How To Batch Convert Media Files Using VLC Player Converter Tool

VLC media player is a popular, free, and open-source cross-platform multimedia player that can play most audio and video formats. While it is mainly known as a media player, VLC also has some basic video conversion capabilities that allow you to batch convert media files.

Why Use VLC for Batch Video Conversion

Here are some of the key reasons why VLC player can be a good option for batch media conversion:

  • Free and open source – Since VLC is free to download and use, it provides a no-cost way to convert your videos without any limitations or watermarks.
  • Supports most formats – VLC can handle conversion between a wide variety of common media formats including MP4, AVI, MKV, FLV, MOV, MP3, and more.
  • Easy to use – The conversion process is straightforward with just a few clicks. Useful for basic conversions.
  • Cross-platform – VLC works on Windows, Mac, Linux, ChromeOS allowing you to convert videos on multiple operating systems.

However, VLC also has some limitations when it comes to batch video conversion:

  • Limited output format options – Only allows converting to MP4, Ogg, TS, WebM and a few other formats.
  • Basic conversion settings – Provides very few adjustment options for the output video.
  • Slower conversions – Encoding can be quite slow especially for longer videos.

So while VLC is handy for basic batch conversions, you may want to use a dedicated video converter software for more advanced needs.

Step-by-Step Guide to Batch Convert Videos with VLC

Follow these simple steps to convert multiple video files in bulk using VLC:

1. Install and Open VLC Player

If you don’t already have VLC media player installed, head over to videolan.org and download the latest version for your operating system.

Once installed, launch VLC player on your computer.

2. Add Videos for Conversion

In VLC, go to Media > Open Multiple Files or press Ctrl + Shift + O to open the file selection dialog box.

Click Add and browse to the video files you want to convert and select them. You can add as many files as you want for batch conversion.

VLC Add Files for Conversion

3. Specify Output Format

After adding files, click the dropdown next to Play button at the bottom and select Convert.

In the Profile section, choose the desired output format for the conversion such as MP4, AVI, MP3, etc.

VLC Choose Output Format

4. Select Output Folder

Click Browse next to Destination to choose where you want the converted files to be saved.

I recommend selecting a different folder than the original files to avoid overwriting them.

5. Start Batch Conversion

Once the output format and destination have been set, press Start to begin batch converting multiple video files.

The conversion progress will be displayed in the player timeline. Wait for the process to complete.

VLC Video Conversion in Progress

The converted files with the new selected format will be saved to your chosen destination folder.

And that’s it! The easy built-in batch conversion feature makes VLC player a handy basic video converter.

Best Practices for Batch Conversion with VLC

Follow these tips to ensure the VLC batch conversion runs smoothly:

  • For long conversions, keep VLC open during the entire process or it may fail halfway.
  • The conversion speed depends on your computer hardware and length & resolution of source videos.
  • On slower computers, limit the number of files added for conversion at once.
  • Avoid extreme compression during conversion to prevent quality loss in output videos.
  • Back up original files before conversion in case something goes wrong.

Using the methods outlined in this article, you can batch convert all your media files to common formats with VLC media player.

Alternative Tools for Batch Video Processing

While functional for basic conversions, VLC player lacks deeper customization options for advanced video processing that dedicated converter software can provide.

Here are some good batch video converter alternatives to VLC:

These tools allow high quality output, faster conversion speeds, detailed parameter tuning, post-conversion editing, and much more compared to VLC.

So I recommend using VLC for simple everyday video conversions, and the software mentioned above for more advanced batch processing needs.

Conclusion

While primarily a media player, VLC’s built-in converter provides a quick and hassle-free option to batch convert your media files to common formats like MP4, AVI, MP3 for free.

I hope this step-by-step tutorial helped you learn how to convert multiple audio and video files in bulk using VLC player. Share any feedback or questions you have in the comments!