VLC behaves differently when opening files based on file extensions over a network share
Steps to reproduce:
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Put a large (1-2 GB) MP4 video file on a samba network share. The video file can be produced using a tool such as Handbrake.
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Open the MP4 video file in VLC by double clicking it.
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Now what happens is that VLC will open its window but it will not start playing immediately. Instead it will start reading/buffering the video file over the network. Since this is a big file, this will take a long time. Typically 10-30 seconds for a 1-2 GB file on a 1 GbE network. Several minutes for a bigger video file.
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Eventually VLC will start playing the video.
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Close VLC.
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Find the MP4 video file on the network share and rename it to use the .mkv extension instead of MP4. Just rename it. Do not actually change any format or encoding.
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Now double click the MP4 video file (that now has an .mkv extension) to open it in VLC.
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VLC will not start playing the file immediately, streaming the file from the share.
What was the expected behavior:
I would expect VLC to start playing the video file immediately even when it is called .mp4.
Details about my system:
OS: Windows 10 Enterprise, 64 bit
VLC version: 3.0.12 Vetinari