Can't change global default video player to VLC?

I had the same problem on Ubuntu 12.04. Changing the Video default app to VLC has no effect, while for the others (web, mail, music, etc... ) it does work. It seems that there is a bug.

A quick solution:

Open defaults.list with

gksudo gedit /usr/share/applications/defaults.list

Search for totem.desktop and replace ALL with vlc.desktop.

Save, close, and... enjoy!

Global change

For changing the default Video Player, you need to change it from System Settings and goto Details

Then select Default Applications and change the Video

Only for specific file types

You can right click on any video and choose Properties, then goto Open With tab

Then select VLC and then click Set as default