Are you looking for a way to play multiple videos simultaneously in VLC media player? Do you want to compare two videos or watch a video with its subtitles or commentary side by side? Look no further! In this article, we will show you how to play videos side by side in VLC, a feature that can be incredibly useful for various purposes.
Why Play Videos Side by Side in VLC?
Before we dive into the tutorial, let’s explore some scenarios where playing videos side by side in VLC can be beneficial:
- Comparing videos: If you’re a video editor or a content creator, you might want to compare two versions of a video to see the differences. Playing them side by side in VLC allows you to do just that.
- Watching videos with subtitles or commentary: If you’re watching a video with subtitles or commentary, playing them side by side can enhance your viewing experience. You can watch the video on one side and read the subtitles or listen to the commentary on the other.
- Multimedia presentations: If you’re creating a multimedia presentation, playing videos side by side in VLC can add an extra layer of engagement to your presentation.
How to Play Videos Side by Side in VLC
Playing videos side by side in VLC is a relatively straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Method 1: Using the “Snapshot” Feature
The “Snapshot” feature in VLC allows you to take a snapshot of a video and display it alongside the original video. Here’s how to use it:
- Open VLC media player and play the first video.
- Click on “Video” in the top menu bar and select “Snapshot” from the drop-down menu.
- In the “Snapshot” window, select the snapshot format (e.g., PNG, JPEG, etc.) and the snapshot directory.
- Click on “Take Snapshot” to take a snapshot of the current video frame.
- Open the second video in VLC and play it.
- Click on “Video” in the top menu bar and select “Snapshot” from the drop-down menu again.
- In the “Snapshot” window, select the same snapshot format and directory as before.
- Click on “Take Snapshot” to take a snapshot of the current video frame.
- VLC will display the two snapshots side by side.
Method 2: Using the “Wall” Feature
The “Wall” feature in VLC allows you to play multiple videos in a grid layout. Here’s how to use it:
- Open VLC media player and play the first video.
- Click on “Video” in the top menu bar and select “Wall” from the drop-down menu.
- In the “Wall” window, select the number of rows and columns you want to display.
- Click on “Add” to add the second video to the wall.
- VLC will display the two videos side by side in a grid layout.
Method 3: Using the “Panoramic” Feature
The “Panoramic” feature in VLC allows you to play multiple videos in a panoramic layout. Here’s how to use it:
- Open VLC media player and play the first video.
- Click on “Video” in the top menu bar and select “Panoramic” from the drop-down menu.
- In the “Panoramic” window, select the panoramic mode (e.g., side by side, top and bottom, etc.).
- Click on “Add” to add the second video to the panoramic layout.
- VLC will display the two videos side by side in a panoramic layout.
Tips and Tricks
Here are some tips and tricks to enhance your experience when playing videos side by side in VLC:
- Use the “Sync” feature: If you’re playing two videos side by side, you can use the “Sync” feature to synchronize the playback of both videos. To do this, click on “Tools” in the top menu bar and select “Sync” from the drop-down menu.
- Adjust the video settings: You can adjust the video settings, such as the brightness, contrast, and saturation, to enhance the viewing experience. To do this, click on “Tools” in the top menu bar and select “Effects and Filters” from the drop-down menu.
- Use the “Snapshot” feature to take screenshots: You can use the “Snapshot” feature to take screenshots of the videos playing side by side. To do this, click on “Video” in the top menu bar and select “Snapshot” from the drop-down menu.
Common Issues and Solutions
Here are some common issues you might encounter when playing videos side by side in VLC, along with their solutions:
- Videos not playing in sync: If the videos are not playing in sync, try using the “Sync” feature to synchronize the playback.
- Videos not displaying correctly: If the videos are not displaying correctly, try adjusting the video settings or using a different panoramic mode.
- VLC crashing: If VLC crashes when playing videos side by side, try updating VLC to the latest version or disabling any unnecessary plugins.
Conclusion
Playing videos side by side in VLC is a powerful feature that can enhance your viewing experience and provide new ways to compare and analyze videos. By following the methods outlined in this article, you can play videos side by side in VLC and take advantage of this feature. Whether you’re a video editor, a content creator, or just a casual viewer, playing videos side by side in VLC is a great way to experience multimedia content.
What is the purpose of playing videos side by side in VLC?
Playing videos side by side in VLC allows users to compare two videos simultaneously, which can be useful for various purposes such as comparing different versions of a video, analyzing sports techniques, or comparing before-and-after results of video editing. This feature can also be helpful for content creators who want to compare their video with a reference video or a video from another creator.
By playing videos side by side, users can easily identify differences, similarities, and patterns between the two videos, which can be difficult to notice when watching them separately. This feature can also save time and effort by allowing users to compare videos in real-time, rather than switching back and forth between two separate video players.
How do I play videos side by side in VLC?
To play videos side by side in VLC, you need to open two instances of the VLC media player and then use the “Snapshot” feature to split the screen into two parts. Alternatively, you can use the “Wallpaper” feature to play one video as the background and the other video as the foreground. You can also use the “Video Effects” feature to split the screen into two parts and play two videos simultaneously.
Once you have opened two instances of VLC, you can use the “Window” menu to select the “Snapshot” or “Wallpaper” option. Then, you can use the “Video Effects” feature to adjust the size and position of the two videos. You can also use the “Hotkeys” feature to switch between the two videos and adjust the volume and playback settings.
What are the system requirements for playing videos side by side in VLC?
To play videos side by side in VLC, your computer should meet the minimum system requirements for running VLC media player. These requirements include a 1 GHz processor, 512 MB of RAM, and a graphics card that supports DirectX 9 or later. You should also have a compatible operating system such as Windows, macOS, or Linux.
In addition to the minimum system requirements, it is recommended to have a faster processor, more RAM, and a better graphics card to ensure smooth playback of two videos simultaneously. You should also have a high-resolution monitor to display the two videos clearly.
Can I play videos side by side in VLC on a Mac?
Yes, you can play videos side by side in VLC on a Mac. The process is similar to playing videos side by side on a Windows computer. You need to open two instances of VLC media player and then use the “Snapshot” or “Wallpaper” feature to split the screen into two parts. You can also use the “Video Effects” feature to adjust the size and position of the two videos.
To play videos side by side on a Mac, you need to have a compatible version of VLC media player installed on your computer. You should also have a Mac with a compatible operating system such as macOS High Sierra or later. Additionally, you should have a graphics card that supports Metal or OpenGL to ensure smooth playback of two videos simultaneously.
How do I adjust the size and position of the two videos in VLC?
To adjust the size and position of the two videos in VLC, you can use the “Video Effects” feature. This feature allows you to split the screen into two parts and adjust the size and position of each video. You can also use the “Hotkeys” feature to switch between the two videos and adjust the volume and playback settings.
To access the “Video Effects” feature, you need to go to the “Tools” menu and select “Effects and Filters.” Then, you can select the “Video Effects” tab and adjust the size and position of each video. You can also use the “Preview” feature to preview the changes before applying them.
Can I record the playback of two videos side by side in VLC?
Yes, you can record the playback of two videos side by side in VLC. To do this, you need to use the “Record” feature in VLC. This feature allows you to record the playback of a video and save it to a file. You can also use the “Streaming” feature to stream the playback of two videos side by side to a remote location.
To access the “Record” feature, you need to go to the “Media” menu and select “Open Capture Device.” Then, you can select the “Record” option and choose the file format and location where you want to save the recorded video. You can also use the “Streaming” feature to stream the playback of two videos side by side to a remote location.
Are there any limitations to playing videos side by side in VLC?
Yes, there are some limitations to playing videos side by side in VLC. One limitation is that you can only play two videos simultaneously. Another limitation is that you need to have a compatible graphics card to ensure smooth playback of two videos simultaneously. Additionally, playing videos side by side can consume more system resources than playing a single video, which can affect the performance of your computer.
To overcome these limitations, you can use other video players that support playing multiple videos simultaneously. You can also use video editing software to combine two videos into a single video. Additionally, you can use hardware acceleration to improve the performance of your computer when playing videos side by side.