Potplayer General and Playback Settings Guide

Guide for General and Playback tab settings in the Preferences window of Potplayer.

OS : Windows 10 Pro x64
Software : PotPlayer 1.7.21295

General Tab Settings

Interface languages : Here user can select a language in which the potplayer interface will be shown.

Stay on Top: Here user can set when will the Potplayer window be at the top of all other windows

Never :
Always :
While Playing:
While playing in fullscreen :

When files opened : Here user can set which media files will be added to the playlist when a media file is opened with Potplayer.

Add only selected files to playlist : Only the media file that has been opened will be added to the playlist.
Add together similar files to playlist : When a media file is opened with Potplayer, it search for all the media files present in same folder whose name starts with same word as of the media file that has been opened. Then Potplayer will add all those found media files to the playlist.
Add all the files of same type to playlist : When a media file is opened with Potplayer, it search for all the similar media files present in same folder. Then Potplayer will add all those found media files to the playlist for playback.

Taskbar/Tray icon : Here user can set which of the Potplayer icon will be shown

Show taskbar icon only :
Show both taskbar & tray icon :
Show tray icon only :
Show taskbar icon in normal & tray icon in minimized state:

Multiple Instances : Here user can set to Enable or Disable multiple instance of Potplayer window.

Disable Play files in existing Potplayer instance : Only one instance of Potplayer window will allowed to open. When media files are played with Potplayer using File Explorer context menu, only one media file will be added to the playlist.
Enable Allow more than one Potplayer instance : Multiple instances of Potplayer window will allowed to open. When media files are played with Potplayer using File Explorer context menu, each media file will be played in new Potplayer window.
Disable Add files to playlist of existing Potplayer instance : Only one instance of Potplayer window will allowed to open. When media files are played with Potplayer using File Explorer context menu, each media file will be added to the playlist for playback.

Auto check for updates :

Never : Potplayer will never check for updates.
Always : Potplayer will check for updates every time its opened.
Once a week: Potplayer will check for updates once in a week.

Hide all windows when minimized :

Checked : When Potplayer window is minimized, all windows related to it like Browser and Playlist will also be minimized.
Unchecked : When Potplayer window is minimized, all windows related to it like Browser and Playlist will not be be minimized.

Pause playback when minimized :

Checked : When Potplayer window is minimized,the playback of both video and audio file is paused.
Unchecked : When Potplayer window is minimized, the playback of both video and audio file will not be paused.
Intermediate : When Potplayer window is minimized,the playback of video file is paused while playback of audio files won't be paused.

Pause playback when focus lost :

Checked : Potplayer will pause the playback when Potplayer not active window. Playback will resume when when Potplayer becomes the active window.
Unchecked : Potplayer will not pause the playback whether Potplayer window is a active window or not.

Resize window based on the center :

Checked : The point of reference for resize for Potplayer window will be the center point of Potplayer window.
Unchecked : The point of reference for resize for Potplayer window will be the top-left corner of Potplayer window.

Store and show recent items in fav menu:

Checked : Potplayer will store the list of media files that has been played recently and show it Ablum/Favorites Menu.
Unchecked : Potplayer will not store and show the list of media files that has been played recently.

Don't get focus when started with a file :

Checked : Potplayer window will not become the active window when a media file is played.
Unchecked : Potplayer window will become the active window when a media file is played.

Use advanced drag and drop interactions :

Checked : When drag & drop feature is used to drag a media file from File Explorer to Potplayer, both Play Later and Play now option is shown. When media file is dropped to Play later section, the media file will be added to the playlist for later playback. When media file is dropped to Play now section, the media file will be played.
Unchecked : When drag & drop feature is used to drag a media file from File Explorer to Potplayer, the media file will be played.

Ignore error messages if playback starts :

Checked : Potplayer app will not show error messages if the media file is being played.
Unchecked : Potplayer app will show error messages even when media file is being played.

Store settings into .ini file : When this option is checked , Potplayer app will store its settings in a INI file.

Show tooltips:

Checked : Potplayer will show info in tooltips in the main interface.
Unchecked : Potplayer will not show info in tooltips in the main interface.

Snap to edge/window :

Checked : Potplayer window will snap to the edge of desktop screen and other potplayer windows.
Unchecked : Potplayer window will not use snap feature.

Save settings instantly when paused :

Enable enhanced taskbar feature :

Checked : Potplayer app will show playback control buttons, progress and overlay status icon in the taskbar preview.
Intermediate : Potplayer app will show playback control buttons and progress bar in the taskbar preview.
Unchecked : Potplayer app will not show playback control buttons,progress bar and overlay status icon in the taskbar.

Default window size on closing file : When this option is checked and user closes the media file by pressing the Stop button then the Potplayer app window size will be changed to it default size.

Use non-overlapping multi instances :

Pause playback when screen locked : When this option is checked, Potplayer app will pause the playback of video and audio files when Windows OS is locked.

General > OSD Messages

General OSD Settings-----

Show general info messages :

Checked : The OSD text will resize according to the size of Potplayer window.
Unchecked : The OSD text will not resize according to the size of Potplayer window

Horizontal align : The alignment of OSD in Horizontal axis in the video screen area.

Vertical align : The alignment of OSD in Vertical axis in the video screen area.

Top margin : The margin space left from Top and Bottom of the video screen area where OSD messages will not be displayed .

Right margin : The margin space left from Right and Left of the video screen area where OSD messages will not be displayed .

Auto font size :

Checked : The OSD text will resize according to the size of Potplayer window.
Unchecked : The OSD text will not resize according to the size of Potplayer window

Content of Misc Info ------

Display misc info :

Checked : The selected info related to the media file will be displayed as OSD during media playback.
Unchecked : The misc info will not be displayed.

Operate only in fullscreen :

Checked : The selected misc info will be displayed only when Potplayer window is in Fullscreen mode.
Unchecked : The selected misc info will be displayed in all Window mode.

Playback time :

None :
Elapsed/Total time :
Elapsed time:
Total Time:
Remaining Time:
Elasped Time/Remaining Time
Remaining Time/Total time
Remaining Time/Actual End time

Percent value :

Local Time : When enabled the local time will be shown in format selected by the user as part of misc info..

Display only in fullscreen : Local time will only be shown when Potplayer is in fullscreen mode.

Playlist sequence number : When enabled the sequence number of the media file in the playlist will be shown as part of misc info.

Bookmark/Chapter info : When enabled the Bookmark and Chapter info of the media file will be shown as part of misc info.

Filename : When enabled the filename of the media file will be shown as part of misc info.

Content of Short Playback Info ---

Here user can select which info about the media file will be shown for short time when the playback starts.

Playback Tab settings

Default window size : The setting done here affects the size of Potplayer window when a video file is played.

Do not use : When this option is selected, Potplayer window will not resize during video file playback.
0.5x video output size : When this option is selected, Potplayer window will resize to (0.5 x resolution of the video file being played).
1.0x video output size : When this option is selected, Potplayer window will resize to (1.0 x resolution of the video file being played).
1.5x video output size : When this option is selected, Potplayer window will resize to (1.5 x resolution of the video file being played).
2.0x video output size : When this option is selected, Potplayer window will resize to (2.0 x resolution of the video file being played).
Fullscreen ( Keep AR ) : When this option is selected, Potplayer window will resize to fullscreen mode while maintaining aspect ratio of the video file being played.
Fullscreen ( Stretch ) : When this option is selected, Potplayer window will resize to fullscreen mode and stretch the video being played to completely cover the screen.
Fullscreen ( Stretch by Keeping AR ) : When this option is selected, Potplayer window will resize to fullscreen mode and stretch the video being played while maintaining the video original aspect ratio.
Custom : When this option is selected, Potplayer window will resize to specified custom window size when a video file is played.
Fit to video aspect ratio : When this option is selected, Potplayer window will resize to aspect ratio of the video file being played.
Maximize (to desktop) : When this option is selected, Potplayer window will maximize to the desktop when a video file is played.

Default window aspect : The setting done here affects the aspect ratio of Potplayer window when a video file is played.

Audio Speed Control : Here user can set how the audio will be stretched .

Speed steps: Here user can set the step speed at which the speed of audio will be incrementally increased or decreased.

Process priority : here user can set the CPU priority level of Potplayer process.

Repeat video playback :

Disable : Potplayer won't play video file repeatedly.
Enable Repeat Playlist : Potplayer will repeatedly play the video files listed in the Playlist.
Enable Repeat playing item : Potplayer will repeatedly play the video file being played.

Shuffle video playback : When Enabled the video files in the playlist will be shuffle played .

Repeat audio playback :

Disable : Potplayer won't play audio file repeatedly.
Enable Repeat Playlist : Potplayer will repeatedly play the audio files listed in the Playlist.
Enable Repeat playing item : Potplayer will repeatedly play the audio file being played.

Shuffle audio playback : When Enabled the audio files in the playlist will be shuffle played .

Auto load external audio files : When enabled, Potplayer will load external audio files present the folder where the video file is located. the name of of external audio files should match the filename of video files.

Start playback in centered window : When Enabled, the playback of media files start the Potplayer window will start at centered position.

Remember video playback position : When it is enabled, Potplayer will remember the playback position of the video file where the playback was stopped. The next time the same file is played the playback resumes at the position where it was stopped previously.

Remember audio playback position : When it is enabled, Potplayer will remember the playback position of the audio file where the playback was stopped. The next time the same file is played the playback resumes at the position where it was stopped previously.

Show thumbnail previews on nav. bar : When it is enabled, Potplayer will show thumbnail of video at that time when user places the mouse cursor at a point in the navigation bar.

Include title of bookmark/chapter : When it is enabled, the thumbnail preview will show title of bookmark or chapter of the video file if it is present.

Include time info: When it is enabled, the thumbnail preview will show the time at which mouse cursor is pointing at in the navigation bar.

Show markers of bookmark/chapter: When it is enabled, the thumbnail preview will show title of bookmark or chapter of the video file if it is present.

Show time info on tooltip: When it is enabled,a tooltip will show the time at which mouse cursor is pointing at in the navigation bar.

Playback > Visualization Settings

Enable visualization for audio tracks : When enabled visualization for audio files will be shown when audio files are played. The showing of visualization will be given preference over showing album art.

Display album art/cover picture : When it is enabled, Potplayer will show album art present in the audio file being played.

Visualization res./frame: Here user can set the resolution and FPS of the audio track visualization.

Visualization mode : Here user can select the type of audio visualization.

Visualization mode : Slideshow

When Visualization mode is set to Slideshow, the image slideshow related settings will be Enabled.

User can add a Folder where images are stored which will used for the slideshow by clicking Add button.

Display time : Set the time( in seconds) for which an image will be shown during the slideshow.

Trans speed : Set the speed at which transition will occur between the images.

Slide Effect : Select the effect that will be used to show the image.

Time Jump Settings

Here user can set the time jump interval( in seconds) which will be used to jump forward or backward in time using the Keys as shown below.

Jump to keyframe : When it is enabled , time jump occurs with the help of keyframe. As it is written below using keyframe leads to inaccurate time jump.

Playback > Preview Settings

Playback > Aspect ratio Settings

Aspect ratio-----

AR Mode :

Keep Aspect Ratio : The default aspect ratio of the video file will be maintained when the video frame is resized.
Stretch by Keeping Aspect Ratio : When Potplayer window is resized it will crop the video frame such that some parts of the video won't be visible. The default aspect ratio of the video file will be maintained when the video frame is resized.
Stretch : When Potplayer window is resized the video frame will also be stretched according to the aspect ratio of the Potplayer window.
Keep Video Frame to 0.5x Output Size: The video frame will remain at constant size of (0.5 * Original Video File Resolution) regardless of the size of Potplayer window.
Keep Video Frame to 1.0x Output Size: The video frame will remain at constant size of (1.0 * Original Video File Resolution) regardless of the size of Potplayer window.
Keep Video Frame to 1.5x Output Size: The video frame will remain at constant size of (1.5 * Original Video File Resolution0 regardless of the size of Potplayer window.
Keep Video Frame to 2.0x Output Size: The video frame will remain at constant size of (2.0 * Original Video File Resolution) regardless of the size of Potplayer window.

Override AR:

Default Display AR : Set the aspect ratio of video frame to display aspect ratio.
Default Original AR : Set the aspect ratio of video frame to original aspect ratio.
4:3 : Set the aspect ratio of video frame to 4:3
16:9 : Set the aspect ratio of video frame to16:9
Custom: Set the aspect ratio of video frame to custom user specified aspect ratio using Set custom AR button.

Output Device : Select the type of display device in use.

Adjust AR to Window Size: When Enabled the Potplayer window aspect ratio will be adjusted to match video frame aspect ratio.

Checked : The height of Potplayer window will be adjusted
Intermediate : The width of Potplayer window will be adjusted.

Aspect ratio Mode in Fullscreen Mode:

Enable the selected Aspect Ratio Mode when if the margin around the video : When it is enabled, the user selected Aspect Ratio Mode is used to stretch the video frame if there is margin around the video frame when the Potplayer is in Fullscreen Mode.

is less than : Here user can set the minimum margin area ( in percentage) that must be around the video frame for stretching of Video frame.
Aspect Ratio Mode :

Stretch by Keeping Aspect Ratio: The video frame will be stretched to cover the display screen while maintaining the video frame Aspect ratio.
Stretch : The video frame will be stretched to cover the display screen.

Bottom Margin for Subtitles---

Provide the specified area to force subtitle output in the margin at the bottom : When checked, Potplayer will try to provide an area out of the margin(if available) at the bottom of the screen for display of subtitles.

Provide bottom margin by resizing image : Potplayer will resize the video frame to create a blank margin area at the bottom of the screen for display of subtitles.

Operate only in fullscreen mode: When it is enabled, margin are at the bottom of the Potplaye screen will only be reserved when Potplayer window is in Fullscreen mode.

As Bottom: Here user can set how much area will be reserved at the bottom of the screen if there is margin area available.

Reserve 1 line: Reserve margin area equal to 1 line at the bottom for display of subtitle.
Reserve 2 lines: Reserve margin area equal to 2 lines at the bottom for display of subtitle.
Reserve 3 lines: Reserve margin area equal to 3 lines at the bottom for display of subtitle.
Reserve available space: Reserve all avaimargin area at the bottom for display of subtitle.
Reserve available space even if no subtitle exists: Reserve all margin area at the bottom for display of subtitle even if no subtitle is present in the video file.

Windows Size Control Settings

Fullscreen Mode Settings

When on fullscreen mode---

Display : Here user can set the monitor which will be used to display the video when Potplayer window is in fullscreen mode.

Extend video image to: Here user can select the monitor where the video will be extended if required.

Resolution : Here user can the resolution at which display monitor will be switched to when Potplayer window is in Fullscreen Mode.

Playlist Settings

View items as :

List : The media files in the playlist will be shown as a list.
Thumbnails (up to 2 rows) + Details : Show thumbnail of video files in the playlist. Use two rows to display the details the media file.
Thumbnails (up to 3 rows) + Details: Show thumbnail of video files in the playlist. Use three rows to display the details the media file.
Thumbnails (up to 4 rows) + Details: Show thumbnail of video files in the playlist. Use four rows to display the details the media file.
Thumbnails (up to 5 rows) + Details : Show thumbnail of video files in the playlist. Use five rows to display the details the media file.

Show/Overlay icons: When enabled show the icon of potplayer and the media file.

Show numbers: When enabled the playlist number will be shown.

Show extensions: When enabled the extension of media file will be shown.

Show durations: When enabled the duration of media file will be shown.

Show tooltips: When enabled the tooltip will be shown.

Remember default playlist/recent URLs: When enabled, Potplayer will remember the media files listed in Default playlist and recently played URL.

Start instantly to play selected albums: When it is enabled, the files listed in an album will be will start playing when the album is selected from the menu