Tips
Enhance video experience with Android and VLC Media Player
August 13, 2009 | by Andrew Kameka
Android Tutorials, Multimedia, Tips
VLC Media is the ultimate desktop application for multimedia. It plays almost any format or codec out there, and it even has the ability to convert and edit video. Whether you’re on Mac, Windows PC, or Linux, VLC is a program you probably should have installed on your computer.
You can also use Android to get more out of VLC and vice versa. For starters, VLC includes a feature that allows users to record portions of DVD’s , downloaded videos, or music files, and convert them into mobile friendly formats to put on your Android phone. This Sync Blog article explains how to edit or convert video using VLC Media Player.
There are even options to control VLC from your Android phone. Several apps are designed specifically to control VLC using the HTTP protocol, and we already know that Android streaming/remote app Gmote has the power to control a computer’s media. Personally, I feel Gmote is the best and easiest option, but the VLC Remote and VLCMote apps aren’t anything to sneeze at.
- If you haven’t already, download and install VLC 1.0 or higher on your computer. From your Android device, search the Android Market and download one of these apps: VLC Remote, VLCMote, Gmote. If you select Gmote, skip the steps below and follow the server instructions at Gmote.org.
- Open VLC and select Tools > Preferences. Change the Show settings button (in the lower left-hand corner) to select “All”
- Double-click Interface > Main Interfaces > HTTP
- Locate your internal IP address. If you don’t know your internal IP, go to Start > Run and “cmd” (Vista users enter cmd in the Start > Search feature). Type “ipconfig” and your address will be revealed as a number that looks something like this – “192.111.1.1″
- Enter your IP address and port into the “Host” field. Your number should look something like “192.111.1.1:8080″
- Save your new settings.
- Launch VLC Remote or VLCMote on your Android device and press Menu > Settings
- Enter your IP and port number
Your VLC Remote should be ready to go. If you experience problems, make sure that your Firewall has granted an exception for VLC and the port you assigned. If problems persist, contact the app developers for help (VLCMote Website or VLC Remote Website) or try controlling VLC with Gmote instead.
please check out double twist – its a project from dvdjohn – it synchs your itunes stuff to all mobiles out there and automatically converts all your videos you drag & drop to your device – sucessfully tested with samsung galaxy
did video sync to your galaxy? didn't to mine (on os x) also, after syncing photos it takes ages to generate thumbnails … so is that just me or is the android photo app really that retarded?
Thanks for reminding me. I was actually working on a Double Twist post to follow, which is now up – http://androinica.com/2009/08/14/doubletwist-will…
Like it… this blog is helpfull.. I've misguided by other blog telling that I should use VLC helper, and it doesnt work ^-^.. It's simpler using ur methods. -Thx Andew-
How about streaming media to an android phone? I'd like to connect to my Linux NAS via my wireless home network and stream video to my phone… Right now I stream from the NAS to my PS3 and then wireless to my PSP but doing it to the phone would be nice. I've been reading about all these new tablet-PC's running Android, coming out in 2010… surely they should be able to run VLC… so where is the VLC android DLNA client?
Downloaded doubleTwist and works ok, but cannot get the USB cable connection to begin synchronization. The left-hand top bar USB sign does not come up; it just begins charging. Is there a special USB cable for this for the Samsung Moment or is there some setting I have missed? Changed the application setting for the USB debugger "off". No idea where the "mass storage" setting on the download window for the program talks about. Any advice to help my PC "see" my phone? ~Kate
We have just released our new app called "VLC Remote and Stream". It is very easy to setup and with it you can use your android device either as remote control for VLC or as streaming client with fullscreen view. View in-depth information of your files, manage your playlists and control multiple VLC instances with ease. You can stream media files directly to your device without any configuration changes to VLC or without restarting VLC to switch between remote play and streaming.
VLC Direct Rules!! After trying it I fell in love. The best android-VLC application ever!
This is an awesome application! It worked the minute I downloaded it and followed the instructions! it does cost 4.99 for the upgrade. But it was well worth it!!!!! I can play anything on my imac (snow Leopard) right on my android phone!! (LG Thrive). Thanks for those that helped!
i like that. thanks a lot