Command linux vlc: A Complete Guide to Using VLC on Linux

vlc [options] [file|URL|playlist]

- options: These are the various parameters or flags you can use to modify how VLC behaves. - file: The file or media you want to play. - URL: If you want to stream from a URL, you can specify the link here. - playlist: If you have a playlist of media files, you can provide that as input.

Commonly Used Command linux vlc Examples

Now that we have a general understanding of what the vlc command is and how it works, let’s look at some of the most common command linux vlc examples that will help you make the most of VLC on your Linux system.

1. Playing a Media File

Playing a single media file with VLC is very simple. Just provide the path to the file as an argument to the vlc command. For example, if you want to play a video file named "example.mp4", the command will look like this:

vlc example.mp4

This command will launch VLC and start playing the specified file. You can replace "example.mp4" with the path to any media file on your system.

2. Playing Multiple Files

VLC also allows you to play multiple files at once. You just need to provide a list of files as arguments, like so:

vlc example1.mp4 example2.mp4 example3.mp4

This will open VLC and start playing all the files in the order they were listed. VLC will automatically queue up the next file once the previous one finishes playing.

3. Streaming Media from a URL

One of the great features of VLC is the ability to stream media from the internet. You can easily do this by passing a URL as an argument. For example, if you want to stream a video from a website, you can use the following command:

vlc https://www.example.com/video.mp4

VLC will open the URL and begin streaming the media. You can use this method for any type of online media, whether it’s video, audio, or a live stream.

4. Playing a Playlist

If you have a playlist file, such as an M3U or PLS file, you can open the entire playlist with the following command:

vlc playlist.m3u

Simply replace playlist.m3u with the path to your playlist file. This will open VLC and start playing all the media files listed in the playlist sequentially.

5. Adjusting Volume from the Command Line

Another useful feature of the vlc command is the ability to adjust the volume directly from the terminal. You can do this using the --volume option, which accepts a value from 0 to 512 (where 256 is the default volume). For example, to set the volume to 80%, you can use the following command:

vlc --volume 204 example.mp4

In this example, VLC will play "example.mp4" at 80% of the maximum volume.

6. Running VLC in the Background

If you don’t want to keep the VLC window open while playing a file or stream, you can run VLC in the background. This is especially useful for automation or when you want to keep your terminal free for other tasks. Use the nohup command along with & to send VLC to the background:

nohup vlc example.mp4 &

This will start playing "example.mp4" in the background, and you’ll be able to continue using your terminal for other tasks.

7. Customizing VLC Behavior with Preferences

VLC offers a wide range of options to customize its behavior, such as modifying video output, audio settings, or even the default interface. You can set these options through the terminal when launching VLC. For example, to play a video with a specific video output option, you can use the --vout option:

vlc --vout x11 example.mp4

This command will play "example.mp4" using the X11 video output driver. There are many more options available, and you can explore them in the VLC documentation.

8. Closing VLC After Playback

If you want VLC to automatically close once it finishes playing the media, you can use the --play-and-exit option:

vlc --play-and-exit example.mp4

VLC will close itself after the media finishes playing. This is especially useful for automation or scripting purposes.

Conclusion

The command linux vlc is a powerful and versatile tool for controlling VLC from the terminal. It allows you to play media files, stream content, adjust volume, manage playlists, and even automate media playback tasks. Whether you're a casual user or a power user, VLC's command-line interface offers flexibility and control over your media experience.

By using the examples and commands outlined in this article, you can unlock the full potential of VLC on Linux. So next time you’re working in the terminal, don’t forget to try out the vlc command for all your media-playing needs!