Using Win10 & VLC 3.0.16. Somewhere after version 2.2.8 a bug was introduced that broke the forced aspect ratio feature. I reported on it when I noticed it on version 3.0.3. Other people had the same issue - the forced aspect ratio either did not work, or everyt ime you loaded a new video, it would change to the default ratio. I never figured out why it happened. I thought by now it would be fixed. It is not. I have however discovered what triggers this to happen.
If you use the default VLC interface, the forced aspect ratio feature works as intended. If you customize your user interface to include the aspect ratio drop down box, this will break the forced aspect ratio. So what is the difference between version 2.2.8 & 3.0.3+? In version 2.2.8, 3.0.3 & 3.0.16 (the three versions I have used) I have customized my interface to include the aspect ratio drop down box on the toolbar at the bottom. In version 2.2.8, When I open VLC that box says *aspect ratio* greyed out - you cannot select anything. When you play a video, that box goes blank - there is no text & you can now select an option. In versions 3.0.3+ when I open VLC the aspect ratio box says *aspect ratio* & is greyed out - you cannot select anything. But when you play a video, that box says *default* instead of being blank - this is forcing VLC to ignore your default aspect ratio override. You can choose an aspect ratio, but when you play another video, it goes back to *default*. Something is making VLC choose the default ratio just by customizing the interface to have this UI element on the toolbar.
Is there anyway the user can fix this or is this a development team issue?