We live in a world of vertical videos. From TikTok to Instagram Reels, our feeds are filled with content shot in portrait mode. But what happens when you try to watch these vertical videos in the traditional landscape format of your computer screen or TV? You're met with huge black bars on either side, a wasted space that makes the video feel cramped and awkward. Luckily, VLC player, a powerful and versatile media player, offers a simple solution to automatically resize these vertical videos.
Understanding the Problem of Vertical Videos
Vertical videos, by their very nature, present a challenge for playback on widescreen displays. They are meant to be consumed in portrait mode, but the vast majority of our screens are designed for landscape viewing. This mismatch leads to the appearance of those pesky black bars, which not only detract from the viewing experience but also leave you feeling like you're missing a significant portion of the content.
The issue stems from the discrepancy in aspect ratios. A typical landscape video, such as one filmed for a TV screen, has an aspect ratio of 16:9. This means that for every 16 units of width, there are 9 units of height. Vertical videos, on the other hand, typically have an aspect ratio of 9:16, meaning for every 9 units of width, there are 16 units of height. The two formats are incompatible, leading to the black bars.
Manual Workarounds: Not a Sustainable Solution
While manual adjustments like scaling the video or zooming in offer temporary fixes, they can be cumbersome and inconvenient, especially for viewers who want a seamless viewing experience. Imagine having to manually adjust the size of every vertical video you encounter - a daunting task, wouldn't you agree?
The good news is that VLC player provides a simple and automatic solution for resizing vertical videos. This means you can enjoy vertical content in its full glory, free from the annoyance of black bars and the need for constant manual adjustments.
Unleashing the Power of VLC Player: Automatic Resizing for Vertical Videos
VLC Player is a free and open-source media player renowned for its versatility and powerful features. It offers a simple but effective solution to automatically resize vertical videos. Here’s how you can make it work:
Step 1: Access VLC Player's Advanced Settings
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Open VLC Player: Launch VLC Player on your computer.
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Navigate to Tools: Click on “Tools” in the menu bar at the top of the VLC Player window.
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Select Preferences: From the drop-down menu, choose "Preferences."
Step 2: Configure Video Output for Optimal Resizing
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Choose “All”: In the "Preferences" window, make sure the "Show settings" option at the bottom is set to "All."
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Find Video: Locate the “Video” section.
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Select Output: Under "Output," you will see various video output options. Choose “DirectX (DirectDraw) video output” or "OpenGL video output," depending on your system's capabilities. These options are generally recommended for smoother playback.
Step 3: Enable "Fit Video" for Automatic Resizing
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Locate "Fit Video": Scroll down within the "Video" settings until you find the option "Fit Video."
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Check the Box: Tick the checkbox next to "Fit Video." This action tells VLC player to automatically resize the video to fit the entire screen.
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Save Changes: Click “Save” to apply these changes.
Enjoying Vertical Videos Without Black Bars
Now, when you play a vertical video in VLC player, the video will automatically resize to fit the entire screen, eliminating those distracting black bars. You'll experience a full-screen viewing experience designed to maximize your immersion and enjoyment of the content.
Why "Fit Video" is a Game-Changer
The "Fit Video" option in VLC player effectively adjusts the video's dimensions to fit the screen's dimensions. Imagine a vertical video as a rectangular piece of paper. The "Fit Video" option acts like a magic shrinking machine, resizing the paper to fit perfectly within your chosen frame. This happens without any distortion or loss of quality, ensuring you get the best possible viewing experience.
Other VLC Player Features to Enhance Your Vertical Video Viewing
VLC player is packed with features beyond automatic resizing. Here are a few more tips to elevate your vertical video watching experience:
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Looping: Tired of watching the same video clip over and over? Use VLC Player's looping feature to play your favorite vertical content endlessly. This is particularly helpful for short-form videos like those found on platforms like TikTok.
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Speed Control: Need to speed up a video to catch up on your favorite show or slow it down to better understand the content? VLC Player gives you control over playback speed, allowing you to customize your viewing experience according to your needs.
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Subtitles: VLC Player supports multiple subtitle formats, making it easy to watch vertical videos with captions or subtitles. This feature is particularly helpful for viewers who are hard of hearing or prefer to watch content with subtitles.
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Audio Equalizer: Fine-tune the audio output to your liking using VLC Player's built-in audio equalizer. This feature allows you to adjust the bass, treble, and other audio settings to enhance your listening experience.
Common Questions about VLC Player and Vertical Videos
1. Does VLC player automatically resize all videos?
No, VLC Player only automatically resizes videos when the "Fit Video" option is enabled.
2. How do I know if the "Fit Video" option is working?
You can tell if "Fit Video" is working by the absence of black bars on the sides of your video. The video should fill the entire screen.
3. Can I resize videos manually in VLC player?
Yes, you can use the zoom feature in VLC player to manually resize videos. However, the "Fit Video" option offers a more convenient and automatic solution.
4. What happens if my video has a different aspect ratio than my screen?
VLC Player will automatically resize the video to fit the screen, but there might be some slight cropping or stretching depending on the difference in aspect ratios.
5. Can I adjust the "Fit Video" setting for specific videos?
Unfortunately, the "Fit Video" setting applies to all videos played in VLC Player. You can't adjust it for individual videos.
The Future of Vertical Videos
Vertical video consumption is growing rapidly, driven by the popularity of social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. It's no surprise that more and more video content is being created specifically for portrait viewing. This means that vertical videos will become an increasingly prominent part of our online experiences.
As vertical videos gain further traction, we can expect to see more innovative solutions for viewing them. VLC Player is already a leader in offering a simple yet effective solution for automatic resizing. It's a testament to the player's flexibility and commitment to providing the best possible viewing experience for all types of video content.
Conclusion
We hope this guide has helped you understand how to easily resize vertical videos using VLC player. By enabling the "Fit Video" option, you can eliminate those distracting black bars and enjoy a full-screen experience.
VLC player is a powerful and versatile media player that offers a wide range of features to enhance your viewing experience. We encourage you to explore the features and settings available within the program to customize your viewing experience according to your preferences.
With VLC Player, watching vertical videos is a breeze. Say goodbye to black bars and hello to a seamless, immersive viewing experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I automatically resize horizontal videos with VLC Player?
No, the "Fit Video" option in VLC player primarily focuses on automatically resizing vertical videos. For horizontal videos, the player typically uses the video's native aspect ratio, resulting in black bars on top and bottom if the screen aspect ratio is different.
2. What if I'm using a different video player?
Many other video players, such as MPC-HC (Media Player Classic - Home Cinema), offer similar automatic resizing features. Look for settings related to video scaling or aspect ratio adjustments.
3. Does VLC player automatically rotate vertical videos?
No, VLC player does not automatically rotate videos. While you can manually rotate videos within the player, it doesn't automatically detect and rotate vertical videos.
4. Are there any other ways to watch vertical videos without black bars?
Yes, some websites and apps offer features to automatically resize vertical videos for optimal viewing. These options might be specific to the platform or service you're using.
5. Is VLC player the only free and open-source video player that supports automatic resizing?
While VLC player is a popular choice, other free and open-source media players, such as SMPlayer, also offer similar automatic resizing features.