VLC is easily one of our favorite media players (andyours too).
While it can handle nearly every movie you throw at it, it can also doso much more.
And were happy to show you everything amazing VLC can do on your desktop PC.
In VLC, head to Media > Open internet Stream.
Paste the YouTube link in the box and click Play.
You might have to wait some time for the video to start.
Under Tools, click Codec Information.
In the box that says Location, right-nudge the block of text and click Select All.
Copy this text to your clipboard.
Go back to your internet tool and paste the link in the address bar.
This will launch the source file directly on YouTubes servers.
Right-nudge the video as it plays and select Save Video As.
How to record video clips with VLC (Windows)
Load up a videoit can be anything.
Hit pause before it starts.
Right-press the video and click View.
Then, hit Advanced Controls.
Start playing your video, and press the red Record button in the player itself.
When its background turns blue-ish, youre recording.
Press the red Record button again to stop recording
Go find the clip you created.
In modern versions of Windows, thatll be in your Videos user folder.
Under Media, click Open Capture unit.
smack the Capture Mode dropdown and select Desktop.
Modify the frame rate.
tap the dropdown arrow next to Play and select Convert.
In the Profile dropdown, choose MP4either h.264 or h.265.
Here you’re able to modify things like resolution or bitrate.
In the Destination box, choose a location to place the finished file.
VLC will now capture a feed of your desktop behind-the-scenes.
Let it run while you record your workspace.
Under Media, click Convert/Save.
Add the file you want to convert in the File Selection section.
In the options section, pick the file jot down youre converting to under the Profile drop-down.
(We recommend an .MP4, h.264 or h.265.)
Give the file a name and location under Destination.
Under Media, click Open Capture machine.
In the Capture mode drop down, DirectShow should be selected by default.
If it isnt, select it.
For Video equipment name choose your webcam.
Otherwise, enter a value for Video input frame rate.
At this point, you have two options.
Both methods have their advantages.
The former allows you to preview your video and take clips in short bursts.
However, this method requires headphones, as it can create a feedback loop.
It also also lead to a more sluggish recording on slower computers.
To add a podcast, youll need the RSS feed of the show.
Hover your mouse over Podcasts and tap the plus sign on the right.
Paste the RSS feed URL of the show you want to add.
Click OK.
Now, your podcast of choice will appear in the Podcasts sidebar section.
press the name of a show and youll see a list of available episodes.
Double-choose any one of them to start streaming.
(If a subtitle pops up before the sentence, swap steps one and two.)
(Tap e to go forward frame-by-frame.)
press the little A/B icon once.
That sets your start point.
Navigate to wherever you want your loop to stop, and then hit the A/B icon again.
Youve now set your end point, and the loop will start playing and rewinding automatically.
tap on the A/B icon one last time to delete the loop.
This story was originally published on 11/4/14 and was updated on 8/5/19 to provide more thorough and current information.
