How to Use VLC to Rotate Video: Guide on Windows and Mac

Nola Jones
Apr 19, 2024 / Updated by Nola Jones to Video Editing

Have you come across an improper orientation video when you play it on VLC? If so, you should know you can do a VLC rotate video and save the file directly! This amazing video player can help you rotate clockwise at 90, 180, and 270 degrees per your requirements. As an upside-down video is frustrating to watch, this tutorial will help you to achieve VLC how to rotate video in 5 ways. Keep on reading and get your videos angled right!

Detailed Steps to Use VLC to Rotate Videos When Playing

As you all know, VLC is a well-known video player available on Windows and Mac. Besides playing various file formats, it can help you rotate an incorrectly positioned video. So, without wasting any time, see below the instructions to learn how to use VLC Media Player to rotate video.

Step 1.Launch VLC, then import your video file by clicking the "Media" tab and selecting "Open File" from the drop-down list. After that, click the "Tools" tab and then "Effects and Filters".

VLC Open File

Step 2.Inside the "Adjustment and Effects" window, enter the "Video Effects" tab and then click "Geometry". You’ll see three ways to rotate video in VLC; pick one.

VLC Go to Video Effects

Rotate VLC Video by a Fixed Angle:

If you wish to rotate videos by 90, 180, or 270 degrees, click the "Transform" box and select your desired angle from the drop-down menu. Optionally, you can flip your video from the same menu.

VLC Rotate by Fixed Angle

Rotate VLC Video by a Certain Angle:

Want more freedom controlling the angle of your video? Instead of clicking the transform box, click the "Rotate" box, and then use the "Round" button to control the video’s angle.

VLC Rotate by Certain Angle

Rotate VLC Video by selecting Transpose:

Select "Transpose" or "Anti-transpose" from the drop-down menu. Choosing transpose will rotate your video 270 degrees clockwise and horizontally flip it. Meanwhile, the anti-transpose selection will let you rotate the video 90 degrees clockwise and horizontally flip it.

VLC Select Transpose

How to Use VLC to Rotate Videos Permanently [Win/Mac]

It’s nice if you know that the settings you just did to do the VLC rotate video are applied only to the video you play. Hence, the rotation action won’t be seen once you use another media player. Though the process is a bit complex if you want to permanently rotate video, follow the steps below. You can also use VLC to crop videos.

Step 1.On VLC’s main interface, click the "Tools" tab and select "Preferences". Once you’re inside the "Simple Preferences" pop-up window, click the "All" radio button under the "Show settings".

VLC Click All Radio Button

Step 2.Afterward, go to "Stream output" to access more options, including rotating videos on VLC. Choose "Sout stream" to open another listed choice; from there, select "Transcode". Then, click the "Video transformation filter" box and the "Save" button.

VLC Click Video Transformation Filter

Step 3.Next, click the "Media" tab and choose "Convert/Save". Now, in another pop-up window, click the "Add" button to open your rotated video. Then, click the "Convert/Save" dropdown and pick "Convert".

VLC Convert Save

Step 4.Later, in the "Convert" window, click the "Browse" button to pick your file path where to save your rotated video, specify a file name, and click the "Save" button. Finally, click the "Start" button to save your rotated video from VLC.

VLC Specify File Name

The Best VLC Alternative to Rotate Videos Permanently

You see that doing permanently rotate video VLC is a challenging step to take. Given that, looking for an alternative tool to rotate videos permanently is vital; here comes AnyRec Video Converter. This program is effective if you wish to convert and then do basic edits to your video. It has a Rotator inside that permits you to rotate at your desired angle, whether 90, 180, or 270 degrees. Also, it contains various filters, themes, effects, etc.; all are easy to apply. On top of that, you can select from its collection formats with customized profiles or customize it yourself to get your desired resolution, frame rate, and quality. Moreover, it is your good choice to bypass VLC not rotating issues.

AnyRec Video Converter Package
AnyRec Video Converter

Able to rotate and clip video easily in 90, 180, or 270 degrees.

Adjustable output settings to the format, resolution, quality, etc.

Different aspect ratios to make the rotated video suit your screen.

Support MP4, MOV, M4V, AVI, GIF, and more formats for all players.

Free Download

100% Secure

Free Download

100% Secure

Step 1.Open the AnyRec Video Converter, then proceed to rotate the video by clicking the "Toolbox" in the tab widget and locating "Video Rotator".

Anyrec Video Rotator

Step 2.Once inside the rotator window, please add your video. Later, select the proper rotation you want below to rotate videos without VLC; you’ll see how it is applied in the right window pane.

Anyrec Select Rotation

Step 3.After that, move to the process of specifying your desired format, name, and resolution below by clicking each set-down menu. Click the "Export" button to get your permanently rotated video saved on your computer.

Anyrec Adjust Output
Free Download

100% Secure

Free Download

100% Secure

FAQs

Conclusion

Unsurprisingly, VLC can do more than just simply being a media player that supports playing multiple files. It has a rotator inside, so you can do VLC rotate video temporarily and permanently, without opening another app for assistance. You can choose from the three ways to rotate the video; however, that only applies to the video being played at that time. So, to permanently rotate the video, instead of taking the complex VLC process, trust the AnyRec Video Converter to achieve it. In just three easy steps, you can acquire your rotated video right away!

Free Download

100% Secure

Free Download

100% Secure

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