How to Increase Video Quality in VLC
VLC Media Player is a versatile and widely-used media player that supports a wide range of video formats. However, the default video quality settings may not always provide the best viewing experience. In this article, we will discuss various methods to increase video quality in VLC Media Player, ensuring that you enjoy your favorite videos with clarity and detail.
1. Adjusting the Video Resolution
One of the simplest ways to enhance video quality in VLC is by adjusting the video resolution. You can do this by following these steps:
1. Open VLC Media Player and load the video you want to watch.
2. Go to the ‘Tools’ menu and select ‘Preferences’.
3. In the ‘Preferences’ window, navigate to the ‘Video’ tab.
4. Under the ‘Video Output’ section, click on the ‘Advanced’ button.
5. In the ‘Video Filter’ dropdown menu, select ‘Direct3D Video Output’.
6. In the ‘Direct3D Video Output’ settings, increase the ‘Base Resolution’ value to the desired resolution (e.g., 1080p, 4K).
7. Click ‘Apply’ and then ‘Close’ to save the changes.
2. Enabling Hardware Acceleration
VLC supports hardware acceleration, which can significantly improve video quality and reduce CPU usage. To enable hardware acceleration, follow these steps:
1. Open VLC Media Player and load the video you want to watch.
2. Go to the ‘Tools’ menu and select ‘Preferences’.
3. In the ‘Preferences’ window, navigate to the ‘Video’ tab.
4. Under the ‘Video Output’ section, check the ‘Use hardware acceleration when available’ option.
5. Select the appropriate hardware acceleration option (e.g., DXVA2, VAAPI) based on your graphics card.
6. Click ‘Apply’ and then ‘Close’ to save the changes.
3. Using External Filters
VLC allows you to use external filters to enhance video quality. These filters can be installed and configured through the VLC extension manager. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open VLC Media Player and load the video you want to watch.
2. Go to the ‘Tools’ menu and select ‘Extensions’.
3. In the ‘Extensions’ window, click on the ‘Manage extensions’ button.
4. In the ‘Manage extensions’ window, click on the ‘Install’ button and search for video quality enhancement filters (e.g., x264, x265).
5. Once you find a suitable filter, click ‘Install’ and follow the on-screen instructions.
6. After installing the filter, go back to the ‘Extensions’ window and click on the ‘Open’ button next to the filter you installed.
7. Configure the filter settings according to your preferences and click ‘OK’.
4. Adjusting the Aspect Ratio
The aspect ratio of a video can also affect its perceived quality. VLC allows you to adjust the aspect ratio to match the video’s original aspect ratio. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open VLC Media Player and load the video you want to watch.
2. Go to the ‘Tools’ menu and select ‘Preferences’.
3. In the ‘Preferences’ window, navigate to the ‘Video’ tab.
4. Under the ‘Video Filter’ section, check the ‘Enable aspect ratio correction’ option.
5. Click ‘Apply’ and then ‘Close’ to save the changes.
By following these steps, you can significantly improve video quality in VLC Media Player. Enjoy your enhanced viewing experience!