VLC is among the most popular video players for all platforms, including Windows and Android.
Over the past period, the developers of VLC were taking necessary measures to make it support Chromecast. Finally, their efforts have succeeded, and now it is available in version 3.0.
In other words, now it is possible to stream VLC to Chromecast. That means you can cast VLC to Chromecast and enjoy videos on Chromecast devices connected to the TV.
Please note that this feature is available in the stable version of VLC, but it can cause occasional issues. Some of the users say that they use it without any trouble at all.
However, some individuals claim they had issues with it, and the process wasn’t smooth. They emphasize that they only experience issues with certain types of media files.
In fact, this experience can vary from one user to another. However, it is still worth trying this method on your Chromecast.
PS: here, we have the top VLC alternative for your reference.
What Do You Need to Cast VLC to Chromecast?
Before anything else, we should remind you that this feature currently works on version 3.0 only. And it works for Windows and Mac computers.
So, to cast VLC to Chromecast, you should get ready with a Mac or a PC on which an updated version of VLC is installed.
Most obviously, you should get your Chromecast device ready. If not, you should get ready with an Android TV device that accepts Chromecast-standard streams. Or, you can use a TV set that runs on Android TV (for instance, new Sony TV sets).
Most importantly, your computer and the Chromecast device must be connected to the same local network. The devices should be on the same network, whether it is a wireless or wired network.
How to Stream VLC to Chromecast
Make sure that you download and install the correct version of VLC. After that, you can go through the process of how to cast VLC to Chromecast. Before everything else, you should check if the Chromecast and the television set are switched on.
You will not find a dedicated icon for casting on VLC. Nevertheless, many individuals expect to see such an icon on VLC shortly. So, to open Chromecast, you should access the menu options.
Go to the option labeled ‘Playback’ and choose ‘Renderer.’ Then, choose the option labeled ‘Scan.’ If you can see Chromecast on the list of options, just click it.
Now, open a video file you intend to play in VLC and click on the button labeled ‘Play.’ You can use the ‘Media’ menu and go to ‘Open File.’ If not, you can even drag and drop a video file into VLC’s interface from the file manager.
Once you play the video, you will be warned with a notification saying ‘Insecure Site.’ You should click on the option called ‘View Certification.’ This option will view the security certificate of your Chromecast.
Now, click on ‘Accept Permanently’ so you can accept the certificate provided by Chromecast. The video will load immediately and play on the Chromecast once you agree to the certificate.
Also, the Chromecast will stream the file from the VLC player installed on your computer. You can use the controls of the VLC interface to fast forward, stop, pause, and rewind. This is an impressive option for any VLC user who prefers to stream VLC to Chromecast.
If you need to stream a video, you don’t need to follow the same steps as you did. Go to the ‘Playback’ option and the ‘Render’ menu to scan it and connect. Then, you will be able to play the video files, and you don’t need to accept the certificate again.
What we should remind you of is that this feature is still developing. That means some advancements will be added to this feature.
Our team tried this option on a PC, and the result was not as impressive as we expected. In fact, we noticed plenty of missed frames and wrongfully synchronized audio.
As a result, we didn’t have the perfect viewing experience with it. However, there are several other methods for you to try if you need alternatives. For instance, you can load a video file into flash and play it through smart TV.
Such a method doesn’t go wrong unless there is an error in a flash drive or media file. There will never be any delays when using a flash drive.
What If It Didn’t Work?
If this method doesn’t work, you will have to use another way and watch the local videos. If you need a way to stream a local video to Chromecast, you can use Chrome’s casting tool.
To do that, you should launch Chrome on any website and select the Chromecast icon. If not, you can click on the Menu button and ‘Cast.’
Afterward, go to the dropdown menu next to the option ‘Cast to’. Change the source (from the Chrome tab to ‘Cast Desktop.’ You can then select the ‘Chromecast’ or the TV device that runs on Android.
Chromecast will start to broadcast the screen now. All you need is to open the VLC and get the respective video played (in full-screen mode).
However, please note that the video quality will be significantly dropped with this method. That is because the video streaming protocol of Chromecast comprises the quality of the video over speed.
In addition, if you are experiencing the issues like VLC being unable to open the MRL, here are the top solutions for you.
More on Cast VLC to Chromecast
In this section of our article, we intend to discuss some important things related to streaming videos into Chromecast. The issues we discuss here will be useful for any user to troubleshoot future errors.
01. VLC Chromecast Doesn’t Work
For some reason or another, your Chromecast may not appear on the list of renderers in VLC. If that is the case with you, you must go to ‘Tools’ and choose ‘Preferences.’
Then, click on the option labeled ‘Reset Preferences.’ You will have to do it several times to get things back to normal.
02. The Battery Level Should Be Checked
It is true that VLC is compatible with plenty of file formats. However, Chromecast doesn’t have such compatibility.
So, the battery life will be significantly reduced, particularly when you play a file that needs to be converted. However, if you are using a desktop computer, this is not an issue.
03. Change the Quality of the Conversion
When a conversion is completed, your video will take longer to appear on the TV screen. Make sure you go to ‘Tools’ and choose ‘Preferences.’ Be sure to check all the radio buttons at the bottom of the screen.
Under the ‘Stream Output’ option, you should choose ‘Sout Stream.’ Choose the option ‘Chromecast’ and then change the conversion quality according to your requirements. “The lower the conversion quality, the faster the loading speed.”
The Compatibility of VLC Chromecast on Android
VLC comes with an Android version as well. You can use it to stream the video files that are stored in your smartphone to Chromecast.
To do it, all you need is to perform tap on the Chromecast button on VLC’s main screen.
When you are casting a video, you will be able to do some modifications as well. For instance, you can change its audio track and add subtitles. You can tap the three-dotted icon and manage all those options, like syncing subtitles, changing playback speed, etc.
If you press the back button, your casting will stop. Then, you will be able to see the main screen of VLC. As we consider, this is a minor drawback. Still, the file will resume from the previous point if you play the same file.
What Are the Alternatives Ways to Cast VLC to Chromecast?
Now you know it is possible to stream VLC to Chromecast, but it also has some drawbacks. The user experience of this method can vary from one user to another. This is not the perfect way to cast VLC to Chromecast.
Therefore, it is important to see if there are any alternatives to this process. The good news is that there are alternatives, and mentioned below are those alternatives.
Google Chrome
It is a no-brainer to stream your computer’s video files into Chromecast through Google Chrome. Go to ‘Cast’ and choose ‘Cast to.’ Then, choose ‘Cast file.’
You can then browse for the desired file. Nevertheless, you should note that this process supports limited types of files.
Videostream
This is a very impressive solution to use as an alternative to streaming VLC to Chromecast. Just install the extension from the Chrome Store and start watching the movies and other stuff. It has an Android and iOS app, as well.
If necessary, you can upload external subtitles as a change. Also, you can change the quality of streaming output if required.
That is how to cast VLC to Chromecast and its available alternatives. With that said, please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
