id
* vlc:option

The extensions vlc:node and vlc:item are used to specify how to display the playlist tree, which is not supported by standard XSPF.

=== vlc:node ===
This element will be displayed as a node in the playlist. It appears as an extension of the '''playlist''' block (under playlist/extension). Only its name can be specified:
<vlc:node title="Node title">
[list of vlc:item or vlc:node]
</vlc:node>

=== vlc:item ===
This element represents a playlist item (not a node). It appears as an extension of the '''playlist''' block (under playlist/extension). It contains only a track id (see below, vlc:id):
<vlc:item tid="42" />

=== vlc:id ===
This element specifies a track's id. It appears as an extension of the '''track''' block (under playlist/trackList/track/extension).
<vlc:id>42</vlc:id>
The value of the id corresponds to the value of the attribute tid of vlc:item.
Note that each vlc:id has to be different, per entry, or it will not show them all.

=== vlc:option ===
This element allows you to add options to the input item. It appears as an extension of the '''track''' block (under playlist/trackList/track/extension).
<vlc:option>option-name</vlc:option>
Or, if the option has a value:
<vlc:option>option-name=option-value</vlc:option>

=== Example of XSPF with VLC extensions ===
Let's summarize these as an example:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<playlist version="1" xmlns="http://xspf.org/ns/0/" xmlns:vlc="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/ns/0/">
<title>Playlist</title>
<location>D:/media/example.xspf</location>
<trackList>
<track>
<title>Track 1</title>
...
<extension application="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/0">
<vlc:id>0</vlc:id>
</extension>

</track>
<track>
<title>Track 2</title>
...
<extension application="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/0">
<vlc:id>1</vlc:id>
</extension>
</track>
<track>
<title>Track 3</title>
...
<extension application="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/0">
<vlc:id>2</vlc:id>
</extension>
</track>
<track>

<title>Track 4</title>
<location>dvd://e:\@1</location>
<extension application="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/0">
<vlc:id>3</vlc:id>
<vlc:option>my-option=100</vlc:option>
<vlc:option>start-time=42</vlc:option>
<vlc:option>stop-time=45</vlc:option>
<vlc:option>no-audio</vlc:option>
</extension>
</track>
</trackList>
<extension application="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/0">
<vlc:node title="Node 1">
<vlc:item tid="0" />
<vlc:item tid="1" />
<vlc:node title="Node 2">
<vlc:item tid="2" />
<vlc:item tid="3" />
</vlc:node>
</vlc:node>
</extension>
</playlist>

This playlist example will be displayed as:
Playlist
`- Node 1
|- Track 1
|- Track 2
`- Node 2
|- Track 3
`- Track 4

The input for ''Track 4'' will be created with the option ''my-option'' set to 42.

== See also ==
* [[Media Library]] a function built into VLC media player
There are many advantages to using XML as the format.
More information is available at
* [http://www.xiph.org/ Xiph.org]
* [http://www.xspf.org/quickstart/ XSPF project website].

== Unsafe operations ==
Some operations, like setting volume, setting sout destination, etc. are deemed "unsafe" to be in the playlist, so you'll have to add those settings to the command line instead.
You'll get the error message:
'''unsafe option "sout-audio" has been ignored for security reasons)''' or the like.

http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=78945

[[Category:Playlist]]

XSPF

2010-11-19T12:32:16Z

RogerDPack:

XSPF

2010-11-19T12:28:44Z

RogerDPack:

{{website|XPSF|http://www.xspf.org/}}
'''XSPF''', pronounced "spiff", is a [[playlist]] in [[XML]] format, which is supported by [[Xiph]]. It is a free and open format so can be easily, freely used for sharing playlists.

== Sample ==
A very simple document looks like this:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<playlist version="1" xmlns="http://xspf.org/ns/0/">
<trackList>
<track><location>file:///mp3s/song_1.mp3</location></track>
<track><location>file:///mp3s/song_2.mp3</location></track>
<track><location>file:///mp3s/song_3.mp3</location></track>
</trackList>
</playlist>

== Compatability ==
{{compat}}

== VLC Extensions ==
XSPF supports extensions to allow applications to add special data. These extensions can appear in the following entries:
* playlist
* track

The extension format is defined in the namespace <code>xmlns:vlc="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/ns/0/"</code>:
<playlist version="1" xmlns="http://xspf.org/ns/0/" xmlns:vlc="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/ns/0/">
...
<extension application="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/0">
...
</extension>
</playlist>

Currently, extensions support the following elements:
* vlc:node
* vlc:item
* vlc:id
* vlc:option

The extensions vlc:node and vlc:item are used to specify how to display the playlist tree, which is not supported by standard XSPF.

=== vlc:node ===
This element will be displayed as a node in the playlist. It appears as an extension of the '''playlist''' block (under playlist/extension). Only its name can be specified:
<vlc:node title="Node title">
[list of vlc:item or vlc:node]
</vlc:node>

=== vlc:item ===
This element represents a playlist item (not a node). It appears as an extension of the '''playlist''' block (under playlist/extension). It contains only a track id (see below, vlc:id):
<vlc:item tid="42" />

=== vlc:id ===
This element specifies a track's id. It appears as an extension of the '''track''' block (under playlist/trackList/track/extension).
<vlc:id>42</vlc:id>
The value of the id corresponds to the value of the attribute tid of vlc:item.

=== vlc:option ===
This element allows you to add options to the input item. It appears as an extension of the '''track''' block (under playlist/trackList/track/extension).
<vlc:option>option-name</vlc:option>
Or, if the option has a value:
<vlc:option>option-name=option-value</vlc:option>

=== Example of XSPF with VLC extensions ===
Let's summarize these as an example:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<playlist version="1" xmlns="http://xspf.org/ns/0/" xmlns:vlc="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/ns/0/">
<title>Playlist</title>
<location>D:/media/example.xspf</location>
<trackList>
<track>
<title>Track 1</title>
...
<extension application="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/0">
<vlc:id>0</vlc:id>
</extension>

</track>
<track>
<title>Track 2</title>
...
<extension application="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/0">
<vlc:id>1</vlc:id>
</extension>
</track>
<track>
<title>Track 3</title>
...
<extension application="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/0">
<vlc:id>2</vlc:id>
</extension>
</track>
<track>
<title>Track 4</title>
<location>dvd://e:\@1</location> 
<extension application="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/0">
<vlc:id>3</vlc:id>
<vlc:option>my-option=42</vlc:option>
<vlc:option>start-time=42</vlc:option>
<vlc:option>stop-time=45</vlc:option>
<vlc:option>no-audio</vlc:option>
</extension>
</track>
</trackList>
<extension application="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/0">
<vlc:node title="Node 1">
<vlc:item tid="0" />
<vlc:item tid="1" />
<vlc:node title="Node 2">
<vlc:item tid="2" />
<vlc:item tid="3" />
</vlc:node>
</vlc:node>
</extension>
</playlist>

This playlist example will be displayed as:
Playlist
`- Node 1
|- Track 1
|- Track 2
`- Node 2
|- Track 3
`- Track 4

The input for ''Track 4'' will be created with the option ''my-option'' set to 42.

== See also ==
* [[Media Library]] a function built into VLC media player
There are many advantages to using XML as the format.
More information is available at
* [http://www.xiph.org/ Xiph.org]
* [http://www.xspf.org/quickstart/ XSPF project website].

== Unsafe operations ==
Some operations, like setting volume, setting sout destination, etc. are deemed "unsafe" to be in the playlist, so you'll have to add those settings to the command line instead.

[[Category:Playlist]]

XSPF

2010-11-19T12:27:44Z

RogerDPack: /* Example of XSPF with VLC extensions */

{{website|XPSF|http://www.xspf.org/}}
'''XSPF''', pronounced "spiff", is a [[playlist]] in [[XML]] format, which is supported by [[Xiph]]. It is a free and open format so can be easily, freely used for sharing playlists.

== Sample ==
A very simple document looks like this:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<playlist version="1" xmlns="http://xspf.org/ns/0/">
<trackList>
<track><location>file:///mp3s/song_1.mp3</location></track>
<track><location>file:///mp3s/song_2.mp3</location></track>
<track><location>file:///mp3s/song_3.mp3</location></track>
</trackList>
</playlist>

== Compatability ==
{{compat}}

== VLC Extensions ==
XSPF supports extensions to allow applications to add special data. These extensions can appear in the following entries:
* playlist
* track

The extension format is defined in the namespace <code>xmlns:vlc="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/ns/0/"</code>:
<playlist version="1" xmlns="http://xspf.org/ns/0/" xmlns:vlc="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/ns/0/">
...
<extension application="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/0">
...
</extension>
</playlist>

Currently, extensions support the following elements:
* vlc:node
* vlc:item
* vlc:id
* vlc:option

The extensions vlc:node and vlc:item are used to specify how to display the playlist tree, which is not supported by standard XSPF.

=== vlc:node ===
This element will be displayed as a node in the playlist. It appears as an extension of the '''playlist''' block (under playlist/extension). Only its name can be specified:
<vlc:node title="Node title">
[list of vlc:item or vlc:node]
</vlc:node>

=== vlc:item ===
This element represents a playlist item (not a node). It appears as an extension of the '''playlist''' block (under playlist/extension). It contains only a track id (see below, vlc:id):
<vlc:item tid="42" />

=== vlc:id ===
This element specifies a track's id. It appears as an extension of the '''track''' block (under playlist/trackList/track/extension).
<vlc:id>42</vlc:id>
The value of the id corresponds to the value of the attribute tid of vlc:item.

=== vlc:option ===
This element allows you to add options to the input item. It appears as an extension of the '''track''' block (under playlist/trackList/track/extension).
<vlc:option>option-name</vlc:option>
Or, if the option has a value:
<vlc:option>option-name=option-value</vlc:option>

=== Example of XSPF with VLC extensions ===
Let's summarize these as an example:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<playlist version="1" xmlns="http://xspf.org/ns/0/" xmlns:vlc="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/ns/0/">
<title>Playlist</title>
<location>D:/media/example.xspf</location>
<trackList>
<track>
<title>Track 1</title>
...
<extension application="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/0">
<vlc:id>0</vlc:id>
</extension>

</track>
<track>
<title>Track 2</title>
...
<extension application="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/0">
<vlc:id>1</vlc:id>
</extension>
</track>
<track>
<title>Track 3</title>
...
<extension application="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/0">
<vlc:id>2</vlc:id>
</extension>
</track>
<track>
<title>Track 4</title>
<location>dvd://e:\@1</location> 
<extension application="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/0">
<vlc:id>3</vlc:id>
<vlc:option>my-option=42</vlc:option>
<vlc:option>start-time=42</vlc:option>
<vlc:option>stop-time=45</vlc:option>
<vlc:option>no-audio</vlc:option>
</extension>
</track>
</trackList>
<extension application="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/0">
<vlc:node title="Node 1">
<vlc:item tid="0" />
<vlc:item tid="1" />
<vlc:node title="Node 2">
<vlc:item tid="2" />
<vlc:item tid="3" />
</vlc:node>
</vlc:node>
</extension>
</playlist>

This playlist example will be displayed as:
Playlist
`- Node 1
|- Track 1
|- Track 2
`- Node 2
|- Track 3
`- Track 4

The input for ''Track 4'' will be created with the option ''my-option'' set to 42.

== See also ==
* [[Media Library]] a function built into VLC media player
There are many advantages to using XML as the format.
More information is available at
* [http://www.xiph.org/ Xiph.org]
* [http://www.xspf.org/quickstart/ XSPF project website].

[[Category:Playlist]]

XSPF

2010-11-19T12:18:36Z

RogerDPack: more examples-y

{{website|XPSF|http://www.xspf.org/}}
'''XSPF''', pronounced "spiff", is a [[playlist]] in [[XML]] format, which is supported by [[Xiph]]. It is a free and open format so can be easily, freely used for sharing playlists.

== Sample ==
A very simple document looks like this:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<playlist version="1" xmlns="http://xspf.org/ns/0/">
<trackList>
<track><location>file:///mp3s/song_1.mp3</location></track>
<track><location>file:///mp3s/song_2.mp3</location></track>
<track><location>file:///mp3s/song_3.mp3</location></track>
</trackList>
</playlist>

== Compatability ==
{{compat}}

== VLC Extensions ==
XSPF supports extensions to allow applications to add special data. These extensions can appear in the following entries:
* playlist
* track

The extension format is defined in the namespace <code>xmlns:vlc="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/ns/0/"</code>:
<playlist version="1" xmlns="http://xspf.org/ns/0/" xmlns:vlc="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/ns/0/">
...
<extension application="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/0">
...
</extension>
</playlist>

Currently, extensions support the following elements:
* vlc:node
* vlc:item
* vlc:id
* vlc:option

The extensions vlc:node and vlc:item are used to specify how to display the playlist tree, which is not supported by standard XSPF.

=== vlc:node ===
This element will be displayed as a node in the playlist. It appears as an extension of the '''playlist''' block (under playlist/extension). Only its name can be specified:
<vlc:node title="Node title">
[list of vlc:item or vlc:node]
</vlc:node>

=== vlc:item ===
This element represents a playlist item (not a node). It appears as an extension of the '''playlist''' block (under playlist/extension). It contains only a track id (see below, vlc:id):
<vlc:item tid="42" />

=== vlc:id ===
This element specifies a track's id. It appears as an extension of the '''track''' block (under playlist/trackList/track/extension).
<vlc:id>42</vlc:id>
The value of the id corresponds to the value of the attribute tid of vlc:item.

=== vlc:option ===
This element allows you to add options to the input item. It appears as an extension of the '''track''' block (under playlist/trackList/track/extension).
<vlc:option>option-name</vlc:option>
Or, if the option has a value:
<vlc:option>option-name=option-value</vlc:option>

=== Example of XSPF with VLC extensions ===
Let's summarize these as an example:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<playlist version="1" xmlns="http://xspf.org/ns/0/" xmlns:vlc="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/ns/0/">
<title>Playlist</title>
<location>D:/media/example.xspf</location>
<trackList>
<track>
<title>Track 1</title>

<extension application="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/0">
<vlc:id>0</vlc:id>
<vlc:option>start-time=42</vlc:option>
<vlc:option>stop-time=45</vlc:option>
</extension>
<location>dvd://e:\@1</location> 
...
</track>
<track>
<title>Track 2</title>
...
<extension application="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/0">
<vlc:id>1</vlc:id>
</extension>
</track>
<track>
<title>Track 3</title>
...
<extension application="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/0">
<vlc:id>2</vlc:id>
</extension>
</track>
<track>
<title>Track 4</title>
...
<extension application="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/0">
<vlc:id>3</vlc:id>
<vlc:option>my-option=42</vlc:option>
</extension>
</track>
</trackList>
<extension application="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/playlist/0">
<vlc:node title="Node 1">
<vlc:item tid="0" />
<vlc:item tid="1" />
<vlc:node title="Node 2">
<vlc:item tid="2" />
<vlc:item tid="3" />
</vlc:node>
</vlc:node>
</extension>
</playlist>

This playlist example will be displayed as:
Playlist
`- Node 1
|- Track 1
|- Track 2
`- Node 2
|- Track 3
`- Track 4

The input for ''Track 4'' will be created with the option ''my-option'' set to 42.

== See also ==
* [[Media Library]] a function built into VLC media player
There are many advantages to using XML as the format.
More information is available at
* [http://www.xiph.org/ Xiph.org]
* [http://www.xspf.org/quickstart/ XSPF project website].

[[Category:Playlist]]

VideoLan VideoConference

2010-11-19T12:12:21Z

RogerDPack:

'''VideoLan VideoConference''' (VLVC) is a plugin for the [[VLC media player]].It adds videoconferencing functions, it can connect from 2 to 10 people so that they can see and hear each others with the help of a computer and a webcam. This software is free and is supported on [[Windows]], [[Linux]] and [[Mac OS]]. It can be downloaded on the Internet and it aims to be used by private individuals and professionals as well.

It received good reviews [http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies-archive.cfm/1081016.html].

==Modes==
VLVC will allow four kinds of videoconferencing modes, thus covering most of the users' needs.
* Chatroom mode : All users can hear and see each others, everybody can speak freely.
* Conference mode : This mode has one single user, the server, who transmits his sound and video streams to all other users. In other words, he is the only one who can be heard and seen.
* Amphitheatre mode : This mode is still under development. It is an advanced version of the Conference mode that allows the administrator (the server) to grant and revoke the right of speech to one single user at a time.
* Meeting mode : This mode is under development too. It is similar to the Amphitheatre mode, but it can grant and revoke the rights of speech to multiple users at a time.

==The team==
The project was created in 2003 by a group of students of Epitech, it was then taken over in 2005. Considering the good results of VLVC as a school project, new students have joined the team to take over the work.

===Founders of the project===
* Arnaud Deredec : Former project leader
* Julien Arnaud : Former communication supervisor
* Julien Cupillard : Former development supervisor
* Florian Gustin : Former member in charge of external relationships
* Guillaume Martin : Former system administrator
* Floren Nguyen : Former technical developer
* Thomas Delon : Project leader
* Romain Lavocat : Communication supervisor
* William Lienard : Development supervisor
* Julien Passeri : Member in charge of external relationships
* Sylvestre Ho Tam Chay : Technical developer
* David Yu : Technical developer
* Mathavarajan Sugumaran : Technical developer

*Current status of this project is unknown. There appears to be some code and documentation here [http://sourceforge.net/projects/vlvc/] [http://vlvc.svn.sourceforge.net/viewvc/vlvc/]. Last work apparently done in 2007. Note that the downloadable stuff seems based on a more recent SVN version than their repository does?

==See also ==

* [[VideoLAN]]
* [[VLC media player]]

More things that might help for playing multiple streams at once:

[[Mosaic]]
[[VLM]] (a stream scheduler) within VLC.

Documentation:Streaming HowTo/Receive and Save a Stream

2010-11-18T23:27:03Z

RogerDPack: /* Save a stream with VLC */

{{RightMenu|documentation streaming howto toc}}

==Receive a stream with VLC==

===Receive an unicast stream===

% '''vlc -vvv rtp://'''

===Receive a multicast stream===

% '''vlc -vvv rtp://@239.255.12.42'''
where '''239.255.12.42''' is the multicast IP address you want to join.

===Receive an HTTP/FTP/MMS stream===

Use one of the following command lines:

% '''vlc -vvv http://example/stream.xyz'''
where '''http://example/stream.xyz''' is the HTTP address of the stream;

% '''vlc -vvv ftp://example/stream.xyz'''
where '''ftp://example/stream.xyz''' is the FTP address of the stream;

% '''vlc -vvv mms://viptvr.yacast.fr/encoderfranceinfo'''
where '''mms://viptvr.yacast.fr/encoderfranceinfo''' is the MMS address of the stream.

===Receive a RTP stream available through RTSP===

% '''vlc -vvv rtsp://www.hardradio.com/tonbeme.mov'''
where '''rtsp://www.hardradio.com/tonbeme.mov''' is the address of the stream.

===Receive a stream described by an SDP file===

% '''vlc -vvv http://server.example.org/stream.sdp'''

== Save a stream with VLC ==

VLC can save the stream to the disk. In order to do this, use the Stream Output of VLC : you can do it via the graphical interface (Media [menu] -> streaming) or use the [http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/2686/how-to-copy-a-dvd-with-vlc-1.0/ record button], or you can add to the command line the following argument:

'''--sout file/muxer:stream.xyz'''

where:

*'''muxer''' is one of the formats supported by VLC's stream output, i.e. :
**'''ogg''' for OGG format,
**'''ps''' MPEG2-PS format,
**'''ts''' for MPEG2-TS format.
*and '''stream.xyz''' is the name of the file you want to save the stream to, with the right extension.

For example:
'''vlc your_input_file_or_stream_here --sout=file/ps:go.mpg '''

This is short hand for the more verbose
'''vlc your_input_file_or_stream_here --sout="#std{access=file,mux=ps,dst=go.mpg}"

NB that you must choose a muxer that supports your stream type. See [[Transcode#Compatibility_issues]]

It can also be quite helpful to look at the settings VLC uses when it records using its record button. For example, in the logs you might see something like this:

...: Using record output `std{access=file,mux='ps',dst='C:\vlc-record-2010__E-.mpg'}'

Which gives you a hint/clue as to how to record your current stream. In this case this would translate into --sout "#std{access=file... on the command line.

==Receive a stream with a set-top-box==

Some set-top-boxes with Ethernet cards can receive MPEG2-TS streams over UDP and support multicast.

Set-top-boxes known to work with VLC are :
*[http://www.pace.co.uk Pace] set top boxes. (Pace Micro DSL 4000)
*[http://www.aminocom.com Aminocom] set top boxes. (all the models with mpeg2)
*tuxia / gct-allwell (mpeg4 and mpeg2) sigma designs8174 chipset
*i3micro mood200 (mpeg4 and mpeg2 in transport streams)
* ps3 media server streams using VLC (or mencoder) to the PS3

{{Documentation}}

Python bindings

2010-11-18T21:04:51Z

RogerDPack: /* FAQ */

= Python bindings =

You can find two versions of python bindings: an old one (see [[Old Python bindings]]), hand-written C-module, and a new one, which is ctypes-based and automatically generated.
The old version of the bindings is now deprecated and will be removed in some future version.

== Features ==

The new module features :
* a complete cover of the libvlc API, since it is automatically generated from the include files.
* no compilation hassle: the generated module is pure python.
* no versioning hassle: the same module works with multiple VLC versions.
* a [http://www.advene.org/download/python-ctypes/doc/ complete documentation].

== Download ==

You can download the [http://git.videolan.org/?p=vlc/bindings/python.git;a=tree;f=generated;b=HEAD vlc.py] module from the Git repository. It only depends on ctypes (standard module in python >= 2.5). Put the module in some place accessible by python (either next to your application, or in a directory from sys.path).

Alternatively, you can generate it by yourself using the generate.py program and accompanying files in the vlc source tree (see [http://git.videolan.org/?p=vlc/bindings/python.git;a=tree]).

== Usage ==

The vlc.py module also contains a runnable example player application (see code at the end of the module, starting from the line "if __name__ == '__main__').

A helper module [http://git.videolan.org/?p=vlc.git;a=blob;f=bindings/python-ctypes/vlcwidget.py;hb=HEAD vlcwidget.py] provides a pygtk VLCWidget() to ease integration.

There is also a [http://git.videolan.org/?p=vlc/bindings/python.git;a=blob;f=README README]

== Projects using this binding ==

http://code.google.com/p/movie-content-editor/

== FAQ ==

=== Win32 initialization ===

If the vlc modules are not installed in their standard location (e.g. c:\\Program Files\\Videolan on Windows, or /usr/lib/vlc on linux), the VLC module cannot find them.

When instanciating vlc.Instance() with no parameter, it tries to guess the location of the modules. However, if you pass any argument to vlc.Instance(), you will need to supply the appropriate "--plugin-path=/path/to/the/modules" yourself.

To run the file "vlc.py" from the command line, you'll need to pass it an argument, like "python vlc.py e:\" for it to play something.

Python bindings

2010-11-18T21:02:29Z

RogerDPack: /* Usage */

= Python bindings =

You can find two versions of python bindings: an old one (see [[Old Python bindings]]), hand-written C-module, and a new one, which is ctypes-based and automatically generated.
The old version of the bindings is now deprecated and will be removed in some future version.

== Features ==

The new module features :
* a complete cover of the libvlc API, since it is automatically generated from the include files.
* no compilation hassle: the generated module is pure python.
* no versioning hassle: the same module works with multiple VLC versions.
* a [http://www.advene.org/download/python-ctypes/doc/ complete documentation].

== Download ==

You can download the [http://git.videolan.org/?p=vlc/bindings/python.git;a=tree;f=generated;b=HEAD vlc.py] module from the Git repository. It only depends on ctypes (standard module in python >= 2.5). Put the module in some place accessible by python (either next to your application, or in a directory from sys.path).

Alternatively, you can generate it by yourself using the generate.py program and accompanying files in the vlc source tree (see [http://git.videolan.org/?p=vlc/bindings/python.git;a=tree]).

== Usage ==

The vlc.py module also contains a runnable example player application (see code at the end of the module, starting from the line "if __name__ == '__main__').

A helper module [http://git.videolan.org/?p=vlc.git;a=blob;f=bindings/python-ctypes/vlcwidget.py;hb=HEAD vlcwidget.py] provides a pygtk VLCWidget() to ease integration.

There is a [http://git.videolan.org/?p=vlc/bindings/python.git;a=blob;f=README README]

== Projects using this binding ==

http://code.google.com/p/movie-content-editor/

== FAQ ==

=== Win32 initialization ===

If the vlc modules are not installed in their standard location (e.g. c:\\Program Files\\Videolan on Windows, or /usr/lib/vlc on linux), the VLC module cannot find them.

When instanciating vlc.Instance() with no parameter, it tries to guess the location of the modules. However, if you pass any argument to vlc.Instance(), you will need to supply the appropriate "--plugin-path=/path/to/the/modules" yourself.

OldFAQ

2010-11-18T20:31:28Z

RogerDPack: remove what I think was an ancient bug...

{{stub}}
Answers to some common problems people encounter with VLC. More help is available in the
* [http://www.videolan.org/doc/ Documentation]
* [http://www.videolan.org/doc/faq/en/videolan-faq-en.html FAQ]
* [[Forum]]

== Installing VLC ==

=== On Mac OS 9 ===

{{faqlink|239006}}
* Sorry, VLC will not work on OS 9, and probably never will. However, Mac OS X is supported - [[Unsupported|Find out Why]]

=== Compiling VLC ===

==== How do I compile VLC? ====

* Look at [http://developers.videolan.org/vlc/ how to compile VLC]. There are pre-compiled (binary / executable) versions [http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ here].

==== Mozilla Firefox Plugin ====

* ''Debian:'' All you need is to download the vlc plugin package - mozilla-plugin-vlc ([http://packages.debian.org/stable/graphics/mozilla-plugin-vlc stable release])
* ''All Linux:'' To make the firefox plugin with the vlc player, you will first need the Firefox Development package (from: [http://packages.ubuntu.com/breezy/devel/firefox-dev ubuntu] ...). Then, when you compile, run ./configure with --enable-mozilla, and if needed with --with-mozilla-sdk-path=''/path_to_firefox_sdk''

==== "Missing header file ffmpeg/avcodec.h" and "Missing header file postproc/postprocess.h" Errors ====

* Make sure that you have all the libraries you need.
** '''on ubuntu''': "apt-get install libavcodec-dev libpostproc-dev" will install the needed files (worked on edgy).
* When you run ./configure for [[ffmpeg]], make sure that at least the following flags are set (descriptions of these avaliable from ./configure --help )
./configure --enable-shared --enable-shared-pp --enable-pp --enable-gpl
* The path of ffmpeg is not set. Check if you can locate the file '''libavcodec.pc''' on your computer, and export PKG_CONFIG_PATH to where you found it before running ./configure. For example
export PKG_CONFIG_PATH=/home/you/ffmpeg/

With vlc-086f, FFmpeg SVN-r13060, on Slamd64 12.0.0, some other changes must be made. These are most likely due to changes in libpostproc.

The ./configure flags for ffmpeg become
./configure --enable-postproc --enable-shared --enable-gpl

Then you must set a symbolic link for postproc. This took me a long time to spot.

root @ svr (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)locate postprocess.h
/usr/local/include/libpostproc/postprocess.h
root @ svr (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)cd /usr/local/include/
root @ svr (/usr/local/include)ln -s libpostproc postproc

==== "cc1: error: invalid option `tune=opteron'" Error on 64-bit systems ====

* One user writes: "From what I can see, the -mtune flag is not available for this type of processor in man gcc. I had to change the configure options comment out all the lines where they set mcpu or mtune flags.) I don't know if this is the correct way to proceed but was the only way for me to get results fast."

* This is not true on all versions of gcc. Try to compile on your platform before making the above changes.

root @ p01 (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)gcc --version
gcc (GCC) 4.1.2

root @ p01 (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)uname -a
Linux p01 2.6.24.3 #2 SMP Tue Apr 8 12:01:03 EDT 2008 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

root @ p01 (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)grep tune= config.log
configure:37114: checking whether gcc accepts -mtune=athlon64
configure:37125: gcc -c -Wsign-compare -Wall -pipe -mtune=athlon64 -DSYS_LINUX conftest.c >&5

root @ p01 (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)grep cpu= config.log
build_cpu='x86_64'
host_cpu='x86_64'
target_cpu='x86_64'

==== "/usr/bin/ld: cannot find -lX11" Error on 64-bit systems ====

* In configure, there is an x_libraries variable there that is set to "/usr/X11R6/lib" (around line 16371). Because it is a 64 bit system, this variable needs to be /usr/X11R6/lib64. After changing that, it should continue compiling.

==== "syntax error before "pthread_spinlock_t"" on debian-Etch or CentOS ====

* If you have errors about ''pthread_spin*'' in the file ''vlc_threads_funcs.h'', try this fix :
su
sed -e 's/define\s*_POSIX_SPIN_LOCKS\s*/define _POSIX_SPIN_LOCKS -1 \/\/ wrong: /g' -i /usr/include/bits/posix_opt.h
exit
source : [http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=43930#p139570 this post] from Rémi Denis-Courmont.

=== Installing Skins ===

* Although all information is given on the [http://www.videolan.org/vlc/skins.php VLC Download skin site], you may miss the note to change preferences to ''skinnable interface''. There is an [http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?p=85603#p85603 article on the forum] which describes the how-to. In short: there is a drop-down option (interface module) in the settings dialog (Interface → General) which defaults to ''Standard''. Change this and restart.

== Problems Starting VLC ==

=== VLC does not launch on my Mac anymore. What to do? ===

* Please have a look at the [[FAQ_on_MacOSX_only_issues|specific FAQ]], which covers multiple solutions to this issue.

== Error Messages ==

Error messages can be viewed by selecting Messages from the Tools menu.

=== main private error: no sout mux module matched "ts" ===

* This can be an error if '''libdvbpsi''' was not installed when vlc was compiled. To fix this error, install libdvbpsi; then re-compile vlc. [http://developers.videolan.org/libdvbpsi/ libdvbpsi]

=== main dialogs provider error: no dialogs provider module matched "any" ===

* The solution is found in [http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?t=14733 the forum]

== Problems playing types of files ==

=== WMV files ===

* Starting with VLC media player 0.8.6, the playback of WMV3-encoded videos is available on all platforms. Please note, that encrypted / DRM-protected video-clips still cannot be played. That is due to the nature of DRM and is not about to change, so please do not ask.

=== Real Media files ===

* Realmedia files (.rm, .rpm, etc) are proprietary (ie, copyrighted) file formats, created by RealNetworks. Because of this, VLC can't support them at present.

=== QuickTime Files (.mov) ===

* Mov file doesn't play, but plays ok in QuickTime
** open the url in QuickTime player
** let it decide which datarate is best for your connection
** let it play for a few seconds, then pause it
** open the stream info, copy the url
** open & save that one in VLC

=== Flash Video Files (.flv) ===

* Flash Video support has recently been added (provided through ffmpeg) - to view .flv files you will need version 0.8.4a. Download and install the latest version [http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ here].
* VLC still has problems with a few .flv files. If you have problems playing a file in VLC you might be able to change it to an avi using [[ffmpeg]]. See [[Fixing .flv to .avi with Ffmpeg]].
* VLC 0.8.6 provided enhanced Flash Video support on all platforms, so it is probably worth to update if you experience problems with prior releases.

=== Other Files ===

{{faqlink|238663}}
* Make sure that VLC supports that file - look at the [http://www.videolan.org/vlc/features.html list of supposted formats]

* Make sure that the file isn't corrupted

== VLC and Other Programs ==

=== AMR ===

* To use [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaptive_Multi-Rate AMR], you'll need to compile vlc and ffmpeg with amr support yourself. This is because the amr license is not compatible with the vlc license.

=== ratDVD ===

* VLC does not support [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RatDVD ratDVD] and is not going to be, both for political and technical reasons.

== Problems Playing DVDs ==

===Unable to play any DVDs===

{{faqlink|239006}}
* ''Linux:'' To play DVDs with VLC in linux, you need to install the libdvdcss package
* ''Linux:'' Make sure you have access rigths to your DVD player. In linux, you can use chmod to edit access rights to your DVD block device:
** <nowiki>#</nowiki> chmod 666 /dev/dvd
** The videolan FAQ seems to suggest you need write access to this device - is this true? If you know, please edit this entry.
* ''Linux:'' Make sure VLC knows where your DVD drive is located (/dev/dvd usually). Go to Settings | Preferences | Input/Codecs | General and under "Default devices" make sure your dvd drive path is entered in the "Default DVD" box. When you go to open a DVD, you should see something like "dvd:///dev/dvd" as the [[media resource locator]] in the "Open:" box near the top of the Open dialog.

=== Playing DVDs from other Region Codes ===

{{faqlink|239426}}
* The ability to play DVDs from all regions depends mostly on your DVD drive, and testing it is usually the quickest way to find out if your DVD drive can do it. Most newer DVD drives are RPC2 drives, which don't allow raw access to the drive untill the drive firmware has done a regioncheck. VLC uses libdvdcss and it needs raw access to the DVD drive to crack the encryption key. So with these drives it is impossible to circumvent the region protection. (This goes for all software. You will need to flash your drives firmware, but sometimes there is no alternate firmware available for your drive). On other RPC2 drives that DO allow raw access, it might take VLC a long time to crack the key. So just pop the disc in your drive and try it out, while you get a coffee. RPC1 drives should 'always' work regardless of the regioncode.

== Poor Quality Video and Audio ==

=== The video runs but the picture is distorted ===

{{faqlink|238431}}
* ''Linux:'' There is probably a problem with the output layer. There are several ways of troubleshooting it.
** First, try with another output plugin, for instance:
**: % vlc -V sdl
**: % vlc -V x11
** Second, change your screen depth and/or definition. It quite often helps.
** Lastly, if running Unix, have a look at your XFree86 video driver.

* ''Windows:'' See [[WindowsFAQ-1.1.x#Why_does_VLC_only_give_black.2C_white_or_garbled_.28or_other_visual_erros.29_video_output.3F]]

=== Video is choppy ===

{{faqlink|238474}}
* Your system may be too slow to decode all pictures. Sometimes, your CPU (computer) really isn't fast enough, but often the situation can be improved by changing your system configuration to be a bit kinder to VLC.
** Quit other programs running in the background
** Turn on DMA on your DVD device:
*** ''Linux:''
***: <nowiki>#</nowiki> hdparm -d1 /dev/dvd
*** ''Windows:'' go to the System section of the control panel, and go to the Hardware manager (it is sometimes in a separate tab, and sometimes, you have to go to the Advanced tab. Then, right-click on your DVD player, and check the DMA checkbox.
** Upgrade to the latest driver for your video board.
** ''Linux:'' you can additionally upgrade your drivers to the latest XFree86 version. If supported, check that the xvideo plug-in is effectively used with:
**: % vlc -vvvv

=== Audio and video are out of sync ===

{{faqlink|238571}}
* If you are [[transcoding]] a file, use the [[audio-sync]] option.
* You can manually set the audio offset while playing (so you can put the audio back in sync). The default keys to increase/decrease the offset are Ctrl+K and Ctrl+L in Windows, and f and g in Mac.
* ''Linux/Unix:'' Try using another audio output plugin and, under Unix, kill esd or artsd if they are running. If the problem is due to the input file, have a look at the "Audio desynchronization compensation" option.

=== Audio is choppy ===

* Reboot? http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1288433
* Try a different codec if transcoding to ogg

== Problems with Streaming ==

==="main input error: no suitable access module for `rtsp://...'"===

vlc needs livemedia from '''live555.com''' to read rtsp stream this way.

You can check you have it by :

vlc -l | grep live

It should read

livedotcom live.com (RTSP/RTP/SDP) demuxer
livedotcom RTSP/RTP access and demux

If not, you have to install '''livemedia''' and point your compilation to this lib directory :

./configure '''--enable-livedotcom --with-livedotcom-tree=/usr/local/lib/live/'''

===Streaming playlist continuously between files (sout-keep not working)===

add the gather module to the sout chain, for example
vlc *mpeg --sout-keep --sout '#gather:transcode{plapla}:rtp{plapla}'

===Streaming 1 playlist item continuously and change input without stream break===

you can use this kind of a vlm.conf file with the --sout-keep option
new output1 broadcast enabled loop
setup output1 input "inputfile1.mpeg"
setup output1 input "inputfile2.mpeg"
setup output1 input "/path/to/inputfile3.mpeg"
setup output1 option sout-keep
setup output1 option input-repeat=-1
setup output1 output #gather:transcode{etc...}:std{plapla}

control output1 play 2

you then chan telnet into vlm and just command
control output1 play <playlistnumber>
to change the streamed input.

===Streaming to Windows Media Player===

See [[Windows Media Player]] for details.

== Problems converting between file formats (transcoding) ==

=== Missing Audio and/or Video ===

* Certain containers (aka muxers) can only hold certain types of video and audio - look at [[Transcode#Compatibility_issues]].

== Streaming/Transcoding Wizard ==

=== Transcode / Save to file ===

== VLC Crashes ==

=== General ===

{{faqlink|238592}}
* If VLC crashes, the following steps will help determine the cause.
** Increase the verbosity level (either in the preferences or with a -vvvv command line option) and look at the debug messages (in the terminal or in the Messages window).
* If you are convinced that it is a bug in VLC, have a look at the [http://www.videolan.org/support/bug-reporting.html bug reporting page].

=== When using DirectShow (eg Webcam) ===

{{forum|12394}}
* There was a bug a while back when you tried to stream using a directshow/webcam it would reboot the computer. The fix was to specify the resolution on the command line or in the "Advanced" section when opening the directshow.

== Other Problems ==

=== I only want one VLC player! ===

* To use the same VLC player for all the media files, go to Settings, Preferences, Advanced. The following options should give behavior similar to WMP: minimize # of threads, allow only one running instance, VLC is started from file association, allow only "on" running instance when started from file (typo in v0.8.5).

=== Licensing, legal issues and logo use ===

* Information on this is avaliable on the main videolan website, [http://videolan.org videolan.org]. Also read the [http://www.videolan.org/doc/faq/en/index.html#id238663 Legal concerns] section of the [http://www.videolan.org/doc/faq/en/index.html FAQ].
* This is a wiki site: it is editable by all, so it is best to check to official website.

=== Fixing Strange Behaviour ===

{{faqlink|238992}}
* The first thing to do is to reset the VLC preferences in the preferences dialog of the application and restart VLC. If VLC doesn't even start anymore, delete VLC's configuration file ([[#Configuration File|where is it?]]). Then restart VLC. If it does not get any better, read the rest of this page or FAQ page, or ask for help at the [[forum]].

=== Subtitles Problem ===

* In the File | Open File dialog, select "Use a subtitles file", and enter both the video's filename and the video's subtitle filename.
* If you are having displaying the subtitles, the problem might be an encoding problem. Choose the right encoding for your language and it should fix your problem. You'll find the ISOs here: [http://alis.isoc.org/codage/iso8859/jeuxiso.en.htm]. Once you find a text encoding method that works well for you enter it in Preferences, Input / Codecs, Other codecs, Subtitles then press Save and restart VLC. Uncheck the "Formatted Subtitles" may help if the subtitles only display as little squares. If you have a specialized language like Hebrew, Arabic, Chinese or Japanese changing the font to a Unicode font will be helpful. For Polish subtitles choose CP 1250 ISO code.

=== VLC hangs when opening Matroska (mkv) files ===

* This might occur when using VLC to view an mkv file in a directory that has a large number of mkv files. (eg. in an Azureus download directory)
VLC will attempt to preload all the mkv files in the directory and will hang, especially if some mkv files are not fully downloaded yet (thus seem to be broken).
* The solution is to set the mkv option: --mkv-preload-local-dir to false
Preferences -> Input / Codecs -> Demuxers -> Matroska -> Preload Directory (uncheck the checkbox)
(See also http://wiki.videolan.org/Matroska)

=== Coarse volume control ===

Volume control, specially with Hotkeys, is too coarse.
*To have a finer volume control, try the following option on the command line:
<code>--volume-step=1</code>
:See also [[VLC command-line help]]

OldFAQ

2010-11-18T20:23:37Z

RogerDPack: /* Problems converting between file formats (transcoding) */

{{stub}}
Answers to some common problems people encounter with VLC. More help is available in the
* [http://www.videolan.org/doc/ Documentation]
* [http://www.videolan.org/doc/faq/en/videolan-faq-en.html FAQ]
* [[Forum]]

== Installing VLC ==

=== On Mac OS 9 ===

{{faqlink|239006}}
* Sorry, VLC will not work on OS 9, and probably never will. However, Mac OS X is supported - [[Unsupported|Find out Why]]

=== Compiling VLC ===

==== How do I compile VLC? ====

* Look at [http://developers.videolan.org/vlc/ how to compile VLC]. There are pre-compiled (binary / executable) versions [http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ here].

==== Mozilla Firefox Plugin ====

* ''Debian:'' All you need is to download the vlc plugin package - mozilla-plugin-vlc ([http://packages.debian.org/stable/graphics/mozilla-plugin-vlc stable release])
* ''All Linux:'' To make the firefox plugin with the vlc player, you will first need the Firefox Development package (from: [http://packages.ubuntu.com/breezy/devel/firefox-dev ubuntu] ...). Then, when you compile, run ./configure with --enable-mozilla, and if needed with --with-mozilla-sdk-path=''/path_to_firefox_sdk''

==== "Missing header file ffmpeg/avcodec.h" and "Missing header file postproc/postprocess.h" Errors ====

* Make sure that you have all the libraries you need.
** '''on ubuntu''': "apt-get install libavcodec-dev libpostproc-dev" will install the needed files (worked on edgy).
* When you run ./configure for [[ffmpeg]], make sure that at least the following flags are set (descriptions of these avaliable from ./configure --help )
./configure --enable-shared --enable-shared-pp --enable-pp --enable-gpl
* The path of ffmpeg is not set. Check if you can locate the file '''libavcodec.pc''' on your computer, and export PKG_CONFIG_PATH to where you found it before running ./configure. For example
export PKG_CONFIG_PATH=/home/you/ffmpeg/

With vlc-086f, FFmpeg SVN-r13060, on Slamd64 12.0.0, some other changes must be made. These are most likely due to changes in libpostproc.

The ./configure flags for ffmpeg become
./configure --enable-postproc --enable-shared --enable-gpl

Then you must set a symbolic link for postproc. This took me a long time to spot.

root @ svr (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)locate postprocess.h
/usr/local/include/libpostproc/postprocess.h
root @ svr (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)cd /usr/local/include/
root @ svr (/usr/local/include)ln -s libpostproc postproc

==== "cc1: error: invalid option `tune=opteron'" Error on 64-bit systems ====

* One user writes: "From what I can see, the -mtune flag is not available for this type of processor in man gcc. I had to change the configure options comment out all the lines where they set mcpu or mtune flags.) I don't know if this is the correct way to proceed but was the only way for me to get results fast."

* This is not true on all versions of gcc. Try to compile on your platform before making the above changes.

root @ p01 (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)gcc --version
gcc (GCC) 4.1.2

root @ p01 (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)uname -a
Linux p01 2.6.24.3 #2 SMP Tue Apr 8 12:01:03 EDT 2008 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

root @ p01 (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)grep tune= config.log
configure:37114: checking whether gcc accepts -mtune=athlon64
configure:37125: gcc -c -Wsign-compare -Wall -pipe -mtune=athlon64 -DSYS_LINUX conftest.c >&5

root @ p01 (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)grep cpu= config.log
build_cpu='x86_64'
host_cpu='x86_64'
target_cpu='x86_64'

==== "/usr/bin/ld: cannot find -lX11" Error on 64-bit systems ====

* In configure, there is an x_libraries variable there that is set to "/usr/X11R6/lib" (around line 16371). Because it is a 64 bit system, this variable needs to be /usr/X11R6/lib64. After changing that, it should continue compiling.

==== "syntax error before "pthread_spinlock_t"" on debian-Etch or CentOS ====

* If you have errors about ''pthread_spin*'' in the file ''vlc_threads_funcs.h'', try this fix :
su
sed -e 's/define\s*_POSIX_SPIN_LOCKS\s*/define _POSIX_SPIN_LOCKS -1 \/\/ wrong: /g' -i /usr/include/bits/posix_opt.h
exit
source : [http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=43930#p139570 this post] from Rémi Denis-Courmont.

=== Installing Skins ===

* Although all information is given on the [http://www.videolan.org/vlc/skins.php VLC Download skin site], you may miss the note to change preferences to ''skinnable interface''. There is an [http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?p=85603#p85603 article on the forum] which describes the how-to. In short: there is a drop-down option (interface module) in the settings dialog (Interface → General) which defaults to ''Standard''. Change this and restart.

== Problems Starting VLC ==

=== VLC does not launch on my Mac anymore. What to do? ===

* Please have a look at the [[FAQ_on_MacOSX_only_issues|specific FAQ]], which covers multiple solutions to this issue.

== Error Messages ==

Error messages can be viewed by selecting Messages from the Tools menu.

=== main private error: no sout mux module matched "ts" ===

* This can be an error if '''libdvbpsi''' was not installed when vlc was compiled. To fix this error, install libdvbpsi; then re-compile vlc. [http://developers.videolan.org/libdvbpsi/ libdvbpsi]

=== main dialogs provider error: no dialogs provider module matched "any" ===

* The solution is found in [http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?t=14733 the forum]

== Problems playing types of files ==

=== WMV files ===

* Starting with VLC media player 0.8.6, the playback of WMV3-encoded videos is available on all platforms. Please note, that encrypted / DRM-protected video-clips still cannot be played. That is due to the nature of DRM and is not about to change, so please do not ask.

=== Real Media files ===

* Realmedia files (.rm, .rpm, etc) are proprietary (ie, copyrighted) file formats, created by RealNetworks. Because of this, VLC can't support them at present.

=== QuickTime Files (.mov) ===

* Mov file doesn't play, but plays ok in QuickTime
** open the url in QuickTime player
** let it decide which datarate is best for your connection
** let it play for a few seconds, then pause it
** open the stream info, copy the url
** open & save that one in VLC

=== Flash Video Files (.flv) ===

* Flash Video support has recently been added (provided through ffmpeg) - to view .flv files you will need version 0.8.4a. Download and install the latest version [http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ here].
* VLC still has problems with a few .flv files. If you have problems playing a file in VLC you might be able to change it to an avi using [[ffmpeg]]. See [[Fixing .flv to .avi with Ffmpeg]].
* VLC 0.8.6 provided enhanced Flash Video support on all platforms, so it is probably worth to update if you experience problems with prior releases.

=== Other Files ===

{{faqlink|238663}}
* Make sure that VLC supports that file - look at the [http://www.videolan.org/vlc/features.html list of supposted formats]

* Make sure that the file isn't corrupted

== VLC and Other Programs ==

=== AMR ===

* To use [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaptive_Multi-Rate AMR], you'll need to compile vlc and ffmpeg with amr support yourself. This is because the amr license is not compatible with the vlc license.

=== ratDVD ===

* VLC does not support [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RatDVD ratDVD] and is not going to be, both for political and technical reasons.

== Problems Playing DVDs ==

===Unable to play any DVDs===

{{faqlink|239006}}
* ''Linux:'' To play DVDs with VLC in linux, you need to install the libdvdcss package
* ''Linux:'' Make sure you have access rigths to your DVD player. In linux, you can use chmod to edit access rights to your DVD block device:
** <nowiki>#</nowiki> chmod 666 /dev/dvd
** The videolan FAQ seems to suggest you need write access to this device - is this true? If you know, please edit this entry.
* ''Linux:'' Make sure VLC knows where your DVD drive is located (/dev/dvd usually). Go to Settings | Preferences | Input/Codecs | General and under "Default devices" make sure your dvd drive path is entered in the "Default DVD" box. When you go to open a DVD, you should see something like "dvd:///dev/dvd" as the [[media resource locator]] in the "Open:" box near the top of the Open dialog.

=== Playing DVDs from other Region Codes ===

{{faqlink|239426}}
* The ability to play DVDs from all regions depends mostly on your DVD drive, and testing it is usually the quickest way to find out if your DVD drive can do it. Most newer DVD drives are RPC2 drives, which don't allow raw access to the drive untill the drive firmware has done a regioncheck. VLC uses libdvdcss and it needs raw access to the DVD drive to crack the encryption key. So with these drives it is impossible to circumvent the region protection. (This goes for all software. You will need to flash your drives firmware, but sometimes there is no alternate firmware available for your drive). On other RPC2 drives that DO allow raw access, it might take VLC a long time to crack the key. So just pop the disc in your drive and try it out, while you get a coffee. RPC1 drives should 'always' work regardless of the regioncode.

== Poor Quality Video and Audio ==

=== The video runs but the picture is distorted ===

{{faqlink|238431}}
* ''Linux:'' There is probably a problem with the output layer. There are several ways of troubleshooting it.
** First, try with another output plugin, for instance:
**: % vlc -V sdl
**: % vlc -V x11
** Second, change your screen depth and/or definition. It quite often helps.
** Lastly, if running Unix, have a look at your XFree86 video driver.

* ''Windows:'' See [[WindowsFAQ-1.1.x#Why_does_VLC_only_give_black.2C_white_or_garbled_.28or_other_visual_erros.29_video_output.3F]]

=== Video is choppy ===

{{faqlink|238474}}
* Your system may be too slow to decode all pictures. Sometimes, your CPU (computer) really isn't fast enough, but often the situation can be improved by changing your system configuration to be a bit kinder to VLC.
** Quit other programs running in the background
** Turn on DMA on your DVD device:
*** ''Linux:''
***: <nowiki>#</nowiki> hdparm -d1 /dev/dvd
*** ''Windows:'' go to the System section of the control panel, and go to the Hardware manager (it is sometimes in a separate tab, and sometimes, you have to go to the Advanced tab. Then, right-click on your DVD player, and check the DMA checkbox.
** Upgrade to the latest driver for your video board.
** ''Linux:'' you can additionally upgrade your drivers to the latest XFree86 version. If supported, check that the xvideo plug-in is effectively used with:
**: % vlc -vvvv

=== Audio and video are out of sync ===

{{faqlink|238571}}
* If you are [[transcoding]] a file, use the [[audio-sync]] option.
* You can manually set the audio offset while playing (so you can put the audio back in sync). The default keys to increase/decrease the offset are Ctrl+K and Ctrl+L in Windows, and f and g in Mac.
* ''Linux/Unix:'' Try using another audio output plugin and, under Unix, kill esd or artsd if they are running. If the problem is due to the input file, have a look at the "Audio desynchronization compensation" option.

=== Audio is choppy ===

* Reboot? http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1288433
* Try a different codec if transcoding to ogg

== Problems with Streaming ==

==="main input error: no suitable access module for `rtsp://...'"===

vlc needs livemedia from '''live555.com''' to read rtsp stream this way.

You can check you have it by :

vlc -l | grep live

It should read

livedotcom live.com (RTSP/RTP/SDP) demuxer
livedotcom RTSP/RTP access and demux

If not, you have to install '''livemedia''' and point your compilation to this lib directory :

./configure '''--enable-livedotcom --with-livedotcom-tree=/usr/local/lib/live/'''

===Streaming playlist continuously between files (sout-keep not working)===

add the gather module to the sout chain, for example
vlc *mpeg --sout-keep --sout '#gather:transcode{plapla}:rtp{plapla}'

===Streaming 1 playlist item continuously and change input without stream break===

you can use this kind of a vlm.conf file with the --sout-keep option
new output1 broadcast enabled loop
setup output1 input "inputfile1.mpeg"
setup output1 input "inputfile2.mpeg"
setup output1 input "/path/to/inputfile3.mpeg"
setup output1 option sout-keep
setup output1 option input-repeat=-1
setup output1 output #gather:transcode{etc...}:std{plapla}

control output1 play 2

you then chan telnet into vlm and just command
control output1 play <playlistnumber>
to change the streamed input.

===Streaming to Windows Media Player===

See [[Windows Media Player]] for details.

== Problems converting between file formats (transcoding) ==

=== Missing Audio and/or Video ===

* Certain containers (aka muxers) can only hold certain types of video and audio - look at [[Transcode#Compatibility_issues]].

== Streaming/Transcoding Wizard ==

=== Transcode / Save to file ===

* Partial Extract "From" "To" does not work, allone "To" don´t too.
: I've tested it too with the 0.8.6c version, already specifying the time data in seconds, and this parameter has no effect.

== VLC Crashes ==

=== General ===

{{faqlink|238592}}
* If VLC crashes, the following steps will help determine the cause.
** Increase the verbosity level (either in the preferences or with a -vvvv command line option) and look at the debug messages (in the terminal or in the Messages window).
* If you are convinced that it is a bug in VLC, have a look at the [http://www.videolan.org/support/bug-reporting.html bug reporting page].

=== When using DirectShow (eg Webcam) ===

{{forum|12394}}
* There was a bug a while back when you tried to stream using a directshow/webcam it would reboot the computer. The fix was to specify the resolution on the command line or in the "Advanced" section when opening the directshow.

== Other Problems ==

=== I only want one VLC player! ===

* To use the same VLC player for all the media files, go to Settings, Preferences, Advanced. The following options should give behavior similar to WMP: minimize # of threads, allow only one running instance, VLC is started from file association, allow only "on" running instance when started from file (typo in v0.8.5).

=== Licensing, legal issues and logo use ===

* Information on this is avaliable on the main videolan website, [http://videolan.org videolan.org]. Also read the [http://www.videolan.org/doc/faq/en/index.html#id238663 Legal concerns] section of the [http://www.videolan.org/doc/faq/en/index.html FAQ].
* This is a wiki site: it is editable by all, so it is best to check to official website.

=== Fixing Strange Behaviour ===

{{faqlink|238992}}
* The first thing to do is to reset the VLC preferences in the preferences dialog of the application and restart VLC. If VLC doesn't even start anymore, delete VLC's configuration file ([[#Configuration File|where is it?]]). Then restart VLC. If it does not get any better, read the rest of this page or FAQ page, or ask for help at the [[forum]].

=== Subtitles Problem ===

* In the File | Open File dialog, select "Use a subtitles file", and enter both the video's filename and the video's subtitle filename.
* If you are having displaying the subtitles, the problem might be an encoding problem. Choose the right encoding for your language and it should fix your problem. You'll find the ISOs here: [http://alis.isoc.org/codage/iso8859/jeuxiso.en.htm]. Once you find a text encoding method that works well for you enter it in Preferences, Input / Codecs, Other codecs, Subtitles then press Save and restart VLC. Uncheck the "Formatted Subtitles" may help if the subtitles only display as little squares. If you have a specialized language like Hebrew, Arabic, Chinese or Japanese changing the font to a Unicode font will be helpful. For Polish subtitles choose CP 1250 ISO code.

=== VLC hangs when opening Matroska (mkv) files ===

* This might occur when using VLC to view an mkv file in a directory that has a large number of mkv files. (eg. in an Azureus download directory)
VLC will attempt to preload all the mkv files in the directory and will hang, especially if some mkv files are not fully downloaded yet (thus seem to be broken).
* The solution is to set the mkv option: --mkv-preload-local-dir to false
Preferences -> Input / Codecs -> Demuxers -> Matroska -> Preload Directory (uncheck the checkbox)
(See also http://wiki.videolan.org/Matroska)

=== Coarse volume control ===

Volume control, specially with Hotkeys, is too coarse.
*To have a finer volume control, try the following option on the command line:
<code>--volume-step=1</code>
:See also [[VLC command-line help]]

Transcode

2010-11-18T20:23:02Z

RogerDPack: /* Compatibility issues */

Transcoding is the process of taking a video file and changing it to a different format or bitrate.

Transcoding in VLC copies the movie to a new file in a different format, so you end up with both the original and new files. This means you need to have enough space on your hard drive to store this extra file. You should also have a reasonably fast computer, as transcoding can be very slow.

In VLC, transcoding is exactly the same as [[streaming]] accross a network, except that the output is sent to a file instead of a network.

== Compatibility issues ==

If your input streams already matches the encoding that you desire for your output stream, then you don't have to transcode at all (just leave out the transcode settings on the command line, and it will thence not transcode). In the GUI this is called "keep the original track" (I think).

Note that when you decide your transcoding settings, only some container formats (muxers) can support some codecs - look at [http://www.videolan.org/streaming/features.html streaming features] to see which supports what. If your current format is incompatible with the muxer you desire, then you must transcode it to something compatible, or choose a different muxer. If you choose an incompatible stream for a given muxer, it may silently fail. You can look for error messages in the [[Basic_Troubleshooting|messages window]] to help you debug the failures.

== Transcoding with the Wizard ==

VLC includes a transcoding and streaming wizard. To transcode a file, just select the transcode option. You will then be asked what format to convert to: you can give a video [[codec]], an audio codec and a [[container]] format.

See also {{doc|http://www.videolan.org/doc/streaming-howto/en/ch02.html}}

== Transcoding with the Command Prompt ==

The most flexible way to transcode with vlc is using a [[command prompt]] to start vlc. Transcoding works the same as [[streaming]]. For example, the following command changes an [[asf]] file to an [[MPEG-2]] file:
:vlc "C:\Movies\Your File.asf" :sout='#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=4096,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,scale=1,channels=2,deinterlace,audio-sync}:std{access=file, mux=ps,dst="C:\Movies\Your File Output.ps.mpg"}'
The access=file instructs vlc to store the output in a file (and not stream it), and the dst is the location of the new (output) file.

* Note 1: If you are running VLC on [[Mac OS X]], you should use clivlc instead of VLC to avoid possible Bus error problems.
* Note 2: old VLC releases, maybe up to 0.8.6* included, use "url" instead of "dst".

Transcoding takes quite a while, so it's advisable to use an option like '''--stop-time=30''' to only encode the first 30 seconds - this means you can check the file has transcoded correctly, and that the output is of a suitable quality. (Note: On [[Mac OS X]] this trick doesn't seem to work. Just press ctrl-c after a while, VLC will properly write out the already transcoded segment)

The transcode statement can contain '''vcodec''' and '''vb''' to change the video codec and '''acodec''' and '''ab''' to change the audio codec. If vcodec is missing, the video codec will stay the same (same for acodec).

Common additional options to use are '''audio-sync''' (to make sure the audio is in sync correctly) and '''deinterlace''' (to increase quality slightly on interlaced video).
===Under MS Windows===
the syntax on windows is slightly different:

:C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC>vlc -vvv "D:\688497.flv" --sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp4v,acodec=mpga,vb=800,ab=128,deinterlace}:standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst="D:\asd.mpg"}
(Note: old VLC releases, maybe up to 0.8.6* included, use "url" instead of "dst")

(Note: due to command line parsing, at times, especially within single and double quote blocks, a backslash may have to be escaped by using a double backslash so that a filename would be D:\\path\\to\\file.mpg)

===Completely non-interactive transcoding===
For completely non-interactive transcoding (such as the case necessary when running under [[Mac OS X]]), the above example could be rewritten as
:vlc -I dummy "C:\Movies\Your File.asf" :sout='#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=4096,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,scale=1,channels=2,deinterlace,audio-sync}:std{access=file, mux=ps,dst="C:\Movies\Your File Output.ps.mpg"}' vlc://quit
The two extra options are
;-I dummy: Disables the graphical interface
;<nowiki>vlc://quit</nowiki>: Quit VLC after transcoding
If transcoding from a DVD, it is also necessary to use the dvdsimple:// notation instead of the dvd:// notation, in order to avoid interacting with the DVD menu system. You can use this in the GUI by choosing 'no DVD menus' option when opening the disc.

{{doc|http://www.videolan.org/doc/streaming-howto/en/ch03.html}}

== Canvas and Padding ==
'''The canvas and padding options changed since Version 0.9. Most examples in the wiki are broken.'''

<pre>transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vfilter=canvas{width=640,height=480}}</pre>

Other options:
* aspect=4:3 : Aspect ratio
* padd:
** true: Pad with black bars
** false: crop video

<pre>transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vfilter=croppadd{cropttop=20,cropbottom=30,paddleft=100}}</pre>

crop or pad top, left, right or bottom in pixels.

Avoid using width and hight parameters! These are apllied before the vfilter and might result in unwanted results.

== Non-Interactive Batch Transcoding (Windows)==
To transcode several files without user interaction create a batch file in the folder where the files are contained and this line to the batch file:

<pre>
for %%a in (*.FILE_EXT) do cmd /c "PATH_TO_VLC" -I dummy -vvv %%a --sout=#transcode{vcodec=VIDEO_CODEC,vb=VIDEO_BITRATE,scale=1,acodec=AUDIO_CODEC,ab=AUDIO_BITRATE,channels=6}:standard{access=file,mux=MUXER,dst=%%a.OUTPUT_EXT} vlc://quit
</pre>

Cmd /c makes the script wait to finish transcoding before starting the next transcode.

An alternative method is to use VB Script. This example will transcode all files from one folder to another. It will also wait for each file to finish transcoding before starting the next. Create the script transcode.vbs, in the VLC installation folder, default "C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC". Change the strSource and strTarget in the example to match your requirements. Start a "DOS Box", Start - Run - cmd then change to the VLC folder and run the script "cscript transcode.vbs".

This example was tested on Microsoft Windows Script host 5.6 running on XP Pro SP2

<pre>
'
' based on code from:http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/12009443/m/516001349831
'
'
'
Dim objFSO, objShell, strSource, strTarget, strOldName, strNewName
'
set objFSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
'
' Set up starting folders
'
strSource = "O:\"
strTarget = "N:\"
'
call RecurseDir(strSource, strTarget)
'
' // Recursively copy all files and folders
'
Sub RecurseDir(strSource, strTarget)
wscript.echo "source: " & strSource & " target: "& strTarget
'
Dim strTempSource, strTempTarget
'
Set strTempSource = objFSO.GetFolder(strSource)
'
Wscript.Echo "Begin Value: " & strTarget
'
If Not objFSO.FolderExists(strTarget) Then
' Wscript.Echo "No Folder! Creating folder [" & strTarget & "]"
objFSO.CreateFolder(strTarget)
Else
Wscript.Echo "Folder exists! " & strTempTarget
End If
'
Set strTempTarget = objFSO.GetFolder(strTarget)
' ** Copy files from current directory to target
For each file in strTempSource.files
strOldName = strSource & "\" & file.name
strNewName = strTempTarget & "\" & Mid(file.name, 1, InstrRev(file.name, ".")) & "ts"
'
If Not objFSO.FileExists(strNewName) Then
Set objShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
'
Wscript.Echo "Transcoding file: " & strOldName & " to " & strNewName
'
Select Case Right(strOldName, 3)
Case "avi"
wscript.echo "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit"
objShell.Run "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit", 1, True
Case "mp4"
wscript.echo "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,channels=2}:duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit"
objShell.Run "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,channels=2}:duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit", 1, True
End Select
'
Set objShell = Nothing
End If
Next
' ** For each subfolder of current dir, copy files to target and recurse its subdirs
For each subdir in strTempSource.subfolders
Wscript.Echo subdir.path
call RecurseDir(subdir.path, strTempTarget & "\" & subdir.name)
Next
End Sub
</pre>

== Non-Interactive Batch Transcoding (Linux)==
To transcode several files without user interaction create a bash script in the folder where the files are contained and add these lines to the bash script:

<pre>
#!/bin/bash
vcodec="VIDEO_CODEC"
acodec="AUDIO_CODEC"
bitrate="VIDEO_BITRATE"
arate="AUDIO_BITRATE"
ext="OUTPUT_EXT"
mux="MUXER"
vlc="PATH_TO_VLC"
fmt="INPUT_EXT"

for a in *$fmt; do
$vlc -I dummy -vvv "$a" --sout "#transcode{vcodec=$vcodec,vb=$bitrate,acodec=$acodec,ab=$arate,channels=6}:standard{mux=$mux,dst=\"$a.$ext\",access=file}" vlc://quit
done
</pre>

===Non-Interactive Merge/Transcode (Windows)===

If you have more than one source files that need to be merged and transcoded resulting in a single out put file, see [[How_to_Merge_and_Transcode_Multiple_Videos]]

===Example script===
'''The canvas and cropping must be adjusted for VLC versions newer then 0.9.'''

As an example, here is a bash script that will take a <tt>.mpg</tt> file as generated by an DVB capture device and transcode it into an MPEG4 file using the h.264 codec. Copy it to a file, for example <tt>dvb2mp4</tt>, and make it executable. It should work on any operating system that has bash, including windows if [http://www.cygwin.com Cygwin] is installed. It uses the cropping parameters proposed at [[Wikipedia:Overscan_amounts]] adapted so that the dimensions are divisible by 16 for better encoding.

<pre>
#!/bin/bash
#
# Transcode DVB TV signals to h.264-encoded MP4 files using VLC
# Wout.Mertens@gmail.com

#### Defaults, please edit for your settings ####

# VLC location, here is the Mac OS X example
VLC=/Applications/VLC.app/Contents/MacOS/clivlc
# Other possibilities: (Remove the # to activate)
#VLC=/usr/bin/vlc
#VLC=/usr/local/bin/vlc

# 16:9 or 4:3
aspect=16:9

# PAL (Europe) or NTSC (US)
src=PAL

# video bitrate
bitrate=1024

# audio bitrate
arate=128

# cropping?
crop=yes

# Deinterlace?
deint=yes

#### Program, do not change below this line ####
usage() {
cat 1>&2 <<EOF
Usage: $0 [-swpncC] [-b <rate>] [-a <rate>] <DVB source .mpg> <MP4 output file>
-s 4:3 aspect ratio (default=$aspect)
-w 16:9 aspect ratio
-p PAL (720x576) input (default=$src)
-n NTSC (720x480) input
-c Crop borders (default=$crop)
-C Do not crop borders
-d Perform de-interlacing (default=$deint)
-D Do not perform de-interlacing
-b video bitrate kb/s (default=$bitrate)
-a audio bitrate kb/s (default=$arate)
EOF
exit 1
}

error() {
echo "ERROR: $*" 1>&2
exit 2
}

while getopts 'swpncCb:a:h' opt; do
case $opt in
s) aspect=4:3 ;;
w) aspect=16:9 ;;
p) src=PAL ;;
n) src=NTSC ;;
c) crop=yes ;;
C) crop=no ;;
d) deint=yes ;;
D) deint=no ;;
b) bitrate=$OPTARG ;;
a) arate=$OPTARG ;;
h) usage ;;
*) echo "Unknown option $opt" 1>&2; usage ;;
esac
done
shift $(( $OPTIND - 1 ))

[ $# -ne 2 ] && usage

infile="$1"
outfile="$2"
case $outfile in
*.mp4|*.MP4) : ;;
*) outfile="$outfile.mp4" ;;
esac

[ -r "$infile" ] || error "Can't read from $infile"

case "$src,$aspect,$crop" in
PAL,16:9,yes) sizestr="cropleft=31,cropright=31,croptop=16,cropbottom=16,width=960,height=544" ;;
PAL,4:3,yes) sizestr="cropleft=31,cropright=31,croptop=16,cropbottom=16,width=720,height=544" ;;
NTSC,16:9,yes) sizestr="cropleft=30,cropright=30,croptop=17,cropbottom=17,width=800,height=448" ;;
NTSC,4:3,yes) sizestr="cropleft=26,cropright=26,croptop=17,cropbottom=17,width=608,height=448" ;;
PAL,16:9,no) sizestr="width=1024,height=576" ;;
PAL,4:3,no) sizestr="width=768,height=576" ;;
NTSC,16:9,no) sizestr="width=800,height=448" ;;
NTSC,4:3,no) sizestr="width=608,height=448" ;;
*) error "Could not handle $src,$aspect,$crop. This shouldn't happen!" ;;
esac

if [ "$deint" = "yes" ]; then
deintstr=",deinterlace=enable"
else
deintstr=
fi

# Let's do it
echo "Input file: $infile"
echo "Output file: $outfile"
echo "Encoding at $bitrate+$arate kb/s, input $src, $aspect, cropping $crop, de-interlace $deint"
echo
echo '>>>' $VLC -I dummy "$infile" --sout "#transcode{$sizestr$deintstr,vcodec=h264,vb=$bitrate,acodec=mp4a,ab=$arate}:standard{mux=mp4,dst=\"$outfile\",access=file}" vlc://quit
echo
$VLC -I dummy "$infile" --sout "#transcode{$sizestr$deintstr,vcodec=h264,vb=$bitrate,acodec=mp4a,ab=$arate}:standard{mux=mp4,dst=\"$outfile\",access=file}" vlc://quit
</pre>

[[Category:Glossary]]

OldFAQ

2010-11-18T20:20:44Z

RogerDPack: /* Poor Quality Video and Audio */

{{stub}}
Answers to some common problems people encounter with VLC. More help is available in the
* [http://www.videolan.org/doc/ Documentation]
* [http://www.videolan.org/doc/faq/en/videolan-faq-en.html FAQ]
* [[Forum]]

== Installing VLC ==

=== On Mac OS 9 ===

{{faqlink|239006}}
* Sorry, VLC will not work on OS 9, and probably never will. However, Mac OS X is supported - [[Unsupported|Find out Why]]

=== Compiling VLC ===

==== How do I compile VLC? ====

* Look at [http://developers.videolan.org/vlc/ how to compile VLC]. There are pre-compiled (binary / executable) versions [http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ here].

==== Mozilla Firefox Plugin ====

* ''Debian:'' All you need is to download the vlc plugin package - mozilla-plugin-vlc ([http://packages.debian.org/stable/graphics/mozilla-plugin-vlc stable release])
* ''All Linux:'' To make the firefox plugin with the vlc player, you will first need the Firefox Development package (from: [http://packages.ubuntu.com/breezy/devel/firefox-dev ubuntu] ...). Then, when you compile, run ./configure with --enable-mozilla, and if needed with --with-mozilla-sdk-path=''/path_to_firefox_sdk''

==== "Missing header file ffmpeg/avcodec.h" and "Missing header file postproc/postprocess.h" Errors ====

* Make sure that you have all the libraries you need.
** '''on ubuntu''': "apt-get install libavcodec-dev libpostproc-dev" will install the needed files (worked on edgy).
* When you run ./configure for [[ffmpeg]], make sure that at least the following flags are set (descriptions of these avaliable from ./configure --help )
./configure --enable-shared --enable-shared-pp --enable-pp --enable-gpl
* The path of ffmpeg is not set. Check if you can locate the file '''libavcodec.pc''' on your computer, and export PKG_CONFIG_PATH to where you found it before running ./configure. For example
export PKG_CONFIG_PATH=/home/you/ffmpeg/

With vlc-086f, FFmpeg SVN-r13060, on Slamd64 12.0.0, some other changes must be made. These are most likely due to changes in libpostproc.

The ./configure flags for ffmpeg become
./configure --enable-postproc --enable-shared --enable-gpl

Then you must set a symbolic link for postproc. This took me a long time to spot.

root @ svr (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)locate postprocess.h
/usr/local/include/libpostproc/postprocess.h
root @ svr (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)cd /usr/local/include/
root @ svr (/usr/local/include)ln -s libpostproc postproc

==== "cc1: error: invalid option `tune=opteron'" Error on 64-bit systems ====

* One user writes: "From what I can see, the -mtune flag is not available for this type of processor in man gcc. I had to change the configure options comment out all the lines where they set mcpu or mtune flags.) I don't know if this is the correct way to proceed but was the only way for me to get results fast."

* This is not true on all versions of gcc. Try to compile on your platform before making the above changes.

root @ p01 (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)gcc --version
gcc (GCC) 4.1.2

root @ p01 (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)uname -a
Linux p01 2.6.24.3 #2 SMP Tue Apr 8 12:01:03 EDT 2008 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

root @ p01 (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)grep tune= config.log
configure:37114: checking whether gcc accepts -mtune=athlon64
configure:37125: gcc -c -Wsign-compare -Wall -pipe -mtune=athlon64 -DSYS_LINUX conftest.c >&5

root @ p01 (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)grep cpu= config.log
build_cpu='x86_64'
host_cpu='x86_64'
target_cpu='x86_64'

==== "/usr/bin/ld: cannot find -lX11" Error on 64-bit systems ====

* In configure, there is an x_libraries variable there that is set to "/usr/X11R6/lib" (around line 16371). Because it is a 64 bit system, this variable needs to be /usr/X11R6/lib64. After changing that, it should continue compiling.

==== "syntax error before "pthread_spinlock_t"" on debian-Etch or CentOS ====

* If you have errors about ''pthread_spin*'' in the file ''vlc_threads_funcs.h'', try this fix :
su
sed -e 's/define\s*_POSIX_SPIN_LOCKS\s*/define _POSIX_SPIN_LOCKS -1 \/\/ wrong: /g' -i /usr/include/bits/posix_opt.h
exit
source : [http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=43930#p139570 this post] from Rémi Denis-Courmont.

=== Installing Skins ===

* Although all information is given on the [http://www.videolan.org/vlc/skins.php VLC Download skin site], you may miss the note to change preferences to ''skinnable interface''. There is an [http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?p=85603#p85603 article on the forum] which describes the how-to. In short: there is a drop-down option (interface module) in the settings dialog (Interface → General) which defaults to ''Standard''. Change this and restart.

== Problems Starting VLC ==

=== VLC does not launch on my Mac anymore. What to do? ===

* Please have a look at the [[FAQ_on_MacOSX_only_issues|specific FAQ]], which covers multiple solutions to this issue.

== Error Messages ==

Error messages can be viewed by selecting Messages from the Tools menu.

=== main private error: no sout mux module matched "ts" ===

* This can be an error if '''libdvbpsi''' was not installed when vlc was compiled. To fix this error, install libdvbpsi; then re-compile vlc. [http://developers.videolan.org/libdvbpsi/ libdvbpsi]

=== main dialogs provider error: no dialogs provider module matched "any" ===

* The solution is found in [http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?t=14733 the forum]

== Problems playing types of files ==

=== WMV files ===

* Starting with VLC media player 0.8.6, the playback of WMV3-encoded videos is available on all platforms. Please note, that encrypted / DRM-protected video-clips still cannot be played. That is due to the nature of DRM and is not about to change, so please do not ask.

=== Real Media files ===

* Realmedia files (.rm, .rpm, etc) are proprietary (ie, copyrighted) file formats, created by RealNetworks. Because of this, VLC can't support them at present.

=== QuickTime Files (.mov) ===

* Mov file doesn't play, but plays ok in QuickTime
** open the url in QuickTime player
** let it decide which datarate is best for your connection
** let it play for a few seconds, then pause it
** open the stream info, copy the url
** open & save that one in VLC

=== Flash Video Files (.flv) ===

* Flash Video support has recently been added (provided through ffmpeg) - to view .flv files you will need version 0.8.4a. Download and install the latest version [http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ here].
* VLC still has problems with a few .flv files. If you have problems playing a file in VLC you might be able to change it to an avi using [[ffmpeg]]. See [[Fixing .flv to .avi with Ffmpeg]].
* VLC 0.8.6 provided enhanced Flash Video support on all platforms, so it is probably worth to update if you experience problems with prior releases.

=== Other Files ===

{{faqlink|238663}}
* Make sure that VLC supports that file - look at the [http://www.videolan.org/vlc/features.html list of supposted formats]

* Make sure that the file isn't corrupted

== VLC and Other Programs ==

=== AMR ===

* To use [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaptive_Multi-Rate AMR], you'll need to compile vlc and ffmpeg with amr support yourself. This is because the amr license is not compatible with the vlc license.

=== ratDVD ===

* VLC does not support [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RatDVD ratDVD] and is not going to be, both for political and technical reasons.

== Problems Playing DVDs ==

===Unable to play any DVDs===

{{faqlink|239006}}
* ''Linux:'' To play DVDs with VLC in linux, you need to install the libdvdcss package
* ''Linux:'' Make sure you have access rigths to your DVD player. In linux, you can use chmod to edit access rights to your DVD block device:
** <nowiki>#</nowiki> chmod 666 /dev/dvd
** The videolan FAQ seems to suggest you need write access to this device - is this true? If you know, please edit this entry.
* ''Linux:'' Make sure VLC knows where your DVD drive is located (/dev/dvd usually). Go to Settings | Preferences | Input/Codecs | General and under "Default devices" make sure your dvd drive path is entered in the "Default DVD" box. When you go to open a DVD, you should see something like "dvd:///dev/dvd" as the [[media resource locator]] in the "Open:" box near the top of the Open dialog.

=== Playing DVDs from other Region Codes ===

{{faqlink|239426}}
* The ability to play DVDs from all regions depends mostly on your DVD drive, and testing it is usually the quickest way to find out if your DVD drive can do it. Most newer DVD drives are RPC2 drives, which don't allow raw access to the drive untill the drive firmware has done a regioncheck. VLC uses libdvdcss and it needs raw access to the DVD drive to crack the encryption key. So with these drives it is impossible to circumvent the region protection. (This goes for all software. You will need to flash your drives firmware, but sometimes there is no alternate firmware available for your drive). On other RPC2 drives that DO allow raw access, it might take VLC a long time to crack the key. So just pop the disc in your drive and try it out, while you get a coffee. RPC1 drives should 'always' work regardless of the regioncode.

== Poor Quality Video and Audio ==

=== The video runs but the picture is distorted ===

{{faqlink|238431}}
* ''Linux:'' There is probably a problem with the output layer. There are several ways of troubleshooting it.
** First, try with another output plugin, for instance:
**: % vlc -V sdl
**: % vlc -V x11
** Second, change your screen depth and/or definition. It quite often helps.
** Lastly, if running Unix, have a look at your XFree86 video driver.

* ''Windows:'' See [[WindowsFAQ-1.1.x#Why_does_VLC_only_give_black.2C_white_or_garbled_.28or_other_visual_erros.29_video_output.3F]]

=== Video is choppy ===

{{faqlink|238474}}
* Your system may be too slow to decode all pictures. Sometimes, your CPU (computer) really isn't fast enough, but often the situation can be improved by changing your system configuration to be a bit kinder to VLC.
** Quit other programs running in the background
** Turn on DMA on your DVD device:
*** ''Linux:''
***: <nowiki>#</nowiki> hdparm -d1 /dev/dvd
*** ''Windows:'' go to the System section of the control panel, and go to the Hardware manager (it is sometimes in a separate tab, and sometimes, you have to go to the Advanced tab. Then, right-click on your DVD player, and check the DMA checkbox.
** Upgrade to the latest driver for your video board.
** ''Linux:'' you can additionally upgrade your drivers to the latest XFree86 version. If supported, check that the xvideo plug-in is effectively used with:
**: % vlc -vvvv

=== Audio and video are out of sync ===

{{faqlink|238571}}
* If you are [[transcoding]] a file, use the [[audio-sync]] option.
* You can manually set the audio offset while playing (so you can put the audio back in sync). The default keys to increase/decrease the offset are Ctrl+K and Ctrl+L in Windows, and f and g in Mac.
* ''Linux/Unix:'' Try using another audio output plugin and, under Unix, kill esd or artsd if they are running. If the problem is due to the input file, have a look at the "Audio desynchronization compensation" option.

=== Audio is choppy ===

* Reboot? http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1288433
* Try a different codec if transcoding to ogg

== Problems with Streaming ==

==="main input error: no suitable access module for `rtsp://...'"===

vlc needs livemedia from '''live555.com''' to read rtsp stream this way.

You can check you have it by :

vlc -l | grep live

It should read

livedotcom live.com (RTSP/RTP/SDP) demuxer
livedotcom RTSP/RTP access and demux

If not, you have to install '''livemedia''' and point your compilation to this lib directory :

./configure '''--enable-livedotcom --with-livedotcom-tree=/usr/local/lib/live/'''

===Streaming playlist continuously between files (sout-keep not working)===

add the gather module to the sout chain, for example
vlc *mpeg --sout-keep --sout '#gather:transcode{plapla}:rtp{plapla}'

===Streaming 1 playlist item continuously and change input without stream break===

you can use this kind of a vlm.conf file with the --sout-keep option
new output1 broadcast enabled loop
setup output1 input "inputfile1.mpeg"
setup output1 input "inputfile2.mpeg"
setup output1 input "/path/to/inputfile3.mpeg"
setup output1 option sout-keep
setup output1 option input-repeat=-1
setup output1 output #gather:transcode{etc...}:std{plapla}

control output1 play 2

you then chan telnet into vlm and just command
control output1 play <playlistnumber>
to change the streamed input.

===Streaming to Windows Media Player===

See [[Windows Media Player]] for details.

== Problems converting between file formats (transcoding) ==

=== Missing Audio and/or Video ===

* Certain containers (aka muxers) can only hold certain types of video and audio - look at [http://www.videolan.org/streaming/features.html Streaming features]

== Streaming/Transcoding Wizard ==

=== Transcode / Save to file ===

* Partial Extract "From" "To" does not work, allone "To" don´t too.
: I've tested it too with the 0.8.6c version, already specifying the time data in seconds, and this parameter has no effect.

== VLC Crashes ==

=== General ===

{{faqlink|238592}}
* If VLC crashes, the following steps will help determine the cause.
** Increase the verbosity level (either in the preferences or with a -vvvv command line option) and look at the debug messages (in the terminal or in the Messages window).
* If you are convinced that it is a bug in VLC, have a look at the [http://www.videolan.org/support/bug-reporting.html bug reporting page].

=== When using DirectShow (eg Webcam) ===

{{forum|12394}}
* There was a bug a while back when you tried to stream using a directshow/webcam it would reboot the computer. The fix was to specify the resolution on the command line or in the "Advanced" section when opening the directshow.

== Other Problems ==

=== I only want one VLC player! ===

* To use the same VLC player for all the media files, go to Settings, Preferences, Advanced. The following options should give behavior similar to WMP: minimize # of threads, allow only one running instance, VLC is started from file association, allow only "on" running instance when started from file (typo in v0.8.5).

=== Licensing, legal issues and logo use ===

* Information on this is avaliable on the main videolan website, [http://videolan.org videolan.org]. Also read the [http://www.videolan.org/doc/faq/en/index.html#id238663 Legal concerns] section of the [http://www.videolan.org/doc/faq/en/index.html FAQ].
* This is a wiki site: it is editable by all, so it is best to check to official website.

=== Fixing Strange Behaviour ===

{{faqlink|238992}}
* The first thing to do is to reset the VLC preferences in the preferences dialog of the application and restart VLC. If VLC doesn't even start anymore, delete VLC's configuration file ([[#Configuration File|where is it?]]). Then restart VLC. If it does not get any better, read the rest of this page or FAQ page, or ask for help at the [[forum]].

=== Subtitles Problem ===

* In the File | Open File dialog, select "Use a subtitles file", and enter both the video's filename and the video's subtitle filename.
* If you are having displaying the subtitles, the problem might be an encoding problem. Choose the right encoding for your language and it should fix your problem. You'll find the ISOs here: [http://alis.isoc.org/codage/iso8859/jeuxiso.en.htm]. Once you find a text encoding method that works well for you enter it in Preferences, Input / Codecs, Other codecs, Subtitles then press Save and restart VLC. Uncheck the "Formatted Subtitles" may help if the subtitles only display as little squares. If you have a specialized language like Hebrew, Arabic, Chinese or Japanese changing the font to a Unicode font will be helpful. For Polish subtitles choose CP 1250 ISO code.

=== VLC hangs when opening Matroska (mkv) files ===

* This might occur when using VLC to view an mkv file in a directory that has a large number of mkv files. (eg. in an Azureus download directory)
VLC will attempt to preload all the mkv files in the directory and will hang, especially if some mkv files are not fully downloaded yet (thus seem to be broken).
* The solution is to set the mkv option: --mkv-preload-local-dir to false
Preferences -> Input / Codecs -> Demuxers -> Matroska -> Preload Directory (uncheck the checkbox)
(See also http://wiki.videolan.org/Matroska)

=== Coarse volume control ===

Volume control, specially with Hotkeys, is too coarse.
*To have a finer volume control, try the following option on the command line:
<code>--volume-step=1</code>
:See also [[VLC command-line help]]

Documentation:Streaming HowTo/Receive and Save a Stream

2010-11-18T20:15:50Z

RogerDPack: /* Save a stream with VLC */

{{RightMenu|documentation streaming howto toc}}

==Receive a stream with VLC==

===Receive an unicast stream===

% '''vlc -vvv rtp://'''

===Receive a multicast stream===

% '''vlc -vvv rtp://@239.255.12.42'''
where '''239.255.12.42''' is the multicast IP address you want to join.

===Receive an HTTP/FTP/MMS stream===

Use one of the following command lines:

% '''vlc -vvv http://example/stream.xyz'''
where '''http://example/stream.xyz''' is the HTTP address of the stream;

% '''vlc -vvv ftp://example/stream.xyz'''
where '''ftp://example/stream.xyz''' is the FTP address of the stream;

% '''vlc -vvv mms://viptvr.yacast.fr/encoderfranceinfo'''
where '''mms://viptvr.yacast.fr/encoderfranceinfo''' is the MMS address of the stream.

===Receive a RTP stream available through RTSP===

% '''vlc -vvv rtsp://www.hardradio.com/tonbeme.mov'''
where '''rtsp://www.hardradio.com/tonbeme.mov''' is the address of the stream.

===Receive a stream described by an SDP file===

% '''vlc -vvv http://server.example.org/stream.sdp'''

== Save a stream with VLC ==

VLC can save the stream to the disk. In order to do this, use the Stream Output of VLC : you can do it via the graphical interface (Media [menu] -> streaming) or use the [http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/2686/how-to-copy-a-dvd-with-vlc-1.0/ record button], or you can add to the command line the following argument:

'''--sout file/muxer:stream.xyz'''

where:

*'''muxer''' is one of the formats supported by VLC's stream output, i.e. :
**'''ogg''' for OGG format,
**'''ps''' MPEG2-PS format,
**'''ts''' for MPEG2-TS format.
*and '''stream.xyz''' is the name of the file you want to save the stream to, with the right extension.

For example: --sout=file/ps:go.mpg

This is short hand for the more verbose --sout="#std{access=file,mux=ps,dst=go.mpg}"

NB that you must choose a muxer that supports your stream type. See [[Transcode#Compatibility_issues]]

It can also be quite helpful to look at the settings VLC uses when it records using its record button. For example, in the logs you might see something like this:

...: Using record output `std{access=file,mux='ps',dst='C:\vlc-record-2010__E-.mpg'}'

Which gives you a hint/clue as to how to record your current stream. In this case this would translate into --sout "#std{access=file... on the command line.

==Receive a stream with a set-top-box==

Some set-top-boxes with Ethernet cards can receive MPEG2-TS streams over UDP and support multicast.

Set-top-boxes known to work with VLC are :
*[http://www.pace.co.uk Pace] set top boxes. (Pace Micro DSL 4000)
*[http://www.aminocom.com Aminocom] set top boxes. (all the models with mpeg2)
*tuxia / gct-allwell (mpeg4 and mpeg2) sigma designs8174 chipset
*i3micro mood200 (mpeg4 and mpeg2 in transport streams)
* ps3 media server streams using VLC (or mencoder) to the PS3

{{Documentation}}

OldFAQ

2010-11-18T20:06:47Z

RogerDPack: /* Poor Quality Video and Audio */

{{stub}}
Answers to some common problems people encounter with VLC. More help is available in the
* [http://www.videolan.org/doc/ Documentation]
* [http://www.videolan.org/doc/faq/en/videolan-faq-en.html FAQ]
* [[Forum]]

== Installing VLC ==

=== On Mac OS 9 ===

{{faqlink|239006}}
* Sorry, VLC will not work on OS 9, and probably never will. However, Mac OS X is supported - [[Unsupported|Find out Why]]

=== Compiling VLC ===

==== How do I compile VLC? ====

* Look at [http://developers.videolan.org/vlc/ how to compile VLC]. There are pre-compiled (binary / executable) versions [http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ here].

==== Mozilla Firefox Plugin ====

* ''Debian:'' All you need is to download the vlc plugin package - mozilla-plugin-vlc ([http://packages.debian.org/stable/graphics/mozilla-plugin-vlc stable release])
* ''All Linux:'' To make the firefox plugin with the vlc player, you will first need the Firefox Development package (from: [http://packages.ubuntu.com/breezy/devel/firefox-dev ubuntu] ...). Then, when you compile, run ./configure with --enable-mozilla, and if needed with --with-mozilla-sdk-path=''/path_to_firefox_sdk''

==== "Missing header file ffmpeg/avcodec.h" and "Missing header file postproc/postprocess.h" Errors ====

* Make sure that you have all the libraries you need.
** '''on ubuntu''': "apt-get install libavcodec-dev libpostproc-dev" will install the needed files (worked on edgy).
* When you run ./configure for [[ffmpeg]], make sure that at least the following flags are set (descriptions of these avaliable from ./configure --help )
./configure --enable-shared --enable-shared-pp --enable-pp --enable-gpl
* The path of ffmpeg is not set. Check if you can locate the file '''libavcodec.pc''' on your computer, and export PKG_CONFIG_PATH to where you found it before running ./configure. For example
export PKG_CONFIG_PATH=/home/you/ffmpeg/

With vlc-086f, FFmpeg SVN-r13060, on Slamd64 12.0.0, some other changes must be made. These are most likely due to changes in libpostproc.

The ./configure flags for ffmpeg become
./configure --enable-postproc --enable-shared --enable-gpl

Then you must set a symbolic link for postproc. This took me a long time to spot.

root @ svr (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)locate postprocess.h
/usr/local/include/libpostproc/postprocess.h
root @ svr (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)cd /usr/local/include/
root @ svr (/usr/local/include)ln -s libpostproc postproc

==== "cc1: error: invalid option `tune=opteron'" Error on 64-bit systems ====

* One user writes: "From what I can see, the -mtune flag is not available for this type of processor in man gcc. I had to change the configure options comment out all the lines where they set mcpu or mtune flags.) I don't know if this is the correct way to proceed but was the only way for me to get results fast."

* This is not true on all versions of gcc. Try to compile on your platform before making the above changes.

root @ p01 (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)gcc --version
gcc (GCC) 4.1.2

root @ p01 (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)uname -a
Linux p01 2.6.24.3 #2 SMP Tue Apr 8 12:01:03 EDT 2008 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

root @ p01 (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)grep tune= config.log
configure:37114: checking whether gcc accepts -mtune=athlon64
configure:37125: gcc -c -Wsign-compare -Wall -pipe -mtune=athlon64 -DSYS_LINUX conftest.c >&5

root @ p01 (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)grep cpu= config.log
build_cpu='x86_64'
host_cpu='x86_64'
target_cpu='x86_64'

==== "/usr/bin/ld: cannot find -lX11" Error on 64-bit systems ====

* In configure, there is an x_libraries variable there that is set to "/usr/X11R6/lib" (around line 16371). Because it is a 64 bit system, this variable needs to be /usr/X11R6/lib64. After changing that, it should continue compiling.

==== "syntax error before "pthread_spinlock_t"" on debian-Etch or CentOS ====

* If you have errors about ''pthread_spin*'' in the file ''vlc_threads_funcs.h'', try this fix :
su
sed -e 's/define\s*_POSIX_SPIN_LOCKS\s*/define _POSIX_SPIN_LOCKS -1 \/\/ wrong: /g' -i /usr/include/bits/posix_opt.h
exit
source : [http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=43930#p139570 this post] from Rémi Denis-Courmont.

=== Installing Skins ===

* Although all information is given on the [http://www.videolan.org/vlc/skins.php VLC Download skin site], you may miss the note to change preferences to ''skinnable interface''. There is an [http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?p=85603#p85603 article on the forum] which describes the how-to. In short: there is a drop-down option (interface module) in the settings dialog (Interface → General) which defaults to ''Standard''. Change this and restart.

== Problems Starting VLC ==

=== VLC does not launch on my Mac anymore. What to do? ===

* Please have a look at the [[FAQ_on_MacOSX_only_issues|specific FAQ]], which covers multiple solutions to this issue.

== Error Messages ==

Error messages can be viewed by selecting Messages from the Tools menu.

=== main private error: no sout mux module matched "ts" ===

* This can be an error if '''libdvbpsi''' was not installed when vlc was compiled. To fix this error, install libdvbpsi; then re-compile vlc. [http://developers.videolan.org/libdvbpsi/ libdvbpsi]

=== main dialogs provider error: no dialogs provider module matched "any" ===

* The solution is found in [http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?t=14733 the forum]

== Problems playing types of files ==

=== WMV files ===

* Starting with VLC media player 0.8.6, the playback of WMV3-encoded videos is available on all platforms. Please note, that encrypted / DRM-protected video-clips still cannot be played. That is due to the nature of DRM and is not about to change, so please do not ask.

=== Real Media files ===

* Realmedia files (.rm, .rpm, etc) are proprietary (ie, copyrighted) file formats, created by RealNetworks. Because of this, VLC can't support them at present.

=== QuickTime Files (.mov) ===

* Mov file doesn't play, but plays ok in QuickTime
** open the url in QuickTime player
** let it decide which datarate is best for your connection
** let it play for a few seconds, then pause it
** open the stream info, copy the url
** open & save that one in VLC

=== Flash Video Files (.flv) ===

* Flash Video support has recently been added (provided through ffmpeg) - to view .flv files you will need version 0.8.4a. Download and install the latest version [http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ here].
* VLC still has problems with a few .flv files. If you have problems playing a file in VLC you might be able to change it to an avi using [[ffmpeg]]. See [[Fixing .flv to .avi with Ffmpeg]].
* VLC 0.8.6 provided enhanced Flash Video support on all platforms, so it is probably worth to update if you experience problems with prior releases.

=== Other Files ===

{{faqlink|238663}}
* Make sure that VLC supports that file - look at the [http://www.videolan.org/vlc/features.html list of supposted formats]

* Make sure that the file isn't corrupted

== VLC and Other Programs ==

=== AMR ===

* To use [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaptive_Multi-Rate AMR], you'll need to compile vlc and ffmpeg with amr support yourself. This is because the amr license is not compatible with the vlc license.

=== ratDVD ===

* VLC does not support [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RatDVD ratDVD] and is not going to be, both for political and technical reasons.

== Problems Playing DVDs ==

===Unable to play any DVDs===

{{faqlink|239006}}
* ''Linux:'' To play DVDs with VLC in linux, you need to install the libdvdcss package
* ''Linux:'' Make sure you have access rigths to your DVD player. In linux, you can use chmod to edit access rights to your DVD block device:
** <nowiki>#</nowiki> chmod 666 /dev/dvd
** The videolan FAQ seems to suggest you need write access to this device - is this true? If you know, please edit this entry.
* ''Linux:'' Make sure VLC knows where your DVD drive is located (/dev/dvd usually). Go to Settings | Preferences | Input/Codecs | General and under "Default devices" make sure your dvd drive path is entered in the "Default DVD" box. When you go to open a DVD, you should see something like "dvd:///dev/dvd" as the [[media resource locator]] in the "Open:" box near the top of the Open dialog.

=== Playing DVDs from other Region Codes ===

{{faqlink|239426}}
* The ability to play DVDs from all regions depends mostly on your DVD drive, and testing it is usually the quickest way to find out if your DVD drive can do it. Most newer DVD drives are RPC2 drives, which don't allow raw access to the drive untill the drive firmware has done a regioncheck. VLC uses libdvdcss and it needs raw access to the DVD drive to crack the encryption key. So with these drives it is impossible to circumvent the region protection. (This goes for all software. You will need to flash your drives firmware, but sometimes there is no alternate firmware available for your drive). On other RPC2 drives that DO allow raw access, it might take VLC a long time to crack the key. So just pop the disc in your drive and try it out, while you get a coffee. RPC1 drives should 'always' work regardless of the regioncode.

== Poor Quality Video and Audio ==

=== The video runs but the picture is distorted ===

{{faqlink|238431}}
* ''Linux:'' There is probably a problem with the output layer. There are several ways of troubleshooting it.
** First, try with another output plugin, for instance:
**: % vlc -V sdl
**: % vlc -V x11
** Second, change your screen depth and/or definition. It quite often helps.
** Lastly, if running Unix, have a look at your XFree86 video driver.

* ''Windows:'' See [[WindowsFAQ-1.1.x#Why_does_VLC_only_give_black.2C_white_or_garbled_.28or_other_visual_erros.29_video_output.3F]]

=== Video is choppy ===

{{faqlink|238474}}
* Your system may be too slow to decode all pictures. Sometimes, your CPU (computer) really isn't fast enough, but often the situation can be improved by changing your system configuration to be a bit kinder to VLC.
** Quit other programs running in the background
** Turn on DMA on your DVD device:
*** ''Linux:''
***: <nowiki>#</nowiki> hdparm -d1 /dev/dvd
*** ''Windows:'' go to the System section of the control panel, and go to the Hardware manager (it is sometimes in a separate tab, and sometimes, you have to go to the Advanced tab. Then, right-click on your DVD player, and check the DMA checkbox.
** Upgrade to the latest driver for your video board.
** ''Linux:'' you can additionally upgrade your drivers to the latest XFree86 version. If supported, check that the xvideo plug-in is effectively used with:
**: % vlc -vvvv

=== Audio and video are out of sync ===

{{faqlink|238571}}
* If you are [[transcoding]] a file, use the [[audio-sync]] option.
* You can manually set the audio offset while playing (so you can put the audio back in sync). The default keys to increase/decrease the offset are Ctrl+K and Ctrl+L in Windows, and f and g in Mac.
* ''Linux/Unix:'' Try using another audio output plugin and, under Unix, kill esd or artsd if they are running. If the problem is due to the input file, have a look at the "Audio desynchronization compensation" option.

== Problems with Streaming ==

==="main input error: no suitable access module for `rtsp://...'"===

vlc needs livemedia from '''live555.com''' to read rtsp stream this way.

You can check you have it by :

vlc -l | grep live

It should read

livedotcom live.com (RTSP/RTP/SDP) demuxer
livedotcom RTSP/RTP access and demux

If not, you have to install '''livemedia''' and point your compilation to this lib directory :

./configure '''--enable-livedotcom --with-livedotcom-tree=/usr/local/lib/live/'''

===Streaming playlist continuously between files (sout-keep not working)===

add the gather module to the sout chain, for example
vlc *mpeg --sout-keep --sout '#gather:transcode{plapla}:rtp{plapla}'

===Streaming 1 playlist item continuously and change input without stream break===

you can use this kind of a vlm.conf file with the --sout-keep option
new output1 broadcast enabled loop
setup output1 input "inputfile1.mpeg"
setup output1 input "inputfile2.mpeg"
setup output1 input "/path/to/inputfile3.mpeg"
setup output1 option sout-keep
setup output1 option input-repeat=-1
setup output1 output #gather:transcode{etc...}:std{plapla}

control output1 play 2

you then chan telnet into vlm and just command
control output1 play <playlistnumber>
to change the streamed input.

===Streaming to Windows Media Player===

See [[Windows Media Player]] for details.

== Problems converting between file formats (transcoding) ==

=== Missing Audio and/or Video ===

* Certain containers (aka muxers) can only hold certain types of video and audio - look at [http://www.videolan.org/streaming/features.html Streaming features]

== Streaming/Transcoding Wizard ==

=== Transcode / Save to file ===

* Partial Extract "From" "To" does not work, allone "To" don´t too.
: I've tested it too with the 0.8.6c version, already specifying the time data in seconds, and this parameter has no effect.

== VLC Crashes ==

=== General ===

{{faqlink|238592}}
* If VLC crashes, the following steps will help determine the cause.
** Increase the verbosity level (either in the preferences or with a -vvvv command line option) and look at the debug messages (in the terminal or in the Messages window).
* If you are convinced that it is a bug in VLC, have a look at the [http://www.videolan.org/support/bug-reporting.html bug reporting page].

=== When using DirectShow (eg Webcam) ===

{{forum|12394}}
* There was a bug a while back when you tried to stream using a directshow/webcam it would reboot the computer. The fix was to specify the resolution on the command line or in the "Advanced" section when opening the directshow.

== Other Problems ==

=== I only want one VLC player! ===

* To use the same VLC player for all the media files, go to Settings, Preferences, Advanced. The following options should give behavior similar to WMP: minimize # of threads, allow only one running instance, VLC is started from file association, allow only "on" running instance when started from file (typo in v0.8.5).

=== Licensing, legal issues and logo use ===

* Information on this is avaliable on the main videolan website, [http://videolan.org videolan.org]. Also read the [http://www.videolan.org/doc/faq/en/index.html#id238663 Legal concerns] section of the [http://www.videolan.org/doc/faq/en/index.html FAQ].
* This is a wiki site: it is editable by all, so it is best to check to official website.

=== Fixing Strange Behaviour ===

{{faqlink|238992}}
* The first thing to do is to reset the VLC preferences in the preferences dialog of the application and restart VLC. If VLC doesn't even start anymore, delete VLC's configuration file ([[#Configuration File|where is it?]]). Then restart VLC. If it does not get any better, read the rest of this page or FAQ page, or ask for help at the [[forum]].

=== Subtitles Problem ===

* In the File | Open File dialog, select "Use a subtitles file", and enter both the video's filename and the video's subtitle filename.
* If you are having displaying the subtitles, the problem might be an encoding problem. Choose the right encoding for your language and it should fix your problem. You'll find the ISOs here: [http://alis.isoc.org/codage/iso8859/jeuxiso.en.htm]. Once you find a text encoding method that works well for you enter it in Preferences, Input / Codecs, Other codecs, Subtitles then press Save and restart VLC. Uncheck the "Formatted Subtitles" may help if the subtitles only display as little squares. If you have a specialized language like Hebrew, Arabic, Chinese or Japanese changing the font to a Unicode font will be helpful. For Polish subtitles choose CP 1250 ISO code.

=== VLC hangs when opening Matroska (mkv) files ===

* This might occur when using VLC to view an mkv file in a directory that has a large number of mkv files. (eg. in an Azureus download directory)
VLC will attempt to preload all the mkv files in the directory and will hang, especially if some mkv files are not fully downloaded yet (thus seem to be broken).
* The solution is to set the mkv option: --mkv-preload-local-dir to false
Preferences -> Input / Codecs -> Demuxers -> Matroska -> Preload Directory (uncheck the checkbox)
(See also http://wiki.videolan.org/Matroska)

=== Coarse volume control ===

Volume control, specially with Hotkeys, is too coarse.
*To have a finer volume control, try the following option on the command line:
<code>--volume-step=1</code>
:See also [[VLC command-line help]]

Transcode

2010-11-18T13:00:51Z

RogerDPack:

Transcoding is the process of taking a video file and changing it to a different format or bitrate.

Transcoding in VLC copies the movie to a new file in a different format, so you end up with both the original and new files. This means you need to have enough space on your hard drive to store this extra file. You should also have a reasonably fast computer, as transcoding can be very slow.

In VLC, transcoding is exactly the same as [[streaming]] accross a network, except that the output is sent to a file instead of a network.

== Compatibility issues ==

If your input streams already matches the encoding that you desire for your output stream, then you don't have to transcode at all (just leave out the transcode settings on the command line, and it will thence not transcode). In the GUI this is called "keep the original track" (I think).

Note that when you decide your transcoding settings, only some container formats (muxers) can support some codecs - look [http://www.videolan.org/streaming/features.html here] to see what supports what. If your current format is incompatible with the muxer you desire, then you must transcode it to something compatible, or choose a different muxer. If you choose an incompatible stream for a given muxer, it may silently fail. You can look for error messages in the [[Basic_Troubleshooting|messages window]] to help you debug the failures.

== Transcoding with the Wizard ==

VLC includes a transcoding and streaming wizard. To transcode a file, just select the transcode option. You will then be asked what format to convert to: you can give a video [[codec]], an audio codec and a [[container]] format.

See also {{doc|http://www.videolan.org/doc/streaming-howto/en/ch02.html}}

== Transcoding with the Command Prompt ==

The most flexible way to transcode with vlc is using a [[command prompt]] to start vlc. Transcoding works the same as [[streaming]]. For example, the following command changes an [[asf]] file to an [[MPEG-2]] file:
:vlc "C:\Movies\Your File.asf" :sout='#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=4096,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,scale=1,channels=2,deinterlace,audio-sync}:std{access=file, mux=ps,dst="C:\Movies\Your File Output.ps.mpg"}'
The access=file instructs vlc to store the output in a file (and not stream it), and the dst is the location of the new (output) file.

* Note 1: If you are running VLC on [[Mac OS X]], you should use clivlc instead of VLC to avoid possible Bus error problems.
* Note 2: old VLC releases, maybe up to 0.8.6* included, use "url" instead of "dst".

Transcoding takes quite a while, so it's advisable to use an option like '''--stop-time=30''' to only encode the first 30 seconds - this means you can check the file has transcoded correctly, and that the output is of a suitable quality. (Note: On [[Mac OS X]] this trick doesn't seem to work. Just press ctrl-c after a while, VLC will properly write out the already transcoded segment)

The transcode statement can contain '''vcodec''' and '''vb''' to change the video codec and '''acodec''' and '''ab''' to change the audio codec. If vcodec is missing, the video codec will stay the same (same for acodec).

Common additional options to use are '''audio-sync''' (to make sure the audio is in sync correctly) and '''deinterlace''' (to increase quality slightly on interlaced video).
===Under MS Windows===
the syntax on windows is slightly different:

:C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC>vlc -vvv "D:\688497.flv" --sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp4v,acodec=mpga,vb=800,ab=128,deinterlace}:standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst="D:\asd.mpg"}
(Note: old VLC releases, maybe up to 0.8.6* included, use "url" instead of "dst")

(Note: due to command line parsing, at times, especially within single and double quote blocks, a backslash may have to be escaped by using a double backslash so that a filename would be D:\\path\\to\\file.mpg)

===Completely non-interactive transcoding===
For completely non-interactive transcoding (such as the case necessary when running under [[Mac OS X]]), the above example could be rewritten as
:vlc -I dummy "C:\Movies\Your File.asf" :sout='#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=4096,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,scale=1,channels=2,deinterlace,audio-sync}:std{access=file, mux=ps,dst="C:\Movies\Your File Output.ps.mpg"}' vlc://quit
The two extra options are
;-I dummy: Disables the graphical interface
;<nowiki>vlc://quit</nowiki>: Quit VLC after transcoding
If transcoding from a DVD, it is also necessary to use the dvdsimple:// notation instead of the dvd:// notation, in order to avoid interacting with the DVD menu system. You can use this in the GUI by choosing 'no DVD menus' option when opening the disc.

{{doc|http://www.videolan.org/doc/streaming-howto/en/ch03.html}}

== Canvas and Padding ==
'''The canvas and padding options changed since Version 0.9. Most examples in the wiki are broken.'''

<pre>transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vfilter=canvas{width=640,height=480}}</pre>

Other options:
* aspect=4:3 : Aspect ratio
* padd:
** true: Pad with black bars
** false: crop video

<pre>transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vfilter=croppadd{cropttop=20,cropbottom=30,paddleft=100}}</pre>

crop or pad top, left, right or bottom in pixels.

Avoid using width and hight parameters! These are apllied before the vfilter and might result in unwanted results.

== Non-Interactive Batch Transcoding (Windows)==
To transcode several files without user interaction create a batch file in the folder where the files are contained and this line to the batch file:

<pre>
for %%a in (*.FILE_EXT) do cmd /c "PATH_TO_VLC" -I dummy -vvv %%a --sout=#transcode{vcodec=VIDEO_CODEC,vb=VIDEO_BITRATE,scale=1,acodec=AUDIO_CODEC,ab=AUDIO_BITRATE,channels=6}:standard{access=file,mux=MUXER,dst=%%a.OUTPUT_EXT} vlc://quit
</pre>

Cmd /c makes the script wait to finish transcoding before starting the next transcode.

An alternative method is to use VB Script. This example will transcode all files from one folder to another. It will also wait for each file to finish transcoding before starting the next. Create the script transcode.vbs, in the VLC installation folder, default "C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC". Change the strSource and strTarget in the example to match your requirements. Start a "DOS Box", Start - Run - cmd then change to the VLC folder and run the script "cscript transcode.vbs".

This example was tested on Microsoft Windows Script host 5.6 running on XP Pro SP2

<pre>
'
' based on code from:http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/12009443/m/516001349831
'
'
'
Dim objFSO, objShell, strSource, strTarget, strOldName, strNewName
'
set objFSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
'
' Set up starting folders
'
strSource = "O:\"
strTarget = "N:\"
'
call RecurseDir(strSource, strTarget)
'
' // Recursively copy all files and folders
'
Sub RecurseDir(strSource, strTarget)
wscript.echo "source: " & strSource & " target: "& strTarget
'
Dim strTempSource, strTempTarget
'
Set strTempSource = objFSO.GetFolder(strSource)
'
Wscript.Echo "Begin Value: " & strTarget
'
If Not objFSO.FolderExists(strTarget) Then
' Wscript.Echo "No Folder! Creating folder [" & strTarget & "]"
objFSO.CreateFolder(strTarget)
Else
Wscript.Echo "Folder exists! " & strTempTarget
End If
'
Set strTempTarget = objFSO.GetFolder(strTarget)
' ** Copy files from current directory to target
For each file in strTempSource.files
strOldName = strSource & "\" & file.name
strNewName = strTempTarget & "\" & Mid(file.name, 1, InstrRev(file.name, ".")) & "ts"
'
If Not objFSO.FileExists(strNewName) Then
Set objShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
'
Wscript.Echo "Transcoding file: " & strOldName & " to " & strNewName
'
Select Case Right(strOldName, 3)
Case "avi"
wscript.echo "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit"
objShell.Run "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit", 1, True
Case "mp4"
wscript.echo "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,channels=2}:duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit"
objShell.Run "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,channels=2}:duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit", 1, True
End Select
'
Set objShell = Nothing
End If
Next
' ** For each subfolder of current dir, copy files to target and recurse its subdirs
For each subdir in strTempSource.subfolders
Wscript.Echo subdir.path
call RecurseDir(subdir.path, strTempTarget & "\" & subdir.name)
Next
End Sub
</pre>

== Non-Interactive Batch Transcoding (Linux)==
To transcode several files without user interaction create a bash script in the folder where the files are contained and add these lines to the bash script:

<pre>
#!/bin/bash
vcodec="VIDEO_CODEC"
acodec="AUDIO_CODEC"
bitrate="VIDEO_BITRATE"
arate="AUDIO_BITRATE"
ext="OUTPUT_EXT"
mux="MUXER"
vlc="PATH_TO_VLC"
fmt="INPUT_EXT"

for a in *$fmt; do
$vlc -I dummy -vvv "$a" --sout "#transcode{vcodec=$vcodec,vb=$bitrate,acodec=$acodec,ab=$arate,channels=6}:standard{mux=$mux,dst=\"$a.$ext\",access=file}" vlc://quit
done
</pre>

===Non-Interactive Merge/Transcode (Windows)===

If you have more than one source files that need to be merged and transcoded resulting in a single out put file, see [[How_to_Merge_and_Transcode_Multiple_Videos]]

===Example script===
'''The canvas and cropping must be adjusted for VLC versions newer then 0.9.'''

As an example, here is a bash script that will take a <tt>.mpg</tt> file as generated by an DVB capture device and transcode it into an MPEG4 file using the h.264 codec. Copy it to a file, for example <tt>dvb2mp4</tt>, and make it executable. It should work on any operating system that has bash, including windows if [http://www.cygwin.com Cygwin] is installed. It uses the cropping parameters proposed at [[Wikipedia:Overscan_amounts]] adapted so that the dimensions are divisible by 16 for better encoding.

<pre>
#!/bin/bash
#
# Transcode DVB TV signals to h.264-encoded MP4 files using VLC
# Wout.Mertens@gmail.com

#### Defaults, please edit for your settings ####

# VLC location, here is the Mac OS X example
VLC=/Applications/VLC.app/Contents/MacOS/clivlc
# Other possibilities: (Remove the # to activate)
#VLC=/usr/bin/vlc
#VLC=/usr/local/bin/vlc

# 16:9 or 4:3
aspect=16:9

# PAL (Europe) or NTSC (US)
src=PAL

# video bitrate
bitrate=1024

# audio bitrate
arate=128

# cropping?
crop=yes

# Deinterlace?
deint=yes

#### Program, do not change below this line ####
usage() {
cat 1>&2 <<EOF
Usage: $0 [-swpncC] [-b <rate>] [-a <rate>] <DVB source .mpg> <MP4 output file>
-s 4:3 aspect ratio (default=$aspect)
-w 16:9 aspect ratio
-p PAL (720x576) input (default=$src)
-n NTSC (720x480) input
-c Crop borders (default=$crop)
-C Do not crop borders
-d Perform de-interlacing (default=$deint)
-D Do not perform de-interlacing
-b video bitrate kb/s (default=$bitrate)
-a audio bitrate kb/s (default=$arate)
EOF
exit 1
}

error() {
echo "ERROR: $*" 1>&2
exit 2
}

while getopts 'swpncCb:a:h' opt; do
case $opt in
s) aspect=4:3 ;;
w) aspect=16:9 ;;
p) src=PAL ;;
n) src=NTSC ;;
c) crop=yes ;;
C) crop=no ;;
d) deint=yes ;;
D) deint=no ;;
b) bitrate=$OPTARG ;;
a) arate=$OPTARG ;;
h) usage ;;
*) echo "Unknown option $opt" 1>&2; usage ;;
esac
done
shift $(( $OPTIND - 1 ))

[ $# -ne 2 ] && usage

infile="$1"
outfile="$2"
case $outfile in
*.mp4|*.MP4) : ;;
*) outfile="$outfile.mp4" ;;
esac

[ -r "$infile" ] || error "Can't read from $infile"

case "$src,$aspect,$crop" in
PAL,16:9,yes) sizestr="cropleft=31,cropright=31,croptop=16,cropbottom=16,width=960,height=544" ;;
PAL,4:3,yes) sizestr="cropleft=31,cropright=31,croptop=16,cropbottom=16,width=720,height=544" ;;
NTSC,16:9,yes) sizestr="cropleft=30,cropright=30,croptop=17,cropbottom=17,width=800,height=448" ;;
NTSC,4:3,yes) sizestr="cropleft=26,cropright=26,croptop=17,cropbottom=17,width=608,height=448" ;;
PAL,16:9,no) sizestr="width=1024,height=576" ;;
PAL,4:3,no) sizestr="width=768,height=576" ;;
NTSC,16:9,no) sizestr="width=800,height=448" ;;
NTSC,4:3,no) sizestr="width=608,height=448" ;;
*) error "Could not handle $src,$aspect,$crop. This shouldn't happen!" ;;
esac

if [ "$deint" = "yes" ]; then
deintstr=",deinterlace=enable"
else
deintstr=
fi

# Let's do it
echo "Input file: $infile"
echo "Output file: $outfile"
echo "Encoding at $bitrate+$arate kb/s, input $src, $aspect, cropping $crop, de-interlace $deint"
echo
echo '>>>' $VLC -I dummy "$infile" --sout "#transcode{$sizestr$deintstr,vcodec=h264,vb=$bitrate,acodec=mp4a,ab=$arate}:standard{mux=mp4,dst=\"$outfile\",access=file}" vlc://quit
echo
$VLC -I dummy "$infile" --sout "#transcode{$sizestr$deintstr,vcodec=h264,vb=$bitrate,acodec=mp4a,ab=$arate}:standard{mux=mp4,dst=\"$outfile\",access=file}" vlc://quit
</pre>

[[Category:Glossary]]

Documentation:Streaming HowTo/Receive and Save a Stream

2010-11-18T00:13:59Z

RogerDPack: /* Save a stream with VLC */

{{RightMenu|documentation streaming howto toc}}

==Receive a stream with VLC==

===Receive an unicast stream===

% '''vlc -vvv rtp://'''

===Receive a multicast stream===

% '''vlc -vvv rtp://@239.255.12.42'''
where '''239.255.12.42''' is the multicast IP address you want to join.

===Receive an HTTP/FTP/MMS stream===

Use one of the following command lines:

% '''vlc -vvv http://example/stream.xyz'''
where '''http://example/stream.xyz''' is the HTTP address of the stream;

% '''vlc -vvv ftp://example/stream.xyz'''
where '''ftp://example/stream.xyz''' is the FTP address of the stream;

% '''vlc -vvv mms://viptvr.yacast.fr/encoderfranceinfo'''
where '''mms://viptvr.yacast.fr/encoderfranceinfo''' is the MMS address of the stream.

===Receive a RTP stream available through RTSP===

% '''vlc -vvv rtsp://www.hardradio.com/tonbeme.mov'''
where '''rtsp://www.hardradio.com/tonbeme.mov''' is the address of the stream.

===Receive a stream described by an SDP file===

% '''vlc -vvv http://server.example.org/stream.sdp'''

== Save a stream with VLC ==

VLC can save the stream to the disk. In order to do this, use the Stream Output of VLC : you can do it via the graphical interface (Media [menu] -> streaming) or use the [http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/2686/how-to-copy-a-dvd-with-vlc-1.0/ record button], or you can add to the command line the following argument:

'''--sout file/muxer:stream.xyz'''

where:

*'''muxer''' is one of the formats supported by VLC's stream output, i.e. :
**'''ogg''' for OGG format,
**'''ps''' MPEG2-PS format,
**'''ts''' for MPEG2-TS format.
*and '''stream.xyz''' is the name of the file you want to save the stream to, with the right extension.

For example: --sout=file/ps:go.mpg

This is short hand for the more verbose --sout="#std{access=file,mux=ps,dst=go.mpg}"

NB that you must choose a muxer that supports your stream type. See [[Transcode#Transcoding_with_the_Wizard]]

It can also be quite helpful to look at the settings VLC uses when it records using its record button. For example, in the logs you might see something like this:

...: Using record output `std{access=file,mux='ps',dst='C:\vlc-record-2010__E-.mpg'}'

Which gives you a hint/clue as to how to record your current stream. In this case this would translate into --sout "#std{access=file... on the command line.

==Receive a stream with a set-top-box==

Some set-top-boxes with Ethernet cards can receive MPEG2-TS streams over UDP and support multicast.

Set-top-boxes known to work with VLC are :
*[http://www.pace.co.uk Pace] set top boxes. (Pace Micro DSL 4000)
*[http://www.aminocom.com Aminocom] set top boxes. (all the models with mpeg2)
*tuxia / gct-allwell (mpeg4 and mpeg2) sigma designs8174 chipset
*i3micro mood200 (mpeg4 and mpeg2 in transport streams)
* ps3 media server streams using VLC (or mencoder) to the PS3

{{Documentation}}

Crashdump

2010-11-17T20:34:25Z

RogerDPack:

'''crashdump''' is the file VLC's Windows builds generate when VLC crashes. It is stored to '''%appdata%\vlc''' folder and its content can be send to VLC server during next startup if you want that. Content of the file is something like this:
<nowiki>
[version]
OS=6.0.6002.2.Service Pack 2
VLC=1.1.2 The Luggage

[exceptions]
c0000005 at 6861e792

[context]
EDI:00000000
ESI:0257c840
EBX:0000001e
EDX:00000008
ECX:00000018
EAX:ffffffe0
EBP:02f8cb00
EIP:6861e792
ESP:02f8cad8

[stacktrace]
#EIP|base|module
6861e792|C:\softa\vlc-1.1.2\libvlccore.dll
6862fe8f|C:\softa\vlc-1.1.2\libvlccore.dll
6861cbfa|C:\softa\vlc-1.1.2\libvlccore.dll
70b62590|C:\softa\vlc-1.1.2\plugins\libhotkeys_plugin.dll
686567db|C:\softa\vlc-1.1.2\libvlccore.dll
68656b3e|C:\softa\vlc-1.1.2\libvlccore.dll
68648dc5|C:\softa\vlc-1.1.2\libvlccore.dll
686568a9|C:\softa\vlc-1.1.2\libvlccore.dll
68656b3e|C:\softa\vlc-1.1.2\libvlccore.dll
64032e5d|C:\softa\vlc-1.1.2\plugins\libqt4_plugin.dll
641faa20|C:\softa\vlc-1.1.2\plugins\libqt4_plugin.dll
6420f1f0|C:\softa\vlc-1.1.2\plugins\libqt4_plugin.dll
641d3a24|C:\softa\vlc-1.1.2\plugins\libqt4_plugin.dll
641dab80|C:\softa\vlc-1.1.2\plugins\libqt4_plugin.dll
6466f260|C:\softa\vlc-1.1.2\plugins\libqt4_plugin.dll
645df034|C:\softa\vlc-1.1.2\plugins\libqt4_plugin.dll
645e1255|C:\softa\vlc-1.1.2\plugins\libqt4_plugin.dll
644207fe|C:\softa\vlc-1.1.2\plugins\libqt4_plugin.dll
7789fd72|C:\Windows\system32\USER32.dll
7789fe4a|C:\Windows\system32\USER32.dll
778a018d|C:\Windows\system32\USER32.dll
778a022b|C:\Windows\system32\USER32.dll
6470c1ad|C:\softa\vlc-1.1.2\plugins\libqt4_plugin.dll
6441bb63|C:\softa\vlc-1.1.2\plugins\libqt4_plugin.dll
646feca6|C:\softa\vlc-1.1.2\plugins\libqt4_plugin.dll
646fee4b|C:\softa\vlc-1.1.2\plugins\libqt4_plugin.dll
646704c3|C:\softa\vlc-1.1.2\plugins\libqt4_plugin.dll
64023147|C:\softa\vlc-1.1.2\plugins\libqt4_plugin.dll
6866127a|C:\softa\vlc-1.1.2\libvlccore.dll
764a2599|C:\Windows\system32\msvcrt.dll
764a26b3|C:\Windows\system32\msvcrt.dll
765ad0e9|C:\Windows\system32\kernel32.dll
779e19bb|C:\Windows\system32\ntdll.dll
779e198e|C:\Windows\system32\ntdll.dll
</nowiki>

So crashdump doesn't reveal the played file or other programs you might be using. You can check the content of crashdump file with any text editor.

File send operation is done via FTP, so if your firewall blocks FTP connections, then the crashdump cannot be send to VLC developers.

See [[/Report_bugs#Mac_OS_X_users]] for OS X users.

OldFAQ

2010-11-17T20:17:58Z

RogerDPack: /* Error Messages */

{{stub}}
Answers to some common problems people encounter with VLC. More help is available in the
* [http://www.videolan.org/doc/ Documentation]
* [http://www.videolan.org/doc/faq/en/videolan-faq-en.html FAQ]
* [[Forum]]

== Installing VLC ==

=== On Mac OS 9 ===

{{faqlink|239006}}
* Sorry, VLC will not work on OS 9, and probably never will. However, Mac OS X is supported - [[Unsupported|Find out Why]]

=== Compiling VLC ===

==== How do I compile VLC? ====

* Look at [http://developers.videolan.org/vlc/ how to compile VLC]. There are pre-compiled (binary / executable) versions [http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ here].

==== Mozilla Firefox Plugin ====

* ''Debian:'' All you need is to download the vlc plugin package - mozilla-plugin-vlc ([http://packages.debian.org/stable/graphics/mozilla-plugin-vlc stable release])
* ''All Linux:'' To make the firefox plugin with the vlc player, you will first need the Firefox Development package (from: [http://packages.ubuntu.com/breezy/devel/firefox-dev ubuntu] ...). Then, when you compile, run ./configure with --enable-mozilla, and if needed with --with-mozilla-sdk-path=''/path_to_firefox_sdk''

==== "Missing header file ffmpeg/avcodec.h" and "Missing header file postproc/postprocess.h" Errors ====

* Make sure that you have all the libraries you need.
** '''on ubuntu''': "apt-get install libavcodec-dev libpostproc-dev" will install the needed files (worked on edgy).
* When you run ./configure for [[ffmpeg]], make sure that at least the following flags are set (descriptions of these avaliable from ./configure --help )
./configure --enable-shared --enable-shared-pp --enable-pp --enable-gpl
* The path of ffmpeg is not set. Check if you can locate the file '''libavcodec.pc''' on your computer, and export PKG_CONFIG_PATH to where you found it before running ./configure. For example
export PKG_CONFIG_PATH=/home/you/ffmpeg/

With vlc-086f, FFmpeg SVN-r13060, on Slamd64 12.0.0, some other changes must be made. These are most likely due to changes in libpostproc.

The ./configure flags for ffmpeg become
./configure --enable-postproc --enable-shared --enable-gpl

Then you must set a symbolic link for postproc. This took me a long time to spot.

root @ svr (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)locate postprocess.h
/usr/local/include/libpostproc/postprocess.h
root @ svr (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)cd /usr/local/include/
root @ svr (/usr/local/include)ln -s libpostproc postproc

==== "cc1: error: invalid option `tune=opteron'" Error on 64-bit systems ====

* One user writes: "From what I can see, the -mtune flag is not available for this type of processor in man gcc. I had to change the configure options comment out all the lines where they set mcpu or mtune flags.) I don't know if this is the correct way to proceed but was the only way for me to get results fast."

* This is not true on all versions of gcc. Try to compile on your platform before making the above changes.

root @ p01 (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)gcc --version
gcc (GCC) 4.1.2

root @ p01 (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)uname -a
Linux p01 2.6.24.3 #2 SMP Tue Apr 8 12:01:03 EDT 2008 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

root @ p01 (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)grep tune= config.log
configure:37114: checking whether gcc accepts -mtune=athlon64
configure:37125: gcc -c -Wsign-compare -Wall -pipe -mtune=athlon64 -DSYS_LINUX conftest.c >&5

root @ p01 (/usr/src/vlc-0.8.6f)grep cpu= config.log
build_cpu='x86_64'
host_cpu='x86_64'
target_cpu='x86_64'

==== "/usr/bin/ld: cannot find -lX11" Error on 64-bit systems ====

* In configure, there is an x_libraries variable there that is set to "/usr/X11R6/lib" (around line 16371). Because it is a 64 bit system, this variable needs to be /usr/X11R6/lib64. After changing that, it should continue compiling.

==== "syntax error before "pthread_spinlock_t"" on debian-Etch or CentOS ====

* If you have errors about ''pthread_spin*'' in the file ''vlc_threads_funcs.h'', try this fix :
su
sed -e 's/define\s*_POSIX_SPIN_LOCKS\s*/define _POSIX_SPIN_LOCKS -1 \/\/ wrong: /g' -i /usr/include/bits/posix_opt.h
exit
source : [http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=43930#p139570 this post] from Rémi Denis-Courmont.

=== Installing Skins ===

* Although all information is given on the [http://www.videolan.org/vlc/skins.php VLC Download skin site], you may miss the note to change preferences to ''skinnable interface''. There is an [http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?p=85603#p85603 article on the forum] which describes the how-to. In short: there is a drop-down option (interface module) in the settings dialog (Interface → General) which defaults to ''Standard''. Change this and restart.

== Problems Starting VLC ==

=== VLC does not launch on my Mac anymore. What to do? ===

* Please have a look at the [[FAQ_on_MacOSX_only_issues|specific FAQ]], which covers multiple solutions to this issue.

== Error Messages ==

Error messages can be viewed by selecting Messages from the Tools menu.

=== main private error: no sout mux module matched "ts" ===

* This can be an error if '''libdvbpsi''' was not installed when vlc was compiled. To fix this error, install libdvbpsi; then re-compile vlc. [http://developers.videolan.org/libdvbpsi/ libdvbpsi]

=== main dialogs provider error: no dialogs provider module matched "any" ===

* The solution is found in [http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?t=14733 the forum]

== Problems playing types of files ==

=== WMV files ===

* Starting with VLC media player 0.8.6, the playback of WMV3-encoded videos is available on all platforms. Please note, that encrypted / DRM-protected video-clips still cannot be played. That is due to the nature of DRM and is not about to change, so please do not ask.

=== Real Media files ===

* Realmedia files (.rm, .rpm, etc) are proprietary (ie, copyrighted) file formats, created by RealNetworks. Because of this, VLC can't support them at present.

=== QuickTime Files (.mov) ===

* Mov file doesn't play, but plays ok in QuickTime
** open the url in QuickTime player
** let it decide which datarate is best for your connection
** let it play for a few seconds, then pause it
** open the stream info, copy the url
** open & save that one in VLC

=== Flash Video Files (.flv) ===

* Flash Video support has recently been added (provided through ffmpeg) - to view .flv files you will need version 0.8.4a. Download and install the latest version [http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ here].
* VLC still has problems with a few .flv files. If you have problems playing a file in VLC you might be able to change it to an avi using [[ffmpeg]]. See [[Fixing .flv to .avi with Ffmpeg]].
* VLC 0.8.6 provided enhanced Flash Video support on all platforms, so it is probably worth to update if you experience problems with prior releases.

=== Other Files ===

{{faqlink|238663}}
* Make sure that VLC supports that file - look at the [http://www.videolan.org/vlc/features.html list of supposted formats]

* Make sure that the file isn't corrupted

== VLC and Other Programs ==

=== AMR ===

* To use [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaptive_Multi-Rate AMR], you'll need to compile vlc and ffmpeg with amr support yourself. This is because the amr license is not compatible with the vlc license.

=== ratDVD ===

* VLC does not support [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RatDVD ratDVD] and is not going to be, both for political and technical reasons.

== Problems Playing DVDs ==

===Unable to play any DVDs===

{{faqlink|239006}}
* ''Linux:'' To play DVDs with VLC in linux, you need to install the libdvdcss package
* ''Linux:'' Make sure you have access rigths to your DVD player. In linux, you can use chmod to edit access rights to your DVD block device:
** <nowiki>#</nowiki> chmod 666 /dev/dvd
** The videolan FAQ seems to suggest you need write access to this device - is this true? If you know, please edit this entry.
* ''Linux:'' Make sure VLC knows where your DVD drive is located (/dev/dvd usually). Go to Settings | Preferences | Input/Codecs | General and under "Default devices" make sure your dvd drive path is entered in the "Default DVD" box. When you go to open a DVD, you should see something like "dvd:///dev/dvd" as the [[media resource locator]] in the "Open:" box near the top of the Open dialog.

=== Playing DVDs from other Region Codes ===

{{faqlink|239426}}
* The ability to play DVDs from all regions depends mostly on your DVD drive, and testing it is usually the quickest way to find out if your DVD drive can do it. Most newer DVD drives are RPC2 drives, which don't allow raw access to the drive untill the drive firmware has done a regioncheck. VLC uses libdvdcss and it needs raw access to the DVD drive to crack the encryption key. So with these drives it is impossible to circumvent the region protection. (This goes for all software. You will need to flash your drives firmware, but sometimes there is no alternate firmware available for your drive). On other RPC2 drives that DO allow raw access, it might take VLC a long time to crack the key. So just pop the disc in your drive and try it out, while you get a coffee. RPC1 drives should 'always' work regardless of the regioncode.

== Poor Quality Video and Audio ==

=== The video runs but the picture is distorted ===

{{faqlink|238431}}
* ''Linux:'' There is probably a problem with the output layer. There are several ways of troubleshooting it.
** First, try with another output plugin, for instance:
**: % vlc -V sdl
**: % vlc -V x11
** Second, change your screen depth and/or definition. It quite often helps.
** Lastly, if running Unix, have a look at your XFree86 video driver.

=== Video is choppy ===

{{faqlink|238474}}
* Your system may be too slow to decode all pictures. Sometimes, your CPU (computer) really isn't fast enough, but often the situation can be improved by changing your system configuration to be a bit kinder to VLC.
** Quit other programs running in the background
** Turn on DMA on your DVD device:
*** ''Linux:''
***: <nowiki>#</nowiki> hdparm -d1 /dev/dvd
*** ''Windows:'' go to the System section of the control panel, and go to the Hardware manager (it is sometimes in a separate tab, and sometimes, you have to go to the Advanced tab. Then, right-click on your DVD player, and check the DMA checkbox.
** Upgrade to the latest driver for your video board.
** ''Linux:'' you can additionally upgrade your drivers to the latest XFree86 version. If supported, check that the xvideo plug-in is effectively used with:
**: % vlc -vvvv

=== Audio and video are out of sync ===

{{faqlink|238571}}
* If you are [[transcoding]] a file, use the [[audio-sync]] option.
* You can manually set the audio offset while playing (so you can put the audio back in sync). The default keys to increase/decrease the offset are Ctrl+K and Ctrl+L in Windows, and f and g in Mac.
* ''Linux/Unix:'' Try using another audio output plugin and, under Unix, kill esd or artsd if they are running. If the problem is due to the input file, have a look at the "Audio desynchronization compensation" option.

== Problems with Streaming ==

==="main input error: no suitable access module for `rtsp://...'"===

vlc needs livemedia from '''live555.com''' to read rtsp stream this way.

You can check you have it by :

vlc -l | grep live

It should read

livedotcom live.com (RTSP/RTP/SDP) demuxer
livedotcom RTSP/RTP access and demux

If not, you have to install '''livemedia''' and point your compilation to this lib directory :

./configure '''--enable-livedotcom --with-livedotcom-tree=/usr/local/lib/live/'''

===Streaming playlist continuously between files (sout-keep not working)===

add the gather module to the sout chain, for example
vlc *mpeg --sout-keep --sout '#gather:transcode{plapla}:rtp{plapla}'

===Streaming 1 playlist item continuously and change input without stream break===

you can use this kind of a vlm.conf file with the --sout-keep option
new output1 broadcast enabled loop
setup output1 input "inputfile1.mpeg"
setup output1 input "inputfile2.mpeg"
setup output1 input "/path/to/inputfile3.mpeg"
setup output1 option sout-keep
setup output1 option input-repeat=-1
setup output1 output #gather:transcode{etc...}:std{plapla}

control output1 play 2

you then chan telnet into vlm and just command
control output1 play <playlistnumber>
to change the streamed input.

===Streaming to Windows Media Player===

See [[Windows Media Player]] for details.

== Problems converting between file formats (transcoding) ==

=== Missing Audio and/or Video ===

* Certain containers (aka muxers) can only hold certain types of video and audio - look at [http://www.videolan.org/streaming/features.html Streaming features]

== Streaming/Transcoding Wizard ==

=== Transcode / Save to file ===

* Partial Extract "From" "To" does not work, allone "To" don´t too.
: I've tested it too with the 0.8.6c version, already specifying the time data in seconds, and this parameter has no effect.

== VLC Crashes ==

=== General ===

{{faqlink|238592}}
* If VLC crashes, the following steps will help determine the cause.
** Increase the verbosity level (either in the preferences or with a -vvvv command line option) and look at the debug messages (in the terminal or in the Messages window).
* If you are convinced that it is a bug in VLC, have a look at the [http://www.videolan.org/support/bug-reporting.html bug reporting page].

=== When using DirectShow (eg Webcam) ===

{{forum|12394}}
* There was a bug a while back when you tried to stream using a directshow/webcam it would reboot the computer. The fix was to specify the resolution on the command line or in the "Advanced" section when opening the directshow.

== Other Problems ==

=== I only want one VLC player! ===

* To use the same VLC player for all the media files, go to Settings, Preferences, Advanced. The following options should give behavior similar to WMP: minimize # of threads, allow only one running instance, VLC is started from file association, allow only "on" running instance when started from file (typo in v0.8.5).

=== Licensing, legal issues and logo use ===

* Information on this is avaliable on the main videolan website, [http://videolan.org videolan.org]. Also read the [http://www.videolan.org/doc/faq/en/index.html#id238663 Legal concerns] section of the [http://www.videolan.org/doc/faq/en/index.html FAQ].
* This is a wiki site: it is editable by all, so it is best to check to official website.

=== Fixing Strange Behaviour ===

{{faqlink|238992}}
* The first thing to do is to reset the VLC preferences in the preferences dialog of the application and restart VLC. If VLC doesn't even start anymore, delete VLC's configuration file ([[#Configuration File|where is it?]]). Then restart VLC. If it does not get any better, read the rest of this page or FAQ page, or ask for help at the [[forum]].

=== Subtitles Problem ===

* In the File | Open File dialog, select "Use a subtitles file", and enter both the video's filename and the video's subtitle filename.
* If you are having displaying the subtitles, the problem might be an encoding problem. Choose the right encoding for your language and it should fix your problem. You'll find the ISOs here: [http://alis.isoc.org/codage/iso8859/jeuxiso.en.htm]. Once you find a text encoding method that works well for you enter it in Preferences, Input / Codecs, Other codecs, Subtitles then press Save and restart VLC. Uncheck the "Formatted Subtitles" may help if the subtitles only display as little squares. If you have a specialized language like Hebrew, Arabic, Chinese or Japanese changing the font to a Unicode font will be helpful. For Polish subtitles choose CP 1250 ISO code.

=== VLC hangs when opening Matroska (mkv) files ===

* This might occur when using VLC to view an mkv file in a directory that has a large number of mkv files. (eg. in an Azureus download directory)
VLC will attempt to preload all the mkv files in the directory and will hang, especially if some mkv files are not fully downloaded yet (thus seem to be broken).
* The solution is to set the mkv option: --mkv-preload-local-dir to false
Preferences -> Input / Codecs -> Demuxers -> Matroska -> Preload Directory (uncheck the checkbox)
(See also http://wiki.videolan.org/Matroska)

=== Coarse volume control ===

Volume control, specially with Hotkeys, is too coarse.
*To have a finer volume control, try the following option on the command line:
<code>--volume-step=1</code>
:See also [[VLC command-line help]]

VideoLan VideoConference

2010-11-17T13:59:31Z

RogerDPack:

'''VideoLan VideoConference''' (VLVC) is a plugin for the [[VLC media player]].It adds videoconferencing functions, it can connect from 2 to 10 people so that they can see and hear each others with the help of a computer and a webcam. This software is free and is supported on [[Windows]], [[Linux]] and [[Mac OS]]. It can be downloaded on the Internet and it aims to be used by private individuals and professionals as well.

It received good reviews [http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies-archive.cfm/1081016.html].

==Modes==
VLVC will allow four kinds of videoconferencing modes, thus covering most of the users' needs.
* Chatroom mode : All users can hear and see each others, everybody can speak freely.
* Conference mode : This mode has one single user, the server, who transmits his sound and video streams to all other users. In other words, he is the only one who can be heard and seen.
* Amphitheatre mode : This mode is still under development. It is an advanced version of the Conference mode that allows the administrator (the server) to grant and revoke the right of speech to one single user at a time.
* Meeting mode : This mode is under development too. It is similar to the Amphitheatre mode, but it can grant and revoke the rights of speech to multiple users at a time.

==The team==
The project was created in 2003 by a group of students of Epitech, it was then taken over in 2005. Considering the good results of VLVC as a school project, new students have joined the team to take over the work.

===Founders of the project===
* Arnaud Deredec : Former project leader
* Julien Arnaud : Former communication supervisor
* Julien Cupillard : Former development supervisor
* Florian Gustin : Former member in charge of external relationships
* Guillaume Martin : Former system administrator
* Floren Nguyen : Former technical developer
* Thomas Delon : Project leader
* Romain Lavocat : Communication supervisor
* William Lienard : Development supervisor
* Julien Passeri : Member in charge of external relationships
* Sylvestre Ho Tam Chay : Technical developer
* David Yu : Technical developer
* Mathavarajan Sugumaran : Technical developer

==See also ==

* [[VideoLAN]]
* [[VLC media player]]

VLM: (a stream scheduler) within VLC.

Also this might be helpful: http://wiki.videolan.org/Mosaic

*Current status of this project is unknown. There appears to be some code and documentation here [http://sourceforge.net/projects/vlvc/] [http://vlvc.svn.sourceforge.net/viewvc/vlvc/]. Last work apparently done in 2007. Note that the downloadable stuff seems based on a more recent SVN version than their repository does?

VLC HowTo/Stream to a website

2010-11-17T13:12:20Z

RogerDPack: /* Appendix */

This HowTo is intended to be a follow on from [[Simple_Stream_VLC_to_Website]] wiki page.

== Introduction & Scope ==

The "Simple Stream VLC to Website" wiki employed an Out of the Box solution with no modifications to the VLC command string. You may wish to read through the previous Wiki first, as it covers fundamentals which are assumed, if you have not done so already.
This HowTo is aimed at VLC users who are intending to “Live Stream” from a capture device, eg Webcam, TV camera, live audio source etc and are looking to get a little more out of the features available in VLC and wish to start to understand the command line string and explore techniques to transcode, compress and output a stream to a web site more efficiently and effectively. The following examples are aimed at reducing bandwidth, with a view to streaming on the internet with available upstream bandwidth being the major consideration. The methods described below are targeting a bandwidth of around 235k.

== Checks and prerequisites ==
To start with, Video transcoding, compression and streaming is CPU intensive. So you are going to need something like Intel P4 at 2.4Gb or equivalent as a minimum dedicated box to use the example method 2 in this HowTo. Method 1 is achievable with a pair of 1Gb cpu or more machines. You will have an appreciation of the bandwidth requirements of what you are trying to achieve.

== Limitations ==
This HowTo was written and tested using VLC version series 1.01 to 1.05 for Win XP.and VLC 0.9.9a for Ubuntu Linux. (8.04) Earlier versions may work but have not been tested
This HowTo, the methods and examples have been tested on Operating Systems:
Method 1:-WinXP and Ubuntu Linux (8.04)
Method 2:-WinXP and Ubuntu Linux (8.04)

There are subtle and significant differences in capability and performance of VLC versions and their respective OS platforms. See Notes and Troubleshooting for more information. Hardware capability also plays an important role in this respect.

Web server Apache 2.2 was used in all cases.

== Introduction to the VLC Command line ==
First a couple of reference links for further reading

* [[Documentation:Streaming_HowTo/Advanced_Streaming_Using_the_Command_Line#Structure_of_stream_output]]
* [[Documentation:Streaming_HowTo/Command_Line_Examples]]
* [[VLC_command-line_help]]

The above links will give an overview of the commands available to use to manipulate and optimise the Command output string. The following methods and examples modify the generated stream output string. I have included an example of a complete true command line with the same parameters as the Win XP example in Method 2. See Appendix. This should help to give an insight into how to construct a complete command line and enter the appropriate parameters.
The following methods and examples deal directly with the output string found in the GUI.

== Description of command parameters used in the methods following ==

vb=xx Video Bandwidth. This parameter in effect sets the target bandwidth of the output video stream and hence the compression required. The more compression the lower the video quality.

ab=xx Audio Bandwidth. As above, but relates to audio.

fps=xx Frames Per Second. The more fps, then the smoother the moving image, however, this uses more bandwidth and compression. So lower fps will give better quality for given bandwidth.

width=xx & height=xx Determines the aspect ratio and the size of the image in pixels. The larger the image, the better the definition, but will require more cpu power and bandwidth. The smaller the image the less compression and bandwidth needed to stream.

deinterlace=<option or none=default> This command useful if you are using an interlaced source. Eg. An NTSC or PAL source

scale=xx determines the output size relative to source size applied to width/height ratio. So scale=0.5 will half original width/height in pixels. Or in this case 25% of the original pixel area.

== Transcode Strategies ==

Single vs Two stage transcode? A single stage transcode may work well for many situations. A two stage transcode may offer advantages in quality at the cost of time and hardware to effect it. A two stage transcode on two different boxes will be less susceptible to quality problems related to mutual or random cpu activity spikes caused by other applications. Method 1 works well with two stage giving an improved picture quality with modest cpu usage given that the wmv codec is less than best compared with what is available.
Method 2 can work well in single stage and usually better in two stage, but requires more cpu power.I leave it to you, the user, to experiment with what works best for you.

== Tweaking ==

There are any number of “tweaks” and “mods” that can be applied to the output string or command line. I recommend that you try the example methods as they are before changing everything to suit your anticipated needs.
The links referred to above should give a more expansive description of what can be done. Again, do experiment when you have got a working solution.

=== Method 1 wmv/div3 - asf ===

For this first method we will keep things very simple. The method is similar to and follows on from “Simple Stream VLC to Website” .There will be a couple of small changes and additions to the default command strings. This method works well with a minimum of effort and hardware. This method is described using wmv and will also work with div3.
This method will employ a two stage transcode using two computers. A common configuration. The first stage will be the Primary source/capture/compression (Box1) .
The secondary output from (Box2) for final compression and will be your web server.

Box 1 Set up:
Select “Streaming” set up your capture devices and set the video size to 256x192
Simply using the default values in the GUI, select “Stream”, then “Next” at source, at “Destinations” check the box “display locally” <optional> , select HTTP from the dropdown box, and click the “Add” button, leave the address field as 0.0.0.0 and change the port number to 8082. Activate transcoding box is checked, select the Windows WMV/asf Transcoding profile and click “next” again. You should now see the “Generated stream output string”. This is where we will make the changes and additions.
So. Look at what is in this field and compare with the example below. Then modify the output string with the changes listed below. Or clear the output field and copy and paste.

First output string (box 1)

:sout=#transcode{vcodec=WMV2,vb=400,fps=15,width=256,height=192,deinterlace,acodec=wma2,ab=64,channels=2,samplerate=44100}:duplicate{dst=std{access=http,mux=asf,dst=0.0.0.0:8081},dst=display}

The changes/additions we have made here:
# vb changed to vb=400
# Added fps=15
# Removed scale=1
# Added width=256
# Added height=192
# I have added “deinterlace” Optional if using an analogue interlaced TV camera
# ab changed to ab=64

Box 2 Set up:
Pickup the stream from Box 1 with “Open Network Stream” and check that it is streaming OK. Repeat the setup procedure as for Box 1, but use the following output string.
Second output string (box 2)

:sout=#transcode{vcodec=WMV2,vb=200,fps=15,scale=1,acodec=wma2,ab=32,channels=2}:duplicate{dst=display,dst=std{access=http,mux=asf,dst=0.0.0.0:8082}}

The changes/additions we have made to second output string

1. vb reduced again to 200

2. Added fps=15

3. ab reduced again to 32

Sample metafile for HTML below

<ASX version ="3.0">
<TITLE>extstream8082</TITLE>
<ENTRY>
<REF HREF="http://youripaddress:8082" />
</ENTRY>
</ASX>

(saved as <extstream8082.asx>)

Sample HTML for embedded web page

<nowiki><!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/strict.dtd">
<html><head>
<meta content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="content-type"><title>External Stream 8082 embedded</title>

</head>
<body>
<big style="font-weight: bold;"><big>Box 2 streaming
on port 8082<br>
<br>
<br>
</big></big>
<embed src="extstream8082.asx" height="450" width="512">
</body></html></nowiki>

Alternatively, you could embed with MS MP.

=== Method 2 H264 and Flash .flv ===

Method 2 is somewhat more sophisticated, but should give a good result with minimal bandwidth. It can be successfully effected in a single stage transcode, but a two stage transcode may improve the quality depending on the quality of the hardware available. This method employs an optional first stage pre compression in asf followed by an H264 and a final output in .flv (Flash) and includes a subsection on Flash players “JWPlayer” and “Flowplayer”
There is some additional information in Notes further down this HowTo.

Box 1 Set up: (optional)
Primary source/capture/compression in asf
Select the dropdown box output stream to DIV3/mp3 asf. Follow the similar modifications to the output string as per Method 1, Box 1

The changes/additions we will make here:
# vb=600
# fps=25
# Remove scale=1
# Added width=256
# Added height=192
# I have added “deinterlace” Optional, if using analogue interlaced TV camera
# ab changed to ab=64

Box 2 Set up:
Secondary output in .flv
Select your input, Eg the network stream from Box 1, or your source/capture device.
Select Streaming and tab <next> through to the “Options” screen without choosing anything in the previous “Destinations” tab. The “Generated stream output string” field should be blank.
The following output strings can be copied and pasted into the empty field. Do make sure that there are no spaces in the string when you copy/paste.

First example string for Win XP users

:sout=#transcode{vcodec=h264,vb=200,deinterlace,ab=32,fps=25,width=256,height=192,acodec=mp3,samplerate=44100}:duplicate{dst=std{access=http{mime=video/x-flv},mux=ffmpeg{mux=flv},dst=0.0.0.0:8081/mediaplayer/stream.flv},dst=display}

Second example string for Linux users

:sout=#transcode{vcodec=FLV1,acodec=mp3,vb=200,deinterlace,fps=25,samplerate=44100,ab=32}:duplicate{dst=std{access=http,mux=ffmpeg{mux=flv},dst=192.168.0.42:8081/stream.flv},dst=display}

The above examples should work OK when adapted to your destination IP and port. That said, they are examples of two different approaches. The Windows approach utilises the H264 codec.
The Ubuntu Linux approach example provides for a working solution in FLV1 which should work OK with the “Stripped” standard version of ffmpeg in a standard installation. This method would benefit from a two stage transcode to improve quality.

You will probably want to check that everything is working at this stage. So point a VLC client at the stream to check it out.
Do note the dst=xx.xx.xx.xx:port/path/stream.flv and check out the “Troubleshooting” section
.
Next we will need a player to embed the stream into a web page. JWPlayer and Flowplayer are suitable for this purpose. Both of these players need a path to their java files.Eg. The Win XP example had /mediaplayer/ in the path This was the default folder for JWPlayer in that example. The Linux example assumed that the necessary java files placed in the root dir of the webserver and needed no path. These players are described in detail in the documentation on their websites. If you have not used these players before, take time to become familiar with them before using them in this context.

http://flowplayer.org/

http://www.longtailvideo.com/support/tutorials/Embedding-Flash

Example html for a “Flowplayer” embedded page relating to the example VLC Linux output string above. Do note that the Windows example had /mediaplayer/ in the path! This example does not.

<nowiki><!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/strict.dtd">
<html><head><title></title>
<title>This Flash Streaming from VLC video</title>
<script src="flowplayer-3.1.4.min.js"></script><meta content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="content-type">
</head>
<body>
<big style="font-weight: bold;">Flowplayer test file local</big><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
< See Flowplayer documentation and note below for this line>
</a>
<script language="JavaScript"> flowplayer("player", "flowplayer-3.1.4.swf"); </script>
<p><br>
</body></html></nowiki>

Note
The href= value in this line would contain
"http://<yourIP>:8081/stream.flv"

== Troubleshooting ==

OK so it all went wrong? And did not work. At the risk of stating the obvious? Backtrack. Check each stage step by step and prove that each bit is working before moving to the next. Common faults and checks are listed as follows:
#1. The destination address dst=xx.xx.xx.xx can give rise to problems. I have found that Win XP works with dts=0.0.0.0 but Ubuntu linux requires the specific IP of the server Eg 192.168.0.42 or a qualified domain name Eg mywebsite.com.

#2. Many Linux distros may not include by default the full version of ffmpeg and h/x264 and associated libs for encoding. You may need to go research and install all necessary components to get it all working.

#3. The quality of both video and sound can vary due to many factors, which may include the version of VLC, the OS platform, the version of players, plugins Etc. Problems such as stuttering, pixelation, excessive buffering delays are not uncommon. In general terms, keeping up to date with the latest versions of everything is good practice, however in some cases, a newer version may not work as well (if at all) as it’s predecessor.

#4. Realtime streaming is cpu intensive and also sensitive to being interrupted in realtime. Other applications can and will interrupt. Shut down all unnecessary applications ( and the ones in background) Spikes of intensive cpu activity which will not always show up in Task Manager/System Monitor can and will cause problems with the quality of your stream output. You may wish to raise the priority of VLC to reduce the effect of interrupts.

#5 Clients need to be equipped with the necessary means to display your stream! Sounds an obvious statement? Probably not a problem if you have an up to date box, with MS Windows and a recent Flash plugin. I have encountered any number of problems with old hardware, other Operating Systems, browsers and Flash plugins. Don’t be surprised or disappointed at the apparent failure or erratic performance of your stream if you are testing it with a client that is not suitably equipped and able. Using Localhost to check out your stream may also give unexpected and misleading results.

== Notes ==

There are many ways to compress/transcode your stream. The example methods were intended to be a fairly universal and tested starting point. Some combinations work some don’t. Some combinations work in one scenario but will not work in another. If the example methods do not work for you, the Videolan forums are the best place to start looking for a solution.

== Appendix ==

The following is an example of a full command line with the same settings as Method 2 Win XP. The first part, up to ”sout” is the input string. The vdev= and adev= are the (your) input devices and can be viewed and extracted from the first “streaming” window or tab in the GUI, with the “show more options” box checked. You will need to apply the correct syntax for your OS. In Windows ( note the quotation marks,Eg ”<xxx>” syntax) you would enter this at the command prompt at C:/program files/videolan/vlc.exe. You will also have to add quotation marks around any spaces (see example below).
Also note, in this example, video size has been defined twice, both in the input and output sections. If you did not include a setting for Video Size in the GUI screen it would not be present in the (generated) input string. Try adding and changing options to see how the VLC GUI builds the input string for you. It is not necessary for video size to be defined here, but should work OK with or without this parameter in the input section. I have included it to show how the string is generated in the GUI. The complete input and output sections can be simply copied and pasted from the GUI into a text editor and built into a complete string to create full working command line.

vlc dshow:// :dshow-vdev="Conexant's BtPCI Capture" :dshow-adev="Aureon 5.1 Fun Wave" :dshow-size="256x192" --sout="#transcode{vcodec=h264,vb=200,deinterlace,fps=25,width=256,height=192,ab=32,acodec=mp3,samplerate=44100}:duplicate{dst=std{access=http{mime=video/x-flv},mux=ffmpeg{mux=flv},dst=0.0.0.0:8081/mediaplayer/stream.flv},dst=display}"

Documentation:Streaming HowTo/Receive and Save a Stream

2010-11-17T13:06:35Z

RogerDPack: note long hand

{{RightMenu|documentation streaming howto toc}}

==Receive a stream with VLC==

===Receive an unicast stream===

% '''vlc -vvv rtp://'''

===Receive a multicast stream===

% '''vlc -vvv rtp://@239.255.12.42'''
where '''239.255.12.42''' is the multicast IP address you want to join.

===Receive an HTTP/FTP/MMS stream===

Use one of the following command lines:

% '''vlc -vvv http://example/stream.xyz'''
where '''http://example/stream.xyz''' is the HTTP address of the stream;

% '''vlc -vvv ftp://example/stream.xyz'''
where '''ftp://example/stream.xyz''' is the FTP address of the stream;

% '''vlc -vvv mms://viptvr.yacast.fr/encoderfranceinfo'''
where '''mms://viptvr.yacast.fr/encoderfranceinfo''' is the MMS address of the stream.

===Receive a RTP stream available through RTSP===

% '''vlc -vvv rtsp://www.hardradio.com/tonbeme.mov'''
where '''rtsp://www.hardradio.com/tonbeme.mov''' is the address of the stream.

===Receive a stream described by an SDP file===

% '''vlc -vvv http://server.example.org/stream.sdp'''

==Save a stream with VLC==

VLC can save the stream to the disk. In order to do this, use the Stream Output of VLC : you can do it via the graphical interface, or you can add to the command line the following argument:

'''--sout file/muxer:stream.xyz'''
where:
*'''muxer''' is one of the formats supported by VLC's stream output, i.e. :
**'''ogg''' for OGG format,
**'''ps''' MPEG2-PS format,
**'''ts''' for MPEG2-TS format.
* and '''stream.xyz''' is the name of the file you want to save the stream to, with the right extension.

For example: --sout=file/ps:go.mpg

This is short hand for the more verbose --sout="#std{access=file,mux=ps,dst=go.mpg}"

NB that you must choose a muxer that supports your stream type. See [[Transcode#Transcoding_with_the_Wizard]]

It can also be quite helpful to look at the settings VLC uses when it records using its record button.
For example, in the logs you might see something like this:

...: Using record output `std{access=file,mux='ps',dst='C:\vlc-record-2010__E-.mpg'}'

Which gives you a hint/clue as to how to record your current stream. In this case this would translate into --sout "#std{access=file... on the command line.

==Receive a stream with a set-top-box==

Some set-top-boxes with Ethernet cards can receive MPEG2-TS streams over UDP and support multicast.

Set-top-boxes known to work with VLC are :
*[http://www.pace.co.uk Pace] set top boxes. (Pace Micro DSL 4000)
*[http://www.aminocom.com Aminocom] set top boxes. (all the models with mpeg2)
*tuxia / gct-allwell (mpeg4 and mpeg2) sigma designs8174 chipset
*i3micro mood200 (mpeg4 and mpeg2 in transport streams)
* ps3 media server streams using VLC (or mencoder) to the PS3

{{Documentation}}

Transcode

2010-11-17T13:05:11Z

RogerDPack: /* Compatibility issues */

Transcoding is the process of taking a video file and changing it to a different format or bitrate.

Transcoding in VLC copies the movie to a new file in a different format, so you end up with both the original and new files. This means you need to have enough space on your hard drive to store this extra file. You should also have a reasonably fast computer, as transcoding can be very slow.

In VLC, transcoding is exactly the same as [[streaming]] accross a network, except that the output is sent to a file instead of a network.

== Transcoding with the Wizard ==

VLC includes a transcoding and streaming wizard. To transcode a file, just select the transcode option. You will then be asked what format to convert to: you can give a video [[codec]], an audio codec and a [[container]] format.

=== Compatibility issues ===

Note however, that only some container formats (muxers) can only support some codecs - look [http://www.videolan.org/streaming/features.html here] to see what supports what. If your current format is incompatible with the muxer then you must transcode it to something compatible, or choose a different muxer. If you choose an incompatible stream for a given muxer, it will silently fail. You can look for error messages in the messages window to help you debug the failure. If your stream is already compatible with the mux you desire then you don't necessarily have to transcode it at all, but can just "keep the original track"

{{doc|http://www.videolan.org/doc/streaming-howto/en/ch02.html}}

== Transcoding with the Command Prompt ==

The most flexible way to transcode with vlc is using a [[command prompt]] to start vlc. Transcoding works the same as [[streaming]]. For example, the following command changes an [[asf]] file to an [[MPEG-2]] file:
:vlc "C:\Movies\Your File.asf" :sout='#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=4096,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,scale=1,channels=2,deinterlace,audio-sync}:std{access=file, mux=ps,dst="C:\Movies\Your File Output.ps.mpg"}'
The access=file instructs vlc to store the output in a file (and not stream it), and the dst is the location of the new (output) file.

* Note 1: If you are running VLC on [[Mac OS X]], you should use clivlc instead of VLC to avoid possible Bus error problems.
* Note 2: old VLC releases, maybe up to 0.8.6* included, use "url" instead of "dst".

Transcoding takes quite a while, so it's advisable to use an option like '''--stop-time=30''' to only encode the first 30 seconds - this means you can check the file has transcoded correctly, and that the output is of a suitable quality. (Note: On [[Mac OS X]] this trick doesn't seem to work. Just press ctrl-c after a while, VLC will properly write out the already transcoded segment)

The transcode statement can contain '''vcodec''' and '''vb''' to change the video codec and '''acodec''' and '''ab''' to change the audio codec. If vcodec is missing, the video codec will stay the same (same for acodec).

Common additional options to use are '''audio-sync''' (to make sure the audio is in sync correctly) and '''deinterlace''' (to increase quality slightly on interlaced video).
===Under MS Windows===
the syntax on windows is slightly different:

:C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC>vlc -vvv "D:\688497.flv" --sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp4v,acodec=mpga,vb=800,ab=128,deinterlace}:standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst="D:\asd.mpg"}
(Note: old VLC releases, maybe up to 0.8.6* included, use "url" instead of "dst")

(Note: due to command line parsing, at times, especially within single and double quote blocks, a backslash may have to be escaped by using a double backslash so that a filename would be D:\\path\\to\\file.mpg)

===Completely non-interactive transcoding===
For completely non-interactive transcoding (such as the case necessary when running under [[Mac OS X]]), the above example could be rewritten as
:vlc -I dummy "C:\Movies\Your File.asf" :sout='#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=4096,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,scale=1,channels=2,deinterlace,audio-sync}:std{access=file, mux=ps,dst="C:\Movies\Your File Output.ps.mpg"}' vlc://quit
The two extra options are
;-I dummy: Disables the graphical interface
;<nowiki>vlc://quit</nowiki>: Quit VLC after transcoding
If transcoding from a DVD, it is also necessary to use the dvdsimple:// notation instead of the dvd:// notation, in order to avoid interacting with the DVD menu system. You can use this in the GUI by choosing 'no DVD menus' option when opening the disc.

{{doc|http://www.videolan.org/doc/streaming-howto/en/ch03.html}}

== Canvas and Padding ==
'''The canvas and padding options changed since Version 0.9. Most examples in the wiki are broken.'''

<pre>transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vfilter=canvas{width=640,height=480}}</pre>

Other options:
* aspect=4:3 : Aspect ratio
* padd:
** true: Pad with black bars
** false: crop video

<pre>transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vfilter=croppadd{cropttop=20,cropbottom=30,paddleft=100}}</pre>

crop or pad top, left, right or bottom in pixels.

Avoid using width and hight parameters! These are apllied before the vfilter and might result in unwanted results.

== Non-Interactive Batch Transcoding (Windows)==
To transcode several files without user interaction create a batch file in the folder where the files are contained and this line to the batch file:

<pre>
for %%a in (*.FILE_EXT) do cmd /c "PATH_TO_VLC" -I dummy -vvv %%a --sout=#transcode{vcodec=VIDEO_CODEC,vb=VIDEO_BITRATE,scale=1,acodec=AUDIO_CODEC,ab=AUDIO_BITRATE,channels=6}:standard{access=file,mux=MUXER,dst=%%a.OUTPUT_EXT} vlc://quit
</pre>

Cmd /c makes the script wait to finish transcoding before starting the next transcode.

An alternative method is to use VB Script. This example will transcode all files from one folder to another. It will also wait for each file to finish transcoding before starting the next. Create the script transcode.vbs, in the VLC installation folder, default "C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC". Change the strSource and strTarget in the example to match your requirements. Start a "DOS Box", Start - Run - cmd then change to the VLC folder and run the script "cscript transcode.vbs".

This example was tested on Microsoft Windows Script host 5.6 running on XP Pro SP2

<pre>
'
' based on code from:http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/12009443/m/516001349831
'
'
'
Dim objFSO, objShell, strSource, strTarget, strOldName, strNewName
'
set objFSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
'
' Set up starting folders
'
strSource = "O:\"
strTarget = "N:\"
'
call RecurseDir(strSource, strTarget)
'
' // Recursively copy all files and folders
'
Sub RecurseDir(strSource, strTarget)
wscript.echo "source: " & strSource & " target: "& strTarget
'
Dim strTempSource, strTempTarget
'
Set strTempSource = objFSO.GetFolder(strSource)
'
Wscript.Echo "Begin Value: " & strTarget
'
If Not objFSO.FolderExists(strTarget) Then
' Wscript.Echo "No Folder! Creating folder [" & strTarget & "]"
objFSO.CreateFolder(strTarget)
Else
Wscript.Echo "Folder exists! " & strTempTarget
End If
'
Set strTempTarget = objFSO.GetFolder(strTarget)
' ** Copy files from current directory to target
For each file in strTempSource.files
strOldName = strSource & "\" & file.name
strNewName = strTempTarget & "\" & Mid(file.name, 1, InstrRev(file.name, ".")) & "ts"
'
If Not objFSO.FileExists(strNewName) Then
Set objShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
'
Wscript.Echo "Transcoding file: " & strOldName & " to " & strNewName
'
Select Case Right(strOldName, 3)
Case "avi"
wscript.echo "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit"
objShell.Run "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit", 1, True
Case "mp4"
wscript.echo "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,channels=2}:duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit"
objShell.Run "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,channels=2}:duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit", 1, True
End Select
'
Set objShell = Nothing
End If
Next
' ** For each subfolder of current dir, copy files to target and recurse its subdirs
For each subdir in strTempSource.subfolders
Wscript.Echo subdir.path
call RecurseDir(subdir.path, strTempTarget & "\" & subdir.name)
Next
End Sub
</pre>

== Non-Interactive Batch Transcoding (Linux)==
To transcode several files without user interaction create a bash script in the folder where the files are contained and add these lines to the bash script:

<pre>
#!/bin/bash
vcodec="VIDEO_CODEC"
acodec="AUDIO_CODEC"
bitrate="VIDEO_BITRATE"
arate="AUDIO_BITRATE"
ext="OUTPUT_EXT"
mux="MUXER"
vlc="PATH_TO_VLC"
fmt="INPUT_EXT"

for a in *$fmt; do
$vlc -I dummy -vvv "$a" --sout "#transcode{vcodec=$vcodec,vb=$bitrate,acodec=$acodec,ab=$arate,channels=6}:standard{mux=$mux,dst=\"$a.$ext\",access=file}" vlc://quit
done
</pre>

===Non-Interactive Merge/Transcode (Windows)===

If you have more than one source files that need to be merged and transcoded resulting in a single out put file, see [[How_to_Merge_and_Transcode_Multiple_Videos]]

===Example script===
'''The canvas and cropping must be adjusted for VLC versions newer then 0.9.'''

As an example, here is a bash script that will take a <tt>.mpg</tt> file as generated by an DVB capture device and transcode it into an MPEG4 file using the h.264 codec. Copy it to a file, for example <tt>dvb2mp4</tt>, and make it executable. It should work on any operating system that has bash, including windows if [http://www.cygwin.com Cygwin] is installed. It uses the cropping parameters proposed at [[Wikipedia:Overscan_amounts]] adapted so that the dimensions are divisible by 16 for better encoding.

<pre>
#!/bin/bash
#
# Transcode DVB TV signals to h.264-encoded MP4 files using VLC
# Wout.Mertens@gmail.com

#### Defaults, please edit for your settings ####

# VLC location, here is the Mac OS X example
VLC=/Applications/VLC.app/Contents/MacOS/clivlc
# Other possibilities: (Remove the # to activate)
#VLC=/usr/bin/vlc
#VLC=/usr/local/bin/vlc

# 16:9 or 4:3
aspect=16:9

# PAL (Europe) or NTSC (US)
src=PAL

# video bitrate
bitrate=1024

# audio bitrate
arate=128

# cropping?
crop=yes

# Deinterlace?
deint=yes

#### Program, do not change below this line ####
usage() {
cat 1>&2 <<EOF
Usage: $0 [-swpncC] [-b <rate>] [-a <rate>] <DVB source .mpg> <MP4 output file>
-s 4:3 aspect ratio (default=$aspect)
-w 16:9 aspect ratio
-p PAL (720x576) input (default=$src)
-n NTSC (720x480) input
-c Crop borders (default=$crop)
-C Do not crop borders
-d Perform de-interlacing (default=$deint)
-D Do not perform de-interlacing
-b video bitrate kb/s (default=$bitrate)
-a audio bitrate kb/s (default=$arate)
EOF
exit 1
}

error() {
echo "ERROR: $*" 1>&2
exit 2
}

while getopts 'swpncCb:a:h' opt; do
case $opt in
s) aspect=4:3 ;;
w) aspect=16:9 ;;
p) src=PAL ;;
n) src=NTSC ;;
c) crop=yes ;;
C) crop=no ;;
d) deint=yes ;;
D) deint=no ;;
b) bitrate=$OPTARG ;;
a) arate=$OPTARG ;;
h) usage ;;
*) echo "Unknown option $opt" 1>&2; usage ;;
esac
done
shift $(( $OPTIND - 1 ))

[ $# -ne 2 ] && usage

infile="$1"
outfile="$2"
case $outfile in
*.mp4|*.MP4) : ;;
*) outfile="$outfile.mp4" ;;
esac

[ -r "$infile" ] || error "Can't read from $infile"

case "$src,$aspect,$crop" in
PAL,16:9,yes) sizestr="cropleft=31,cropright=31,croptop=16,cropbottom=16,width=960,height=544" ;;
PAL,4:3,yes) sizestr="cropleft=31,cropright=31,croptop=16,cropbottom=16,width=720,height=544" ;;
NTSC,16:9,yes) sizestr="cropleft=30,cropright=30,croptop=17,cropbottom=17,width=800,height=448" ;;
NTSC,4:3,yes) sizestr="cropleft=26,cropright=26,croptop=17,cropbottom=17,width=608,height=448" ;;
PAL,16:9,no) sizestr="width=1024,height=576" ;;
PAL,4:3,no) sizestr="width=768,height=576" ;;
NTSC,16:9,no) sizestr="width=800,height=448" ;;
NTSC,4:3,no) sizestr="width=608,height=448" ;;
*) error "Could not handle $src,$aspect,$crop. This shouldn't happen!" ;;
esac

if [ "$deint" = "yes" ]; then
deintstr=",deinterlace=enable"
else
deintstr=
fi

# Let's do it
echo "Input file: $infile"
echo "Output file: $outfile"
echo "Encoding at $bitrate+$arate kb/s, input $src, $aspect, cropping $crop, de-interlace $deint"
echo
echo '>>>' $VLC -I dummy "$infile" --sout "#transcode{$sizestr$deintstr,vcodec=h264,vb=$bitrate,acodec=mp4a,ab=$arate}:standard{mux=mp4,dst=\"$outfile\",access=file}" vlc://quit
echo
$VLC -I dummy "$infile" --sout "#transcode{$sizestr$deintstr,vcodec=h264,vb=$bitrate,acodec=mp4a,ab=$arate}:standard{mux=mp4,dst=\"$outfile\",access=file}" vlc://quit
</pre>

[[Category:Glossary]]

Transcode

2010-11-17T13:00:48Z

RogerDPack: /* mux compatibility */

Transcoding is the process of taking a video file and changing it to a different format or bitrate.

Transcoding in VLC copies the movie to a new file in a different format, so you end up with both the original and new files. This means you need to have enough space on your hard drive to store this extra file. You should also have a reasonably fast computer, as transcoding can be very slow.

In VLC, transcoding is exactly the same as [[streaming]] accross a network, except that the output is sent to a file instead of a network.

== Transcoding with the Wizard ==

VLC includes a transcoding and streaming wizard. To transcode a file, just select the transcode option. You will then be asked what format to convert to: you can give a video [[codec]], an audio codec and a [[container]] format.

=== Compatibility issues ===

Note however, that only some container formats (muxes) can only support some codecs - look [http://www.videolan.org/streaming/features.html here] to see what supports what. If you choose an incompatible video codec for a given mux, it will silently fail, though you can look for error messages in the messages window to help you debug. If your stream is already compatible with the mux you desire then you don't have to transcode it at all, but can just "keep the original track"

{{doc|http://www.videolan.org/doc/streaming-howto/en/ch02.html}}

== Transcoding with the Command Prompt ==

The most flexible way to transcode with vlc is using a [[command prompt]] to start vlc. Transcoding works the same as [[streaming]]. For example, the following command changes an [[asf]] file to an [[MPEG-2]] file:
:vlc "C:\Movies\Your File.asf" :sout='#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=4096,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,scale=1,channels=2,deinterlace,audio-sync}:std{access=file, mux=ps,dst="C:\Movies\Your File Output.ps.mpg"}'
The access=file instructs vlc to store the output in a file (and not stream it), and the dst is the location of the new (output) file.

* Note 1: If you are running VLC on [[Mac OS X]], you should use clivlc instead of VLC to avoid possible Bus error problems.
* Note 2: old VLC releases, maybe up to 0.8.6* included, use "url" instead of "dst".

Transcoding takes quite a while, so it's advisable to use an option like '''--stop-time=30''' to only encode the first 30 seconds - this means you can check the file has transcoded correctly, and that the output is of a suitable quality. (Note: On [[Mac OS X]] this trick doesn't seem to work. Just press ctrl-c after a while, VLC will properly write out the already transcoded segment)

The transcode statement can contain '''vcodec''' and '''vb''' to change the video codec and '''acodec''' and '''ab''' to change the audio codec. If vcodec is missing, the video codec will stay the same (same for acodec).

Common additional options to use are '''audio-sync''' (to make sure the audio is in sync correctly) and '''deinterlace''' (to increase quality slightly on interlaced video).
===Under MS Windows===
the syntax on windows is slightly different:

:C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC>vlc -vvv "D:\688497.flv" --sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp4v,acodec=mpga,vb=800,ab=128,deinterlace}:standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst="D:\asd.mpg"}
(Note: old VLC releases, maybe up to 0.8.6* included, use "url" instead of "dst")

(Note: due to command line parsing, at times, especially within single and double quote blocks, a backslash may have to be escaped by using a double backslash so that a filename would be D:\\path\\to\\file.mpg)

===Completely non-interactive transcoding===
For completely non-interactive transcoding (such as the case necessary when running under [[Mac OS X]]), the above example could be rewritten as
:vlc -I dummy "C:\Movies\Your File.asf" :sout='#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=4096,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,scale=1,channels=2,deinterlace,audio-sync}:std{access=file, mux=ps,dst="C:\Movies\Your File Output.ps.mpg"}' vlc://quit
The two extra options are
;-I dummy: Disables the graphical interface
;<nowiki>vlc://quit</nowiki>: Quit VLC after transcoding
If transcoding from a DVD, it is also necessary to use the dvdsimple:// notation instead of the dvd:// notation, in order to avoid interacting with the DVD menu system. You can use this in the GUI by choosing 'no DVD menus' option when opening the disc.

{{doc|http://www.videolan.org/doc/streaming-howto/en/ch03.html}}

== Canvas and Padding ==
'''The canvas and padding options changed since Version 0.9. Most examples in the wiki are broken.'''

<pre>transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vfilter=canvas{width=640,height=480}}</pre>

Other options:
* aspect=4:3 : Aspect ratio
* padd:
** true: Pad with black bars
** false: crop video

<pre>transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vfilter=croppadd{cropttop=20,cropbottom=30,paddleft=100}}</pre>

crop or pad top, left, right or bottom in pixels.

Avoid using width and hight parameters! These are apllied before the vfilter and might result in unwanted results.

== Non-Interactive Batch Transcoding (Windows)==
To transcode several files without user interaction create a batch file in the folder where the files are contained and this line to the batch file:

<pre>
for %%a in (*.FILE_EXT) do cmd /c "PATH_TO_VLC" -I dummy -vvv %%a --sout=#transcode{vcodec=VIDEO_CODEC,vb=VIDEO_BITRATE,scale=1,acodec=AUDIO_CODEC,ab=AUDIO_BITRATE,channels=6}:standard{access=file,mux=MUXER,dst=%%a.OUTPUT_EXT} vlc://quit
</pre>

Cmd /c makes the script wait to finish transcoding before starting the next transcode.

An alternative method is to use VB Script. This example will transcode all files from one folder to another. It will also wait for each file to finish transcoding before starting the next. Create the script transcode.vbs, in the VLC installation folder, default "C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC". Change the strSource and strTarget in the example to match your requirements. Start a "DOS Box", Start - Run - cmd then change to the VLC folder and run the script "cscript transcode.vbs".

This example was tested on Microsoft Windows Script host 5.6 running on XP Pro SP2

<pre>
'
' based on code from:http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/12009443/m/516001349831
'
'
'
Dim objFSO, objShell, strSource, strTarget, strOldName, strNewName
'
set objFSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
'
' Set up starting folders
'
strSource = "O:\"
strTarget = "N:\"
'
call RecurseDir(strSource, strTarget)
'
' // Recursively copy all files and folders
'
Sub RecurseDir(strSource, strTarget)
wscript.echo "source: " & strSource & " target: "& strTarget
'
Dim strTempSource, strTempTarget
'
Set strTempSource = objFSO.GetFolder(strSource)
'
Wscript.Echo "Begin Value: " & strTarget
'
If Not objFSO.FolderExists(strTarget) Then
' Wscript.Echo "No Folder! Creating folder [" & strTarget & "]"
objFSO.CreateFolder(strTarget)
Else
Wscript.Echo "Folder exists! " & strTempTarget
End If
'
Set strTempTarget = objFSO.GetFolder(strTarget)
' ** Copy files from current directory to target
For each file in strTempSource.files
strOldName = strSource & "\" & file.name
strNewName = strTempTarget & "\" & Mid(file.name, 1, InstrRev(file.name, ".")) & "ts"
'
If Not objFSO.FileExists(strNewName) Then
Set objShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
'
Wscript.Echo "Transcoding file: " & strOldName & " to " & strNewName
'
Select Case Right(strOldName, 3)
Case "avi"
wscript.echo "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit"
objShell.Run "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit", 1, True
Case "mp4"
wscript.echo "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,channels=2}:duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit"
objShell.Run "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,channels=2}:duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit", 1, True
End Select
'
Set objShell = Nothing
End If
Next
' ** For each subfolder of current dir, copy files to target and recurse its subdirs
For each subdir in strTempSource.subfolders
Wscript.Echo subdir.path
call RecurseDir(subdir.path, strTempTarget & "\" & subdir.name)
Next
End Sub
</pre>

== Non-Interactive Batch Transcoding (Linux)==
To transcode several files without user interaction create a bash script in the folder where the files are contained and add these lines to the bash script:

<pre>
#!/bin/bash
vcodec="VIDEO_CODEC"
acodec="AUDIO_CODEC"
bitrate="VIDEO_BITRATE"
arate="AUDIO_BITRATE"
ext="OUTPUT_EXT"
mux="MUXER"
vlc="PATH_TO_VLC"
fmt="INPUT_EXT"

for a in *$fmt; do
$vlc -I dummy -vvv "$a" --sout "#transcode{vcodec=$vcodec,vb=$bitrate,acodec=$acodec,ab=$arate,channels=6}:standard{mux=$mux,dst=\"$a.$ext\",access=file}" vlc://quit
done
</pre>

===Non-Interactive Merge/Transcode (Windows)===

If you have more than one source files that need to be merged and transcoded resulting in a single out put file, see [[How_to_Merge_and_Transcode_Multiple_Videos]]

===Example script===
'''The canvas and cropping must be adjusted for VLC versions newer then 0.9.'''

As an example, here is a bash script that will take a <tt>.mpg</tt> file as generated by an DVB capture device and transcode it into an MPEG4 file using the h.264 codec. Copy it to a file, for example <tt>dvb2mp4</tt>, and make it executable. It should work on any operating system that has bash, including windows if [http://www.cygwin.com Cygwin] is installed. It uses the cropping parameters proposed at [[Wikipedia:Overscan_amounts]] adapted so that the dimensions are divisible by 16 for better encoding.

<pre>
#!/bin/bash
#
# Transcode DVB TV signals to h.264-encoded MP4 files using VLC
# Wout.Mertens@gmail.com

#### Defaults, please edit for your settings ####

# VLC location, here is the Mac OS X example
VLC=/Applications/VLC.app/Contents/MacOS/clivlc
# Other possibilities: (Remove the # to activate)
#VLC=/usr/bin/vlc
#VLC=/usr/local/bin/vlc

# 16:9 or 4:3
aspect=16:9

# PAL (Europe) or NTSC (US)
src=PAL

# video bitrate
bitrate=1024

# audio bitrate
arate=128

# cropping?
crop=yes

# Deinterlace?
deint=yes

#### Program, do not change below this line ####
usage() {
cat 1>&2 <<EOF
Usage: $0 [-swpncC] [-b <rate>] [-a <rate>] <DVB source .mpg> <MP4 output file>
-s 4:3 aspect ratio (default=$aspect)
-w 16:9 aspect ratio
-p PAL (720x576) input (default=$src)
-n NTSC (720x480) input
-c Crop borders (default=$crop)
-C Do not crop borders
-d Perform de-interlacing (default=$deint)
-D Do not perform de-interlacing
-b video bitrate kb/s (default=$bitrate)
-a audio bitrate kb/s (default=$arate)
EOF
exit 1
}

error() {
echo "ERROR: $*" 1>&2
exit 2
}

while getopts 'swpncCb:a:h' opt; do
case $opt in
s) aspect=4:3 ;;
w) aspect=16:9 ;;
p) src=PAL ;;
n) src=NTSC ;;
c) crop=yes ;;
C) crop=no ;;
d) deint=yes ;;
D) deint=no ;;
b) bitrate=$OPTARG ;;
a) arate=$OPTARG ;;
h) usage ;;
*) echo "Unknown option $opt" 1>&2; usage ;;
esac
done
shift $(( $OPTIND - 1 ))

[ $# -ne 2 ] && usage

infile="$1"
outfile="$2"
case $outfile in
*.mp4|*.MP4) : ;;
*) outfile="$outfile.mp4" ;;
esac

[ -r "$infile" ] || error "Can't read from $infile"

case "$src,$aspect,$crop" in
PAL,16:9,yes) sizestr="cropleft=31,cropright=31,croptop=16,cropbottom=16,width=960,height=544" ;;
PAL,4:3,yes) sizestr="cropleft=31,cropright=31,croptop=16,cropbottom=16,width=720,height=544" ;;
NTSC,16:9,yes) sizestr="cropleft=30,cropright=30,croptop=17,cropbottom=17,width=800,height=448" ;;
NTSC,4:3,yes) sizestr="cropleft=26,cropright=26,croptop=17,cropbottom=17,width=608,height=448" ;;
PAL,16:9,no) sizestr="width=1024,height=576" ;;
PAL,4:3,no) sizestr="width=768,height=576" ;;
NTSC,16:9,no) sizestr="width=800,height=448" ;;
NTSC,4:3,no) sizestr="width=608,height=448" ;;
*) error "Could not handle $src,$aspect,$crop. This shouldn't happen!" ;;
esac

if [ "$deint" = "yes" ]; then
deintstr=",deinterlace=enable"
else
deintstr=
fi

# Let's do it
echo "Input file: $infile"
echo "Output file: $outfile"
echo "Encoding at $bitrate+$arate kb/s, input $src, $aspect, cropping $crop, de-interlace $deint"
echo
echo '>>>' $VLC -I dummy "$infile" --sout "#transcode{$sizestr$deintstr,vcodec=h264,vb=$bitrate,acodec=mp4a,ab=$arate}:standard{mux=mp4,dst=\"$outfile\",access=file}" vlc://quit
echo
$VLC -I dummy "$infile" --sout "#transcode{$sizestr$deintstr,vcodec=h264,vb=$bitrate,acodec=mp4a,ab=$arate}:standard{mux=mp4,dst=\"$outfile\",access=file}" vlc://quit
</pre>

[[Category:Glossary]]

Transcode

2010-11-17T12:59:29Z

RogerDPack: /* = mux compatibility */

Transcoding is the process of taking a video file and changing it to a different format or bitrate.

Transcoding in VLC copies the movie to a new file in a different format, so you end up with both the original and new files. This means you need to have enough space on your hard drive to store this extra file. You should also have a reasonably fast computer, as transcoding can be very slow.

In VLC, transcoding is exactly the same as [[streaming]] accross a network, except that the output is sent to a file instead of a network.

== Transcoding with the Wizard ==

VLC includes a transcoding and streaming wizard. To transcode a file, just select the transcode option. You will then be asked what format to convert to: you can give a video [[codec]], an audio codec and a [[container]] format.

=== mux compatibility ===
Note however, that only some container formats (muxes) can only support some codecs - look [http://www.videolan.org/streaming/features.html here] to see what supports what. If you choose an incompatible option it will silently fail, though you can look for error messages in the messages window to help you debug. If your stream is already compatible with the mux you desire then you don't have to transcode it at all, but can just "keep the original track"

{{doc|http://www.videolan.org/doc/streaming-howto/en/ch02.html}}

== Transcoding with the Command Prompt ==

The most flexible way to transcode with vlc is using a [[command prompt]] to start vlc. Transcoding works the same as [[streaming]]. For example, the following command changes an [[asf]] file to an [[MPEG-2]] file:
:vlc "C:\Movies\Your File.asf" :sout='#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=4096,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,scale=1,channels=2,deinterlace,audio-sync}:std{access=file, mux=ps,dst="C:\Movies\Your File Output.ps.mpg"}'
The access=file instructs vlc to store the output in a file (and not stream it), and the dst is the location of the new (output) file.

* Note 1: If you are running VLC on [[Mac OS X]], you should use clivlc instead of VLC to avoid possible Bus error problems.
* Note 2: old VLC releases, maybe up to 0.8.6* included, use "url" instead of "dst".

Transcoding takes quite a while, so it's advisable to use an option like '''--stop-time=30''' to only encode the first 30 seconds - this means you can check the file has transcoded correctly, and that the output is of a suitable quality. (Note: On [[Mac OS X]] this trick doesn't seem to work. Just press ctrl-c after a while, VLC will properly write out the already transcoded segment)

The transcode statement can contain '''vcodec''' and '''vb''' to change the video codec and '''acodec''' and '''ab''' to change the audio codec. If vcodec is missing, the video codec will stay the same (same for acodec).

Common additional options to use are '''audio-sync''' (to make sure the audio is in sync correctly) and '''deinterlace''' (to increase quality slightly on interlaced video).
===Under MS Windows===
the syntax on windows is slightly different:

:C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC>vlc -vvv "D:\688497.flv" --sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp4v,acodec=mpga,vb=800,ab=128,deinterlace}:standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst="D:\asd.mpg"}
(Note: old VLC releases, maybe up to 0.8.6* included, use "url" instead of "dst")

(Note: due to command line parsing, at times, especially within single and double quote blocks, a backslash may have to be escaped by using a double backslash so that a filename would be D:\\path\\to\\file.mpg)

===Completely non-interactive transcoding===
For completely non-interactive transcoding (such as the case necessary when running under [[Mac OS X]]), the above example could be rewritten as
:vlc -I dummy "C:\Movies\Your File.asf" :sout='#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=4096,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,scale=1,channels=2,deinterlace,audio-sync}:std{access=file, mux=ps,dst="C:\Movies\Your File Output.ps.mpg"}' vlc://quit
The two extra options are
;-I dummy: Disables the graphical interface
;<nowiki>vlc://quit</nowiki>: Quit VLC after transcoding
If transcoding from a DVD, it is also necessary to use the dvdsimple:// notation instead of the dvd:// notation, in order to avoid interacting with the DVD menu system. You can use this in the GUI by choosing 'no DVD menus' option when opening the disc.

{{doc|http://www.videolan.org/doc/streaming-howto/en/ch03.html}}

== Canvas and Padding ==
'''The canvas and padding options changed since Version 0.9. Most examples in the wiki are broken.'''

<pre>transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vfilter=canvas{width=640,height=480}}</pre>

Other options:
* aspect=4:3 : Aspect ratio
* padd:
** true: Pad with black bars
** false: crop video

<pre>transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vfilter=croppadd{cropttop=20,cropbottom=30,paddleft=100}}</pre>

crop or pad top, left, right or bottom in pixels.

Avoid using width and hight parameters! These are apllied before the vfilter and might result in unwanted results.

== Non-Interactive Batch Transcoding (Windows)==
To transcode several files without user interaction create a batch file in the folder where the files are contained and this line to the batch file:

<pre>
for %%a in (*.FILE_EXT) do cmd /c "PATH_TO_VLC" -I dummy -vvv %%a --sout=#transcode{vcodec=VIDEO_CODEC,vb=VIDEO_BITRATE,scale=1,acodec=AUDIO_CODEC,ab=AUDIO_BITRATE,channels=6}:standard{access=file,mux=MUXER,dst=%%a.OUTPUT_EXT} vlc://quit
</pre>

Cmd /c makes the script wait to finish transcoding before starting the next transcode.

An alternative method is to use VB Script. This example will transcode all files from one folder to another. It will also wait for each file to finish transcoding before starting the next. Create the script transcode.vbs, in the VLC installation folder, default "C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC". Change the strSource and strTarget in the example to match your requirements. Start a "DOS Box", Start - Run - cmd then change to the VLC folder and run the script "cscript transcode.vbs".

This example was tested on Microsoft Windows Script host 5.6 running on XP Pro SP2

<pre>
'
' based on code from:http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/12009443/m/516001349831
'
'
'
Dim objFSO, objShell, strSource, strTarget, strOldName, strNewName
'
set objFSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
'
' Set up starting folders
'
strSource = "O:\"
strTarget = "N:\"
'
call RecurseDir(strSource, strTarget)
'
' // Recursively copy all files and folders
'
Sub RecurseDir(strSource, strTarget)
wscript.echo "source: " & strSource & " target: "& strTarget
'
Dim strTempSource, strTempTarget
'
Set strTempSource = objFSO.GetFolder(strSource)
'
Wscript.Echo "Begin Value: " & strTarget
'
If Not objFSO.FolderExists(strTarget) Then
' Wscript.Echo "No Folder! Creating folder [" & strTarget & "]"
objFSO.CreateFolder(strTarget)
Else
Wscript.Echo "Folder exists! " & strTempTarget
End If
'
Set strTempTarget = objFSO.GetFolder(strTarget)
' ** Copy files from current directory to target
For each file in strTempSource.files
strOldName = strSource & "\" & file.name
strNewName = strTempTarget & "\" & Mid(file.name, 1, InstrRev(file.name, ".")) & "ts"
'
If Not objFSO.FileExists(strNewName) Then
Set objShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
'
Wscript.Echo "Transcoding file: " & strOldName & " to " & strNewName
'
Select Case Right(strOldName, 3)
Case "avi"
wscript.echo "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit"
objShell.Run "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit", 1, True
Case "mp4"
wscript.echo "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,channels=2}:duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit"
objShell.Run "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,channels=2}:duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit", 1, True
End Select
'
Set objShell = Nothing
End If
Next
' ** For each subfolder of current dir, copy files to target and recurse its subdirs
For each subdir in strTempSource.subfolders
Wscript.Echo subdir.path
call RecurseDir(subdir.path, strTempTarget & "\" & subdir.name)
Next
End Sub
</pre>

== Non-Interactive Batch Transcoding (Linux)==
To transcode several files without user interaction create a bash script in the folder where the files are contained and add these lines to the bash script:

<pre>
#!/bin/bash
vcodec="VIDEO_CODEC"
acodec="AUDIO_CODEC"
bitrate="VIDEO_BITRATE"
arate="AUDIO_BITRATE"
ext="OUTPUT_EXT"
mux="MUXER"
vlc="PATH_TO_VLC"
fmt="INPUT_EXT"

for a in *$fmt; do
$vlc -I dummy -vvv "$a" --sout "#transcode{vcodec=$vcodec,vb=$bitrate,acodec=$acodec,ab=$arate,channels=6}:standard{mux=$mux,dst=\"$a.$ext\",access=file}" vlc://quit
done
</pre>

===Non-Interactive Merge/Transcode (Windows)===

If you have more than one source files that need to be merged and transcoded resulting in a single out put file, see [[How_to_Merge_and_Transcode_Multiple_Videos]]

===Example script===
'''The canvas and cropping must be adjusted for VLC versions newer then 0.9.'''

As an example, here is a bash script that will take a <tt>.mpg</tt> file as generated by an DVB capture device and transcode it into an MPEG4 file using the h.264 codec. Copy it to a file, for example <tt>dvb2mp4</tt>, and make it executable. It should work on any operating system that has bash, including windows if [http://www.cygwin.com Cygwin] is installed. It uses the cropping parameters proposed at [[Wikipedia:Overscan_amounts]] adapted so that the dimensions are divisible by 16 for better encoding.

<pre>
#!/bin/bash
#
# Transcode DVB TV signals to h.264-encoded MP4 files using VLC
# Wout.Mertens@gmail.com

#### Defaults, please edit for your settings ####

# VLC location, here is the Mac OS X example
VLC=/Applications/VLC.app/Contents/MacOS/clivlc
# Other possibilities: (Remove the # to activate)
#VLC=/usr/bin/vlc
#VLC=/usr/local/bin/vlc

# 16:9 or 4:3
aspect=16:9

# PAL (Europe) or NTSC (US)
src=PAL

# video bitrate
bitrate=1024

# audio bitrate
arate=128

# cropping?
crop=yes

# Deinterlace?
deint=yes

#### Program, do not change below this line ####
usage() {
cat 1>&2 <<EOF
Usage: $0 [-swpncC] [-b <rate>] [-a <rate>] <DVB source .mpg> <MP4 output file>
-s 4:3 aspect ratio (default=$aspect)
-w 16:9 aspect ratio
-p PAL (720x576) input (default=$src)
-n NTSC (720x480) input
-c Crop borders (default=$crop)
-C Do not crop borders
-d Perform de-interlacing (default=$deint)
-D Do not perform de-interlacing
-b video bitrate kb/s (default=$bitrate)
-a audio bitrate kb/s (default=$arate)
EOF
exit 1
}

error() {
echo "ERROR: $*" 1>&2
exit 2
}

while getopts 'swpncCb:a:h' opt; do
case $opt in
s) aspect=4:3 ;;
w) aspect=16:9 ;;
p) src=PAL ;;
n) src=NTSC ;;
c) crop=yes ;;
C) crop=no ;;
d) deint=yes ;;
D) deint=no ;;
b) bitrate=$OPTARG ;;
a) arate=$OPTARG ;;
h) usage ;;
*) echo "Unknown option $opt" 1>&2; usage ;;
esac
done
shift $(( $OPTIND - 1 ))

[ $# -ne 2 ] && usage

infile="$1"
outfile="$2"
case $outfile in
*.mp4|*.MP4) : ;;
*) outfile="$outfile.mp4" ;;
esac

[ -r "$infile" ] || error "Can't read from $infile"

case "$src,$aspect,$crop" in
PAL,16:9,yes) sizestr="cropleft=31,cropright=31,croptop=16,cropbottom=16,width=960,height=544" ;;
PAL,4:3,yes) sizestr="cropleft=31,cropright=31,croptop=16,cropbottom=16,width=720,height=544" ;;
NTSC,16:9,yes) sizestr="cropleft=30,cropright=30,croptop=17,cropbottom=17,width=800,height=448" ;;
NTSC,4:3,yes) sizestr="cropleft=26,cropright=26,croptop=17,cropbottom=17,width=608,height=448" ;;
PAL,16:9,no) sizestr="width=1024,height=576" ;;
PAL,4:3,no) sizestr="width=768,height=576" ;;
NTSC,16:9,no) sizestr="width=800,height=448" ;;
NTSC,4:3,no) sizestr="width=608,height=448" ;;
*) error "Could not handle $src,$aspect,$crop. This shouldn't happen!" ;;
esac

if [ "$deint" = "yes" ]; then
deintstr=",deinterlace=enable"
else
deintstr=
fi

# Let's do it
echo "Input file: $infile"
echo "Output file: $outfile"
echo "Encoding at $bitrate+$arate kb/s, input $src, $aspect, cropping $crop, de-interlace $deint"
echo
echo '>>>' $VLC -I dummy "$infile" --sout "#transcode{$sizestr$deintstr,vcodec=h264,vb=$bitrate,acodec=mp4a,ab=$arate}:standard{mux=mp4,dst=\"$outfile\",access=file}" vlc://quit
echo
$VLC -I dummy "$infile" --sout "#transcode{$sizestr$deintstr,vcodec=h264,vb=$bitrate,acodec=mp4a,ab=$arate}:standard{mux=mp4,dst=\"$outfile\",access=file}" vlc://quit
</pre>

[[Category:Glossary]]

Transcode

2010-11-17T12:59:14Z

RogerDPack: /* Transcoding with the Wizard */

Transcoding is the process of taking a video file and changing it to a different format or bitrate.

Transcoding in VLC copies the movie to a new file in a different format, so you end up with both the original and new files. This means you need to have enough space on your hard drive to store this extra file. You should also have a reasonably fast computer, as transcoding can be very slow.

In VLC, transcoding is exactly the same as [[streaming]] accross a network, except that the output is sent to a file instead of a network.

== Transcoding with the Wizard ==

VLC includes a transcoding and streaming wizard. To transcode a file, just select the transcode option. You will then be asked what format to convert to: you can give a video [[codec]], an audio codec and a [[container]] format.

=== mux compatibility ==
Note however, that only some container formats (muxes) can only support some codecs - look [http://www.videolan.org/streaming/features.html here] to see what supports what. If you choose an incompatible option it will silently fail, though you can look for error messages in the messages window to help you debug. If your stream is already compatible with the mux you desire then you don't have to transcode it at all, but can just "keep the original track"

{{doc|http://www.videolan.org/doc/streaming-howto/en/ch02.html}}

== Transcoding with the Command Prompt ==

The most flexible way to transcode with vlc is using a [[command prompt]] to start vlc. Transcoding works the same as [[streaming]]. For example, the following command changes an [[asf]] file to an [[MPEG-2]] file:
:vlc "C:\Movies\Your File.asf" :sout='#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=4096,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,scale=1,channels=2,deinterlace,audio-sync}:std{access=file, mux=ps,dst="C:\Movies\Your File Output.ps.mpg"}'
The access=file instructs vlc to store the output in a file (and not stream it), and the dst is the location of the new (output) file.

* Note 1: If you are running VLC on [[Mac OS X]], you should use clivlc instead of VLC to avoid possible Bus error problems.
* Note 2: old VLC releases, maybe up to 0.8.6* included, use "url" instead of "dst".

Transcoding takes quite a while, so it's advisable to use an option like '''--stop-time=30''' to only encode the first 30 seconds - this means you can check the file has transcoded correctly, and that the output is of a suitable quality. (Note: On [[Mac OS X]] this trick doesn't seem to work. Just press ctrl-c after a while, VLC will properly write out the already transcoded segment)

The transcode statement can contain '''vcodec''' and '''vb''' to change the video codec and '''acodec''' and '''ab''' to change the audio codec. If vcodec is missing, the video codec will stay the same (same for acodec).

Common additional options to use are '''audio-sync''' (to make sure the audio is in sync correctly) and '''deinterlace''' (to increase quality slightly on interlaced video).
===Under MS Windows===
the syntax on windows is slightly different:

:C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC>vlc -vvv "D:\688497.flv" --sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp4v,acodec=mpga,vb=800,ab=128,deinterlace}:standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst="D:\asd.mpg"}
(Note: old VLC releases, maybe up to 0.8.6* included, use "url" instead of "dst")

(Note: due to command line parsing, at times, especially within single and double quote blocks, a backslash may have to be escaped by using a double backslash so that a filename would be D:\\path\\to\\file.mpg)

===Completely non-interactive transcoding===
For completely non-interactive transcoding (such as the case necessary when running under [[Mac OS X]]), the above example could be rewritten as
:vlc -I dummy "C:\Movies\Your File.asf" :sout='#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=4096,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,scale=1,channels=2,deinterlace,audio-sync}:std{access=file, mux=ps,dst="C:\Movies\Your File Output.ps.mpg"}' vlc://quit
The two extra options are
;-I dummy: Disables the graphical interface
;<nowiki>vlc://quit</nowiki>: Quit VLC after transcoding
If transcoding from a DVD, it is also necessary to use the dvdsimple:// notation instead of the dvd:// notation, in order to avoid interacting with the DVD menu system. You can use this in the GUI by choosing 'no DVD menus' option when opening the disc.

{{doc|http://www.videolan.org/doc/streaming-howto/en/ch03.html}}

== Canvas and Padding ==
'''The canvas and padding options changed since Version 0.9. Most examples in the wiki are broken.'''

<pre>transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vfilter=canvas{width=640,height=480}}</pre>

Other options:
* aspect=4:3 : Aspect ratio
* padd:
** true: Pad with black bars
** false: crop video

<pre>transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vfilter=croppadd{cropttop=20,cropbottom=30,paddleft=100}}</pre>

crop or pad top, left, right or bottom in pixels.

Avoid using width and hight parameters! These are apllied before the vfilter and might result in unwanted results.

== Non-Interactive Batch Transcoding (Windows)==
To transcode several files without user interaction create a batch file in the folder where the files are contained and this line to the batch file:

<pre>
for %%a in (*.FILE_EXT) do cmd /c "PATH_TO_VLC" -I dummy -vvv %%a --sout=#transcode{vcodec=VIDEO_CODEC,vb=VIDEO_BITRATE,scale=1,acodec=AUDIO_CODEC,ab=AUDIO_BITRATE,channels=6}:standard{access=file,mux=MUXER,dst=%%a.OUTPUT_EXT} vlc://quit
</pre>

Cmd /c makes the script wait to finish transcoding before starting the next transcode.

An alternative method is to use VB Script. This example will transcode all files from one folder to another. It will also wait for each file to finish transcoding before starting the next. Create the script transcode.vbs, in the VLC installation folder, default "C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC". Change the strSource and strTarget in the example to match your requirements. Start a "DOS Box", Start - Run - cmd then change to the VLC folder and run the script "cscript transcode.vbs".

This example was tested on Microsoft Windows Script host 5.6 running on XP Pro SP2

<pre>
'
' based on code from:http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/12009443/m/516001349831
'
'
'
Dim objFSO, objShell, strSource, strTarget, strOldName, strNewName
'
set objFSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
'
' Set up starting folders
'
strSource = "O:\"
strTarget = "N:\"
'
call RecurseDir(strSource, strTarget)
'
' // Recursively copy all files and folders
'
Sub RecurseDir(strSource, strTarget)
wscript.echo "source: " & strSource & " target: "& strTarget
'
Dim strTempSource, strTempTarget
'
Set strTempSource = objFSO.GetFolder(strSource)
'
Wscript.Echo "Begin Value: " & strTarget
'
If Not objFSO.FolderExists(strTarget) Then
' Wscript.Echo "No Folder! Creating folder [" & strTarget & "]"
objFSO.CreateFolder(strTarget)
Else
Wscript.Echo "Folder exists! " & strTempTarget
End If
'
Set strTempTarget = objFSO.GetFolder(strTarget)
' ** Copy files from current directory to target
For each file in strTempSource.files
strOldName = strSource & "\" & file.name
strNewName = strTempTarget & "\" & Mid(file.name, 1, InstrRev(file.name, ".")) & "ts"
'
If Not objFSO.FileExists(strNewName) Then
Set objShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
'
Wscript.Echo "Transcoding file: " & strOldName & " to " & strNewName
'
Select Case Right(strOldName, 3)
Case "avi"
wscript.echo "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit"
objShell.Run "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit", 1, True
Case "mp4"
wscript.echo "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,channels=2}:duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit"
objShell.Run "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,channels=2}:duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit", 1, True
End Select
'
Set objShell = Nothing
End If
Next
' ** For each subfolder of current dir, copy files to target and recurse its subdirs
For each subdir in strTempSource.subfolders
Wscript.Echo subdir.path
call RecurseDir(subdir.path, strTempTarget & "\" & subdir.name)
Next
End Sub
</pre>

== Non-Interactive Batch Transcoding (Linux)==
To transcode several files without user interaction create a bash script in the folder where the files are contained and add these lines to the bash script:

<pre>
#!/bin/bash
vcodec="VIDEO_CODEC"
acodec="AUDIO_CODEC"
bitrate="VIDEO_BITRATE"
arate="AUDIO_BITRATE"
ext="OUTPUT_EXT"
mux="MUXER"
vlc="PATH_TO_VLC"
fmt="INPUT_EXT"

for a in *$fmt; do
$vlc -I dummy -vvv "$a" --sout "#transcode{vcodec=$vcodec,vb=$bitrate,acodec=$acodec,ab=$arate,channels=6}:standard{mux=$mux,dst=\"$a.$ext\",access=file}" vlc://quit
done
</pre>

===Non-Interactive Merge/Transcode (Windows)===

If you have more than one source files that need to be merged and transcoded resulting in a single out put file, see [[How_to_Merge_and_Transcode_Multiple_Videos]]

===Example script===
'''The canvas and cropping must be adjusted for VLC versions newer then 0.9.'''

As an example, here is a bash script that will take a <tt>.mpg</tt> file as generated by an DVB capture device and transcode it into an MPEG4 file using the h.264 codec. Copy it to a file, for example <tt>dvb2mp4</tt>, and make it executable. It should work on any operating system that has bash, including windows if [http://www.cygwin.com Cygwin] is installed. It uses the cropping parameters proposed at [[Wikipedia:Overscan_amounts]] adapted so that the dimensions are divisible by 16 for better encoding.

<pre>
#!/bin/bash
#
# Transcode DVB TV signals to h.264-encoded MP4 files using VLC
# Wout.Mertens@gmail.com

#### Defaults, please edit for your settings ####

# VLC location, here is the Mac OS X example
VLC=/Applications/VLC.app/Contents/MacOS/clivlc
# Other possibilities: (Remove the # to activate)
#VLC=/usr/bin/vlc
#VLC=/usr/local/bin/vlc

# 16:9 or 4:3
aspect=16:9

# PAL (Europe) or NTSC (US)
src=PAL

# video bitrate
bitrate=1024

# audio bitrate
arate=128

# cropping?
crop=yes

# Deinterlace?
deint=yes

#### Program, do not change below this line ####
usage() {
cat 1>&2 <<EOF
Usage: $0 [-swpncC] [-b <rate>] [-a <rate>] <DVB source .mpg> <MP4 output file>
-s 4:3 aspect ratio (default=$aspect)
-w 16:9 aspect ratio
-p PAL (720x576) input (default=$src)
-n NTSC (720x480) input
-c Crop borders (default=$crop)
-C Do not crop borders
-d Perform de-interlacing (default=$deint)
-D Do not perform de-interlacing
-b video bitrate kb/s (default=$bitrate)
-a audio bitrate kb/s (default=$arate)
EOF
exit 1
}

error() {
echo "ERROR: $*" 1>&2
exit 2
}

while getopts 'swpncCb:a:h' opt; do
case $opt in
s) aspect=4:3 ;;
w) aspect=16:9 ;;
p) src=PAL ;;
n) src=NTSC ;;
c) crop=yes ;;
C) crop=no ;;
d) deint=yes ;;
D) deint=no ;;
b) bitrate=$OPTARG ;;
a) arate=$OPTARG ;;
h) usage ;;
*) echo "Unknown option $opt" 1>&2; usage ;;
esac
done
shift $(( $OPTIND - 1 ))

[ $# -ne 2 ] && usage

infile="$1"
outfile="$2"
case $outfile in
*.mp4|*.MP4) : ;;
*) outfile="$outfile.mp4" ;;
esac

[ -r "$infile" ] || error "Can't read from $infile"

case "$src,$aspect,$crop" in
PAL,16:9,yes) sizestr="cropleft=31,cropright=31,croptop=16,cropbottom=16,width=960,height=544" ;;
PAL,4:3,yes) sizestr="cropleft=31,cropright=31,croptop=16,cropbottom=16,width=720,height=544" ;;
NTSC,16:9,yes) sizestr="cropleft=30,cropright=30,croptop=17,cropbottom=17,width=800,height=448" ;;
NTSC,4:3,yes) sizestr="cropleft=26,cropright=26,croptop=17,cropbottom=17,width=608,height=448" ;;
PAL,16:9,no) sizestr="width=1024,height=576" ;;
PAL,4:3,no) sizestr="width=768,height=576" ;;
NTSC,16:9,no) sizestr="width=800,height=448" ;;
NTSC,4:3,no) sizestr="width=608,height=448" ;;
*) error "Could not handle $src,$aspect,$crop. This shouldn't happen!" ;;
esac

if [ "$deint" = "yes" ]; then
deintstr=",deinterlace=enable"
else
deintstr=
fi

# Let's do it
echo "Input file: $infile"
echo "Output file: $outfile"
echo "Encoding at $bitrate+$arate kb/s, input $src, $aspect, cropping $crop, de-interlace $deint"
echo
echo '>>>' $VLC -I dummy "$infile" --sout "#transcode{$sizestr$deintstr,vcodec=h264,vb=$bitrate,acodec=mp4a,ab=$arate}:standard{mux=mp4,dst=\"$outfile\",access=file}" vlc://quit
echo
$VLC -I dummy "$infile" --sout "#transcode{$sizestr$deintstr,vcodec=h264,vb=$bitrate,acodec=mp4a,ab=$arate}:standard{mux=mp4,dst=\"$outfile\",access=file}" vlc://quit
</pre>

[[Category:Glossary]]

How to merge and transcode multiple videos

2010-11-17T12:52:14Z

RogerDPack: note moved

Moved to [[How_to_Merge_and_Transcode_Multiple_Videos]]

VLC HowTo/Merge videos together

2010-11-17T12:51:27Z

RogerDPack: /* Merge & Transcode */

==Merge & Transcode==

If you have more than one source files that need to be merged into a single output file, the general way is this (no transcoding is necessary if all streams match):

% '''vlc file1.ps file2.ps file3.ps --sout "#gather:std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=all.ts}" --sout-keep'''

NB that whenever you use sout, your video and audio codecs must "be appropriate" for the mux you use (in this case, ps works with a ts mux, so we're ok). See [[Transcode#Transcoding_with_the_Wizard]]

If you want to write your files out to a mux that doesn't support the current audio or video encoding, or if you are wanting to join streams that do not have matching video/audio, then it is recommended to transcode as well. Here is an example.

% '''"PATH_TO_VLC" -vvv FILE1.EXT FILE2.EXT FILE3.EXT ETC.ETC --sout-keep --sout=#gather:transcode{vcodec=h264,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mp4a,ab=192,channels=6}:standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst=out.mpg} --sout-all'''

Next edit the path to vlc, input files, and transcode peramiters to meet your needs.

See also [[Documentation:Modules/gather]]

Or you can use file appending:

% '''vlc go.ps.1 go.ps.2 go.ps.3 vlc://quit --sout-file-append --sout=file/ps:go.ps'''

==Non Interactive Mode==

To do any of this in "non interactive" mode, add '''-I dummy''' and also "vlc://quit" to the end of your list of inputs. See [[Transcode]] for more detail.

==Other options==

Overall, none of the ways VLC offers to combine streams appears to merge them with correct time signatures<ref> even when replayed in VLC (causing seeking errors), so a non VLC option might work better. Please update if you find one. Straight concatenation works at times. See also https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AjWmZ0umsuZHdHNzZVhuMTkxTHdYbUdCQzF3cE51Snc&hl=en for a list of several various 3rd party "video joining" utilities.

VLC HowTo/Merge videos together

2010-11-17T12:48:46Z

RogerDPack: cleanup

==Merge & Transcode==

If you have more than one source files that need to be merged into a single output file, the general way is this (no transcoding is necessary if all streams match):

% '''vlc file1.ps file2.ps file3.ps --sout "#gather:std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=all.ts}" --sout-keep'''

NB that whenever you use sout, your video and audio codecs must "be appropriate" for the mux you use (in this case, ps works with a ts mux, so we're ok).

If you want to write your files out to a mux that doesn't support the current audio or video encoding, or if you are wanting to join streams that do not have matching video/audio, then it is recommended to transcode as well. Here is an example.

% '''"PATH_TO_VLC" -vvv FILE1.EXT FILE2.EXT FILE3.EXT ETC.ETC --sout-keep --sout=#gather:transcode{vcodec=h264,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mp4a,ab=192,channels=6}:standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst=out.mpg} --sout-all''

Next edit the path to vlc, input files, and transcode peramiters to meet your needs.

See also [[Documentation:Modules/gather]]

Or you can use file appending:

% '''vlc go.ps.1 go.ps.2 go.ps.3 vlc://quit --sout-file-append --sout=file/ps:go.ps'''

==Non Interactive Mode==

To do any of this in "non interactive" mode, add '''-I dummy''' and also "vlc://quit" to the end of your list of inputs. See [[Transcode]] for more detail.

==Other options==

Overall, none of the ways VLC offers to combine streams appears to merge them with correct time signatures<ref> even when replayed in VLC (causing seeking errors), so a non VLC option might work better. Please update if you find one. Straight concatenation works at times. See also https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AjWmZ0umsuZHdHNzZVhuMTkxTHdYbUdCQzF3cE51Snc&hl=en for a list of several various 3rd party "video joining" utilities.

Documentation:Streaming HowTo/Stream a File

2010-11-17T11:46:34Z

RogerDPack:

{{RightMenu|documentation streaming howto toc}}

==Stream a file with VLC==

% '''vlc -vvv video1.xyz --sout udp:192.168.0.42 --ttl 12'''
where:
* '''video1.xyz''' is the file you want to stream,
* '''192.168.0.42''' is either:
** the IP address of the machine you want to unicast to;
** or the DNS name the machine you want to unicast to;
** or a multicast IP address.
* '''12''' is the value of the TTL (Time To Live) of your IP packets (which means that the stream will be able to cross 11 routers).

If you want to stream the file continuously, add the '''--loop''' option.

Of course, you can add more options (like transcoding, or streaming to a TCP port, etc.), but this should get you started.

{{Documentation}}

How to merge and transcode multiple videos

2010-11-17T01:35:21Z

RogerDPack: /* Merge & Transcode in Windows */

==Merge & Transcode in Windows==

If you have more than one source files that need to be merged and transcoded resulting in a single out put file create a batch script with the following line in it:

C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\vlc\vlc.exe -vvv pirate1.avi pirate2.avi --sout-keep
--sout=#gather:transcode{vcodec=divx3,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mp3,ab=192,channels=6}:standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst=out.avi} --sout-all

'''PATH_TO_VLC''' is ''vlc'' on linux, ''C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\vlc\vlc.exe'' on Windows, but that can change depending on the installation.

Edit the path to vlc, input files, and transcode parameters to meet your needs.

If all streams match, no transcoding is necessary.

'''vlc file1.ps file2.ps --sout file/ts:out.ts --sout-keep'''

See also [[Documentation:Modules/gather]]

You could also append them to a same file:

'''vlc file1.ps file2.ps file3.ps.3 --sout-file-append --sout=file/ps:go.ps'''

Transcode

2010-11-16T23:20:18Z

RogerDPack: /* Transcoding with the Wizard */

Transcoding is the process of taking a video file and changing it to a different format or bitrate.

Transcoding in VLC copies the movie to a new file in a different format, so you end up with both the original and new files. This means you need to have enough space on your hard drive to store this extra file. You should also have a reasonably fast computer, as transcoding can be very slow.

In VLC, transcoding is exactly the same as [[streaming]] accross a network, except that the output is sent to a file instead of a network.

== Transcoding with the Wizard ==

VLC includes a transcoding and streaming wizard. To transcode a file, just select the transcode option. You will then be asked what format to convert to: you can give a video [[codec]], an audio codec and a [[container]] format. Note however, that only some container formats can support some codecs - look [http://www.videolan.org/streaming/features.html here] to see what supports what. If you choose an incompatible option it will silently fail, though you can look for error messages in the log window.

{{doc|http://www.videolan.org/doc/streaming-howto/en/ch02.html}}

== Transcoding with the Command Prompt ==

The most flexible way to transcode with vlc is using a [[command prompt]] to start vlc. Transcoding works the same as [[streaming]]. For example, the following command changes an [[asf]] file to an [[MPEG-2]] file:
:vlc "C:\Movies\Your File.asf" :sout='#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=4096,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,scale=1,channels=2,deinterlace,audio-sync}:std{access=file, mux=ps,dst="C:\Movies\Your File Output.ps.mpg"}'
The access=file instructs vlc to store the output in a file (and not stream it), and the dst is the location of the new (output) file.

* Note 1: If you are running VLC on [[Mac OS X]], you should use clivlc instead of VLC to avoid possible Bus error problems.
* Note 2: old VLC releases, maybe up to 0.8.6* included, use "url" instead of "dst".

Transcoding takes quite a while, so it's advisable to use an option like '''--stop-time=30''' to only encode the first 30 seconds - this means you can check the file has transcoded correctly, and that the output is of a suitable quality. (Note: On [[Mac OS X]] this trick doesn't seem to work. Just press ctrl-c after a while, VLC will properly write out the already transcoded segment)

The transcode statement can contain '''vcodec''' and '''vb''' to change the video codec and '''acodec''' and '''ab''' to change the audio codec. If vcodec is missing, the video codec will stay the same (same for acodec).

Common additional options to use are '''audio-sync''' (to make sure the audio is in sync correctly) and '''deinterlace''' (to increase quality slightly on interlaced video).
===Under MS Windows===
the syntax on windows is slightly different:

:C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC>vlc -vvv "D:\688497.flv" --sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp4v,acodec=mpga,vb=800,ab=128,deinterlace}:standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst="D:\asd.mpg"}
(Note: old VLC releases, maybe up to 0.8.6* included, use "url" instead of "dst")

(Note: due to command line parsing, at times, especially within single and double quote blocks, a backslash may have to be escaped by using a double backslash so that a filename would be D:\\path\\to\\file.mpg)

===Completely non-interactive transcoding===
For completely non-interactive transcoding (such as the case necessary when running under [[Mac OS X]]), the above example could be rewritten as
:vlc -I dummy "C:\Movies\Your File.asf" :sout='#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=4096,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,scale=1,channels=2,deinterlace,audio-sync}:std{access=file, mux=ps,dst="C:\Movies\Your File Output.ps.mpg"}' vlc://quit
The two extra options are
;-I dummy: Disables the graphical interface
;<nowiki>vlc://quit</nowiki>: Quit VLC after transcoding
If transcoding from a DVD, it is also necessary to use the dvdsimple:// notation instead of the dvd:// notation, in order to avoid interacting with the DVD menu system. You can use this in the GUI by choosing 'no DVD menus' option when opening the disc.

{{doc|http://www.videolan.org/doc/streaming-howto/en/ch03.html}}

== Canvas and Padding ==
'''The canvas and padding options changed since Version 0.9. Most examples in the wiki are broken.'''

<pre>transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vfilter=canvas{width=640,height=480}}</pre>

Other options:
* aspect=4:3 : Aspect ratio
* padd:
** true: Pad with black bars
** false: crop video

<pre>transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vfilter=croppadd{cropttop=20,cropbottom=30,paddleft=100}}</pre>

crop or pad top, left, right or bottom in pixels.

Avoid using width and hight parameters! These are apllied before the vfilter and might result in unwanted results.

== Non-Interactive Batch Transcoding (Windows)==
To transcode several files without user interaction create a batch file in the folder where the files are contained and this line to the batch file:

<pre>
for %%a in (*.FILE_EXT) do cmd /c "PATH_TO_VLC" -I dummy -vvv %%a --sout=#transcode{vcodec=VIDEO_CODEC,vb=VIDEO_BITRATE,scale=1,acodec=AUDIO_CODEC,ab=AUDIO_BITRATE,channels=6}:standard{access=file,mux=MUXER,dst=%%a.OUTPUT_EXT} vlc://quit
</pre>

Cmd /c makes the script wait to finish transcoding before starting the next transcode.

An alternative method is to use VB Script. This example will transcode all files from one folder to another. It will also wait for each file to finish transcoding before starting the next. Create the script transcode.vbs, in the VLC installation folder, default "C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC". Change the strSource and strTarget in the example to match your requirements. Start a "DOS Box", Start - Run - cmd then change to the VLC folder and run the script "cscript transcode.vbs".

This example was tested on Microsoft Windows Script host 5.6 running on XP Pro SP2

<pre>
'
' based on code from:http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/12009443/m/516001349831
'
'
'
Dim objFSO, objShell, strSource, strTarget, strOldName, strNewName
'
set objFSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
'
' Set up starting folders
'
strSource = "O:\"
strTarget = "N:\"
'
call RecurseDir(strSource, strTarget)
'
' // Recursively copy all files and folders
'
Sub RecurseDir(strSource, strTarget)
wscript.echo "source: " & strSource & " target: "& strTarget
'
Dim strTempSource, strTempTarget
'
Set strTempSource = objFSO.GetFolder(strSource)
'
Wscript.Echo "Begin Value: " & strTarget
'
If Not objFSO.FolderExists(strTarget) Then
' Wscript.Echo "No Folder! Creating folder [" & strTarget & "]"
objFSO.CreateFolder(strTarget)
Else
Wscript.Echo "Folder exists! " & strTempTarget
End If
'
Set strTempTarget = objFSO.GetFolder(strTarget)
' ** Copy files from current directory to target
For each file in strTempSource.files
strOldName = strSource & "\" & file.name
strNewName = strTempTarget & "\" & Mid(file.name, 1, InstrRev(file.name, ".")) & "ts"
'
If Not objFSO.FileExists(strNewName) Then
Set objShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
'
Wscript.Echo "Transcoding file: " & strOldName & " to " & strNewName
'
Select Case Right(strOldName, 3)
Case "avi"
wscript.echo "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit"
objShell.Run "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit", 1, True
Case "mp4"
wscript.echo "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,channels=2}:duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit"
objShell.Run "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,channels=2}:duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit", 1, True
End Select
'
Set objShell = Nothing
End If
Next
' ** For each subfolder of current dir, copy files to target and recurse its subdirs
For each subdir in strTempSource.subfolders
Wscript.Echo subdir.path
call RecurseDir(subdir.path, strTempTarget & "\" & subdir.name)
Next
End Sub
</pre>

== Non-Interactive Batch Transcoding (Linux)==
To transcode several files without user interaction create a bash script in the folder where the files are contained and add these lines to the bash script:

<pre>
#!/bin/bash
vcodec="VIDEO_CODEC"
acodec="AUDIO_CODEC"
bitrate="VIDEO_BITRATE"
arate="AUDIO_BITRATE"
ext="OUTPUT_EXT"
mux="MUXER"
vlc="PATH_TO_VLC"
fmt="INPUT_EXT"

for a in *$fmt; do
$vlc -I dummy -vvv "$a" --sout "#transcode{vcodec=$vcodec,vb=$bitrate,acodec=$acodec,ab=$arate,channels=6}:standard{mux=$mux,dst=\"$a.$ext\",access=file}" vlc://quit
done
</pre>

===Non-Interactive Merge/Transcode (Windows)===

If you have more than one source files that need to be merged and transcoded resulting in a single out put file, see [[How_to_Merge_and_Transcode_Multiple_Videos]]

===Example script===
'''The canvas and cropping must be adjusted for VLC versions newer then 0.9.'''

As an example, here is a bash script that will take a <tt>.mpg</tt> file as generated by an DVB capture device and transcode it into an MPEG4 file using the h.264 codec. Copy it to a file, for example <tt>dvb2mp4</tt>, and make it executable. It should work on any operating system that has bash, including windows if [http://www.cygwin.com Cygwin] is installed. It uses the cropping parameters proposed at [[Wikipedia:Overscan_amounts]] adapted so that the dimensions are divisible by 16 for better encoding.

<pre>
#!/bin/bash
#
# Transcode DVB TV signals to h.264-encoded MP4 files using VLC
# Wout.Mertens@gmail.com

#### Defaults, please edit for your settings ####

# VLC location, here is the Mac OS X example
VLC=/Applications/VLC.app/Contents/MacOS/clivlc
# Other possibilities: (Remove the # to activate)
#VLC=/usr/bin/vlc
#VLC=/usr/local/bin/vlc

# 16:9 or 4:3
aspect=16:9

# PAL (Europe) or NTSC (US)
src=PAL

# video bitrate
bitrate=1024

# audio bitrate
arate=128

# cropping?
crop=yes

# Deinterlace?
deint=yes

#### Program, do not change below this line ####
usage() {
cat 1>&2 <<EOF
Usage: $0 [-swpncC] [-b <rate>] [-a <rate>] <DVB source .mpg> <MP4 output file>
-s 4:3 aspect ratio (default=$aspect)
-w 16:9 aspect ratio
-p PAL (720x576) input (default=$src)
-n NTSC (720x480) input
-c Crop borders (default=$crop)
-C Do not crop borders
-d Perform de-interlacing (default=$deint)
-D Do not perform de-interlacing
-b video bitrate kb/s (default=$bitrate)
-a audio bitrate kb/s (default=$arate)
EOF
exit 1
}

error() {
echo "ERROR: $*" 1>&2
exit 2
}

while getopts 'swpncCb:a:h' opt; do
case $opt in
s) aspect=4:3 ;;
w) aspect=16:9 ;;
p) src=PAL ;;
n) src=NTSC ;;
c) crop=yes ;;
C) crop=no ;;
d) deint=yes ;;
D) deint=no ;;
b) bitrate=$OPTARG ;;
a) arate=$OPTARG ;;
h) usage ;;
*) echo "Unknown option $opt" 1>&2; usage ;;
esac
done
shift $(( $OPTIND - 1 ))

[ $# -ne 2 ] && usage

infile="$1"
outfile="$2"
case $outfile in
*.mp4|*.MP4) : ;;
*) outfile="$outfile.mp4" ;;
esac

[ -r "$infile" ] || error "Can't read from $infile"

case "$src,$aspect,$crop" in
PAL,16:9,yes) sizestr="cropleft=31,cropright=31,croptop=16,cropbottom=16,width=960,height=544" ;;
PAL,4:3,yes) sizestr="cropleft=31,cropright=31,croptop=16,cropbottom=16,width=720,height=544" ;;
NTSC,16:9,yes) sizestr="cropleft=30,cropright=30,croptop=17,cropbottom=17,width=800,height=448" ;;
NTSC,4:3,yes) sizestr="cropleft=26,cropright=26,croptop=17,cropbottom=17,width=608,height=448" ;;
PAL,16:9,no) sizestr="width=1024,height=576" ;;
PAL,4:3,no) sizestr="width=768,height=576" ;;
NTSC,16:9,no) sizestr="width=800,height=448" ;;
NTSC,4:3,no) sizestr="width=608,height=448" ;;
*) error "Could not handle $src,$aspect,$crop. This shouldn't happen!" ;;
esac

if [ "$deint" = "yes" ]; then
deintstr=",deinterlace=enable"
else
deintstr=
fi

# Let's do it
echo "Input file: $infile"
echo "Output file: $outfile"
echo "Encoding at $bitrate+$arate kb/s, input $src, $aspect, cropping $crop, de-interlace $deint"
echo
echo '>>>' $VLC -I dummy "$infile" --sout "#transcode{$sizestr$deintstr,vcodec=h264,vb=$bitrate,acodec=mp4a,ab=$arate}:standard{mux=mp4,dst=\"$outfile\",access=file}" vlc://quit
echo
$VLC -I dummy "$infile" --sout "#transcode{$sizestr$deintstr,vcodec=h264,vb=$bitrate,acodec=mp4a,ab=$arate}:standard{mux=mp4,dst=\"$outfile\",access=file}" vlc://quit
</pre>

[[Category:Glossary]]

VLC HowTo/Merge videos together

2010-11-16T23:08:24Z

RogerDPack: note many more ways to concat a file

==Merge & Transcode in Windows==

If you have more than one source files that need to be merged and transcoded resulting in a single out put file create a batch script with the following line in it:

<pre>
"PATH_TO_VLC" -vvv FILE1.EXT FILE2.EXT FILE3.EXT ETC.ETC --sout-keep --sout=#gather:transcode{vcodec=h264,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mp4a,ab=192,channels=6}:standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst=out.mpg} --sout-all
</pre>

Next edit the path to vlc, input files, and transcode peramiters to meet your needs.

No transcoding is necessary if all streams match

% '''vlc go.ps.1 go.ps.2 go.ps.3 --sout "#gather:std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=out.ts}" --sout-keep'''

Or you can use file appending

% '''vlc go.ps.1 go.ps.2 go.ps.3 vlc://quit --sout-file-append --sout=file/ps:go.ps'''

To do this in "non interactive" mode, add '''-I dummy''' and also "vlc://quit" to the end of your list of inputs. See [[Transcode]] for more detail.

Overall, none of the ways VLC offers to combine streams seems to merge them with correct times when replayed in VLC, so a non VLC option might work better. Please update if you find one. Straight concatenation works at times. See also https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AjWmZ0umsuZHdHNzZVhuMTkxTHdYbUdCQzF3cE51Snc&hl=en for a list of various "video joining" utilities.

Transcode

2010-11-16T23:04:10Z

RogerDPack: /* Non-Interactive Merge/Transcode (Windows) */

Transcoding is the process of taking a video file and changing it to a different format or bitrate.

Transcoding in VLC copies the movie to a new file in a different format, so you end up with both the original and new files. This means you need to have enough space on your hard drive to store this extra file. You should also have a reasonably fast computer, as transcoding can be very slow.

In VLC, transcoding is exactly the same as [[streaming]] accross a network, except that the output is sent to a file instead of a network.

== Transcoding with the Wizard ==

VLC includes a transcoding and streaming wizard. To transcode a file, just select the transcode option. You will then be asked what format to convert to: you can give a video [[codec]], an audio codec and a [[container]] format. Only some container formats can support some codecs - look [http://www.videolan.org/streaming/features.html here] to see what supports what.

{{doc|http://www.videolan.org/doc/streaming-howto/en/ch02.html}}

== Transcoding with the Command Prompt ==

The most flexible way to transcode with vlc is using a [[command prompt]] to start vlc. Transcoding works the same as [[streaming]]. For example, the following command changes an [[asf]] file to an [[MPEG-2]] file:
:vlc "C:\Movies\Your File.asf" :sout='#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=4096,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,scale=1,channels=2,deinterlace,audio-sync}:std{access=file, mux=ps,dst="C:\Movies\Your File Output.ps.mpg"}'
The access=file instructs vlc to store the output in a file (and not stream it), and the dst is the location of the new (output) file.

* Note 1: If you are running VLC on [[Mac OS X]], you should use clivlc instead of VLC to avoid possible Bus error problems.
* Note 2: old VLC releases, maybe up to 0.8.6* included, use "url" instead of "dst".

Transcoding takes quite a while, so it's advisable to use an option like '''--stop-time=30''' to only encode the first 30 seconds - this means you can check the file has transcoded correctly, and that the output is of a suitable quality. (Note: On [[Mac OS X]] this trick doesn't seem to work. Just press ctrl-c after a while, VLC will properly write out the already transcoded segment)

The transcode statement can contain '''vcodec''' and '''vb''' to change the video codec and '''acodec''' and '''ab''' to change the audio codec. If vcodec is missing, the video codec will stay the same (same for acodec).

Common additional options to use are '''audio-sync''' (to make sure the audio is in sync correctly) and '''deinterlace''' (to increase quality slightly on interlaced video).
===Under MS Windows===
the syntax on windows is slightly different:

:C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC>vlc -vvv "D:\688497.flv" --sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp4v,acodec=mpga,vb=800,ab=128,deinterlace}:standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst="D:\asd.mpg"}
(Note: old VLC releases, maybe up to 0.8.6* included, use "url" instead of "dst")

(Note: due to command line parsing, at times, especially within single and double quote blocks, a backslash may have to be escaped by using a double backslash so that a filename would be D:\\path\\to\\file.mpg)

===Completely non-interactive transcoding===
For completely non-interactive transcoding (such as the case necessary when running under [[Mac OS X]]), the above example could be rewritten as
:vlc -I dummy "C:\Movies\Your File.asf" :sout='#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=4096,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,scale=1,channels=2,deinterlace,audio-sync}:std{access=file, mux=ps,dst="C:\Movies\Your File Output.ps.mpg"}' vlc://quit
The two extra options are
;-I dummy: Disables the graphical interface
;<nowiki>vlc://quit</nowiki>: Quit VLC after transcoding
If transcoding from a DVD, it is also necessary to use the dvdsimple:// notation instead of the dvd:// notation, in order to avoid interacting with the DVD menu system. You can use this in the GUI by choosing 'no DVD menus' option when opening the disc.

{{doc|http://www.videolan.org/doc/streaming-howto/en/ch03.html}}

== Canvas and Padding ==
'''The canvas and padding options changed since Version 0.9. Most examples in the wiki are broken.'''

<pre>transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vfilter=canvas{width=640,height=480}}</pre>

Other options:
* aspect=4:3 : Aspect ratio
* padd:
** true: Pad with black bars
** false: crop video

<pre>transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vfilter=croppadd{cropttop=20,cropbottom=30,paddleft=100}}</pre>

crop or pad top, left, right or bottom in pixels.

Avoid using width and hight parameters! These are apllied before the vfilter and might result in unwanted results.

== Non-Interactive Batch Transcoding (Windows)==
To transcode several files without user interaction create a batch file in the folder where the files are contained and this line to the batch file:

<pre>
for %%a in (*.FILE_EXT) do cmd /c "PATH_TO_VLC" -I dummy -vvv %%a --sout=#transcode{vcodec=VIDEO_CODEC,vb=VIDEO_BITRATE,scale=1,acodec=AUDIO_CODEC,ab=AUDIO_BITRATE,channels=6}:standard{access=file,mux=MUXER,dst=%%a.OUTPUT_EXT} vlc://quit
</pre>

Cmd /c makes the script wait to finish transcoding before starting the next transcode.

An alternative method is to use VB Script. This example will transcode all files from one folder to another. It will also wait for each file to finish transcoding before starting the next. Create the script transcode.vbs, in the VLC installation folder, default "C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC". Change the strSource and strTarget in the example to match your requirements. Start a "DOS Box", Start - Run - cmd then change to the VLC folder and run the script "cscript transcode.vbs".

This example was tested on Microsoft Windows Script host 5.6 running on XP Pro SP2

<pre>
'
' based on code from:http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/12009443/m/516001349831
'
'
'
Dim objFSO, objShell, strSource, strTarget, strOldName, strNewName
'
set objFSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
'
' Set up starting folders
'
strSource = "O:\"
strTarget = "N:\"
'
call RecurseDir(strSource, strTarget)
'
' // Recursively copy all files and folders
'
Sub RecurseDir(strSource, strTarget)
wscript.echo "source: " & strSource & " target: "& strTarget
'
Dim strTempSource, strTempTarget
'
Set strTempSource = objFSO.GetFolder(strSource)
'
Wscript.Echo "Begin Value: " & strTarget
'
If Not objFSO.FolderExists(strTarget) Then
' Wscript.Echo "No Folder! Creating folder [" & strTarget & "]"
objFSO.CreateFolder(strTarget)
Else
Wscript.Echo "Folder exists! " & strTempTarget
End If
'
Set strTempTarget = objFSO.GetFolder(strTarget)
' ** Copy files from current directory to target
For each file in strTempSource.files
strOldName = strSource & "\" & file.name
strNewName = strTempTarget & "\" & Mid(file.name, 1, InstrRev(file.name, ".")) & "ts"
'
If Not objFSO.FileExists(strNewName) Then
Set objShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
'
Wscript.Echo "Transcoding file: " & strOldName & " to " & strNewName
'
Select Case Right(strOldName, 3)
Case "avi"
wscript.echo "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit"
objShell.Run "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit", 1, True
Case "mp4"
wscript.echo "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,channels=2}:duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit"
objShell.Run "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,channels=2}:duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit", 1, True
End Select
'
Set objShell = Nothing
End If
Next
' ** For each subfolder of current dir, copy files to target and recurse its subdirs
For each subdir in strTempSource.subfolders
Wscript.Echo subdir.path
call RecurseDir(subdir.path, strTempTarget & "\" & subdir.name)
Next
End Sub
</pre>

== Non-Interactive Batch Transcoding (Linux)==
To transcode several files without user interaction create a bash script in the folder where the files are contained and add these lines to the bash script:

<pre>
#!/bin/bash
vcodec="VIDEO_CODEC"
acodec="AUDIO_CODEC"
bitrate="VIDEO_BITRATE"
arate="AUDIO_BITRATE"
ext="OUTPUT_EXT"
mux="MUXER"
vlc="PATH_TO_VLC"
fmt="INPUT_EXT"

for a in *$fmt; do
$vlc -I dummy -vvv "$a" --sout "#transcode{vcodec=$vcodec,vb=$bitrate,acodec=$acodec,ab=$arate,channels=6}:standard{mux=$mux,dst=\"$a.$ext\",access=file}" vlc://quit
done
</pre>

===Non-Interactive Merge/Transcode (Windows)===

If you have more than one source files that need to be merged and transcoded resulting in a single out put file, see [[How_to_Merge_and_Transcode_Multiple_Videos]]

===Example script===
'''The canvas and cropping must be adjusted for VLC versions newer then 0.9.'''

As an example, here is a bash script that will take a <tt>.mpg</tt> file as generated by an DVB capture device and transcode it into an MPEG4 file using the h.264 codec. Copy it to a file, for example <tt>dvb2mp4</tt>, and make it executable. It should work on any operating system that has bash, including windows if [http://www.cygwin.com Cygwin] is installed. It uses the cropping parameters proposed at [[Wikipedia:Overscan_amounts]] adapted so that the dimensions are divisible by 16 for better encoding.

<pre>
#!/bin/bash
#
# Transcode DVB TV signals to h.264-encoded MP4 files using VLC
# Wout.Mertens@gmail.com

#### Defaults, please edit for your settings ####

# VLC location, here is the Mac OS X example
VLC=/Applications/VLC.app/Contents/MacOS/clivlc
# Other possibilities: (Remove the # to activate)
#VLC=/usr/bin/vlc
#VLC=/usr/local/bin/vlc

# 16:9 or 4:3
aspect=16:9

# PAL (Europe) or NTSC (US)
src=PAL

# video bitrate
bitrate=1024

# audio bitrate
arate=128

# cropping?
crop=yes

# Deinterlace?
deint=yes

#### Program, do not change below this line ####
usage() {
cat 1>&2 <<EOF
Usage: $0 [-swpncC] [-b <rate>] [-a <rate>] <DVB source .mpg> <MP4 output file>
-s 4:3 aspect ratio (default=$aspect)
-w 16:9 aspect ratio
-p PAL (720x576) input (default=$src)
-n NTSC (720x480) input
-c Crop borders (default=$crop)
-C Do not crop borders
-d Perform de-interlacing (default=$deint)
-D Do not perform de-interlacing
-b video bitrate kb/s (default=$bitrate)
-a audio bitrate kb/s (default=$arate)
EOF
exit 1
}

error() {
echo "ERROR: $*" 1>&2
exit 2
}

while getopts 'swpncCb:a:h' opt; do
case $opt in
s) aspect=4:3 ;;
w) aspect=16:9 ;;
p) src=PAL ;;
n) src=NTSC ;;
c) crop=yes ;;
C) crop=no ;;
d) deint=yes ;;
D) deint=no ;;
b) bitrate=$OPTARG ;;
a) arate=$OPTARG ;;
h) usage ;;
*) echo "Unknown option $opt" 1>&2; usage ;;
esac
done
shift $(( $OPTIND - 1 ))

[ $# -ne 2 ] && usage

infile="$1"
outfile="$2"
case $outfile in
*.mp4|*.MP4) : ;;
*) outfile="$outfile.mp4" ;;
esac

[ -r "$infile" ] || error "Can't read from $infile"

case "$src,$aspect,$crop" in
PAL,16:9,yes) sizestr="cropleft=31,cropright=31,croptop=16,cropbottom=16,width=960,height=544" ;;
PAL,4:3,yes) sizestr="cropleft=31,cropright=31,croptop=16,cropbottom=16,width=720,height=544" ;;
NTSC,16:9,yes) sizestr="cropleft=30,cropright=30,croptop=17,cropbottom=17,width=800,height=448" ;;
NTSC,4:3,yes) sizestr="cropleft=26,cropright=26,croptop=17,cropbottom=17,width=608,height=448" ;;
PAL,16:9,no) sizestr="width=1024,height=576" ;;
PAL,4:3,no) sizestr="width=768,height=576" ;;
NTSC,16:9,no) sizestr="width=800,height=448" ;;
NTSC,4:3,no) sizestr="width=608,height=448" ;;
*) error "Could not handle $src,$aspect,$crop. This shouldn't happen!" ;;
esac

if [ "$deint" = "yes" ]; then
deintstr=",deinterlace=enable"
else
deintstr=
fi

# Let's do it
echo "Input file: $infile"
echo "Output file: $outfile"
echo "Encoding at $bitrate+$arate kb/s, input $src, $aspect, cropping $crop, de-interlace $deint"
echo
echo '>>>' $VLC -I dummy "$infile" --sout "#transcode{$sizestr$deintstr,vcodec=h264,vb=$bitrate,acodec=mp4a,ab=$arate}:standard{mux=mp4,dst=\"$outfile\",access=file}" vlc://quit
echo
$VLC -I dummy "$infile" --sout "#transcode{$sizestr$deintstr,vcodec=h264,vb=$bitrate,acodec=mp4a,ab=$arate}:standard{mux=mp4,dst=\"$outfile\",access=file}" vlc://quit
</pre>

[[Category:Glossary]]

Documentation:Modules/gather

2010-11-16T22:57:25Z

RogerDPack: /* Example */

{{Module|name=gather|type=Stream output|description=Recyle video and audio elementary streams when possible}}

Makes it possible to stream a playlist without any noticeable interruption on input change on the client side.
The audio and video streams must all have the same characteristics (codecs, bitrate, dimensions, etc.).

== Example ==
% '''vlc playlist.m3u --sout "#gather:std{access=http,mux=asfh,dst=:8080}" --sout-keep'''

If your playlist items use different codecs or have different sizes, it is advised to [[Documentation:Modules/transcode|transcode]]. For example:
% '''vlc playlist.m3u --sout "#transcode{vcodec=DIV3,vb=512,width=640,height=480,acodec=mp3,ab=128,samplerate=44100,channels=2}:gather:std{access=http,mux=asfh,dst=:8080}" --sout-keep'''

It is unclear whether using --sout-keep automatically sets gather automatically or not http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=80695

See also [[How_to_Merge_and_Transcode_Multiple_Videos]]

{{Stub}}

{{Documentation}}

Transcode

2010-11-16T22:56:39Z

RogerDPack: /* Non-Interactive Merge/Transcode (Windows) */

Transcoding is the process of taking a video file and changing it to a different format or bitrate.

Transcoding in VLC copies the movie to a new file in a different format, so you end up with both the original and new files. This means you need to have enough space on your hard drive to store this extra file. You should also have a reasonably fast computer, as transcoding can be very slow.

In VLC, transcoding is exactly the same as [[streaming]] accross a network, except that the output is sent to a file instead of a network.

== Transcoding with the Wizard ==

VLC includes a transcoding and streaming wizard. To transcode a file, just select the transcode option. You will then be asked what format to convert to: you can give a video [[codec]], an audio codec and a [[container]] format. Only some container formats can support some codecs - look [http://www.videolan.org/streaming/features.html here] to see what supports what.

{{doc|http://www.videolan.org/doc/streaming-howto/en/ch02.html}}

== Transcoding with the Command Prompt ==

The most flexible way to transcode with vlc is using a [[command prompt]] to start vlc. Transcoding works the same as [[streaming]]. For example, the following command changes an [[asf]] file to an [[MPEG-2]] file:
:vlc "C:\Movies\Your File.asf" :sout='#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=4096,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,scale=1,channels=2,deinterlace,audio-sync}:std{access=file, mux=ps,dst="C:\Movies\Your File Output.ps.mpg"}'
The access=file instructs vlc to store the output in a file (and not stream it), and the dst is the location of the new (output) file.

* Note 1: If you are running VLC on [[Mac OS X]], you should use clivlc instead of VLC to avoid possible Bus error problems.
* Note 2: old VLC releases, maybe up to 0.8.6* included, use "url" instead of "dst".

Transcoding takes quite a while, so it's advisable to use an option like '''--stop-time=30''' to only encode the first 30 seconds - this means you can check the file has transcoded correctly, and that the output is of a suitable quality. (Note: On [[Mac OS X]] this trick doesn't seem to work. Just press ctrl-c after a while, VLC will properly write out the already transcoded segment)

The transcode statement can contain '''vcodec''' and '''vb''' to change the video codec and '''acodec''' and '''ab''' to change the audio codec. If vcodec is missing, the video codec will stay the same (same for acodec).

Common additional options to use are '''audio-sync''' (to make sure the audio is in sync correctly) and '''deinterlace''' (to increase quality slightly on interlaced video).
===Under MS Windows===
the syntax on windows is slightly different:

:C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC>vlc -vvv "D:\688497.flv" --sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp4v,acodec=mpga,vb=800,ab=128,deinterlace}:standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst="D:\asd.mpg"}
(Note: old VLC releases, maybe up to 0.8.6* included, use "url" instead of "dst")

(Note: due to command line parsing, at times, especially within single and double quote blocks, a backslash may have to be escaped by using a double backslash so that a filename would be D:\\path\\to\\file.mpg)

===Completely non-interactive transcoding===
For completely non-interactive transcoding (such as the case necessary when running under [[Mac OS X]]), the above example could be rewritten as
:vlc -I dummy "C:\Movies\Your File.asf" :sout='#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=4096,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,scale=1,channels=2,deinterlace,audio-sync}:std{access=file, mux=ps,dst="C:\Movies\Your File Output.ps.mpg"}' vlc://quit
The two extra options are
;-I dummy: Disables the graphical interface
;<nowiki>vlc://quit</nowiki>: Quit VLC after transcoding
If transcoding from a DVD, it is also necessary to use the dvdsimple:// notation instead of the dvd:// notation, in order to avoid interacting with the DVD menu system. You can use this in the GUI by choosing 'no DVD menus' option when opening the disc.

{{doc|http://www.videolan.org/doc/streaming-howto/en/ch03.html}}

== Canvas and Padding ==
'''The canvas and padding options changed since Version 0.9. Most examples in the wiki are broken.'''

<pre>transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vfilter=canvas{width=640,height=480}}</pre>

Other options:
* aspect=4:3 : Aspect ratio
* padd:
** true: Pad with black bars
** false: crop video

<pre>transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vfilter=croppadd{cropttop=20,cropbottom=30,paddleft=100}}</pre>

crop or pad top, left, right or bottom in pixels.

Avoid using width and hight parameters! These are apllied before the vfilter and might result in unwanted results.

== Non-Interactive Batch Transcoding (Windows)==
To transcode several files without user interaction create a batch file in the folder where the files are contained and this line to the batch file:

<pre>
for %%a in (*.FILE_EXT) do cmd /c "PATH_TO_VLC" -I dummy -vvv %%a --sout=#transcode{vcodec=VIDEO_CODEC,vb=VIDEO_BITRATE,scale=1,acodec=AUDIO_CODEC,ab=AUDIO_BITRATE,channels=6}:standard{access=file,mux=MUXER,dst=%%a.OUTPUT_EXT} vlc://quit
</pre>

Cmd /c makes the script wait to finish transcoding before starting the next transcode.

An alternative method is to use VB Script. This example will transcode all files from one folder to another. It will also wait for each file to finish transcoding before starting the next. Create the script transcode.vbs, in the VLC installation folder, default "C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC". Change the strSource and strTarget in the example to match your requirements. Start a "DOS Box", Start - Run - cmd then change to the VLC folder and run the script "cscript transcode.vbs".

This example was tested on Microsoft Windows Script host 5.6 running on XP Pro SP2

<pre>
'
' based on code from:http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/12009443/m/516001349831
'
'
'
Dim objFSO, objShell, strSource, strTarget, strOldName, strNewName
'
set objFSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
'
' Set up starting folders
'
strSource = "O:\"
strTarget = "N:\"
'
call RecurseDir(strSource, strTarget)
'
' // Recursively copy all files and folders
'
Sub RecurseDir(strSource, strTarget)
wscript.echo "source: " & strSource & " target: "& strTarget
'
Dim strTempSource, strTempTarget
'
Set strTempSource = objFSO.GetFolder(strSource)
'
Wscript.Echo "Begin Value: " & strTarget
'
If Not objFSO.FolderExists(strTarget) Then
' Wscript.Echo "No Folder! Creating folder [" & strTarget & "]"
objFSO.CreateFolder(strTarget)
Else
Wscript.Echo "Folder exists! " & strTempTarget
End If
'
Set strTempTarget = objFSO.GetFolder(strTarget)
' ** Copy files from current directory to target
For each file in strTempSource.files
strOldName = strSource & "\" & file.name
strNewName = strTempTarget & "\" & Mid(file.name, 1, InstrRev(file.name, ".")) & "ts"
'
If Not objFSO.FileExists(strNewName) Then
Set objShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
'
Wscript.Echo "Transcoding file: " & strOldName & " to " & strNewName
'
Select Case Right(strOldName, 3)
Case "avi"
wscript.echo "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit"
objShell.Run "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit", 1, True
Case "mp4"
wscript.echo "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,channels=2}:duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit"
objShell.Run "vlc file://""" & strOldName & """ :sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mp2a,ab=192,channels=2}:duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=""" & strNewName & """}} vlc://quit", 1, True
End Select
'
Set objShell = Nothing
End If
Next
' ** For each subfolder of current dir, copy files to target and recurse its subdirs
For each subdir in strTempSource.subfolders
Wscript.Echo subdir.path
call RecurseDir(subdir.path, strTempTarget & "\" & subdir.name)
Next
End Sub
</pre>

== Non-Interactive Batch Transcoding (Linux)==
To transcode several files without user interaction create a bash script in the folder where the files are contained and add these lines to the bash script:

<pre>
#!/bin/bash
vcodec="VIDEO_CODEC"
acodec="AUDIO_CODEC"
bitrate="VIDEO_BITRATE"
arate="AUDIO_BITRATE"
ext="OUTPUT_EXT"
mux="MUXER"
vlc="PATH_TO_VLC"
fmt="INPUT_EXT"

for a in *$fmt; do
$vlc -I dummy -vvv "$a" --sout "#transcode{vcodec=$vcodec,vb=$bitrate,acodec=$acodec,ab=$arate,channels=6}:standard{mux=$mux,dst=\"$a.$ext\",access=file}" vlc://quit
done
</pre>

===Non-Interactive Merge/Transcode (Windows)===

If you have more than one source files that need to be merged and transcoded resulting in a single out put file create a batch script with the following line in it:

<pre>
"PATH_TO_VLC" -vvv FILE1.EXT FILE2.EXT FILE3.EXT ETC.ETC --sout-keep --sout=#gather{} --sout=#transcode{vcodec=h264,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mp4a,ab=192,channels=6}:standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst=out.mpg} --sout-all
</pre>

See also [[How_to_Merge_and_Transcode_Multiple_Videos]]

===Example script===
'''The canvas and cropping must be adjusted for VLC versions newer then 0.9.'''

As an example, here is a bash script that will take a <tt>.mpg</tt> file as generated by an DVB capture device and transcode it into an MPEG4 file using the h.264 codec. Copy it to a file, for example <tt>dvb2mp4</tt>, and make it executable. It should work on any operating system that has bash, including windows if [http://www.cygwin.com Cygwin] is installed. It uses the cropping parameters proposed at [[Wikipedia:Overscan_amounts]] adapted so that the dimensions are divisible by 16 for better encoding.

<pre>
#!/bin/bash
#
# Transcode DVB TV signals to h.264-encoded MP4 files using VLC
# Wout.Mertens@gmail.com

#### Defaults, please edit for your settings ####

# VLC location, here is the Mac OS X example
VLC=/Applications/VLC.app/Contents/MacOS/clivlc
# Other possibilities: (Remove the # to activate)
#VLC=/usr/bin/vlc
#VLC=/usr/local/bin/vlc

# 16:9 or 4:3
aspect=16:9

# PAL (Europe) or NTSC (US)
src=PAL

# video bitrate
bitrate=1024

# audio bitrate
arate=128

# cropping?
crop=yes

# Deinterlace?
deint=yes

#### Program, do not change below this line ####
usage() {
cat 1>&2 <<EOF
Usage: $0 [-swpncC] [-b <rate>] [-a <rate>] <DVB source .mpg> <MP4 output file>
-s 4:3 aspect ratio (default=$aspect)
-w 16:9 aspect ratio
-p PAL (720x576) input (default=$src)
-n NTSC (720x480) input
-c Crop borders (default=$crop)
-C Do not crop borders
-d Perform de-interlacing (default=$deint)
-D Do not perform de-interlacing
-b video bitrate kb/s (default=$bitrate)
-a audio bitrate kb/s (default=$arate)
EOF
exit 1
}

error() {
echo "ERROR: $*" 1>&2
exit 2
}

while getopts 'swpncCb:a:h' opt; do
case $opt in
s) aspect=4:3 ;;
w) aspect=16:9 ;;
p) src=PAL ;;
n) src=NTSC ;;
c) crop=yes ;;
C) crop=no ;;
d) deint=yes ;;
D) deint=no ;;
b) bitrate=$OPTARG ;;
a) arate=$OPTARG ;;
h) usage ;;
*) echo "Unknown option $opt" 1>&2; usage ;;
esac
done
shift $(( $OPTIND - 1 ))

[ $# -ne 2 ] && usage

infile="$1"
outfile="$2"
case $outfile in
*.mp4|*.MP4) : ;;
*) outfile="$outfile.mp4" ;;
esac

[ -r "$infile" ] || error "Can't read from $infile"

case "$src,$aspect,$crop" in
PAL,16:9,yes) sizestr="cropleft=31,cropright=31,croptop=16,cropbottom=16,width=960,height=544" ;;
PAL,4:3,yes) sizestr="cropleft=31,cropright=31,croptop=16,cropbottom=16,width=720,height=544" ;;
NTSC,16:9,yes) sizestr="cropleft=30,cropright=30,croptop=17,cropbottom=17,width=800,height=448" ;;
NTSC,4:3,yes) sizestr="cropleft=26,cropright=26,croptop=17,cropbottom=17,width=608,height=448" ;;
PAL,16:9,no) sizestr="width=1024,height=576" ;;
PAL,4:3,no) sizestr="width=768,height=576" ;;
NTSC,16:9,no) sizestr="width=800,height=448" ;;
NTSC,4:3,no) sizestr="width=608,height=448" ;;
*) error "Could not handle $src,$aspect,$crop. This shouldn't happen!" ;;
esac

if [ "$deint" = "yes" ]; then
deintstr=",deinterlace=enable"
else
deintstr=
fi

# Let's do it
echo "Input file: $infile"
echo "Output file: $outfile"
echo "Encoding at $bitrate+$arate kb/s, input $src, $aspect, cropping $crop, de-interlace $deint"
echo
echo '>>>' $VLC -I dummy "$infile" --sout "#transcode{$sizestr$deintstr,vcodec=h264,vb=$bitrate,acodec=mp4a,ab=$arate}:standard{mux=mp4,dst=\"$outfile\",access=file}" vlc://quit
echo
$VLC -I dummy "$infile" --sout "#transcode{$sizestr$deintstr,vcodec=h264,vb=$bitrate,acodec=mp4a,ab=$arate}:standard{mux=mp4,dst=\"$outfile\",access=file}" vlc://quit
</pre>

[[Category:Glossary]]

Documentation:Modules/gather

2010-11-16T22:56:00Z

RogerDPack: more examples

{{Module|name=gather|type=Stream output|description=Recyle video and audio elementary streams when possible}}

Makes it possible to stream a playlist without any noticeable interruption on input change on the client side.
The audio and video streams must all have the same characteristics (codecs, bitrate, dimensions, etc.).

== Example ==
% '''vlc playlist.m3u --sout "#gather:std{access=http,mux=asfh,dst=:8080}" --sout-keep'''

If your playlist items use different codecs or have different sizes, it is advised to [[Documentation:Modules/transcode|transcode]]. For example:
% '''vlc playlist.m3u --sout "#transcode{vcodec=DIV3,vb=512,width=640,height=480,acodec=mp3,ab=128,samplerate=44100,channels=2}:gather:std{access=http,mux=asfh,dst=:8080}" --sout-keep'''

or another like it

% '''"PATH_TO_VLC" -vvv FILE1.EXT FILE2.EXT FILE3.EXT ETC.ETC --sout-keep --sout=#gather{} --sout=#transcode{vcodec=h264,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mp4a,ab=192,channels=6}:standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst=out.mpg} --sout-all'''

no transcoding is necessary if all streams match

% '''vlc go.ps.1 go.ps.2 go.ps.3 --sout "#gather:std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=out.ts}" --sout-keep'''

It is unclear whether using --sout-keep automatically sets gather automatically or not http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=80695

See also [[How_to_Merge_and_Transcode_Multiple_Videos]]

{{Stub}}

{{Documentation}}

How to merge and transcode multiple videos

2010-11-16T22:25:54Z

RogerDPack: note more ways

==Merge & Transcode in Windows==

If you have more than one source files that need to be merged and transcoded resulting in a single out put file create a batch script with the following line in it:

C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\vlc\vlc.exe -vvv pirate1.avi pirate2.avi --sout-keep --sout=#gather{}
--sout=#transcode{vcodec=divx3,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mp3,ab=192,channels=6}:standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst=out.avi} --sout-all

'''PATH_TO_VLC''' is ''vlc'' on linux, ''C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\vlc\vlc.exe'' on Windows, but that can change depending on the installation.

Next edit the path to vlc, input files, and transcode peramiters to meet your needs.

See also [[Documentation:Modules/gather]]

You can also append them to a file:

'''vlc go.ps.1 go.ps.2 go.ps.3 --sout-file-append --sout=file/ps:go.ps'''

or possibly, if all streams match, even

'''vlc go.ps.1 go.ps.2 --sout file/ts:out.ts --sout-keep'''

Documentation:Modules/gather

2010-11-16T22:03:17Z

RogerDPack: /* Example */

How to merge and transcode multiple videos

2010-11-16T21:55:24Z

RogerDPack:

==Merge & Transcode in Windows==

If you have more than one source files that need to be merged and transcoded resulting in a single out put file create a batch script with the following line in it:

C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\vlc\vlc.exe -vvv pirate1.avi pirate2.avi --sout-keep --sout=#gather{}
--sout=#transcode{vcodec=divx3,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mp3,ab=192,channels=6}:standard{access=file,mux=ts,dst=out.avi} --sout-all

'''PATH_TO_VLC''' is ''vlc'' on linux, ''C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\vlc\vlc.exe'' on Windows, but that can change depending on the installation.

Next edit the path to vlc, input files, and transcode peramiters to meet your needs.

See also [[Documentation:Modules/gather]]

Documentation:Advanced Use of VLC

2010-11-16T14:17:33Z

RogerDPack: note only local

{{RightMenu|documentation play howto toc}}

==Use the command line==

'''TODO: completely outdated'''

All standard operations of VLC should be available from the GUI. However, some complex operations can only be done from the command line and there are situations in which you don't need or want a GUI. Here is the complete description of VLC's command line and how to use it.

You need to be quite comfortable with command line usage to use this.

Note: Windows users have to use the ''--option-name="value"'' syntax instead of the ''--option-name value'' syntax.

===Getting help===

VLC uses a modular structure. The core mainly manages communication between modules. All the multimedia processing is done by modules. There are input modules, demultiplexers, decoders, video output modules, ...

This chapter will only describe the "general" options, i.e. the core options. Each module adds new options. For example, the HTTP input module will add options for caching, proxy, authentication, ...

By using '''vlc --help''', you will get the basic core options. '''vlc --longhelp''' will give all the basic options (core + modules). Adding '''--advanced''' will give the "advanced options" (for advanced users). So '''vlc --longhelp --advanced''' will give you all options. You can also append '''--help-verbose''' if you want more detailed help.

Also, you might want to get debug informations. To do this, use '''-v''' or '''-vv''' (this will show lower severity messages). If your console supports it, you can add '''--color to get messages in color.

===Opening streams===

The following commands start VLC and start reading the given element(s)

====Opening a file====

Start VLC with:

% '''vlc my_file'''

VLC should be able to recognize the file type. If it does not, you can force demultiplexer and decoder (see below).

A list of all video and audio codecs supported by VLC is available on the [http://www.videolan.org/vlc/features.html VLC features list].

====Opening a DVD or VCD, or an audio CD====

Start VLC with:

For a DVD with menus:
% '''vlc dvd://[device][@raw_device][@[title][:[chapter][:angle]]]'''

In most cases, '''vlc dvd://''' or '''vlc dvd://[device]''' will do. [device] is for example '''/dev/dvd''' on GNU/Linux or '''D:''' on Windows (complete path to your DVD drive).

or

(DVD without menus):

% '''vlc dvdsimple://[device][@raw_device][@[title][:[chapter][:angle]]]'''

or

(VCD):

% '''vlc vcd://[device][@{E|P|E|T|S}[number]]'''

or

(Audio CD):

% '''vlc cdda://[device][@[track]]'''

====Receiving a network stream====

To receive an unicast RTP/UDP stream (sent by VLC's stream output), start VLC with:

% '''vlc rtp://@:5004'''

If 5004 is the port to which packets are sent. 1234 is another commonly used port number. you use the default port (1234), '''vlc rtp://''' will do.
For more information, look at the Streaming Howto.

To receive an multicast UDP/RTP stream (sent by VLC's stream output), start VLC with:

% '''vlc rtp://@multicast_address:port'''

To receive a SSM (source specific multicast) stream, you can use:

% '''vlc rtp://server_address@multicast_address:port'''

This only works on OSs that support SSM (Windows XP and Linux).

To receive a HTTP stream, start VLC with:

% '''vlc http://www.example.org/your_file.mpg'''

To receive a RTSP stream, start VLC with:</para>

% '''vlc rtsp://www.example.org/your_stream'''

===Modules selection===

VLC always tries to select the most appropriate interface, input and output modules, among the ones available on the system, according to the stream it is given to read. However, you may wish to force the use of a specific module with the following options.

*'''--intf <module>''' allows you to select the interface module.
*'''--extraintf <module>''' allows you to select extra interface modules that will be launched in addition to the main one. This is mainly useful for special ''control'' interfaces, like HTTP, RC (Remote Control), ... (see below)
*'''--aout <module>''' allows you to select the audio output module.
*'''--vout <module>''' allows you to select the video output module.
*'''--memcpy <module>''' allows you to choose a memory copy module. You should probably never touch that.

You can get a listing of the available modules by using '''vlc -l'''

===Stream Output===

The Stream output system allows vlc to become a streaming server.

For more details on the stream output system, please have a look at the [[Documentation:Streaming HowTo|Streaming HowTo]].

===Other Options===

====Audio options====

*'''--noaudio''' disables audio output. Note that if you are streaming (ex: to a file) this has no effect (streaming copies the audio verbatim). Use --sout-xxx instead (ex: --no-sout-audio)
*'''--mono''' forces VLC to treat the stream in mono audio.
*'''--volume <integer>''' sets the level of audio output (between 0 and 1024). Also only applies to local playback (like --noaudio).
*'''--aout-rate <integer>''' sets the audio output frequency (Hz). By default, VLC will try to autodetect this.
*'''--desync <integer>''' compensates desynchronization of audio (ms). (If audio and video streams are not synchronized, use this setting to delay the audio stream)
*'''--audio-filter <string>''' adds audio filters to the processing chain. Available filters are visual (visualizer with spectrum analyzer and oscilloscope), headphone (virtual headphone patialization) and normalizer (volume normalizer)

====Video options====

*'''--novideo''' disables video output.
*'''--grayscale''' turns video output into grayscale mode.
*'''--fullscreen''' ( or '''-f''') sets fullscreen video.
*'''--nooverlay''' disables hardware acceleration for the video output.
*'''--width, --height <integer>''' sets the video window dimensions. By default, the video window size will be adjusted to match the video dimensions.
*'''--start-time <integer>''' starts the video here; the integer is the number of seconds from the beginning (e.g. 1:30 is written as 90)
*'''--stop-time <integer>''' stops the video here; the integer is the number of seconds from the beginning (e.g. 1:30 is written as 90)
*'''--zoom <float>''' adds a zoom factor.
*'''--aspect-ratio <mode>''' forces source aspect ratio. Modes are 4x3, 16x9, ...
*'''--spumargin <integer>''' forces SPU subtitles postion.
*'''--video-filter <string>''' adds video filters to the processing chain. You can add several filters, separated by commas
*'''--sub-filter <string>''' adds video subpictures filter to the processing chain.

====Desktop/Screen grab options====

You can see the various options for "grabbing the desktop" (VLC's built-in screen grabber capture device) by using the GUI. See http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=46971

====Playlist options====

*'''--random''' plays files randomly forever.
*'''--loop''' loops playlist on end.
*'''--repeat''' repeats current item until another item is forced
*'''--play-and-stop''' stops the playlist after each played item.

====Network options====

*'''--server-port <integer>''' sets server port.
*'''--iface <string>''' specifies the network interface to use.
*'''--iface-addr <string>''' specifies your network interface IP address.
*'''--mtu <integer>''' specifies the MTU of the network interface.
*'''--ipv6''' forces IPv6.
*'''--ipv4''' forces IPv4.

====CPU options====

You should probably not touch these options unless you know what you are doing.

*'''--nommx''' disables the use of MMX CPU extensions.
*'''--no3dn''' disables the use of 3D Now! CPU extensions.
*'''--nommxext''' disables the use of MMX Ext CPU extensions.
*'''--nosse''' disables the use of SSE CPU extensions.
*'''--noaltivec''' disables the use of Altivec CPU extensions.

====Miscellaneous options====

*'''--quiet''' deactivates all console messages.
*'''--color''' displays color messages.
*'''--search-path <string>''' specifies interface default search path.
*'''--plugin-path <string>''' specifies plugin search path.
*'''--no-plugins-cache''' disables the plugin cache (plugins cache speeds up startup)
*'''--dvd <string>''' specifies the default DVD device.
*'''--vcd <string>''' specifies the default VCD device.
*'''--program <integer>''' specifies program (SID) (for streams with several programs, like satellite ones).
*'''--audio-type <integer>''' specifies the default audio type to use with dvds.
*'''--audio-channel <integer>''' specifies the default audio channel to use with dvds.
*'''--spu-channel <integer>''' specifies the default subtitle channel to use with dvds.
*'''--version''' gives you information about the current VLC version.
*'''--module <module> ''' displays help about specified module. (Shortcut: '''-p''')

===Item-specific options===

There are many options that are related to items (like '''--novideo''', '''--codec''', '''--fullscreen''').

For all of these, you have the possibility to make them item-specific, using ":" instead of "--" and putting the option just after the concerned item.

Examples:

% '''vlc file1.mpg :fullscreen file2.mpg'''
will play file1.mpg in fullscreen mode and file2.mpg in the default mode (which is generally no fullscreen), whereas
% '''vlc --fullscreen file1.mpg file2.mpg'''
will play both files in fullscreen mode

% '''vlc --fullscreen file1.mpg :sub-file=file1.srt :no-fullscreen file2.mpg :filter=distort'''
will play file1.mpg in windowed (no-fullscreen) mode with the subtitles file file1.srt and will play file2.mpg with video filter distort enabled in fullscreen mode (item-specific options override global options)

==Advanced use of filters==

===Filters===

These are the old style VLC filters. They only apply to on screen display and thus cannot be streamed.

====Deinterlacing video filter====

Module name: '''deinterlace'''

*'''--deinterlace-mode {discard,blend,mean,bob,linear}''' choose a deinterlacing mode.

====Invert video filter====

Module name: '''invert'''

====Image properties filter====

Module name: '''adjust'''

*'''--contrast <float>''' Image contrast in the 0-2 range.
*'''--brightness <float>''' Image brightness in the 0-2 range.
*'''--hue <integer>''' Image hue in the 0-360 range.
*'''--saturation <float>''' Image saturation in the 0-3 range.
*'''-gamma <float>''' Image gamma in the 0-10 range.

====Wall video filter====

Module name: '''wall'''

This filter splits the output in several windows.

*'''--wall-cols <integer>''' Number of columns.
*'''--wall-rows <integer>''' Number of rows.
*'''--wall-active <string>''' Select the windows you want to display. To select windows 2 and 4 you would write '''--wall-active 2,4'''. When this option isn't specified, all windows are displayed.

====Video transformation filter====

Module name: '''transform'''

*'''--transform-type {90,180,270,hflip,vflip}''' Select rotation angle or symmetry.

====Distort video filter====

Module name: '''distort'''

====Clone video filter====

This filter clones the output window.

Module name: '''clone'''

*'''--clone-count <integer>''' Number of clones.
*'''--clone-vout-list <string>''' Comma separated string of video output modules.

====Crop video filter====

Module name: '''crop'''

*'''--crop-geometry <string>''' Set the geometry of the zone to crop. This is set as <width> x <height> + <left offset> + <top offset>.
*'''--autocrop''' Enable automatic black border cropping.

====Motion blur filter====

Module name: '''motionblur'''

*'''blur-factor <integer>''' Blur factor in the 1-127 range.

====Video pictures blending====

Module name: '''blend'''

====Video scaling filter====

Module name: '''scale'''

===Subpictures Filters===

These are the new VLC filters. They can be streamed.

====Time display sub filter====

Module name: '''time'''

*'''--time-format <string>''' Time format string. You can use the following special characters %Y = year, %m = month, %d = day, %H = hour, %M = minute, %S = second.
*'''--time-x <integer>''' X offset from the left in pixels.
*'''--time-y <integer>''' Y offset from the top in pixels.

====Marquee display sub filter====

Module name: '''marq'''

*'''--marq-marquee <string>''' Marquee text to display.
*'''--marq-x <integer>''' X offset from the left in pixels.
*'''--marq-y <integer>''' Y offset from the top in pixels.
*'''--marq-timeout <timeout>''' Defines the time the marquee must remain displayed in milliseconds. Default value is 0 (remain forever).

====Logo video filter====

Module name: '''logo'''

This filter can be used both as an old style filter or a subpictures filter.

*'''--logo-file <string>''' Full path of the PNG file to use.
*'''--logo-x <integer>''' X offset from the left in pixels.
*'''--logo-y <integer>''' Y offset from the top in pixels.
*'''--logo-transparency <integer>''' You can set the logo transparency value here (from 0 for full transparency to 255 for full opacity).

Note: You can move the logo by left-clicking on it.

==The HTTP interface==

VLC ships with a little HTTP server integrated. It is used both to stream using HTTP, and for the HTTP remote control interface.

To start VLC with the HTTP interface, use:
% '''vlc -I http [--http-src /directory/] [--http-host host:port]'''

If you want to have both the "normal" interface and the HTTP interface, use '''vlc --extraintf http'''.

The HTTP interface will start listening at host:port (<all interfaces>:8080 if omitted), and will reproduce the structure of /directory at http://host:port/ ( vlc_source_path/share/http if omitted ).

Use a browser to go to http://your_host_machine:port. You should be taken to the main page.

VLC is shipped with a set of files that should be enough for generic needs. It is also possible to customize pages. See [[Documentation:Play_HowTo/Building_Pages_for_the_HTTP_Interface]].

Available pages for 1.0.3 :

* http://host:port - Main Interface
* http://host:port/vlm.html - VLM Interface
* http://host:port/mosaic.html - Mosaic Wizard
* http://host:port/flash.html - Flash based remote playback

==Other control interfaces==

VLC includes a number of so-called interfaces that are not really interfaces, but means of controlling VLC. Nevertheless, they are enabled by setting them as interface or extra interface, either in the Preferences, in General/Interface, or using '''-I''' or '''--extraintf''' on the command line.

===Hotkeys===

This module allows you to control VLC and playback via hotkeys. It is always enabled by default. You can use hotkeys in the video output window, you can't in the audio dummy interface.

Hotkeys can be hacked by:
% '''vlc --key-<function> <code>'''

Code is composed by modifiers keys (Alt, Shift, Ctrl, Meta,Command) separated by a dash (-) and terminated by a key (a...z, +, =, -, ',', +, <, >, `, /, ;, ', \, [, ], *, Left, Right, Up, Down, Space, Enter, F1...F12, Home, End, Menu, Esc, Page Up, Page Down, Tab, Backspace, Mouse Wheel Up and Mouse Wheel Down). Main controls are available from hotkeys, such as : fullscreen, play-pause, faster, slower, next, prev, stop, quit, vol-up, etc. (use the '''--longhelp''' option for full list of functions).
For example, for binding fullscreen to Ctrl-f, run:
% '''vlc --key-fullscreen 'Ctrl-f' '''

The list of the default hotkeys is available [[HotKeys|here]].

===RC and RTCI===

These two interfaces allow you to control VLC from a command shell (possibly using a remote connexion or a Unix socket).

Start VLC with '''-I rc''' or '''--extraintf rc'''. When you get the '''Remote control interface initialized, `h' for help''' message, press h and Enter to get help about available commands.

To be able to remote connect to your VLC using a TCP socket (telnet-like connexion), use '''--rc-host your_host:port'''. Then, by connecting (using telnet or netcat) to the host on the given port, you will get the command shell.

To use a UNIX socket (local socket, this does not work for Windows), use '''--rc-unix /path/to/socket'''. Commands can then be passed using this UNIX socket.

The RTCI interface gives you more advanced options, such as marquee control for the marquee subpicture filter (See filter section).

===Ncurses===

This is a text interface, using ncurses library.

Start VLC with '''-I ncurses''' or '''--extraintf ncurses'''. You will then get something like that:

http://www.videolan.org/doc/play-howto/en/images/play-howto/intf-ncurses-playlist.jpg The ncurses interface

Press h to get the list of all available commands, with a short description.

There is also a filebrowser available for the ncurses interface in order to add playlist items. Press 'B' to use it.

http://www.videolan.org/doc/play-howto/en/images/play-howto/intf-ncurses-filebrowser.jpg The ncurses filebrowser

You can set the filebrowser starting point by launching vlc with the '''--browse-dir''' option:

% '''vlc -I ncurses --browse-dir /filebrowser/starting/point/'''

===Gestures===

Gestures provide a simple mouse gestures control. TODO

==The Mozilla plugin==

VLC can also be embedded in a web browser! The following browsers are supported [http://www.mozilla.org/ Mozilla], [http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/ Firefox] and [http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/safari Safari].

===Install the plugin===

====GNU/Linux Debian====

Install the ''mozilla-plugin-vlc'' package:

# '''apt-get update'''
# '''apt-get install mozilla-plugin-vlc'''

====Windows====

Quit Firefox or Mozilla.

Select the Mozilla Plugin option when installing VLC Media Player. The installer will then automatically detect your browser and install the plugin.

Restart Firefox or Mozilla.

====MacOS X====

''The Mozilla/Safari plugin for MacOS X is only available from vlc version 0.8.5.1 and onwards.''

Quit Safari browser.

Download the Mozilla/safari plugin package from [http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-macosx.html MacOS X download page].

Run the installer from the dmg image.

====Compile the sources yourself====

Please look at the [http://developers.videolan.org developers page] for information on how to do this.

===Use the mozilla plugin===

If you open a link to a video file handled by the VLC plugin (To get the list of handled types, browse to '''about:plugins''') or a page with an embedded video, the plugin should open and read the
video.

See the [[Documentation:WebPlugin|documentation]] for building page for this plugin.

{{Documentation}}

=Snapshot Tool=
Did you know you can use special codes to automatically generate filenames in the [[SnapshotTool|Snaphot Tool]]?

Documentation:Streaming HowTo/Receive and Save a Stream

2010-11-16T01:07:26Z

RogerDPack: /* Save a stream with VLC */

{{RightMenu|documentation streaming howto toc}}

==Receive a stream with VLC==

===Receive an unicast stream===

% '''vlc -vvv rtp://'''

===Receive a multicast stream===

% '''vlc -vvv rtp://@239.255.12.42'''
where '''239.255.12.42''' is the multicast IP address you want to join.

===Receive an HTTP/FTP/MMS stream===

Use one of the following command lines:

% '''vlc -vvv http://example/stream.xyz'''
where '''http://example/stream.xyz''' is the HTTP address of the stream;

% '''vlc -vvv ftp://example/stream.xyz'''
where '''ftp://example/stream.xyz''' is the FTP address of the stream;

% '''vlc -vvv mms://viptvr.yacast.fr/encoderfranceinfo'''
where '''mms://viptvr.yacast.fr/encoderfranceinfo''' is the MMS address of the stream.

===Receive a RTP stream available through RTSP===

% '''vlc -vvv rtsp://www.hardradio.com/tonbeme.mov'''
where '''rtsp://www.hardradio.com/tonbeme.mov''' is the address of the stream.

===Receive a stream described by an SDP file===

% '''vlc -vvv http://server.example.org/stream.sdp'''

==Save a stream with VLC==

VLC can save the stream to the disk. In order to do this, use the Stream Output of VLC : you can do it via the graphical interface, or you can add to the command line the following argument:

'''--sout file/muxer:stream.xyz'''
where:
*'''muxer''' is one of the formats supported by VLC's stream output, i.e. :
**'''ogg''' for OGG format,
**'''ps''' MPEG2-PS format,
**'''ts''' for MPEG2-TS format.
* and '''stream.xyz''' is the name of the file you want to save the stream to, with the right extension.

For example: --sout=file/ps:go.mpg

When it fails for some reason, it can be very useful to look for error messages in the Tools -> Messages window.
It can also be quite helpful to look at the messages when VLC records using the record button.
For example, in the logs you might see something like this:

stream_out_record debug: Using record output `std{access=file,mux='ps',dst='C:\Users\packrd\Videos\vlc-record-2010-11-15-17h28m42s-dvd___E-.mpg'}'

Which gives you a hint/clue as to how to record your current stream. In this case this would translate into --sout "#std{access=file...

==Receive a stream with a set-top-box==

Some set-top-boxes with Ethernet cards can receive MPEG2-TS streams over UDP and support multicast.

Set-top-boxes known to work with VLC are :
*[http://www.pace.co.uk Pace] set top boxes. (Pace Micro DSL 4000)
*[http://www.aminocom.com Aminocom] set top boxes. (all the models with mpeg2)
*tuxia / gct-allwell (mpeg4 and mpeg2) sigma designs8174 chipset
*i3micro mood200 (mpeg4 and mpeg2 in transport streams)
* ps3 media server streams using VLC (or mencoder) to the PS3

{{Documentation}}