VLC not streaming

[TECH198]

I know when streaming with VLC, you can add to playlist or use existing, however on the client u can type exact filename which doesn't really make sense..in a playlist scenario..

Does this mean if u want to steam, u must put <your_ip><filename> all the time to play with each file ?

Also, i'm kind of stuck on streaming with VLC..

On Winamp back in the day, it was a cinch, but in VLC must u transcode audio/video just to play remotely ? Or can u leave these un-checekd

For audio only AAC file, i'm using MPEG-PS as Encapsulation format. I'm also assuming in remote to connect to vlc u must forward ports in router, or use cloud service.