Why is VLC storing entire videos in its memory?

[kat15234]

Lately VLC has been doing something very weird for me. If I open a partially complete video, it always used to ask if I wanted it repaired (or not).

Now it starts playing a recently played video -- which is no longer even on my computer. I didn't think much of it the first time, but it does this regularly and I'm 100% sure these previous videos it's playing have been fully deleted from my computer. I've searched all the hidden directories and even uninstalled/reinstalled VLC (and cleaned the registry). I'm pretty competent with computers and know these videos are gone.
However, it's been consistently doing this with certain videos. Where could it be getting this video data from? I really don't want to be keeping a cache of old VLC played videos on my HDD.

Thanks

edit: I noticed someone else is having a similar problem, though they got no replies yet:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=62682#p209204

[Arite]

I haven't encountered this problem, however by incomplete videos do you mean a video which you have downloaded in e.g. Internet Explorer/Firefox (i.e. might be stored in Temporary Internet Files)? If you open Internet Explorer up and go to "Tools >> Delete Browsing Histroy..." and delete the Temporary Internet Files does that make any difference?

If it doesn't, then delete VLC's preferences and cache files (search forum for how) and try it again. If that still doesn't help - could you post VLC's Messages (go to "Tools >> Messages", set "Verbosty Level" to 2, and open the incomplete file in VLC).

Arite.

[kat15234]

Thanks for the reply. By incomplete videos I mean downloaded from a non-browser source. So, it's definitely not browser cache/temp files related.

Also, yes, I already tried deleting the preferences and cache files, which didn't make a difference at all. Next time this happens, I'll post the VLC message. (the video is now complete, so the messages is blank)

[Arite]

Thanks for the reply. By incomplete videos I mean downloaded from a non-browser source. So, it's definitely not browser cache/temp files related.

OK.

Also, yes, I already tried deleting the preferences and cache files, which didn't make a difference at all. Next time this happens, I'll post the VLC message. (the video is now complete, so the messages is blank)

You should still get messages regardless (open the "Messages" window and set the level 2 to before you start the video, and then you will get lots of debug info when you play the video etc.). But as you said no need to post messages unless it if for a problematic incomplete video.

Arite.

[Pacifier]

Hi, It happens often to me too. Actually this is the proof of the true power of VLC :

When viewing a partially downloaded video, if the header and/or the end of the file are unreadable, VLC will try to identify the codecs and find a way to decode the video between. In the case of a partially downloaded file, the space needed is allocated on the hard disk but no data is written. And sometimes the data is parts of deleted videos.
I think it comes from the way the files are deleted : they aren't really erased. They are just "forgotten" in the File Allocation Table. And this is why you should use a secure eraser (a program who writes "0" at unallocated sections of your hard disk) to make sure no data is left.

edit : I have to say, NO ! VLC isn't storing anything about played videos. The player is reading directly the video file even if another program is accessing to it : this is the reason it is so flexible.

[kkprofit]

I just got this.. I was downloading a video in utorrent, and decided to open it to get an idea of the video quality. Instead of opening the partially complete video, it precedes to play hundreds of songs back to back, all of which have been completely deleted months ago. In no apparent order. It's like a deleted MP3 mix tape. Strangest thing I have ever seen.

[K.L.B.A]

Pacifier was right to say that files "aren't really erased. They are just "forgotten" in the File Allocation Table. And this is why you should use a secure eraser (a program who writes "0" at unallocated sections of your hard disk) to make sure no data is left".

I tried his suggestion just a while ago in Windows XP and it worked. I used CCleaner and the "Wipe Free Space" function. Immediately after that VLC stopped playing a video file I had deleted quite a few days ago.

Thanks for a great tip, Pacifier!