Flashing to desktop using playlists

[Mark Booth]

Hello!

I have a Mac Mini with Intel dual-core processor. I am considering installing Windows XP (using Apple Boot Camp) to subsequently run VLC in the Windows environment to, hopefully, get around a problem I am having using the Mac OS X (for Intel) version of VLC.

On the Mac OS X side, when using VLC (085) playlist feature to play multiple video files, between each video file VLC will "flash" back to the computer desktop for a second. As one video ends, but before the next one begins, VLC will show a quick flicker back to the desktop image.

I am using the Mac Mini as a home theater PC. The video files I am attempting to string together are a mix of Movie Trailers (QuickTime .mov files) and a couple of custom home theater intros (VOB .ts files). Some of the files are 720p and others are 1080p. Since I'm trying to recreate what we would see in a real movie theater, the flashes back to the desktop image between video files kind of spoils the goal.

I've read that previous versions of VLC might not have displayed this behavior. I am wondering if the Windows version of VLC (085) is immune to this problem.

FWIW, every once in awhile, Mac VLC 085 does play two back-to-back playlist videos seamlessly. But I can't find any reason for why this happens. Once example is if I play the 1080p Superman Returns trailer right after the 1080p Posiedon trailer. Those two, placed in that order, always play seamlessly. If I reverse them (Superman Returns first) or if I mix any other trailer between them, they don't play seamlessly. Very very strange.

At any rate, I'm hoping for feedback from the Windows VLC crowd on the quality of the transitions between playlist videos. Are they always seamless?

Thanks!

Mark

[DJ]

When VLC stops playing one file and starts playing another file the previous file is released and all of the associated commands. The new file is loaded along with the libraries necessary to play that file. Momentarily VLC reverts to its native state. Thee are a few instances where the same libraries are used for files and Windows retains memory of this thus the load is quicker and the change of state may not be noticed.

Use the Full Screen mode in Preferences, Video as this will change the default state.

[Mark Booth]

DJ,

Thanks! I'm already using full screen mode.

Understand about the libraries. But I find it curious that I get the flashes to the desktop if the trailer Posiedon follows the trailer for Superman Returns, but I don't get the flashes if Posiedon is played immediately before Superman Returns. They are both 1080p QuickTime .mov files.

As I suggested in my Mac OS topic, perhaps VLC could have a "show blank (black) screen between videos" preference? That way, as new videos are loaded, the screen would remain black.

As clarification... so you do see this same behavior on the Windows side?

Thanks,

Mark

[DJ]

When this topic was first brought up (some time ago) I split several videos and loaded them back to back. There was no reversion or momentary desktop. Yet some users with secondary monitors continued to express this behavior as being a problem for them. So the full screen mode was suggested and resolved the issue for most people. I tried this on my second monitor without any issues.

The source code is available and contributions and or patches are welcomed. There is also the feature request section of this forum for your convenience.