The VideoLAN Forums

So I'll say up front, while I'm fairly tech savvy, I've never streamed before. I can forward ports on my router but I don't know which encapsulation settings to use or which transcoding options to use. Basically, all I want to do is use VLC to stream videos from one computer to another (1 to 1) over the internet. I *have* searched around the wiki and documentation but it seems no matter what I do, either the video isn't streaming properly, or the client isn't receiving. I don't know. Can someone give me a hand? Be gentle.

Seriously? No one?

You have given little clue as to what you have done or tried?

The default GUI settings work for the most part if server is up to the job and port forwarded using http

Have you tried and proved streaming out on a lan?

There are some posts in the Sout forum which may help to get you started
Eg
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=92143
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=92130

If I stream via HTTP, how would the receiving computer view the stream?

Goodness....!
How far did you look down the Sout forum? 4.58pm this eve..

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=92284

Quote

The receiving computer will need the external IP (Global) of your server (router IP ) in the form http://yourIP:port

Open Network stream with url Internal IP(lan) or external IP(wan)

I'll try with HTTP streaming then; thank you for your help. Most of my research was done the last couple of days, so I missed that if it was just this evening.

Good luck

It's probably much easier than you thought at first? Mostly common sense, but not always obvious...

Well, I tried HTTP streaming, however whenever I open the stream on the receiving computer (with VLC, or firefox), it asks me to login (probably to the router). I already have my router forwarding port 8080 to my computer which is on a static IP. Help?

it asks me to login (probably to the router)

"Probably"......?

Are you trying to access your stream using your external IP from within your own network? That is from your own internal side of the router? If so, then you may likely not be able to.
Or
Are you trying to access the stream from another remote computer on the internet? That is not from your own network/router?

Sorry if I wasn't clear. I was trying to access the stream using the external IP from another computer. The streaming computer is behind a router; port forwarding is set up.
Change probably to definitely; the login page is for the router.

OK.
Mystery login now confirmed as your router login.

Re my previous post, is your receiving computer you are using to access the stream...

Are you trying to access your stream using your external IP from within your own network? That is from your own internal side of the router? If so, then you may likely not be able to.
Or
Are you trying to access the stream from another remote computer on the internet? That is not from your own network/router?

Confirm

Also you might want to check that you have sucessfully port forwarded the computer you are streaming from. The posts I linked to earlier offer some hints on how to check this

The receiving computer is inside the network I'm streaming from. I only do this so I can test it. In the end I want to stream to another computer on an external network, over the internet. I did check the port forwarding, and it seems to be forwarded correctly.

OK

You can't normally access your external (wan) IP from within your own network, which is why you are getting your router login.
I did ask much earlier in the post.....

Have you tried and proved streaming out on a lan?

To test out the stream from within your own network you will need to use your local URL Eg http://localIP:port

To test your stream out on wan, the test receiving computer needs to be on the wan side of your router. That is, somewhere else in the internet - wan and you will you will use your external wan IP in the URL.

I hope this makes sense? Perhaps like a telephone, you cant really call yourself with your own number and talk to your self. Thats the best way I can think of describing it

I can't seem to pick up the stream. On the receiving computer I directed the browser(firefox) to 192.168.1.115:8080. It timed out. I also tried to use VLC's 'open network stream', and I get the message: Your input can't be opened: VLC is unable to open the MRL 'http://192.168.1.115' check the log for details

I'm still having to guess what's going on, as you have given little clue as to what you have done

So.

Have you altered any of the settings in the streaming GUI other than selecting http and streaming profile.
Confirm?

The default settings/selections should work OK... IF YOU

Check out Streaming Features in the Videolan Wiki, you may be asking VLC to do something it can't transcoding/streaming wise.
Is the input compatable with the output?

As per the previous links
Try out a simple test case. A xxxx .wmv video file as input with the WMV + WMA (asf) streaming output profile selected

I'm using the default settings because I don't know what encoding or transcoding options to use. I just go to Media menu > streaming > add file > stream button > next > add (HTTP) > next > stream

I just tried your suggestion, transcoding with the wmv profile.

I used firefox to go to 192.168.115:8080, and it wants to download a .BIN file instead of playing it.

How did it work with receive VLC as client?

EDIT

I have not used the Firefox pluging of late, so cannot comment on how well it currently works, The Firefox default plugin is often not up to date. The plugin from Videolan is usually the best to use.

For your test case , suggest you stick to using VLC as the client to rule out pluging probs. Until you know what is causing you difficulties, keep things basic and simple.!
Avoid assunptions

Using VLC as a client didn't work either; Your input can't be opened: VLC is unable to open the MRL 'http://192.168.1.115' check the log for details

I'm starting to run out of ideas as to what your problems may be
I take it that your xxx.wmv input test file you for your stream test is known to be good, ?

Plays OK with all other media players?

How about your VLC logs? have you checked them for clues?

File plays fine normally. How do I check VLC logs?

Logs can be found in:

Main menu
Tools
Messages

Check both server and client logs for clues

I dunno what I did, but VLC decided to pick up the stream for a few minutes before the sending computer had VLC decide to crash. So I suppose that's working...how do I get it to work over the internet?

And how do I know which transcoding options to use?

Nobody else knows what you did, if you dont...?

Suggest you get some experience of streaming around your lan. Try stuff out, experiment. When you are sure you have that sorted, then post back, if you have problems with wan

And..

Try to give as much information as to what you have done and tried. Knowone can help unless you describe the symptoms well

K. I'll get back to you