Last Updated: January 2026 Author: Raja Reading Time: 5 mins

Every developer has VLC installed. Most of us use it for one thing: playing .mkv files that QuickTime refuses to open.

But using VLC just to play video is like using VS Code just to write .txt files. Under the hood, VLC is a beast. It’s a transcoder, a streaming server, and a screen recorder wrapped in a traffic cone.

Here are the 3 features I use to save hours of "ffmpeg hell."

1. The "Poor Man's" FFmpeg (Convert Anything)

I love ffmpeg. But I hate remembering the syntax. Was it -c:v libx264 or -vcodec h264?

VLC has a built-in transcoder that is surprisingly powerful. The Workflow:

  1. Media -> Convert / Save (Ctrl+R).
  2. Add your file.
  3. Choose a profile (e.g., "Video - H.264 + MP3 (MP4)").
  4. Click the Wrench Icon.

This is the secret menu. You can change the bitrate, frame rate, and even burn in subtitles without touching the command line.

The "Spicy" Tip: You can batch convert. Select 50 files, click "Convert," and walk away.

2. Network Streaming (Cast to Anything)

You have a movie on your laptop. You want it on your TV. You could set up a Plex server. Or you could just use VLC.

The Workflow:

  1. Playback -> Renderer.
  2. Select your Chromecast or AirPlay device.
  3. Play the file.

VLC transcodes the video on the fly to a format your TV supports. No buffering, no "codec not supported" errors. It just works.

3. The "Fix It in Post" (Audio Sync)

We’ve all downloaded a video where the audio is 2 seconds late. Most people close the video and look for another one. Developers fix it.

The Shortcuts:

  • J and K: Adjust audio delay by +/- 50ms.
  • H and G: Adjust subtitle delay.

You can sync a desynced video in 5 seconds while watching it.

4. The CLI (For Automation)

Did you know VLC has a headless mode? You can use it on a headless Linux server to stream video or transcode files.

# Stream a file to HTTP
cvlc video.mp4 --sout '#standard{access=http,mux=ts,dst=:8080}'

I use this to test HLS streams without setting up Nginx.

Summary: Respect the Cone

VLC is open source, ad-free, and built by volunteers who refused to sell out. In 2026, that is a miracle.

Next time you need to convert a video or stream a file, don't look for a sketchy online converter. Just open the cone.

#how-to
Raja CRN

Raja CRN

Tech enthusiast and developer.