Help me make these videos play when and how I want them to.

October 6, 2014 9:56 AM

I have three video files that I would like to play sequentially, stopping in between each. The trigger for playing the next video should be a button that when pressed, emulates a spacebar press (I have this button already). I'm trying to do this with VLC player on a Mac.

Here is what I have:
- a button connected via USB that emulates clicking the space bar (specifically this button, if it matters: https://www.etsy.com/listing/203382023/usb-button-mini-green-photobooth-button)
- a Mac laptop running 10.9.5
- VLC player
- 3 video files

Here is what I want to happen:
- The button is plugged in to the laptop and displayed on a table. The laptop is hidden under the table. A large external monitor is connected to the hidden laptop.
- A person presses the button. A video plays, then stops once it’s finished (pausing on the last frame is also fine).
- Another person presses the button. The second video plays, then stops once it’s finished (as with the previous video).
- Same for the third video.
- A fourth person presses the button. It looks back and plays the first video, then continues as above.
- The only point of interaction with the laptop should be the single button.
- The screen should never display the media player (VLC or otherwise).

I’ve looked into the advanced settings of VLC player, and I can get a video to play upon click, then pause at the end - but I have to manually advance to the next video, which then auto plays.

I’d like to use VLC, but am open to other suggestions. I can purchase software (as long as it’s under ~$50 and not sketchy; this is a work computer).

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated, and I can provide more detail if necessary. Thank you hive mind!

posted by DulcineaX to Computers & Internet (1 answer total)

Best answer: You want Qlab. I think the free version should do exactly what you want.
posted by Uncle at 10:32 AM on October 6, 2014