The Ultimate Guide to Using VLC Bookmarks and Alternatives

VLC has been widely used for playing multimedia files due to its versatility, open-source nature, and rich set of features. However, not many users are aware of its functionality to bookmark certain parts of a video. Whether you are taking lectures, reviewing footage, or watching your favorite movie, VLC bookmarks save you time and effort.

But people often wonder what these bookmarks are and how to add bookmark in VLC player. In this article, you'll learn to add them permanently, troubleshoot common issues, and explore some alternatives!

Part 1: What are Bookmarks in VLC Media Player?

A VLC bookmark refers to marking specific scenes in an audio or video file to access these timestamps easily in the future. It's like sticky notes, but digital, that enable you to resume playback from where they left off without fast-forwarding or manually scrubbing. Moreover, these VLC custom bookmarks prove handy for students revisiting their video tutorials, editors reviewing raw footage, movie enthusiasts jumping to their favorite scenes, or language learners practicing listening skills.

Part 2: How to Add a Bookmark in VLC Player

Adding a bookmark in VLC Media Player is simple; it doesn't require any technical skills. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to bookmark in VLC during video playback:

Step 1. Launch VLC Media Player and begin playing your video or audio file. Go to the point you want to bookmark, or wait for your favorite part to play, and then pause it.

Step 2. Now, from the menu bar, press the "Playback" button and choose "Custom bookmarks" > "Manage."

Step 3. When the "Edit Bookmarks" dialogue box appears, tap "Create." You can also press "Ctrl/Command + B" to create bookmarks.

Step 4. You can name the bookmark for identification and repeat the steps for additional bookmarks. That's all!

Part 3: How to Save Bookmarks Permanently in VLC

After their creation, have you noticed that VLC bookmarks not saving; they are gone after closing the media file. Wonder why? VLC does not offer a built-in feature to save bookmarks across sessions. But don't worry; below are some ways of saving them permanently:

1. VLC Playlist

The first method to save the video permanently with the custom bookmarks is to create a VLC playlist and store it as a .xspf file. To do this:

Step 1. Launch VLC, play the video, and create one or multiple bookmarks.

Step 2. Now, click "Media" > "Save Playlist to File," select a format, and save it.

Step 3. So, whenever you open it, select the desired timestamp, and it's all done.

2. VLC Permanents Bookmarks Plugin

If you want to save permanent bookmarks in VLC without a playlist, try using a plugin, "VLC Permanents Bookmarks," which helps persist bookmarks even when the file is moved or renamed. Here is a tutorial:

Step 1. Firstly, download the "vlc_permanents_bookmarks.lua" plugin with the provided link. When downloaded, move it to the VLC extensions directory.

Step 2. Later, open VLC and watch the video you want. However, while creating the bookmark, press "View" > "Bookmarks."

Step 3. From the "VLC Permanents Bookmarks" window, click the "Add" button to create a bookmark for the current timestamp.

Step 4. Then, you can instantly close VLC, and when you open the video again, double-click on the listed bookmark to access it. That's it!

For advanced or technical users, the VLC command-line options can help open media files at a specific timestamp. However, this is primarily useful for automation and batch scripting.

Part 4: Troubleshooting Bookmark Issues in VLC

Although VLC bookmarks are valuable, you may face some issues, such as bookmarks failing to work or disappearing unexpectedly. So, below are the troubleshooting steps to fix these problems to make your bookmarks function properly:

1. VLC Bookmarks not Working

Whether VLC does not take you to the specific timestamp by clicking on the bookmark or does not work at all, here are the possible solutions:

• Make sure the file path is the same since you created the bookmark.
• Confirm the media file is the same version and format.
• Update VLC to the latest version by tapping "Help" > "Check for Updates."

2. VLC Bookmarks Disappearing

Another drawback of VLC custom bookmarks is that they may disappear after closing the program, even after using the playlist or plugin option. Here is what you can do:

• Check if the file is corrupted or its metadata has been changed.
• Reset VLC's preferences to their default values to fix issues caused by misconfigurations.

Part 5: Three Alternatives and Tips for Bookmarking in VLC

For those who find the default VLC bookmarks function problematic in any aspect, here are some alternative ways to bookmark video content effectively:

1. VLC playlist with start time for simulated bookmarks

To simulate permanent bookmarks, you can use the VLC playlist feature with start times. Create a .m34 playlist file, where each entry should include the file path and desired start time using the "# at-time" option. Upon opening this playlist, VLC will automatically jump to a specific scene for each file.

2. External note-taking tools for bookmarking timestamps

If you prefer a more flexible bookmarking method, consider using external note-taking tools like Evernote, Google Keep, and more. Even simple spreadsheets can help track important timestamps. You can note down the timestamp with a brief scene name and easily return to the required video part.

3. Video editors for more advanced scene marking

For professionals seeking advanced features for scene marking, efficient video editing software is the ultimate solution. Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Shotcut are some leading programs that enable you to add detailed markers to the timeline, as well as annotations, color tags, and comments, making it easier to jump to a specific scene.

Part 6: FAQs about VLC Bookmarks

Conclusion

Going through this post, you must have learned how to add bookmark in VLC player and save it permanently by creating a playlist or using a plugin. Even if you face the common bookmarking issues in VLC, you can try troubleshooting or the given alternatives. Now, go ahead and bookmark like a pro!