Convert Audio and Video with VLC

I’ve been using VLC as an alternate media player for probably around a year now, but there is one feature that I had never noticed before, and that is the audio and video conversion feature.  Usually I use another program like Winff to convert my audio and video files, but if I happen to have VLC open, then I can just use that to do the conversion.  It’s really easy, and I’ll show you how to do it below.

1. First open your media file that you want to convert in VLC.
2. Now, pause the playback.
3. Click on File>Wizard…
4. A new window will open.  Make sure you select “Transcode/Save to file.”  Click Next.
   
5. Now, you will want to select “Existing playlist item” and it will show you your current media file in the box below.  Click Next.
   
6. Now, depending on if you are converting a video file or audio file you will need to select the correct option.  In the screenshot below, I’m showing the audio option with MP3 selected.  You can also choose to set the bitrate higher or lower.  Click Next.
   
7. You’ll now have to choose the Encapsulation format, which I just leave at the default, but if you know more about it then choose whatever you want.  Click Next.
   
8. Now, you’ll have to choose where to save the file.  Then when you are done, click finish.

Knowing this has really helped me to make quick media file conversions.  It’s a nice little feature of VLC that I don’t think is really well known.  If you have any questions, please post them in the comments below.