I managed to install vlc on raspberry pi 2 with hardware acceleration as described here:
https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=66&t=59814&sid=65d833a90f1ee134cb57523599e1c8aa
and I am able to run videos using HW acceleration with no problems after adjusting the following settings in...
STOP JUMPING THE GUN, LOL! Anyway, there is a more recent question that deserves attention from someone who may know something about python and pulseaudio.
@Jacobm001 That is one pathetic sob story. I think I caught a snippet about this on the news last night where someone was saying it has most likely been melted down by now. :O