VLC media player starts when opening a file

[amweiss]

Whenever I open a .mp4 file with the VLC media player the video starts playing immediately. I've looked in the preferences to see if I could simply open the file and then click start when I want to start the video. Am I missing something (I'm new to this player). Thanks.

[Esquilax]

The only way I've found to achieve what you are describing is to disable auto-playback of new items in the Interface Preferences (click Show All to reveal), and from then on launch VLC first, then double-click (or drag/drop) the mp4 file(s) to add them to a playlist. Double-clicking mp4 files to launch VLC always auto-plays.

I too would prefer it if VLC didn't automatically start playing, but I think that's how it's always been.