vlc transparent

To make the playback window always on top select Video -> Always On Top from the menu. (Mac Video -> “Float on Top”)

I don’t see a way to change the transparency when VLC goes out of focus without using a window manager that has this capability. You can change the transparency in VLC manually though.

To make the playback window transparent:

  • Tools -> Preferences
  • Show All Settings -> Click the plus next to Interface -> Main Interface
  • Change the Interface Module to Qt Interface
  • Click the plus next to Main Interface -> Qt
  • Change the Window Opacity to the desired amount
  • Close and reopen VLC for the change to take effect

https://superuser.com/questions/378770/vlc-always-on-top-and-transparent-when-out-of-focus