How to Merge Video with VLC Media Player - Simple Guide
VLC Media Player is an open-source media player that can play almost all video or audio formats. It's popular because it's easy to use and works on different devices like Windows, Mac, and smartphones. Besides playing videos, VLC also has useful tools like the ability to merge videos. Merging videos with VLC means combining two or more video clips into a single file. This is helpful when creating one continuous video without using complex editing software. However, the merging process in VLC can sometimes be tricky. Some users face audio sync problems or difficulty combining different file formats. In this article, we'll walk you through the steps to merge video with VLC, explain common problems you might encounter, and provide simple solutions to make the process smoother.
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How to Combine Video Files in VLC
| Best For | Anyone needing a lightweight tool that works on multiple platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux). |
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Apart from being a media player, you can combine multiple videos into one VLC. However, it might be difficult since you need to use the VLC's command line. Also, when you merge multiple videos, you must ensure all the videos have the same format.
- VLC Command to Combine Two Videos - "vlc location" video1.mp4 video2.mp4 --sout "#gather:std{access=file,dst=final_file_name.mp4}" --sout-keep
- VLC Command to Merge Multiple Video Clips - "vlc location" file1.mp4 file2.mp4 file3.mp4 --sout "#gather:std{access=file,mux=ts,dst=all.ts}" --no-sout-all --sout-keep
Step 1. Download VLC
Firstly, visit the VLC Media Player's official website and download it. You can choose a download button that matches your operating system. After downloading, locate the setup file and install VLC by following all the prompts on your screen.
Step 2. Add Multiple Video Files
Go to the Media tab and select the Open Multiple Files option. From the pop-up window, locate the File tab and click the Add button to import all your videos. Once all videos have been added, tap the drop-down menu beside the Play button. Then, choose the Convert option, and another window will pop up.
Step 3. Start Converting the Videos
On the new window, choose your output file format (e.g., MP4) and select the destination folder where the merged video will be saved. Next, click the Start option to start the video merging process. Once complete, move the converted file into the same folder.
Step 4. Move Video Files in Same Folder
Next, move all the videos you want to merge into the same folder. Then, hold the Shift key on your keyboard and right-click on the new folder you created. After that, select the Open Command Window or Open Powershell Window option. Alternatively, go to your created video folder and click on the address line. Then, type CMD and hit Enter to open the Command Prompt window.
Step 5. Start VLC Merge Videos
On the command line, type the VLC command listed above and hit the Enter key. The merged video will automatically save where your source videos are. You can then check it and play it using VLC.
Common Problems When You Merge Videos in VLC
When you combine videos in VLC, you might face several issues that could complicate the process. Here are some common problems and how to address them:
- Different File Formats: If the videos in VLC are in different formats (e.g., MP4, AVI), you may encounter issues while merging. VLC works best when the video files are in the same format. To fix this, convert videos to the same format before combining them.
- Audio/Video Sync Issues: When you merge video in VLC, sometimes the audio doesn’t sync properly with the video after merging. This is usually a result of differences in frame rates or audio tracks between the video files. To fix VLC playback, after merging, use VLC’s Audio Sync Adjustment tool to fix the timing of the audio track manually.
- Video Codec Issues: VLC supports many codecs, but when there’s a video codec issue, you might find the merge videos not working correctly. Incompatible codecs can cause the video to play poorly or not at all. To fix this issue, convert MOV to MP4 using VLC’s video conversion options before merging them.
- Merging Fails or Stops Unexpectedly: Occasionally, VLC might stop merging midway or fail to complete the process. This can happen due to corrupted files or issues with VLC’s program files. The solution for this issue is to ensure that VLC is updated to the latest version and try to repair any corrupted video files before merging. Also, reinstall VLC if necessary to fix corrupted program files.
- Poor Video Quality: Sometimes, after merging, the output file suffers from reduced video quality. This can occur if the output format or codec chosen doesn’t match the original video’s quality settings. To address this issue, choose the highest quality settings during the video conversion process to maintain the original quality when you merge the videos.
- Multiple Video Tracks Missing: When you combine videos that contain multiple audio or subtitle tracks, VLC may fail to include all tracks in the merged file. This is due to limitations in how VLC handles merging different streams. To ensure all audio and subtitle tracks are preserved, use video editing software designed for multi-track handling, as VLC’s capabilities in this area are limited.
The error of VLC merge videos not working can occur due to an outdated VLC player, audio-video codecs, or corruption in the video file.
Best Way to Merge Video Clips
| Best For | Users who want to create polished, professional-looking videos without the need for complex editing software.. |
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Since there are a lot of issues when you combine videos using VLC, we recommend that you find a better video merger. In that case, why don’t you try AceThinker Wind Cut? It is a video editing software with advanced editing features that help you create eye-catching videos. Also, you can use its variety of visual effects that you can apply in every video clip. These are 40 amazing filters, over 50 dynamic transitions, more than 60 motion graphics, and 20+ overlays. Furthermore, this VLC alternative tool won’t disappoint you in terms of editing features. You can trim, cut, split, edit audio, adjust brightness, combine videos, and many more. In fact, with the help of its editing panel, you can combine videos easily! Not only that, but it also provides numerous output formats like MP4, AVI, WMV, MOV, and more with up to 1080p resolution. Moreover, this tool is easy to use and beginner-friendly, making it advantageous with VLC. So what are you waiting for? Use AceThinker Wind Cut to merge videos instead of VLC!
Step 1. Get the AceThinker Wind Cut
Click the download button above to initiate downloading the Acethinker Wind Cut installer file. Then, follow the on-screen wizard prompts to proceed to the installation process. Once the installation is complete, the tool will launch automatically.
Step 2. Import Local Videos
On the main interface, click New Project to go to the editing panel. From there, click the Import option and select the video files you want to merge. Then, click the Open button to import the multiple files selected earlier on the tool.
Step 3. Start Turning Multiple Videos into One Video
Drag the uploaded original videos onto the timeline panel. Then, the videos will already be combined; all you have to do is insert effects to have smooth transitions. Also, you can cut, split, or turn horizontal videos into vertical videos, or you can add subtitles if you want to. Once you are satisfied with the merged videos, click the Export button.
Step 4. Export the Merged Video
On the Export window, rename the video and choose a designated folder or create a new folder to save the combined video. Then, select your target format from the list of popular video formats and tick the quality you prefer. Once done, hit the Export button again to save. Finally, you can locate the file and play it to check if it's okay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can join video with VLC while maintaining good quality. Still, it depends on the settings you choose during the merging process. Select the appropriate output format to keep the original video file quality and avoid re-encoding if possible. Also, ensure the videos you’re merging are in the same format and codec to avoid quality loss.
Yes, VLC is a solid video converter that supports various formats. It allows you to convert between different file types and adjust settings like codec, resolution, and bitrate. While VLC excels at basic video conversion tasks, it may not have the advanced editing features of dedicated video conversion software.
There are a few reasons why your VLC merge video process may fail:
- The video formats are incompatible.
- There is a video codec issue.
- Corrupted video files could be causing the problem.
To resolve this, try converting all your files to the same format and codec before merging them.
Final Thoughts
Merging videos with VLC is a handy feature, especially if you want a free and straightforward way to combine video clips. While VLC Media Player is primarily known for playing video and audio files, its merging capabilities are useful when you don't want to use complicated video editing software. However, the process can be tricky due to audio sync problems, video codec mismatches, or file format compatibility. To avoid these, ensure your videos are in the same format and codec before merging. For basic merging tasks, VLC gets the job done. Still, suppose you're looking for more advanced features and ease of use. In that case, you should explore dedicated video editing software like AceThinker Wind Cut.
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