How to Rotate a Video in VLC: Step-by-Step Guide

Rotating a video is an essential skill for everyone, irrespective of whether you are tech-savvy or not. Whether you're fixing a video captured in the wrong orientation, trying to create some video effect involving rotation, or trying to make sense of an incomprehensible movie scene by changing its orientation, you should know how to flip a video in VLC. VLC Media Player is surprisingly good at rotating videos. It's not the easiest tool for the job, but it certainly beats others when it comes to familiarity, owing to its massive popularity. So, here's a quick guide on how to rotate a video in VLC. Follow the steps closely to rotate your first video in a matter of seconds.

Part 1: How to Flip a Video in VLC on Windows

This method rotates all videos played in VLC. If you use any other media player, the video will play in its original orientation. These changes only apply to videos you play in VLC Media Player. Here's how you do it:

• Step 1: Import Video to VLC

Launch VLC Media Player on Windows, go to 'Media', click 'Open File', find and select the video to be imported, and click 'Open.'


• Step 2: Open Effects and Filters

After the video is imported, go to 'Tools', then choose 'Effects and Filters.'


• Step 3: Access Rotation Settings

Switch to 'Video Effects' tab in the Adjustments and Effects popup, and go to 'Geometry.'


• Step 4: Rotate Video in VLC

Check the 'Transform' box to rotate the video by fixed right angles like 90, 180, or 270 degrees. Use the drop-down menu below the 'Transform' checkbox.




Check the 'Rotate' box to rotate the video by custom angles. Use the Round Button like a regulator to choose the angle of rotation.

With this method, you can rotate a video in VLC as a temporary measure. However, it doesn't change the original orientation of the video itself, including those that you have no intention of permanently rotating. So, it's best used as a temporary solution. This brings us to the next logical step.

Part 2: How to Rotate a Video in VLC Permanently

So far, you've learned how to choose settings in VLC to automatically rotate all videos you play with it. Now, you'll learn how to save the rotation in the video data permanently. This way, the video will retain its new orientation irrespective of the media player in which you play it. The following steps are in continuation of the Steps 1 to 4 discussed above:

• Step 1: Open Preferences in LVC

Launch VLC Media Player, Go to 'Tools' and choose 'Preferences.'


• Step 2: Activate All Preferences

In the 'Show Settings' area at the bottom left corner, click on the 'All' radio button.


• Step 3: Apply Rotation Filter

On the left panel, select 'Stream output', expand 'Soul Stream', choose 'Transcode' and check the 'Video transformation filter' checkbox.


• Step 4: Enter 'Convert / Save' mode

Go back to the VLC main interface, open 'Media', then select 'Convert / Save.'


• Step 5: Import Video

Use the 'Add' button to import video, Click the 'Convert / Save' button at the bottom.


• Step 6: VLC Rotate Video Permanently

Use the 'Profile' drop down menu to select output format, click the 'Browse' button at the bottom to choose the destination folder for the rotated video. Hit 'Start' to permanently store the new orientation in the video.

Part 3: How to Rotate a Video in VLC on Mac

The process to rotate a video in VLC on Mac isn't too different compared to the Windows version, but it still demands a separate tutorial due to some crucial differences. So, here's a quick step-by-step tutorial for Mac users:

• Step 1: Launch VLC Media Player on Mac, go to 'File' and choose 'Open File.'

• Step 2: Access the 'Window' menu and choose 'Video Filter'

  

• Step 3: Go to 'Geometry' in the popup,choose 'Transform' checkbox. Use the dropdown below the checkbox to select the rotation angle. That's how you rotate video in VLC for Mac.

  

Once again, this method only rotates the videos when they're being played on VLC. Saving the rotation permanently on Mac requires familiarity with the command-line interface, as the Mac version of the app lacks crucial GUI elements. Fortunately, there are superior methods to do it.

Part 4: Alternative to VLC Rotate Videos on Windows and Mac

Unlike VLC, HitPaw Univd is built for video editing. So, it reduces video rotation down to a 3-step process. What's more, all changes you make to the video are immediately saved and permanently coded into the video. No matter which media player you use to play the edited videos, they will play in the new orientation.

Key Reasons for Using HitPaw Univd to Rotate Videos

• 170X Faster: No waiting and delays. Univd processes rotation and saving in seconds.
• Batch Processing: Applyrotate settings to thousands of video in a single batch.
• 1000+ Formats: Supports rotateall video formats even the most obscure video formats.
• Instant Previews: Preview the changes you made to your video before saving it to save time.
• Cross Platform: Univd is available for both Windows and Mac. The interface is identical too.
• Lossless Changes: Univd saves all the changes you make to your videos without affecting video quality.

Step-by-step Guide to Rotating a Video with HitPaw Univd

• Step 1: Activate Rotation Settings

Launch HitPaw Univd, switch to 'Editor' tab and select 'Crop & Rotate' feature.


• Step 2: Import Video to Univd

Drag and drop the video into HitPaw Univd directly to import the video.

• Step 3: Rotate Video

In the 'Crop & Rotate' tab, use the 'Rotate' options on the right to change the orientation of your video. When you're done, click 'Confirm' to save the settings.

You can apply the rotation settings to all videos in the batch by checking the 'Apply all to list' checkbox.

FAQs on Rotate Video in VLC Media Player

Conclusion

Learning how to invert a video in VLC Media Player can be really helpful if your video is upside down or sideways. You can rotate a video in VLC media player to watch it once, or save the changes permanently in the video. Either way, VLC is a complicated tool for this purpose. To make your video rotation quick and simple, use HitPaw Univd. Professionals and enthusiasts rely on Univd to perform fast, high-quality edits, such as rotation at scale. Rotate your first video with HitPaw Univd today!