Creative VLC Playlists

Among the many features VLC brings to your Mac HTPC is the ability to create and save video playlists to control playback of more than one file at a time. And its compatibility with almost any format allows mixing more than one file type not a problem, unlike some other programs (iTunes, I’m looking in your direction…). Best of all it’s simple: just load up the playlist, save it if you like, and press play when you’re ready to watch!

With a little imagination, this feature can be a huge advantage in a HTPC environment. I use it on a regular basis in a variety of situations and I thought I’d share a couple of the most common.

TV Programmer: With the state of network television’s quality, watching reruns of “classic” shows is a no-brainer. Since I’ve backed up a bunch of my favorites from DVD sets to a HD, I routinely “program” my own night of TV shows.

Check out how the line-up I’ve created below…

…blows away anything CBS, NBC, ABC, et al could throw at me! And the lack of commercials is just icing on the cake. I also will often load a whole series into the playlist and just choose “Random” for a customized marathon.

Movie Night: Enhance watching a DVD/HD movie at home by throwing in trailers and even a THX trailer before the main feature. I load up the appropriate material in advance and, when I click “Play”, I may as well be at the theater.

Wall Candy: A few years ago, I was in a bar and they were projecting “The Matrix” sans sound onto a wall. I’ve always loved great cinematography and found the idea AWESOME.

With a wall-mounted LCD, I decided to give it a try and use playlists to create the same feeling at my house. Coupled with good music, movies like “2001″ and “Blade Runner” are truly pieces of art. So creating a playlist of stunning films before a party can really enhance a home’s decor.

Combining Multi-Segment Series: Limited-run series or shows that don’t require sequential viewing are another great candidate for playlists…and “Plant Earth” is a perfect example.

As I’ve said before, VLC’s importance in a Mac-based home theater enviornment cannot be measured. Its flexibility and feature set continually amaze me. And playlists are just another area in which it truly has no peer.