VLC 3.0 Volume Not Remembered Above 100%

[Peter023]

I'm running Windows 10 up to date and VLC3.

On the previous version of VLC, when you ticked the preference for Remember Volume, it would set the volume going forward to be at whatever volume you last used, even if it were at 200%. V3 seems to cap this at 100%, which is not what I wanted and now I have to manually bump up the volume every time I open a file. Was this change done on purpose for some reason I can't fathom or is it a bug?

Thanks,

Peter

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

Windows does not allow volumes above 100%. But if you always need more than 100%, you should anyway raise the master volume.

[Spanky587]

Windows does not allow volumes above 100%.

That is not true and you did not answer the question.

In previous versions of VLC you can set the volume to maximum and it will always stay there, even if you put it above 100%. In VLC 3 it always defaults to 100%. You can raise it higher but that setting is not maintained. The next time you run VLC it will be back at 100%.

Is this a bug or is there a reason for making this change?

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

It is true and easily verifiable from MSDN.

[BattlefrontTom]

This has been bugging me for a few days, but I just found a solution and registered to share with everyone else having this problem.
Under tools > preferences > basic > audio > output > output module is probably set on automatic. Select the drop down and pick a module which works for your system. For me on windows 7 & windows 10 it was DirectX. save, close vlc, reopen, bump the volume past 100, close vlc, reopen again and see the volume setting is remembered!
If that does not work repeat that process with each module, which is how I found this solution to begin with.

[Spanky587]

It is true and easily verifiable from MSDN.

You were not asked about MSDN. You were asked about VLC.

All versions of VLC prior to 3.0 allowed you to set volume above 100% and the volume level will stay where you set it.

VLC 3.0 always defaults to 100%. You can set it higher, but, each time you start VLC it always defaults to 100%.

Why? Is this a bug or a deliberate design? Why will you not answer the question?

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

If you configure VLC so that Windows audio policy controls the volume, then obviously the volume is constrained by Windows audio policy. And that policy does not allow more than 100%.

You are free to change your VLC settings or use an operating system whose audio policy is better suited to your likings.

[Edward_Liu]

This has been bugging me for a few days, but I just found a solution and registered to share with everyone else having this problem.
Under tools > preferences > basic > audio > output > output module is probably set on automatic. Select the drop down and pick a module which works for your system. For me on windows 7 & windows 10 it was DirectX. save, close vlc, reopen, bump the volume past 100, close vlc, reopen again and see the volume setting is remembered!
If that does not work repeat that process with each module, which is how I found this solution to begin with.

Hey! Thank you so much! This solution worked for me! I registered just to say thanks to you!

Also, to the developer, he's referring to the VLC Player's volume, not the default OS (in this case window's) system volume

[SchizoHammer]

I just registered to comment. The OP has a point, things changed in V3, no idea why the replies from Remi are so unhelpful and change the actual subject.
However, under Tools, Preferences, Audio there is the option right near the top 'Always reset audio start level to:' which allows you to set the volume each time VLC opens from 0% - 125%. This also works within Ace Player which is built on an older version of VLC.

Hope that helps and no need to mess around with audio modules.

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

And you, Mr Smartass, thinks you are helpful? OP asks how to save the volume, and you explained how to reset it, i.e. the opposite of what OP asks.

Saving volume above 100% is always a bad idea, as it causes saturation. The proper solution is to raise the master or amp. What I wrote.

[Migitmd]

And you, Mr Smartass, thinks you are helpful? OP asks how to save the volume, and you explained how to reset it, i.e. the opposite of what OP asks.

Saving volume above 100% is always a bad idea, as it causes saturation. The proper solution is to raise the master or amp. What I wrote.

I registered just to say this: You were arrogant, unhelpful, gave false information and changed the subject. Next time, don't even bother posting because BattlefrontTom's solution worked 100%. Thanks, BFT.

[tential]

And you, Mr Smartass, thinks you are helpful? OP asks how to save the volume, and you explained how to reset it, i.e. the opposite of what OP asks.

Saving volume above 100% is always a bad idea, as it causes saturation. The proper solution is to raise the master or amp. What I wrote.

While I understand what you're saying, it was a previous feature of VLC to always save the playback volume whatever the case.

While raising the master is a solution, to say it's the "proper" solution isn't exactly correct, because well, it's just one of the solutions. A user may for whatever their reason want to use the system in that way, and currently, there now is no real way to do this.

Try to keep in mind that while you may have your own way of using the program, expecting everyone to use it that was is not always going to be the case.

As a dev, you can decide to make that ultimatum decision, but I will say, I registered just to say that I think removing the feature is odd.

I would have preferred you left a way for us to always remember playback volume no matter what.

It seems a user provided a solution, but would have liked to have seen this handled better and hope you can see yourself improving in the future on how you handle the situation.
Cheers to future success with the program.

Edit: In my specific case, my Windows volume is at 100% and I'm using a USB DAC with volume controls on it. Sometimes I want to turn up my study materials on VLC, without having to constantly turn the master volume up for VLC, and then back down for something else. Having to change it on the master would mean always reaching for the USB DAC physical controls. Even worse when I accidentally disconnect it while changing volume and have to fiddle with it to get it back working again.

[jayR]

Putting volume over 100% (without lower it in equalizer preamp), you will get distorted sound! Over 100% leads to sample numbers beyond allowed ranges. In my case, I use equalizer preamp at 65%. So I can use main volume at 125% without causing distortions!

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

While I understand what you're saying, it was a previous feature of VLC to always save the playback volume whatever the case.

It was a misfeature of the DirectSound audio output, and it still is - it was not removed.

VLC 3.0 defaults to more modern and featured MMDevice/WASAPI for audio output, and consequently has to follow the Microsoft Windows audio policy. And that policy limits volumes at 100%. I think that is perfectly reasonable (because of what jayR already explained).

But, again, if you don't agree, you are welcome to change OS or complain to Microsoft.

[Migitmd]

But, again, if you don't agree, you are welcome to change OS or complain to Microsoft.

Or we can just follow this suggestion and have our problem solved. And honestly, your answers and explanations weren't helpful. Nor was JayR.
Its been BattlefrontTom only- as it works 100% every time.

This has been bugging me for a few days, but I just found a solution and registered to share with everyone else having this problem.
Under tools > preferences > basic > audio > output > output module is probably set on automatic. Select the drop down and pick a module which works for your system. For me on windows 7 & windows 10 it was DirectX. save, close vlc, reopen, bump the volume past 100, close vlc, reopen again and see the volume setting is remembered!
If that does not work repeat that process with each module, which is how I found this solution to begin with.

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

Sure, switch to DirectSound if you want. I did mention that was still possible, didn't I? Just don't complain that the volume changes with a long delay or that you damage your ears with too high volumes some day.

[Migitmd]

Sure, switch to DirectSound if you want. I did mention that was still possible, didn't I? Just don't complain that the volume changes with a long delay or that you damage your ears with too high volumes some day.

No, you didn't and you said to switch to another OS if we didn't like it. And removing my account because you didn't like the fact that I and others called you out on being unhelpful- really mature. I continue to use BTF's suggestion and it works all the time, every time, flawlessly.

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

I'm not interested in dealing with obvious trolls, especially not the persistent kind.

And don't blame me for your reading or comprehension disabilities. I did mention DirectSound (as did another poster even before).

[oldfujimailinator]

It was a misfeature of the DirectSound audio output, and it still is - it was not removed.
VLC 3.0 defaults to more modern and featured MMDevice/WASAPI for audio output, ...

Yes, you were not helpful; 6 month to vaguely indicate VLC changed.
Heaven forbid you state that VLC changed its default Output Module,
or indicate how to revert to the 2.0 default: Tools > Preferences > Audio > Output Module > DirectX audio output,
or refer to BFT's post.