
First you could run the application from the command line to launch multiple instances. It is quite easy to do but if you watch videos often then it quickly becomes an inconvenience.
MacBook :~ mactimes$ /Applications/VLC.app/Contents/MacOS/VLC &
I've also heard of people making multiple copies of the application in order to run multiple instances of VLC.
There is an easier options. By following this guide, I will show you how to run multiple instances of the application. In addition, show you how to change a few settings so the changes are transparent.
This guide will be composed of 4 steps:
- Launcher creation
- Icon image update
- Copy launcher to dock
- File association???
Launcher Creation:
- Start by opening Script Editor (Applications -> AppleScript -> Script Editor)
- In the upper window type the following command:
do shell script "open -n /Applications/VLC.app"
note: The "-n" refers to new so that you can open multiple applications - Click "Compile" to analyze the script and check for errors
- Then save the script as "VLC" with the File Format changed to Application.
- You will end up with a launcher on your Desktop that looks like the following icon
- Launch the icon multiple times and you should get multiple instances of VLC
- Select the original VLC application in Finder.
- Right-Click on the VLC application icon and select Get Info.
- In the properties window, there is a small icon of the application in the upper left hand corner. Select this icon (you will see it highlighted).
- Copy the icon (Edit -> Copy or ⌘C) to your clipboard.
- Select the new VLC launcher on your desktop.
- Right-Click on the VLC launcher icon and select Get Info.
- In the properties window, go to the small icon in the upper left hand corner. Select this icon (you will see it highlighted).
- Paste the icon (Edit -> Paste or ⌘V) from your clipboard.
- The icon will change from the default script icon image to the VLC icon image.
- The icon on your desktop will also change from the default script icon image to the VLC icon image.
- Open Finder and move the new VLC script to Macintosh/Users/
/Library/Scripts. - Drag the new VLC script to your dock.
- Click on the dock icon to launch new instances of VLC.
File Association: To ensure your videos open with the new launcher you need to change the default application for all the movie types. I thought this would be easy to configure by just point the file extensions to the new VLC script but unfortunately it does not work. I will leave this a work in progress and post an update when I find a solution.
So there you go, a quick and easy solution to launching multiple instances of VLC. Its not perfect but it is much more convenient then launching the application from the command line. And when I find a solution for the file association I will keep you all updated. Just as a final note, this process should work for any application you would like to run multiple instances of.
Kinda long but it worked well.
ReplyDeleteIt was well worth the time.
Thanks for the walkthrough.
You are the best. Is a follow up coming how
ReplyDeleteto link the script with a playlist?
VLC on Pc hast multi instances.
thanks ever so much.
Worked perfectly, thanks!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that this was useful.
ReplyDeleteFor Anonymous, unfortunately I do not use playlists. But that does not mean I cannot have a look to see if I can figure something out. Will let you know if I figure that one out, or potentially create a follow-up post.
Awesome. Works just great. I was just looking for how to do this last week.
ReplyDeleteGreat Job. Confirmed works with 1.01
Thank you. Works great
ReplyDeleteJust a little help. With this code you can fix the problem of the FILE ASSOCIATION.
ReplyDeleteChange variable VLCdir to the folder containing VLC.app
on open selected_file
set VLCdir to "/Applications"
set source to POSIX path of selected_file
tell application "Terminal"
do script "\"" & VLCdir & "/VLC.app/Contents/MacOS/VLC\" \"" & source & "\""
quit saving no
end tell
end open
Sorry, I forgot to say that you have to copy&paste that code at the end of this site's original code
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm in the middle of switching to Mac from WinXP and couldn't figure this out.
ReplyDeleteI say thee THANKS! Indeed!
ReplyDeleteI switched to Mac from PC permanently about 2 years ago and have been looking for a solution ever since!
You the MAN!
I even used your script to add a specific file (a webcam) to the new playlist!
SUPERB IT IS SO COOL
ReplyDeletethis is awesome!!!!! Thank-you!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteI got an applescript error saying:
ReplyDeleteopen[621] No such file: /-n
Could someone please update the guide regarding file associations. Didnt succeed in changing that..
ReplyDeleteThe author made another post regarding this:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mactimes.info/2009/06/how-to-run-multiple-instances-of-vlc_18.html
Wow, excellent, thanks!
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have an idea how to simultaneously start playback on multiple vlc instances? With something like a global shortcut?
ReplyDeleteawesome thanks
ReplyDeletegreat.still working on OS10.8
ReplyDeleteCould someone explain me this step :
ReplyDeleteOpen Finder and move the new VLC script to Macintosh/Users//Library/Scripts.
because without this one, the script isn't identify as an app
so define it by default for opening files is impossible :-(
Thank You. Works great on OSX 10.8.5 Mountain Lion and VLC 2.1.0
ReplyDeleteHi below is another script that work more faster.
ReplyDeleteUse same procedure as describe to save it as app
script :
on run
do shell script "open -n /Applications/VLC.app"
end run
on open theFiles
repeat with theFile in theFiles
do shell script "open -na /Applications/VLC.app " & quote & (POSIX path of theFile) & quote
end repeat
end open
And how to run these two VLC independently on two screens for an exhibition (full screen on each one, under applescript control)? I mean: openURL on screen 1, openURL on screen 2, and so on, without any other user intervention, all activated by external events starting two applescripts)
ReplyDeleteYour article very well and good, bringing inspiration to many. I hope people visit my website.
ReplyDeleteFriv 11 | K7x |A10 Online |Firv |Yoob 5 .
I know there will be many difficulties and challenges but I am determined to do it. If it does not succeed then it will be a lesson for me as well
ReplyDeletecatmario4.com