VLC 4.0 Master Guide: Lists, Chromecast, Filters, and Streaming

Anyone looking for an all-terrain player will eventually come across VLC. This free and open-source player It has gained fame for its compatibility with almost any audio or video format, its stability, and its low resource consumption. If you want to get the most out of it in your daily life, here's a complete guide to unlocking the full potential of the current version, with a practical and straightforward approach.

Besides playing music, VLC does much more: It converts files, repeats specific sections, plays podcasts, adds video filters, works with subtitles, and streams over a network.And yes, you can also send content to a Chromecast from your phone or computer. Below you'll see how to manage playlists, stream content, adjust the cache to prevent buffering, and troubleshoot common streaming issues. Let's get started. Guide to learning how to use VLC 4.0. 

What VLC Media Player offers: key features

VLC's presentation is extensive. Universal reproduction and stable local and network file management, a clean interface, and a preferences panel that allows you to fine-tune the experience without overcomplicating things. Among the features you should master are these:

• Converting Files- Transform videos and audios between containers and codecs without installing anything additional.
• Repetition of fragments: creates bookmarks or uses the loop over a specific section to review it again and again.
• Podcasts and broadcastsAdd audio/video sources via URL and listen to them without relying on external apps.
• Filters and effects: adjusts brightness, contrast, color, geometry, cropping, overlays and other tweaks in real time.
• External subtitles: load SRT, ASS and more, synchronize them and modify their font, size and position.

One of the program's most useful features is that does not sacrifice quality when convertingYou can choose predefined profiles or create custom profiles, change the codec, bit rate or fps, and decide on the final container to ensure compatibility with your mobile, TV or console.

Compatible formats for playback and conversion

VLC is famous for "swallowing" almost everything. It supports a wide variety of video and audio formats. for both playback and conversion. These are some of the most common ones:

• InstitutionalMP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, WMV, MPEG-2/4, FLV, WebM and more.
• AudioMP3, AAC, OGG, FLAC, WAV, among others.
• Subtitles: SRT, ASS/SSA and VTT, with support for styles and encodings.

Regarding compatibility, conversion profiles They already include safe combinations (for example, H.264 + AAC within MP4) so ​​that the result works on TVs, mobiles and browsers without complications.

Playlists and content organization

If you manage multiple movies, series, or courses, lists save you a lot of clicks. You can create and save lists with custom order to reproduce materials in one go:

• Add and sortDrag files and folders to the list, reorder, remove or duplicate entries as you prefer.
• Save to diskExport the list to M3U or XSPF to reopen it whenever you want and maintain the order you want.
• Fast TrackFor something temporary, use the playback "queue" and launch multiple pieces of content without having to save it.

Organizing yourself this way allows you to review classes, episodes, or presentations in bulk, combining local files with network inputs and without losing the thread between sessions.

Play and download videos from the network with VLC

VLC also plays online content and can help you save some streams, such as those from Free IPTV on your PC. The starting point is the “Open network flow” option. Within the Media menu, copy the video or audio URL and it's ready to play.

When you want to keep the file, the process involves conversion. Instead of pressing Play, choose Convert/SaveIt specifies the URL as the source, marks the output profile, and defines the destination file. With this, VLC "transcodes" the stream and dumps it into the chosen container.

If the site is streaming intermittently or your connection is slow, Increase the network cache by opening the flow (option “Show more options”) or from the Preferences to reduce interruptions.

To recover a video that you already have open in VLC, Use Media > Open File and select the downloaded file; from there you can view it, convert it to another format or extract the audio.

Record screen and captures with VLC

VLC can act as a basic "recorder" without installing anything extra. Ideal for quick tutorials, demos, or presentations that you want to share.

Desktop recording

To capture the screen, open Media > Capture Device and, under “Capture Mode”, select Desktop. Adjust the frame rate (for example, 30 fps for smoothness), and instead of playing, choose Convert/Save to dump that capture to an MP4 file or another format that suits you.

If you prefer a quick shortcut, you can also Live desktop playback And, in parallel, activate the recording. Make sure to define an appropriate destination and profile so that the result weighs just the right amount and maintains good quality.

Screenshots

With a video open, go to Video > Take Snapshot. An image of the current frame will be saved. in the folder configured in Preferences. You can also assign or use shortcuts like Shift + S and, if you customize it, alternative combinations for your system.

This method is very useful for extract reference images, prepare thumbnails or document a process without having to export the entire video.

Converting video and audio: profiles, encapsulation, and codecs

The VLC conversion window brings together everything needed to transform files. The key is to clearly define the entrance and exit.: add the original file, choose Convert/Save, select the profile and mark the destination with name and path.

Within the profile options you can choose the encapsulation (MP4/MOV, MKV, AVI, etc.). “Encapsulation” determines the container and, with it, which combination of codecs is most likely to work on your TV or mobile device.

In the Video and Audio Codec tabs you can activate and customize parameters. Adjust codec (e.g., H.264 or H.265), bitrate, resolution, and fps to balance quality and size. For audio, choose AAC, MP3, FLAC, or others, and define bitrate and channels, and if you detect desynchronization or audio delay in Windows 11 Check those settings.

When you want a specific result (for example, a small file to send via courier), part of a predefined profile and adjust the bitrate downwards; if you're looking for maximum quality, increase the bitrate or use a more efficient codec and leave more room for the final player's cache.

Streaming, Chromecast and sending to your TV

VLC has long allowed sending playback to external devices. Chromecast support was added starting with version 3.0This feature is still present in the current version and makes it easy to view your files on TV wirelessly.

Send from mobile

Open VLC on Android, connect to the same Wi-Fi as your Chromecast and tap the cast icon (the one with the waves on the screen). Select your Chromecast device In the list, once it's linked, choose the video or song you want to play. You'll see the combined VLC and Chromecast logo while the content is preparing, and in seconds, it will start playing on your TV.

To change the file, return to the VLC media list and select another one. The pause, fast forward, and volume controls They will continue to work from your mobile phone, without having to touch the TV remote.

Send from PC or Mac

On the desktop, go to the Playback menu > Renderer. By default, “Local” appears (Plays on your computer), but when you expand the menu, you'll see your Chromecast. Select it, and as soon as you press play, it will switch to your TV. If it doesn't detect anything, press "Search/Scan" and confirm that your PC/Mac and Chromecast are sharing the same Wi-Fi network.

Although the VLC window on your computer may turn black when you cast to Chromecast, You can continue to control playback From there: pause, resume, move the bar or change tracks.

Stream from the Chrome browser

If you want to send your screen or a specific file from the browser, open Chrome, go to the three-dot menu and choose "Cast". Select your TV or ChromecastIn the "Sources" section, decide whether to share a tab, your entire desktop, or a file. Then, open VLC and play the content; the image will be transmitted to your TV through your browser.

When you don't have a Chromecast

If your TV doesn't support Chromecast, there are alternatives. Duplicating tools like AirDroid Cast These apps allow you to mirror your screen from Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, or iOS to your TV. It's not the same as native screen mirroring, but it's a handy way to watch a VLC video wirelessly. The classic option, of course, is an HDMI cable.

Advanced settings: cache, video output and codec information

For network transmissions to run smoothly, caching is important. A larger network cache It allows VLC to "prepare" more data before playback, reducing stuttering and freezing, especially in long or high-resolution videos.

In Tools > Preferences > Input/Codecs you will find the field “Network cache (ms)”. Increase the value above the default. (For example, from 300 ms to more generous figures depending on your network). Save, restart VLC, and test the same content to notice the difference.

If you notice graphical incompatibilities or black screens in Windows, change the output module. Select “DirectX Video Output (DirectDraw)” in the Video tab of Preferences. This change usually resolves conflicts with certain drivers or with OpenGL, including the VK_ERROR_DEVICE_LOST error.

To diagnose files, go to Tools > Codec Information. VLC will display the container and the video and audio codecs. In use, with data such as resolution, fps, bitrate, and channeling. It's perfect for knowing what to convert to if you're looking for compatibility with a specific device.

Troubleshooting common streaming problems

If online playback fails or the screen goes black, don't worry. These checks usually fix it without complicating your life:

• Update VLCHelp > Check for updates. This will fix bugs and improve compatibility.
• Expand network cache: Increase the value in Input/Codecs or use “Show more options” when opening a stream.
• Change the video output: Test DirectX (DirectDraw) on Windows if there are artifacts or a black screen.
• Single networkConfirm that your device and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network. If it doesn't appear, tap "Search/Scan".

If the buffering doesn't improve despite everything, check the wireless signal or Switch to wired connection on the broadcasting device; you'll notice an instant improvement in stability.

Frequently asked questions about sending VLC to TV

Can VLC be streamed to a TV? Yes. On a PC or Mac, use Playback > Renderer and choose your Chromecast to cast the content. On mobile, tap the cast icon within the app.

Why isn't my Chromecast showing up? This is usually because they are on different networks or because the device does not respond to the scan. Make sure to share Wi-Fi and repeats “Search/Scan”.

How do I send VLC from the browser? In Chrome, open the menu and tap “Cast”. Select the source (file, tab or desktop) and the destination device.

Can I run VLC on Roku? The app does not natively cast to Roku. The alternative is to duplicate the screen with third-party tools to view VLC there.

And what about a Samsung TV? If you have Chromecast (built-in or external), cast as usual from Renderer. If not, use HDMI for maximum compatibility.

A bonus for creators: easy editing with Filmora

Editing before playback makes all the difference. If you're looking for something easy to use with no learning curve, Wondershare filmora It offers a clear interface and all the basic tools are readily available.

The beauty of Filmora is that it integrates advanced features into an accessible environment: motion tracking, color matching, keyframesPrecise cuts, transitions, effects, and audio handling that solves the usual problems without getting bogged down.

With an affordable license, Filmora is a strong contender when it comes to polishing your videos. before viewing or sharing them with VLC. If you create content frequently and don't want to complicate things, it's an option well worth considering.

Mastering VLC puts you ahead: with well-organized playlists, filters tailored to your needs, optimized conversions, and seamless Chromecast streaming, Your media library comes to life.By implementing some caching practices, using capture shortcuts, and ensuring proper conversion, you'll have a smooth experience on both your computer and TV, without relying on external solutions and with complete control over quality and compatibility. If, after reading all this, you'd like to download it, here it is. official Web.