What is Video Speed Controller?
Video Speed Controller is a lightweight browser extension that adds speed control capabilities to every HTML5 video on the web. With over 1 million active users and a 4.6/5 rating, it's the go-to tool for students, professionals, and content consumers who want to watch videos at their own pace - whether that's 2.5x speed for efficiency or 0.5x for complex tutorials requiring careful attention.
Unlike platform-specific speed controls (YouTube's 0.25x-2x limit, Netflix's 0.5x-1.5x range), Video Speed Controller works universally on all websites and offers unprecedented control from 0.1x (ultra-slow motion) to 16x (extreme fast-forward). The extension injects an intuitive overlay controller onto video players and provides keyboard shortcuts for instant speed adjustments without touching your mouse - press 'D' to speed up by 0.1x, 'S' to slow down, and 'R' to reset to normal speed.
What makes Video Speed Controller essential for power users is its per-site speed memory. Set YouTube lectures to 1.75x, Coursera courses to 1.5x, and podcasts to 2.0x - the extension automatically remembers and applies your preferred speed for each domain. No more manually adjusting speed on every video. The controller works on streaming platforms (Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu), educational sites (Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, Khan Academy), social media (Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook videos), and even local video files opened in your browser.
The extension also includes advance/rewind shortcuts (10-second jumps), customizable keyboard bindings, and a visual indicator showing current playback speed. All features work offline and require zero configuration - install and start using immediately. Video Speed Controller uses the browser's native playbackRate API, ensuring high-quality audio without pitch distortion even at 2x-3x speeds, making it perfect for accelerated learning, podcast consumption, and efficient content review.
Key Features
Wide Speed Range (0.1x-16x)
Unprecedented speed control from 0.1x (ultra-slow motion for sports analysis) to 16x (rapid fast-forward through filler content). Far exceeds YouTube's 2x limit and Netflix's 1.5x cap. Adjust in 0.1x increments for precise control - perfect for finding your ideal learning speed (most users prefer 1.25x-1.75x).
Keyboard Shortcuts
Lightning-fast speed control without touching your mouse. Press 'S' to slow down (-0.1x), 'D' to speed up (+0.1x), 'R' to reset to 1.0x, 'Z' to rewind 10s, 'X' to advance 10s. All shortcuts are fully customizable in settings. Press 'V' to toggle the visual controller overlay on/off.
Per-Site Speed Memory
Automatically remembers your preferred playback speed for each website domain. Set YouTube to 1.5x, Coursera to 1.75x, podcasts to 2.0x - the extension saves settings using browser local storage and auto-applies them on every visit. No manual adjustment needed on recurring sites.
Works on All HTML5 Videos
Universal compatibility with every website using HTML5
Advance/Rewind 10 Seconds
Jump forward or backward in 10-second increments with 'Z' (rewind) and 'X' (advance) shortcuts. Perfect for reviewing complex sections, skipping intros, or navigating to specific timestamps. Configurable jump duration in settings (5s, 10s, 15s, or 30s intervals).
Customizable Visual Controller
Sleek overlay showing current speed (e.g., "1.50x") that appears on hover or keyboard press. Fully customizable position (top-left/right, bottom-left/right), size, opacity, and color. Can be hidden entirely for minimal distraction while shortcuts remain active. Draggable interface for precise placement.
How to Install Video Speed Controller in Atlas Browser
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1
Visit Chrome Web Store
Navigate to the Video Speed Controller page in Chrome Web Store (Atlas Browser is fully compatible with Chrome extensions).
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2
Click "Add to Chrome"
Click the blue "Add to Chrome" button in the top-right corner. A confirmation dialog will appear asking for permission to access all website data (required to detect video elements).
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3
Confirm Installation
Click "Add extension" to confirm. Video Speed Controller installs in 2-3 seconds and automatically activates on all HTML5 video pages.
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4
Visit Any Video Site
Open YouTube, Netflix, Vimeo, or any video page. A small speed indicator (e.g., "1.00x") will appear in the top-left corner of videos. This confirms the controller is active and ready to use.
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5
Start Using Shortcuts
Press 'D' to increase speed (1.1x, 1.2x, ...), 'S' to decrease, and 'R' to reset to 1.0x. Press 'V' to show/hide the controller overlay. All shortcuts work immediately with zero configuration - just start pressing keys and enjoy speed control!
Who Should Use Video Speed Controller?
🎓 Students & Learners
Watch lecture recordings at 1.5x-2x speed to save time, slow down complex explanations to 0.75x for better comprehension. Perfect for Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, Khan Academy, and university LMS platforms. Save hours per week while retaining full understanding.
💼 Professionals & Developers
Speed through tutorial intros, conference recordings, and webinar replays at 2x-2.5x. Slow down coding tutorials to 0.75x when copying commands. Review meeting recordings efficiently or skip filler content in training videos.
🎧 Podcast Listeners
Listen to podcast videos at 1.5x-2x speed without losing comprehension. Browser-based playback preserves audio pitch, so voices remain clear and natural even at accelerated speeds. Perfect for YouTube podcasts, Spotify web player, and embedded podcast players.
📺 Streaming Enthusiasts
Break past Netflix's 1.5x speed limit, YouTube's 2x cap, and other platform restrictions. Binge-watch series faster, skip slow-paced scenes, or slow down action sequences for detailed viewing. Works on all major streaming platforms.
🏋️ Sports Coaches & Athletes
Analyze game footage in slow motion (0.25x-0.5x) to study techniques, or fast-forward through low-action periods at 3x-4x. Perfect for reviewing film, studying opponent strategies, or breaking down complex movements frame-by-frame.
🎥 Content Creators
Review your own videos at 1.5x-2x to spot editing mistakes quickly, or slow down to 0.5x to check precise timing and transitions. Analyze competitor content efficiently and study successful formats without spending excessive time.
Video Speed Controller vs. Platform Native Controls
| Feature | Video Speed Controller | YouTube Native | Netflix Native |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed Range | ✅ 0.1x - 16x | ⚠️ 0.25x - 2x | ⚠️ 0.5x - 1.5x |
| Keyboard Shortcuts | ✅ Customizable (S/D/R/Z/X) | ⚠️ Limited (Shift+<>) | ❌ No shortcuts |
| Per-Site Memory | ✅ Automatic per domain | ⚠️ Per account (YouTube only) | ❌ Resets each video |
| Advance/Rewind | ✅ Configurable (5s-30s) | ⚠️ Fixed 5s/10s | ⚠️ Fixed 10s |
| Universal Compatibility | ✅ All HTML5 videos | ❌ YouTube only | ❌ Netflix only |
| Visual Controller | ✅ Customizable overlay | ⚠️ Fixed UI | ⚠️ Fixed UI |
| Price | 💰 100% Free | 💰 Free (built-in) | 💰 Free (built-in) |
Video Speed Controller dramatically expands speed control beyond platform limits. YouTube caps at 2x, Netflix at 1.5x - Video Speed Controller goes to 16x. Universal compatibility means one set of keyboard shortcuts works everywhere, and per-site speed memory eliminates manual adjustment on recurring sites. For power users who watch content across multiple platforms, Video Speed Controller is indispensable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Video Speed Controller work on YouTube, Netflix, and other streaming sites?
Yes, Video Speed Controller works on all HTML5 video sites including YouTube, Netflix, Vimeo, Coursera, Udemy, Twitter, LinkedIn Learning, and local video files. It injects speed controls into any HTML5
What are the default keyboard shortcuts for Video Speed Controller?
Default shortcuts: S = decrease speed (-0.1x), D = increase speed (+0.1x), R = reset to 1.0x, Z = rewind 10 seconds, X = advance 10 seconds, V = show/hide controller, G = preferred speed. All shortcuts are customizable in settings. Press 'V' on any video page to display the visual speed controller overlay. Shortcuts work immediately after installation with no configuration required.
Can I set different playback speeds for different websites?
Yes, Video Speed Controller remembers your preferred speed for each domain automatically. Set YouTube to 1.5x, Coursera to 1.75x, and podcasts to 2.0x - the extension saves settings per site using browser local storage. You can also configure global default speed and blacklist sites where the controller should not activate. This eliminates the tedium of manually adjusting speed on every video from recurring platforms.
Does Video Speed Controller affect audio quality at higher speeds?
Video Speed Controller uses the browser's native playbackRate API, which preserves audio pitch at all speeds (0.1x to 16x). Audio remains clear and intelligible even at 2x-3x speeds without chipmunk effect. For speeds above 3x, some audio distortion may occur due to browser limitations, but most users find 1.25x-2.5x range perfect for accelerated learning. The extension doesn't re-encode audio - it uses browser-native speed adjustment for maximum quality.
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