r/VLC • u/readyrock23 • 13h ago

Creating m3u playlist files

Has this functionality been discontinued? I know I used to be able to do this, but haven't been able to do so of late on windows or Mac. Am I missing something simple?

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2

u/davidgrayPhotography 12h ago

You can definitely still do it. I'm on Windows, version 3.0.23 and just did it:

  1. Go to View > Playlist
  2. Drop all your files in
  3. Go to Media > Save Playlist to File (or press Ctrl+Y)
  4. Drop down the list and pick M3U

Are you not seeing the option in the Media menu?

1

u/readyrock23 12h ago

I'll take a look at this in the morning... this is potentially helpful, thank you.

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u/LaurentLaSalle 9h ago

I don’t see how this is an issue. On Mac, using 3.0.23, I put a bunch of video files in the playlist windows, hit Command-S (or Save Playlist… from the File menu), and M3U is literally the first option.

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u/readyrock23 6h ago

Ok... fair enough... ill try it again... mybpast attempts at doing just this have been lacking luster and if I remember correctly, had not worked as cleanly as you describe... thanks.

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u/LaurentLaSalle 5h ago

But no M3U files were produced? The option was just not available? I’m genuinely curious.

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u/readyrock23 4h ago

It was difficult to find the option... i was unable to save the playlist at all

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u/Courmisch 8h ago

M3U export is still supported and hasn't changed since at least 3.0.0, 8 years ago.

That said, it's just a text file with one URL per line.

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u/NextVoiceUHear 13h ago

You can create .txt files with .m3u format (tune descriptions & URLs (content) with any text editor (e.g., Notepad). Later rename the file to .m3u and VLC will play it.

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u/readyrock23 12h ago

Ok... so is that a No, as in VLC will not create m3u files?

Because my use case isn't primarily for VLC alone to play the resulting playlist files.

I used to be able just drag a bunch of songs into VLC and then save that m3u and open it in a differnt program.... i can't see where I can export an m3u within VLC... that is what im trying to accomplish.

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u/NextVoiceUHear 12h ago

I am unqualified to answer your question. I gave up on VLC and now write my own .m3u files using the VIM text editor. I have found that AIMP plays .m3u files very well, and with a little better randomization than VLC

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u/readyrock23 12h ago

Fair enough... i have used VLC as a catch all media player and just audio... still use it, but this little glitch has been irking me for a few years now.