Tell me more ×
Super User is a question and answer site for computer enthusiasts and power users. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 0 down vote favorite

Are there any apps or some way I can get VLC to play an already set-up film at a given time? No scripts please; don't know how to use them. I just want VLC to start playing on it's own without any human interaction. Any "gadgets" out there? There has to be some simple app out there to nudge VLC alive!

Basically, I want the app to be able to know which open VLC window (if there's many open) to go to to press play say, at midnight.

Win 7. IE 9.

share|improve this question
What do you mean by already loaded? In the play queue, so to say? And what do you expect other than a script of some sort? It's a scripted action... – slhck♦ Jun 14 '12 at 8:12
Hi, I am not sure whether it is possible to set VLC to automatically start playing a movie after program start. If yes, then you probably could use Windows Task Scheduler windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Schedule-a-task – Juhele Jun 14 '12 at 8:19
@slhck:...as in a file is ready to play but I need something to press play. – verve Jun 14 '12 at 8:52
@Juhele: No, not at program start but just a tool to press play at a specfic time. – verve Jun 14 '12 at 8:53
What about AutoIt? autoitscript.com – Juhele Jun 14 '12 at 9:01
show 3 more comments

1 Answer

up vote 2 down vote

I know you said no scripts, but it really is the easiest way.

Open Notepad and paste this into the Notepad window:

Set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
WshShell.AppActivate "VLC Media Player"
WScript.sleep(200)
WshShell.SendKeys " "

Choose File -> Save As and save the file as VLCPlay.vbs.

Now whenever you run the script (which you can test by double clicking the file), it will make VLC player the active window and press play (or pause if it was already playing).

Now use windows task scheduler to run the .vbs file at midnight and you're done.

PS. If you really hate scripts, here is a "gadget" that will do it, just use task scheduler to start it at midnight.

share|improve this answer
Why would I double click the file? I'm lost. – verve Sep 30 '12 at 1:14
Double clicking it will run the script, but if you want to run it at a certain time, use windows' task scheduler. – Luke Oct 4 '12 at 4:02
What if there are multiple VLC windows open which one will run? – verve Oct 19 '12 at 21:35

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.