How to Stream Local Video to Another Device Using VLC?

Streaming a local video file from your computer to another device on your home network is a powerful, built-in feature of the VLC media player. By configuring VLC to act as a local streaming server, you can broadcast movies, shows, or home videos to other computers, smartphones, or smart TVs without relying on external internet bandwidth or cloud services. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of setting up a local stream using the standard HTTP protocol in VLC, configuring the network settings, and accessing the stream on your receiving device.

Step 1: Prepare the Stream in VLC

Before you begin, ensure that both the host computer (the one with the video file) and the receiving device are connected to the same Wi-Fi or local area network (LAN).

1. Open the VLC media player on your host computer.
2. Click on Media in the top menu bar and select Stream (or press Ctrl + S on Windows / Cmd + S on Mac).
3. In the Open Media window, click the Add… button to browse and select the local video file you want to stream.
4. Click the Stream button at the bottom of the window to open the Stream Output wizard, then click Next.

Step 2: Configure the Destination and Protocol

Setting the correct destination protocol ensures that other devices can locate and read the video data being broadcasted.

1. In the Source screen, verify your file path and click Next.
2. In the Destination Setup screen, click the dropdown menu that says New Destination and select HTTP.
3. Click the Add button next to the dropdown menu.
4. A new tab for HTTP will appear. Keep the default port as 8080 and leave the Path as a single forward slash (/). Click Next.

Step 3: Select Transcoding Options

Transcoding converts the video into a widely compatible format so the receiving device can play it smoothly without performance issues.

1. In the Transcoding Options screen, check the box for Activate Transcoding.
2. Select a universally supported profile from the dropdown menu, such as Video - H.264 + MP3 (MP4). This profile works well with most modern smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs.
3. Click Next to proceed to the final setup screen, then click Stream. VLC will begin playing the video locally, which indicates it is actively broadcasting the data.

Step 4: Find Your Host IP Address

To connect the receiving device to the VLC stream, you need the local IP address of your host computer.

• On Windows: Open the Command Prompt, type ipconfig, and look for your IPv4 Address (e.g., 192.168.1.45).
• On Mac: Open System Settings, navigate to Network, select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), and locate the IP address listed there.

Step 5: Open the Stream on the Receiving Device

With the stream running and your host IP address ready, you can now connect from your second device.

1. Open VLC (or any network-compatible media player) on the receiving device.
2. Access the network stream menu:

• On a PC/Mac VLC client: Go to Media > Open Network Stream.
• On mobile VLC apps: Tap the Network tab and select Open Network Stream.

3. Enter the network URL using your host IP address and the port designated in Step 2. The format must be exactly: http://[Host-IP-Address]:8080 (for example: http://192.168.1.45:8080).
4. Click Play or Open. The video playing on your host computer will now begin streaming on your receiving device.