VideoLAN media player (VLC) is a versatile media player for Windows, Linux, and other Unix-based operating systems. VLC is also available for Mac, and provides advanced media and display controls. Using VLC to stream via Multicast is easy.
Step
Step 1. Install full-featured VLC
Once the installation is complete, open VLC.
Step 2. On the menu bar, click Media > Open Network Stream
Step 3. In the Media window, click File
Step 4. Click Add, then select the file you want to play
Near the bottom of the screen, click the arrow next to Play, then select Stream.
Step 5. Click Next
Step 6. In the Destination box, click the menu, then select
After that, click Add.
Step 7. In the Stream Output window, make sure the port number option is 8080, and make sure no other software is using port 8080
Step 8. Click Stream
Step 9. Streaming You are now accessible.
Method 1 of 2: Playing Streaming on Network Client
Step 1. Open VLC, then click Media > Open Network Stream
Step 2. On the Network tab, enter the IP address and port of the server, then click Play.
Step 3. Now, you can watch the stream via VLC
Method 2 of 2: Overcome Video Playback Pause
If you're playing media from one streaming source in multiple rooms, the position of the media may vary, so it doesn't sound good. If you change the VLC streaming settings from one device and play the stream from another, the delay sent from the streaming server will be different. Here are tips to solve the problem:
Step 1. On the streaming server, uncheck the Display locally box
Your server won't play media, but media can still be played by streaming.
Step 2. In the VLC client, tighten the buffer
Start by setting the buffer to 20ms, then increase by 10ms until the stream is uninterrupted. When you first start streaming, the audio will stutter, but the stream will be stable and cut-free after 5-10 seconds.
Step 3. To play media on the server, open a second VLC client and listen to the stream with the same buffer settings as other clients
Step 4. Remember that you have to match the caching values
Tips
- To change the announcement time, go to Settings > Preferences > Stream Output > SAP, then make sure the Control SAP Flow option is unchecked. Then, lower the value as needed.
- A multicast address is an IP address at a specified distance. IP addresses 224.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.255 are automatically recognized as multicast addresses if supported by the router. IP addresses 224.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.255 are set up for administrative use instead of global, so they can be used in local networks.
- By setting up multicast, you can have a long, continuous playlist that anyone on the network can play. You can set up wireless viewing channels and broadcast TV shows from a TV receiver (yes, you can do that via VLC!), movies, and any media, as long as the network supports it. VLC only streams on the requesting client, so your computer won't receive the information once the client has finished watching. Therefore, your network will not be burdened.
