As @Wyldanimal has recorded, the format of the playlist .vpl file has changed.

I was able to decipher the old .vpl files using a hexdump utility, so I could create an excel VBA file to read and write playlists both in the old .vpl and older-still .plf formats.

I have singularly failed to work out the new .vpl file format.
e.g.
1) Some playlists have a .vpl file which is named as is the playlist itself in the GUI, but others are named "Collection1", "Collection2" ... etc. and the playlist name is the first entry in such a generally named file.
2) I am also puzzled by the occurrence of the active and passive clips in the .vpl file. Sometimes the file consistently cited clips that I have turned off (e.g. I do not want the top-of-screen swing clips), but other playlists cite a clips that I have not turned off, and I cannot see why.
3) Older .vpl files seem to be converted to the newer format and all the clips which are turned ON are cited (i.e. these clips are NOT turned OFF)

So maybe someone could give me a hint or two?

I wrote a paper about this:
https://wyldanimal.com/files/iStripper2-playlists-explained-by-wyldanimal.txt

all PLaylists Created in version 2.0 will have the Generic file name Collection_NN.vpl


Auto-Imported Playlists will Remain Unchanged, and Not take on the collection_NN.vpl name.
You can play these playlists, with out them being altered.
Once an Imported Playlist has Been Edited in any way, it is then fully converted to the New format.
it will No longer work with Prior Versions.

to avoid this
Copy / Move all of your Legacy VPL files to a different folder. In My case I used a folder called Archived.

When you Export an iStripper 2.0 playlist, you can select a different folder to save the exported file, and also use a friendly name for the file name.

The Information in the file I shared is of my own discovery.
no one from the Team Members or the Devlopment team provide me with this information.

@Wyldanimal
Thank you!!!

I wrote a Python Script to convert the New iStripper 2.0 format VPL files
to a man Readable Text file
and Back to a version 1.x.x format VPL file.

If you just run the script
it collects your Path(s) from the registry settings
it converts the vpl files found in the
Data\Playlists folder
and saves the converted files to a new subfolder called
Data\Playlists\Converted folder

If you want to use a different set of paths, you have to make an edit to the python script.

I recommend making a back up copy of all of your playlist
Before trying any type of conversion.

If the VPL file is already in the 1.x.x format, it is just copied to the Converted folder.

in Hind Sight, I almost wish that version 2.0 had used a different file extension
such as IPL or VP2

anyway
you can download the Python Script here:

https://wyldanimal.com/files/VPL2-to-text-to-VPL1.zip
un zip it to a folder of your choice.
You will need to have a copy of the Python Run time files installed, if you don't already have it installed.
and you will need to have the .py file extension associated with Python

I use the edge browser, and Copilot, the AI assistant can walk you through installing python, and associating it with the .py file extension.
 
and here is a long 16 minute demo and too much information video
https://wyldanimal.com/videos/VPL2-to-VPL1-converter.mp4

I spend way too much time teaching myself how to write code.
I have only written in Python one time before.
it's relatively friendly, but still very different
good thing it is very popular, and most brick walls can be climbed over with the help of an Internet Search.

@WA

Thanks ! That's much appreciated.

Do any new New iStripper 2.0 format VPL files just need to go in a folder like before ?

All Created Playlist in Version 2.0 will be stored in the Data\Playlists folder
they will all have a generic file name Collection_NN.vpl
where NN is a Number from 0 to 99
I haven't gotten past 99 playlist yet, but I would guess the NN portion can grow to 9999 or more

From within the Playlist page, you can right click on a single playlist and Export it.
During the Export you can select a Folder of your Choice and a Friendly File Name


Side note:
Do not trust AI to generate Good Logical Code.

I had a ***** bug, I searched on-line for an Answer
The Top results all Seem to be now, AI driven Results..

I figured the AI would probably be Accurate.
I spent 8 hours and Iteration after iteration of Code Snippets
From the AI.
each time telling the AI the new / next error

Oh yes, sorry that is not the proper structure
Here is the correct function...

Nope, same or Different Error...

Lets put some Debug Print commands in so we can see the variable results.

After about 100 different tests, and 3 different AI models.
I gave up and downloaded the Documentation.

While the solution wasn't simple, It should have been a piece of cake for the AI models.

I do Believe they are designed to give out Deliberately faulty results.

If you Downloaded my Python Script.
I just updated it about 5 minutes ago.
The 1st version had a ***** Bug, concerning the Favorite.vpl file.
It uses a different binary structure than the other VPL files.

I had an Empty Favorite playlist.
so I did not uncover my bug, till I add a few cards to the Favorite list.

Couldn't figure out why I kept getting errors
I suspected it to be the favorite.vpl file

but I had compounded my error with a typo
the file is Favorite.vpl not favorite.vpl
And it does not have two sets of Gradient Colors stored in it's data structure.
plus the status bytes are different.

and AI as a code writer, purposely generates BAD code.

edit: the up-to-date version is 1.0.138
I started at version 1.0.1
at version 1.0.9 I had a fully functional Script.
then I added cards to the Favorite playlist
and that broke everything..
129 changes later....
https://wyldanimal.com/files/VPL2-to-text-to-VPL1.zip

@WA

Side note:
Do not trust AI to generate Good Logical Code.

I've used ChatGPT a lot and now subscribe to get the best version. Sometimes it writes me a script spot on first time and it just saves so much time. I try to stick to perl as a language I can read myself but I've also been able to get it to help with many other things - like converting shaders to 3D, not just converting it but explaining it so that I can do it myself from then on.

...and then... there's those days where it gets it wrong and wrong again.