VLC configuration for Ubuntu

For various reasons, subtitles might not work in VLC, or it can lag or stutter. How to Fix VLC Lagging/Stuttering/Buffering Issues describes a few solutions.

The solutions proposed might not help in Ubuntu, though ...

So if VLC freezes or pixelates when playing next item from a playlist, try changing "Video Output" from "Automatic" to "XVideo output (XCB)", and see if that helps. The time indicator and subtitles don't work under some videos with "X11 video output (XCB)", "XVideo output" seems to work better.

Changing Video Output" might also help if VLC takes a long time to shut down completely, after closing it. Remember to Save and shut down VLC for it to take effect:

Configuration tweaks

A few configuration tweaks, paste them in at the end of the ~/.config/vlc/vlcrc file. The settings will be integrated into the configuration file which is re-generated next time you save it via the GUI. Remember a few line breaks at the end:

#metadata-network-access=0
aout=any
audio-language=Eng
freetype-font=DejaVu Sans
fullscreen=1
gain=1.500000
key-jump+extrashort=Alt+Right
key-jump+long=Ctrl+Shift+Right
key-jump+short=
key-jump-extrashort=Alt+Left
key-jump-long=Ctrl+Shift+Left
key-jump-short=
key-leave-fullscreen=
key-nav-activate=
key-next=Page Down
key-prev=Page Up
key-quit=Esc
key-toggle-fullscreen=Enter
key-viewpoint-fov-in=
key-viewpoint-fov-out=
one-instance-when-started-from-file=0
one-instance=1
play-and-exit=1
qt-continue=0
qt-recentplay=0
sout-x264-preset=ultrafast
sout-x264-tune=film
sub-language=Eng
vod-server=any
vout=xcb_xv

Fix videos don't open in Fullscreen

Set your computer screen as "Fullscreen Video Device" under "Video", default is "Automatic". If you have "HDMI-0" (cable connected TV) and "DVI-D-0", try selecting the last option and Save. Oddly, this setting won't get imported as part of the above list of settings.

Here's how to un-dock the Playlist and show it separately.