How do I set the format VLC media player uses when recording?

How do I set the format VLC media player uses when recording?

I am getting giant AVIs which nobody can open (except VLC player itself).

Example MPC-HC output:

MPC AVI Source::Video 0
Media Type 0:
--------------------------
Video: RV32 1920x1080 11.999fps
AM_MEDIA_TYPE:
majortype: MEDIATYPE_Video {73646976-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71}
subtype: Unknown GUID Name {32335652-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71}
formattype: FORMAT_VideoInfo {05589F80-C356-11CE-BF01-00AA0055595A}
bFixedSizeSamples: 1
bTemporalCompression: 0
lSampleSize: 1572864
cbFormat: 88

3 Answers

You cannot change the format of the record button. The record button saves the file as VLC receives it, so AVI is saved as AVI and MPEG is saved as MPEG etc.

Here's all about the record button .

I am not sure what options you are using to record, or from what source, but it appears in your case that VLC is recording raw uncompressed video.

To record in different formats i.e. to encode the video and/or audio while recording, you can do the following (for VLC on Windows, but the solution should be cross platform)

1. Go to Media -> Convert/Save or Ctrl+R.
2. Select the source you want to use: File, Disc, Network Stream, Input Device etc.
3. Click on the Convert/Save button.
4. Select a Destination file, and a Profile (the codec). The default profile should be fine.
5. Click Start to start recording.

The resulting file should be suitably compressed (i.e. not gigantic) and open in any compatible player.

The procedure described by @peanut_butter is basically correct.

For recording the screen, see this article for detailed instructions:Use VLC Media Player As Screen Capture & Recording Software.

You need to first choose the menu option View → Advanced Controls.

To record the screen:

• Choose menu Media → Open capture device
• Set Capture mode to Desktop
• On the Play button, click the down arrow and choose Convert
• Browse for a destination file (a new file, not existing)
• Press Start and recording will start
• To pause, press Pause in the Advanced Controls
• To continue recording, press Play in the Advanced Controls
• To stop recording, press Stop in the Advanced Controls and save the destination file.

Repeat this procedure for a new recording (with a new destination file).