.. _tips_and_tricks: ############# Tips & Tricks ############# Here are some amazing VLC Tricks & Hidden Features which will help to take your VLC experience to a totally new level. ****************************** Converting a Media File Format ****************************** VLC can convert media files from one format to another. To do that, follow the steps below: 1. Select :menuselection:`Media --> Convert/Save`. The :guilabel:`Open` media dialog window appears. 2. Click :guilabel:`Add`. After you do that, a file selection dialog window appears. 3. Select the file you want to convert and click :guilabel:`Open`. The :guilabel:`Convert` dialog window appears. 4. In the :guilabel:`Destination` file text box, indicate the path and file name where you want to store the converted file. 5. From the :guilabel:`Profile` drop-down, select a conversion profile. 6. Click :guilabel:`Start`. .. figure:: /static/images/interface/Basic_interface_convert.png :align: center ********************* Streaming Media Files ********************* To stream over a network with VLC, go to :menuselection:`Media menu --> Stream` .. figure:: /static/images/tipsandtricks/stream.PNG :align: center In the :guilabel:`Open Media` dialog, select the media (such as a file, a network stream, a disk or a capture device) you want to stream. .. figure:: /static/images/tipsandtricks/open_media.PNG :align: center After you've choosen your prefered media file, click on the :guilabel:`Stream` button to display the :guilabel:`Stream Output`. .. figure:: /static/images/tipsandtricks/stream_output.PNG :align: center The :guilabel:`Stream Output` displays the media source you selected so click :guilabel:`Next` to continue. .. figure:: /static/images/tipsandtricks/destination_setup.PNG :align: center The following streaming methods are available for use with VLC: :term:`Display locally`, :term:`File` :term:`HTTP`, :term:`MS-WMSP (MMSH)`, :term:`UDP`, :term:`RTP` and :term:`IceCast`. The most common way is via :term:`HTTP`. To stream via :guilabel:`HTTP`, choose :guilabel:`HTTP` from the drop down as a "New Destination" and click :guilabel:`Add` to implement your change. Then press :guilabel:`Next` to continue. This process also applies to other streaming methods. After you click Next, a dialog box of transcoding options would be displayed on your screem. Go ahead and select a transcoding profile that fits the codecs and access method of your stream (such as MPEG-TS, MPEG-PS, MPEG-1, Ogg, Raw, ASF, AVI, MP4 and MOV) and click the :guilabel:`Next` button to continue. .. figure:: /static/images/tipsandtricks/transcoding_options.PNG :align: center Finally, set up any additonal options for streaming then click on :guilabel:`Stream` to start streaming. .. figure:: /static/images/tipsandtricks/miscellaneous_options.PNG :align: center ************* Jigsaw Puzzle ************* Interestingly, VLC allows you to play the Jigsaw puzzle with the screens from any movie of your choice. Follow the steps below to get started: 1. Go to :menuselection:`Tools --> Effects and Filters`. 2. On the dialog box, click on the :menuselection:`Video Effects --> Geometry` tab. 3. You will find :guilabel:`Puzzle Game` close to a check box. 4. Click on the check box and choose the number of columns and rows that you want and press :guilabel:`Close` to save the newly made changes. 5. If you were already playing a video, the video will automatically change to Jigsaw puzzle for you to play. If you were not playing a video before enabling this feature, open a video file and the video will automatically be displayed in the Jigsaw puzzle format as seen in the screenshot below. .. figure:: /static/images/tipsandtricks/jigsawpuzzle.PNG :align: center Feel free to play the Jigsaw puzzle while watching any video of your choice. *************** Take A Snapshot *************** Ever need to take a snapshot of a video you are watching? VLC has a way to do so. Simply use the shortcut :kbd:`Shift+S` on Windows and Linux or :kbd:`Cmd+Alt+S` on macOS. The image is captured in the .png picture format and is saved in the :file:`C:\\My Pictures` folder by default (:file:`C:\\Users\\Username\\Pictures`). .. figure:: /static/images/tipsandtricks/snapshot.PNG :align: center