how to install multiple versions of vlc?

[something8here]

I would like to have a copy of vlc that I can use for really old black and white films/tv shows, I could set it to grayscale only and mono audio.

Then also have my main copy of vlc for newer dvd's and stuff.

Is this possible? Two copies (different versions) of vlc installed in two locations?

[kmf31]

For this purpose it does not help to have two different versions of vlc since both would use the same preference file.

You would need two different preference files and to start vlc with the option "--config <other_pref_file>" to select a different preference file (you can do this in a script).
see: http://www.videolan.org/support/faq.html#Config for the default location.

Otherwise you can also change all preference options by command line parameters and therefore write a script applying your black and white options etc. by command lines, in my opinion the better, cleaner solution (using the command line parameters "--longhelp --advanced" for vlc it prints a list of all vlc options).

[jayR]

I use two versions: 2.2.3 and 2.0.3. I copied 2.0.3 files from my old Windows XP. This is how I installed two versions. I need 2.0.3 since record does not work on 2.2.3. But when I play, I use 2.2.3 since it has ISO equalizer.

The problem is preference files as kmf31 mentioned. I have to change a few setup after I use 2.0.3.

[skaleton]

Hi,
I also would like to have two versions of VLC with each their specific preferences.
So I downloaded a ZIP version from the VLC site and installed it in a different location.
Unfortunately, as mentioned by kmf31 they use the same preference file in AppData. Any change in the preferences in one version affect the other version the same way.
I copied/pasted the vlcrc file into the folder of the new VLC but to no avail.
How can I use the option --config <other_pref_file> ?
Is there a way to include it in the shortcut I use to open VLC?

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

Or "vlc.exe --ignore-config" if you are happy with the default settings.

[skaleton]

Thank you for your replies
I modified the Target in the Properties of the shortcut:
C:\Standalone\vlc-2\vlc.exe --config <C:\Standalone\vlc-2\vlcrc>
but it didn't work.
Error: "Preferences file could not be saved"

But be careful while installing different versions in the same system.

What specifically should I be careful about?