Running VLC

[Guest]

I'm a noob to VLC but I've had plenty of experience with PCs. I've done everything I know to make it work without success. I have searched through the this forum for past answers and haven't found any. I have tow networked systems (100 mbit) runing Win XP. I have set up one to run a file (AVI or MPEG) and the other to receive. The "server" opens the file and I set up "stream output" using a broadcast address (230.20.30.40). With the "client" I simply look for the UDP stream with the same broadcast address. With the .AVI file, I get a fixed blurred screen that will not move. With the MPG file, I get nothing. Can anyone give me a step-by-step to make it work. Can anyone help? Thanks.

[markfm]

Look on the VLC doumentation page. There's a step-by-step to UDP streaming, with screenshots -- a PDF file.

[Guest1]

I did look at the documentation. I followed the steps. Unless I missed something, it doesn't work as expected. I have an ATI 8500DV (AGP on Intel 2.4 MHz) card on one system and an older All-In-Wonder (PCI on AMD 1.6 MHz) on the other, both running XP. When I broadcast (239.20.30.40) a file from the PCI system and receive on the AGP system, I get a blurred picture (no movement) and no sound. I know I have a connection, it's just that nothing appears to happen. What I really want to do is broadcast from my ATI 8500 system, which receives my TiVo to the any system. I tried using the EasyShare (from ATI) which does the same thing, but I would have to upgrade the other system to a newer AGP card. Can anyone help? Thanks.

[markfm]

XP Service Pack 2? DirectX 9.0C? Checked with the graphics vendor for the latest drivers? Otherwise, go into Settings -- preferences -- Modules -- video output -- vout_directx. Check "Advanced options" then you'll see 3 checkboxes in the options area -- turn on the middle one, "Use system memory". Save, then exit and restart VLC.

[7andy]

...there's one thing that had me well confused for a little while. The docs give this strange IP address to illustrate how things work, and, unless you use exactly the same address, range and subnet, it won't work. It was a moment or two before I realised I actually have to use the real IP address etc. of my own server and network...

But, then again, maybe I'm teaching my Grandma to suck eggs

Cheers, 7&Y

[guest1]

Thanks everyone. Yes XP with SP2 and 9.0c. I did use the broadcast address. Are you saying (7andy) that I should use the literal PC IPs? One thing I didn't mention is that when I try to play an AVI file, that's when I get a still (no sound). When I play an MPG, I get nothing, not even the preview window in the receiving PC. After changing settings on the broadcast PC (server), the system becomes so slow I can't even give it a three finger salute and must press the reset button. Thanks.

[7andy]

...if you set up an http:// stream, then the address you type into the http box at both ends needs to be the exact address of the PC doing the sending. Personally, I've never got any of the other methods (UDP etc) to work

Cheers, 7&Y

[markfm]

vlc your_source_file :sout=#transcode{vcodec=DIV3,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mp3,ab=128,channels=2}:duplicate{dst=std{access=mmsh,mux=ASFH,url=:1234}}

the above would take your_source_file, transcode to DIV3 video and mp3 audio, set it up as an mmsh stream using asfh encapsulation.

To connect to it using a newer WMP (9 or 10), look in WMP preferences to make sure you have TCP enabled as a protocol (in the Network tab of the WMP preferences), then do a File -- Open URL, type in:
mms://the_server_PC_IP_address:1234

To view it in VLC, do an Open -- Open Network Stream, click the HTTP/FTP/MMS box and type:
mmsh://the_server_PC_IP_address:1234

To stream using UDP, use:
vlc your_source_file :sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp4v,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mpga,ab=128,channels=2} :duplicate{dst=std{access=udp,mux=ts,url=239.240.30.40:1234} --sout-udp-ttl=6

The above should be used only on a local LAN segment, and is using multicast -- don't do this in a work environment without checking with your IT people first. To connect to it, open VLC, do an Open -- Open Network Stream, pick the UDP/RTP multicast option, type in: 239.240.30.40 in the Address field. The "ttl" option increases time to live, so the packets will make it across a home wireless router (if your router supports multicast).

The above examples use transcoding, not necessary for many things, and it does use CPU on the server PC. The DIV3/mp3/ASFH/mmsh choices get you something that's WMP compatible. The mp4v/mpga/MPEG TS/UDP choices aren't WMP compatible, but do get you a decent quality bvideo stream, able to be viewed by multiple people simultaneously.