What about releasing one package for all Linux distros? Having packages for so many distros is awesome, but a headache for developers and leaves users on any non-supported distros in the cold.
Could always use http://0install.net/ ? Has automatic updates, creates menu shortcuts, works across distros, etc. Dependencies and the program won't cause any conflicting issues with other programs or libraries, and if there is an issue with supplying a binary package because there are so many dependencies that it would be huge, this way those dependencies could be updated separately instead of users re-downloading everything in a single package.
The Windows version has a Zero Install "feed" for it already here http://0install.de/feeds/VLC.xml
The only downside is the additional step if a user doesn't have Zero Install, but the 0Install website allows quick and easy installation (detection of OS) for several distros.
Thanks. VLC is awesome!