WORKSHOP Stream videos from VLC to Google Chromecast

There are two ways to get VLC on your TV. On an Android TV, you can install it from the Google Play Store: simply search for it by typing VLC on your remote control. But if you have a lot of videos to watch on your PC, or your smart TV runs a non-android operating system, you can stream them to your

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If you haven’t yet set up your Chromecast, go to www.snipca.com/39423 on your computer. Click the blue Start button, then Next. Plug your Chromecast into an HDMI port on your TV and switch to the correct AV source using your remote control. Click Next in your browser and follow the rest of the setup instructions, which will include downloading the Google Home app on your phone or tablet and using this to connect the device to your wireless network.

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Wait for a few seconds then open the Playback, Renderer menu again. This time you should see your Chromecast listed (it’s ‘Wayne’ in our screenshot 1 ). If you don’t see this entry, double-check that the Chromecast and your PC are connected to the same wireless network and repeat the process.

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You can control the playback in VLC just as if it was playing in the video window. Although you’ll obviously only see a black screen there, the progress bar at the bottom will show you where you are in the video . When you’ve finished streaming the content, go back to the Renderer menu in VLC and select again. The video will start playing in the app and not via Chromecast. smart TV using VLC ( www.videolan.org) and Google Chromecast, which plugs into a spare HDMI socket on your TV. There are more expensive models of the Chromecast, with Google TV and Netflix included, but you can buy the cheapest £30 model from www.snipca.com/39422.

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Once your Chromecast is working correctly and connected to your network, it’s time to stream some video to it. Unlike some other programs, VLC doesn’t offer a Cast button. Start a video playing on VLC on your computer then go to Playback 1 , then Renderer . should be selected 3 , which means that video will play inside VLC. The software will now scan your network.

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Once you see your Chromecast listed, select it and the VLC window will go black and show its traffic-cone logo 1 . This means the video is now streaming to your device. Sometimes, you may try to play a video in a format that requires conversion, and you’ll see a message warning that this can use a lot of resources. Just click OK to close this.

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Another way to stream video playing in VLC is to use Google Chrome. Start your video (the renderer should be as normal) and launch the Chrome browser. Click the three dots at the top right and select Cast. In the window that opens, select your Chromecast , then click the Sources dropdown menu and select ‘Cast desktop’ 3 . Switch back to VLC and maximise the window. What’s playing in VLC will now also appear on your TV.

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