Seen from the technical point VLC is just the best and most advanced media player out there, yet the reason a lot of people don't switch yet seems to be the look of it. So this is why I wanted to suggest that you give People possibility to fully skin the Player. Not only the Control Window, but the Video one as well, maybe even allowing the User to "dock" the windows, giving you your typical Windows MediaPlayer look and feel.
I know that, from your standpoint, it doesnt seem like something important, yet I really think it'd help giving VLC a great popularity boost.
If you're interested, I'd be more than pleased to help you in the ways I can. (which would be design :)