VLC Player is probably the best media player available today – and it’s also free and open source. It can play virtually any video file format without issue and doesn’t require any complicated additional software to do so. One of the neat little features of VLC is being able to go frame by frame when you’re watching something. Being able to go frame by frame allows you to find certain details you are looking for and also take screenshots. Here’s how.
Learn more: How to Cast VLC Player to TV Using Chromecast
QUICK RESPONSE
The easiest (and only for macOS) method to go frame by frame on the VLC player is to use the E button on your keyboard. This will advance your media file one frame. On Windows, you also have the advanced controls option, which places a button on the VLC player interface. Some people may prefer this instead of a keyboard shortcut.
ACCESS KEY SECTIONS
Go frame by frame on VLC using the keyboard shortcut (Windows and macOS)
- First, start the media file you want to view frame by frame, then pause it.
- Now press E on your keyboard. You will see Next frame appear at the top right of the screen and the screen will have advanced one frame.
- Now keep pressing the E button to continue advancing one frame.
- When you have found the frame you are looking for, you can now take your screenshot (if you wish).
Go frame by frame on VLC via advanced controls (Windows only)
Windows users also have an additional option in the form of a physical button on the VLC player interface. The keyboard shortcut is pretty straightforward, but if you insist on being able to click something with your mouse, this might be the option you’re looking for. For some strange reason, this option is not available on macOS.
- Go to View > Advanced Controls and click on it. Make sure a check mark is now next to the menu option.
- Below the screen and above the play button, you will now see a set of new controls. The one on the far right (a vertical line with an arrow pointing to the right) is the frame-by-frame button.
- Start your media and then pause it. Now click on the frame by frame button until you find what you are looking for.
Learn more: How to Cut Videos in VLC Player
