Streaming with VLC

[Treval]

Hello.

I am trying to stream a movie (so I can watch it together with someone) through VLC.
How do I do this successfully with VLC player?

I've tried and it doesn't work.
Believe me, I've followed 3 detailed tutorials, even videolan.org's own streaming tutorail, they are supposed to work, but they don't, for me.
Maybe I should get VLS (VideoLan Server; even though not recommended by videolan.org themselves)?

I've tried UDP, HTTP.
My ports are open.. so are my buddy's ports..
I just can't get it to work.

A good and easy explanation would be nice.

Thank you,
Treval

[Salmon Trout]

tell us what you did that didn't work.

[Treval]

On my server machine,
I tried these settings:

http://i46.tinypic.com/o91n48.jpg

Then I tried all of the following IP/port/protocol combinations in that interface, including opening said ports on my router:

UDP/HTTP

99.x.x.x  (my buddy's IP) 80/1234/8080
192.168.1.2    (80?)
192.168.1.2    8080
192.168.1.2    1234
84.196.91.15  (80?)
84.196.91.15  1234
84.196.91.15  8080

I checked that the ports were open TCP/UDP with PFPortChecker.

Then, on the target machine, with a videolan running there, I tried the following ports/combinations:

http://i45.tinypic.com/2q0kjfs.jpg

UDP/RTP/HTTP:

192.168.1.2 (80?)
192.168.1.2:8080/1234
84.196.91.15 (80?)
84.196.91.15:8080/1234
99.x.x.x   (my buddy's IP) 1234/8080/80

The stream just wouldn't play, even though the tutorial suggests that 'the video starts playing now'.

I even tried to tell my cousin to open said IP's/ports.
He downloaded the latest version while I had the older version.
I don't think it would matter, protocol wise.
The latest version doesn't allow you to specify a port.
It seems to be hardcoded and '1234' is greyed out with every protocol.
That's why I tried forwarding port 1234 with those IP's.
However, no luck.

I put an .avi file as an example but I really used an .flv file.
Tried .avi too.

So what exactly must I do?
This procedure is supposed to be simplistic.

Treval

[Geek-9pm]

Dud you already look on the VLC forum?
http://forum.videolan.org/

[Treval]

I will look into it then.

[Treval]

No replies from them yet.

[Salmon Trout]

Is your buddy on the same LAN as you, or somewhere on the internet?

[Treval]

Somewhere on the internet.

[Treval]

I have to say, those VLC forums are dead.

[soybean]

I have to say, those VLC forums are dead.

Huh?   Look at all the replies posted Jan. 31 already on http://forum.videolan.org/viewforum.php?f=14&sid=5be47eaf6df3a8754cc338f5e4f3e826.  It's not dead by any means.

[Treval]

Dead on my thread at least.
link

Apparently it's too technical or not interesting.

[soybean]

Well, for one thing, I would not have taken this approach:

I've been referred to here from another forum so I'll just post a link to my problem:

I think that may annoy or turn off some members of that forum who feel a sense of loyalty to that forum.  So, in my opinion, it's better to re-state the details of your problem there rather than post a link to another forum.

[Treval]

I see.

So can anyone help me out?

[Salmon Trout]

Probably not.

[soybean]

I can't, I've use VLC very little.

[EEVIAC]

Where did you download VLC from ?   Your VLC user interface looks different from the version I just downloaded...        What version/distribution are you using?         I don't see the same options in my interface as I do yours..

[Treval]

I'm using version 0.6.8i.
Download here
Other versions here

Here's a little guide on streaming VLC (which didn't help me):
Streaming Guide

[Salmon Trout]

I'm using version 0.6.8i.

Why so old?

[Treval]

Because I downloaded it back then.

[EEVIAC]

Trevel..   I got this working on my LAN at home, but I'm not 100% sure how it's going to work out over the Internet... I think it will work though.

Have your friend (including yourself) install and use the same version of VLC (use your current version)...  When you install VLC it will automatically open a port in Windows Firewall, so don't worry about Windows Firewall.  However, if YOU are the one sending the unicast (in your case sending a movie to a someone else's single comptuer), if your friends computer is behind a router, he/she will have to forward a port in the router to a virtual port on the computer that is viewing the movie.. It's pretty easy to do, if you know where to look..(give me the make/model of your friends router if you need help with it)
You will forward a port in the router to UDP port 1234 on your friends computer...  You can use other ports and options but lets not get into that right now     Basically, for your friend's side of the connection, all he/she has to do is install VLC, and forward the port in the router and that's it..

Once your friend is set up, do this:

Place a DVD into the DVD drive on YOUR computer.. whatever you want to play... Open VLC on your computer, click on "file", click on "open disc"..  Leave the disc type set on "DVD (menus)" .........Check the Stream/Save box and click on "settings"

Put a check in the "play locally" box.... This will play the movie on your own computer when the movie starts..  Now, put a check in the UDP box and get on the phone with your friend...  Have them boot up their computer and leave it ON.  Tell them to open a browser firefox/IE whatever, and them go to www.showip.com           Have your friend give you the IP address that is displayed on the screen... You need to enter that ip address into the "Address" box next to "UDP"..........leave the port number (1234) as it is..  Under "Encapsulation Method" make sure MPEG TS has a bubble in it.. 


Click OK to close that screen and then click OK again to close the other screen that is open..Give it 10 to 15 seconds for the movie to display on your screen...  You will have control over Options on the DVD movie with your mouse... You can use the mouse to click "Play" or any other possible selections on the DVD's menu..

When the movie pops up on your computer, have your friend open up VLC player, click "file" and click on "open network stream"... Next tell your friend to click on the OK button on that screen and the movie should pop up on their computer within seconds..

[EEVIAC]

btw..    If you want to use a  .avi file you can...

Assuming it is a working .avi file (if you made it yourself make sure it works in another media player before try this), do everything the way I told you, but instead of selecting "Open disk" from the "file" menu, select "open file"..  On the top right, browse for the .avi file..
When the .avi file is selected click on "stream/save" again and click "settings" and do the exact same thing I told you before.... Whether you use a DVD or .avi file, do not add any port numbers to the end of the IP address that you are sending the video too........like you did here:  84.196.91.15:8080

As I said, leave the UDP port at it's default setting

[Treval]

I will try this. Thank you very much you are a great guy.
Just want to mention that I have windows firewall disabled (maybe he has that too) and I'm using Kerio Personal Firewall with strict rules. Perhaps I should turn it off. Dunno.

[EEVIAC]

Yes, disable all third-party firewalls.

For now, I think you should disable Kerio Firewall and just keep Windows Firewall enabled... I have no idea what kind of restrictions your Kerio firewall puts on the computer, aside from port blocking...


edit: also..  This is Internet, so, your friend may run into the same type of buffering  (temporary movie screen freezes) problems as anyone else would that is watching a YOUTUBE video..     This is a bandwidth-sensitive application!
If this happens, we can probably make some adjustments..  Note: There will be a slight time difference in the video on your screen and the video on your friends screen, since the video has to travel across the Internet...