How to Decode Video With a VLC Media Player
By Joshua Bailey
There are many different media players that do a wonderful job of decoding all the different formats of video files available, but you'll have to do a lot of extra downloading to get them working perfectly. VLC software, on the other hand, works out-of-the-box with no extra downloading.
Step 1
Download and install VLC Media Player from the resource section of this guide. VLC is free software, so avoid sites that charge you to download it.
Step 2
Open the program after you install it. During the installation, the setup wizard created a desktop icon for you to be able to access the program quicker than going through the program menu. Double-click the desktop icon and VLC will load.
Step 3
Click “File” from the top left side of the menu and click “Open File” from the list of options. A new window will give you access to your computer’s file system. If your video file is located on your computer, search for it and select it. Click the “Open” button and it will begin to play in VLC. If your video file is not located on your computer, transfer it over or connect the device in which it is stored on. Browse to the drive where it is and select it. Click “Open” to play it with VLC.
Step 4
Control VLC media player with the DVD-player-like controls at the bottom of the screen. The buttons consist of play, pause, fast-forward, rewind and stop. When you finished viewing your video, click the "Stop" button or click the "X" at the top right of the program window.
Tips
- Double-click the screen while playing a video for a fullscreen view.
Writer Bio
Joshua Bailey resides in Pennsylvania and has been a professional writer since 2007. His writing focuses on topics in film, entertainment, music and religion. Bailey has been published on eHow and has written numerous articles for three universities. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in business and creative writing from Moravian College.