Table of Contents
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.
Windows users have to use the --option-name="value" syntax instead of the --option-name value syntax.
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.
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.
The following commands start VLC and start reading the given element(s)
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 VLC features list.
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]]
To receive an unicast UDP stream (sent by VLS or VLC's stream output), start VLC with:
%
vlc udp:[@:server_port]
If you use the default port (1234), vlc udp:
will do. For more information, look at the Streaming Howto
To receive an multicast UDP stream (sent by VLS or VLC's stream output), start VLC with:
%
vlc udp:@multicast_address[:server_port]
To receive a SSM (source specific multicast) stream, you can use:
%
vlc udp:server_address@multicast_address[:server_port]
This only works on OSs that support SSM (Windows XP and recent Linux kernels)
To receive a HTTP stream, start VLC with :
%
vlc http://www.example.org/your_file.mpg
To receive a RTSP stream, start VLC with:
%
vlc rtsp://www.example.org/your_stream
VLC always try 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
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 Streaming Howto.
--noaudio disables audio output.
--mono forces VLC to treat the stream in mono audio.
--volume <integer> sets the level of audio output (between 0 and 1024)
--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 spatialization) and normalizer (volume normalizer)
--novideo disables video output.
--greyscale 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.
--zoom <float> adds a zoom factor.
--aspect-ratio <mode> forces source aspect ratio. Modes are 4x3, 16x9, ...
--spumargin <integer> forces SPU subtitles postion.
--filter <string> adds video filters to the processing chain. You can add several filters, separated by commas
--sout-transcode-sfilter <string> adds video subpictures filter to the processing chain.
--random plays files randomly forever.
--loop loops playlist on end.
--repeat repeats the current item until another item is forced
--play-and-stop stops the playlist after each played item.
--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.
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.
--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)
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)
These are the old style VLC filters. They only apply to on screen display and thus cannot be streamed.
Module name : deinterlace
--deinterlace-mode {discard,blend,mean,bob,linear} choose a deinterlacing mode.
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.
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.
Module name : transform
--transform-type {90,180,270,hflip,vflip} Select rotation angle or symmetry.
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.
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.
These are the new VLC filters. They can be streamed.
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.
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).
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).
You can move the logo by left-clicking on it.
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 Appendix B, Building pages for the HTTP interface.
Available pages are :
/index.html gives access to the playlist, allows you to add or delete items and to control playback.
/info.html gives you statistics and data about the usage of the server.
/admin/. This folder gives more power and is therefore protected by a login/password. The default couple is admin/admin. The passwords and users can be changed in the .access file in the VLC_directory/share/http/admin folder. (Each folder can be protected, see Appendix B, Building pages for the HTTP interface for more details).
/vlm/. This folder allows you to control the VideoLAN manager (VLM). The VLM allows you to stream several input streams with only one VLC instance. For more information about VLM, please look at the Streaming Howto.
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.
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.
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'
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).
This is a text interface, using ncurses library.
Start VLC with -I ncurses or --extraintf ncurses. You will then get something like that:
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.
You can set the filebrowser starting point by launching vlc with the --browse-dir option:
%
vlc -I ncurses --browse-dir /filebrowser/starting/point/
VLC can also be embedded in a web browser ! At the moment, this function is only available with Mozilla or Firefox.
You should already have the following lines in your
/etc/apt/sources.list
file, if you run Debian Woody:
deb http://download.videolan.org/pub/videolan/debian woody main deb-src http://download.videolan.org/pub/videolan/debian woody main
VLC's latest packaged version is always in the official Debian unstable branch. However you should still use our apt-get line if you need libdvdcss in its latest version:
deb http://download.videolan.org/pub/videolan/debian sid main deb-src http://download.videolan.org/pub/videolan/debian sid main
Install the mozilla-plugin-vlc package:
#
apt-get update
#
apt-get install mozilla-plugin-vlc
Quit Firefox or Mozilla
Copy the two files in VLC_Installation_folder\mozilla (usually C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC\mozilla) to your mozilla plugins directory (Usually C:\Program Files\Mozilla\plugins or C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\plugins).
Restart Firefox or Mozilla
Please look at the developers page for information on how to do this.
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.
Additionally to viewing video on all pages, you can build custom pages that will use the advanced features of the plugin, using Javascript functions to control playback or extract information from the plugin.
The vlc plugin supports the following function calls:
play() : Start playing media in the plugin.
pause() : Pause playback.
stop() : Stop media playback.
fullscreen() : Switch the video to full screen.
set_volume(vol) : Set the volume. vol has to be an int in the 0-200 range.
get_volume() : Get the current volume setting.
mute() : Toggle volume muting.
set_int_variable(var_name, value) :
set_bool_variable(var_name, value) :
set_str_variable(var_name, value) :
get_int_variable(var_name) :
get_bool_variable(var_name) :
get_str_variable(var_name) :
clear_playlist() : Clear the playlist.
add_item(mrl>) : Append an item whose location is given by the Media Resource Locator to the playlist.
next()
previous()
isplaying() : return true if the plugin is playing something.
get_length() : Get the media's length in seconds.
get_position() : Get the current position in the media in percent.
get_time() : Get the current position in the media in seconds.
seek(seconds,is_relative) : If is_relative is true, seek relatively to current time, else seek from beginning of the stream. Seek time is specified in seconds.
Here are a few examples of HTML pages that use the Mozilla plugin.
In this example, the plugin will read an HTTP stream inside the web page. If the user goes fullscreen, he will have to press f to go back in normal view.
<html> <head><title>Demo of VLC mozilla plugin</title></head> <body> <h1>Demo of VLC mozilla plugin - Example 1</h1> <embed type="application/x-vlc-plugin" name="video1" autoplay="no" loop="yes" width="400" height="300" target="http://server.example.org/video1.vob" /> <br /> <a href="javascript:;" onclick='document.video1.play()'>Play video1</a> <a href="javascript:;" onclick='document.video1.pause()'>Pause video1</a> <a href="javascript:;" onclick='document.video1.stop()'>Stop video1</a> <a href="javascript:;" onclick='document.video1.fullscreen()'>Fullscreen</a> </body> </html>
In this example, the plugin will read a multicast UDP stream in a dedicated video output window.
<html> <head><title>Demo of VLC mozilla plugin</title></head> <body> <h1>Demo of VLC mozilla plugin - Example 2</h1> <embed type="application/x-vlc-plugin" name="video2" autoplay="no" loop="no" hidden="yes" target="udp:@239.255.12.42" /> <br /> <a href="javascript:;" onclick='document.video2.play()'>Play video2</a> <a href="javascript:;" onclick='document.video2.stop()'>Stop video2</a> <a href="javascript:;" onclick='document.video2.fullscreen()'>Fullscreen</a> </body> </html>