Android Video and VLC

Enhance video experience with Android and VLC Media Player

Thu, Aug 13, 2009 | by Andrew Kameka

Multimedia, Tips, Tutorials

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.

1. 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.
2. Open VLC and select Tools > Preferences. Change the Show settings button (in the lower left-hand corner) to select “All”
3. Double-click Interface > Main Interfaces > HTTP
4. 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″
5. Enter your IP address and port into the “Host” field. Your number should look something like “192.111.1.1:8080″
6. Save your new settings.
7. Launch VLC Remote or VLCMote on your Android device and press Menu > Settings
8. 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.