Streaming to Chromecast with VLC+VidCast (dirty method)

Streaming to Chromecast with VLC+VidCast (dirty method) - Google Chromecast

Theory: VLC + Vidcast can replace Fling(+vlc)
Requirements: VLC 2.1.3 or newer + Chrome/Chromium
Proper solution is in the second post made by author of original idea.
My theory didn't work out so it's hidden.
I am not sure if we all are on the verge of a breakthrough or I just got trolled.
1. open VLC
2. Media>Stream... (or CTRL+S)
3. in Open Media/File window click ADD button, select file to play and click open
4. at the bottom of Open Media/File window press STREAM button
5. in Stream output/source click Next>
6. in Stream output/Destination setup pick HTTP and press ADD
7. Change Path /stream
8. Here is THE TRICKY PART - Stream output select profile edition create VP8 profile with or without audio or Video VP80 + Vorbis - (Webm) or H264 + MP3 (MP4)
9. Next>
10. Stream output/Options setup/Generated stream output string - here you may correct all previous mistakes or tweak output setting -
11. Click stream
use dabble me on address
Code:
https://dabble.me/cast/?video_link=http://YOUR IP HERE:8080/stream
example:
https://dabble.me/cast/?video_link=http://192.168.1.2:8080/stream
In theory it should work. In my case it does not. Read two quotes below and maybe help to figure it out
Step 10. is very similar to fling config.properties transcoding.parameters - for vlc command line
Code:
#Thu Feb 20 00:0000 GMT 2014
manual.servers=
transcoding.extensions=wmv,avi,mkv,mpg,mpeg,flv,3gp,ogm
transcoding.parameters=vcodec\=VP80,vb\=1000,vfilter\=canvas{width\=640,height\=360},acodec\=vorb,ab\=128,channels\=2,samplerate\=44100,threads\=2
Maybe we should use output format format like for dabble.me dst=:8080/test.mp4 or 8080/test.webm ?
How to stream in VLC - from VLC wiki.It's just worth reading.
https://wiki.videolan.org/Documentation:Streaming_HowTo_New
Old vlc streaming guide.
https://wiki.videolan.org/Documentation:Streaming_HowTo/
Transcoding.
https://wiki.videolan.org/Transcode/
VLC cli.
http://www.videolan.org/doc/vlc-user-guide/en/ch04.html
sources:
[–]asjmcguire 2 points 8 hours ago
You just do it yourself! Open VLC, load whatever the video is, click on the Save / Convert next to open, change it to stream, choose HTTP, click the "+" and make it port 8080 and a path of "/stream" click next, choose to transcode to VP8 (I haven't been able to get MP4 to work), start the stream. Now use the VidCast bookmarklet to load a vimeo video, change the url so ?video_link= reads "video_link=http://<the ip of the computer VLC is running on>:8080/stream" eg: "video_link=http://192.168.2.201:8080/stream" and then hit enter, it will load the stream VLC is outputting and then send it to your chromecast.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
[–]asjmcguire 3 points 6 days ago
I did a test with this, I opened VLC, told it to open my webcam, selected to stream it, added HTTP as an output (port 8080, path /stream), told it to transcode to VP8 and then used the vidcast bookmarklet to load a vimeo stream, changed the URL in the address bar to point to http://<my local ip>:8080/stream and the vidcast player loaded the webcam stream from VLC and sent it to the Chromecast without issues (actually, there was an issue, I had to deselect the audio transcoding or the video wouldn't play). So proof of concept is there. I then tried it with various video files, which works but again only if I deselect the audio stream. H264 transcoding doesn't work - I suspect because the profile is wrong. So in short - it is doable. This would ALL be up to the creators of VLC it has nothing at all to do with Google.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.reddit.com/r/Chromecast/comments/1ybzw3/chromecast_video_a_chrome_app_that_streams_local/
http://www.reddit.com/r/Chromecast/comments/1xn8gs/vlc_cant_easily_support_chromecast/

I managed to get Buffy S1E1 to play, but badly, I wasn't sure if it was a Chromecast issue, a laptop issue, a WiFi issue or a transcoding issue.
But this is how I first got VLC to work (using the built in webcam on my laptop):
Open VLC
Click - Media > Stream
Click - Capture Device
Choose Webcam in Video Source
Choose microphone in Audio Source
Click Stream and then Next
New Destination > HTTP and click the "Add" button
Type 8080 in the port box and use a path of "/stream" - I haven't been able to get it to work with a path of "/"
Hit Next
Check - Activate Transcoding
Change Profile to "Video - VP80 + Vorbis (Webm)"
If it doesn't work first time, at this stage click the "Edit" button for the profile, and deselect audio
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Click Next and then click Stream
Now visit a VidCast compatible video like http://vimeo.com/29965463
Click the Bookmarklet to get a page like https://dabble.me/cast/?video_link=...a2a&aksessionid=34ce303449007f35&ns=4
Now change video_link in the URL to the LOCAL IP of the computer VLC is running on - eg:
https://dabble.me/cast/?video_link=http://192.168.2.201:8080/stream%3Ftoken2%3D1392993272_f784bc55b54fad7659173983621dba2a%26amp%3Baksessionid%3D34ce303449007f35%26amp%3Bns%3D4
Next fix some other parts of the URL (it WILL NOT work if the token is not valid)
https://dabble.me/cast/?video_link=http://192.168.2.201:8080/stream&token=D1392993272_f784bc55b54fad7659173983621dba2a%26amp%3Baksessionid%3D34ce303449007f35%26amp%3Bns%3D4
You should now be able to stream your webcam to the Chromecast.

work without audio
Hi.
It works for, only if I deselect the audio codec...but then i've no sound )-:
There is something to do about this?
Thank you.

Related

Playing video from netgear readyshare storage

Background:
I have a netgear WNDR3400v2 router that has a readyshare USB port (no DLNA server though). I have loaded a few chromecast compatible video's on a usb drive and plugged it into my router. I have also copied the exact same files on my android device.
I am using avia for casting.
Scenario 1: (when video is stored locally on my android device) - WORKS
I open avia, lookup the video to play and cast it to chromecast. all works well.
Scenario 2 (Same video is stored in my router storage. Avia is NOT casting to chromecast) - WORKS
I open ES file explorer, and lookup the network storage. Locate the video and play it to avia player from ES file explorer.
AVIA window opens and video is played flawlessly.
Scenario 3 (Same video is stored in my router storage. Avia is casting to chromecast) - DOES NOT WORK
I open ES file explorer, and lookup the network storage. Locate the video and play it to avia player from ES file explorer.
AVIA window opens and only casts audio to chromecast. No video is displayed on my TV, only audio is casted.
Has someone faced this issue and solved it? please share how did you make it work.
Ideally, I would like to store all my local media on a USB device and attach it to my router, and then be able to cast it to chromecast.
Appreciate any help.
Thanks and a very happy new year to you all!

smrsxn said:
Background:
I have a netgear WNDR3400v2 router that has a readyshare USB port (no DLNA server though). I have loaded a few chromecast compatible video's on a usb drive and plugged it into my router. I have also copied the exact same files on my android device.
I am using avia for casting.
Scenario 1: (when video is stored locally on my android device) - WORKS
I open avia, lookup the video to play and cast it to chromecast. all works well.
Scenario 2 (Same video is stored in my router storage. Avia is NOT casting to chromecast) - WORKS
I open ES file explorer, and lookup the network storage. Locate the video and play it to avia player from ES file explorer.
AVIA window opens and video is played flawlessly.
Scenario 3 (Same video is stored in my router storage. Avia is casting to chromecast) - DOES NOT WORK
I open ES file explorer, and lookup the network storage. Locate the video and play it to avia player from ES file explorer.
AVIA window opens and only casts audio to chromecast. No video is displayed on my TV, only audio is casted.
Has someone faced this issue and solved it? please share how did you make it work.
Ideally, I would like to store all my local media on a USB device and attach it to my router, and then be able to cast it to chromecast.
Appreciate any help.
Thanks and a very happy new year to you all!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only a few Options for you right now...
1 - Re-Encode (Transcode) All of your video Library to MP4/H264/AAC 4-8Mbps VBitrate. All files in that format should play without issues on the CCast (exception bad Network congestion or Reception. aVia should work for you in this example as will anything that has CCast support. (See #3 as an add on to this Option as it might give you a better Interface)
2 (and obviously the BEST Option) - Run a DLNA server that does Transcoding on the fly. Map the drives on your Router to the machine running the DLNA server and add that drive to the DLNA Server Library, Plex and Twonky are both considered the best DLNA servers out there and Plex gets a plus for having an Android App that is far superior as far as Display and it supports CCast directly. Twonky doesn't have an App that supports CCast but you can use aVia with both of those DLNA Servers. But Ples Server with Plex app is probably the best most complete solution right now (Transcoding and a few bugs not withstanding)
All Options that follow will require you doing Option 1 because they do not Transcode, and having aVia Player installed
3 - Get Movie Browser UPnP (another Paid App), Set up sources via UPnP (Your router seems to support this and if not) or Samba. When you try and play a Video for the first time it should ask you what Player to use, Select aVia.
(sorry forgot to add #4)
4 - Install Playon Server on your Desktop, It will aggregate all media the Desktop can see and if you use aVia as a Player for now that will work. PlayOn is promising CCast support in their App soon so when they do aVia will no longer be needed. PlayOn I hear DOES do some transcoding but aVia doesn't and until they support CCast natively I can't say for certain if you could skip Option 1 using this method.
So you pretty much have two choices. Re-Encode all of your Library or Set up a DLNA server that will transcode the source files for you on the fly and as needed.
Thats the best method for supporting media streaming to ALL of your devices.
If you have an old computer laying around that has more than a Pentium 4 Proc then Throw Linux on it, get Plex for Linux and it should be powerful enough to transcode for you. Windows would take up too many resources but Linux is lean enough to get away with an older proc.

I find that DNLA feature on many routers is often buggy. My USB drive connected to one of my routers will show mp4 files as music on any Android DNLA media player. However, mkv files will show up as a video file.
My solution was to rename mp4 extention to mkv. Now Avia sees it as video and cast away.

bhiga said:
I read your scenario 2 and scenario 3 a number of times and I can't figure out what's different in the setup between the two.
The result is different, but both lead up with opening in ES File Explorer and playing it via Avia?
I must be missing something...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Differnce is that avia is not casting in scenario 2, but casting in scenario 3.
When avia is not casting, then video plays fine on my device.
When avia is casting same video, then only audio plays on chromecast.
Sent from my GT-N8013 using Tapatalk

Asphyx said:
Only a few Options for you right now...
1 - Re-Encode (Transcode) All of your video Library to MP4/H264/AAC 4-8Mbps VBitrate. All files in that format should play without issues on the CCast (exception bad Network congestion or Reception. aVia should work for you in this example as will anything that has CCast support. (See #3 as an add on to this Option as it might give you a better Interface)
2 (and obviously the BEST Option) - Run a DLNA server that does Transcoding on the fly. Map the drives on your Router to the machine running the DLNA server and add that drive to the DLNA Server Library, Plex and Twonky are both considered the best DLNA servers out there and Plex gets a plus for having an Android App that is far superior as far as Display and it supports CCast directly. Twonky doesn't have an App that supports CCast but you can use aVia with both of those DLNA Servers. But Ples Server with Plex app is probably the best most complete solution right now (Transcoding and a few bugs not withstanding)
All Options that follow will require you doing Option 1 because they do not Transcode, and having aVia Player installed
3 - Get Movie Browser UPnP (another Paid App), Set up sources via UPnP (Your router seems to support this and if not) or Samba. When you try and play a Video for the first time it should ask you what Player to use, Select aVia.
(sorry forgot to add #4)
4 - Install Playon Server on your Desktop, It will aggregate all media the Desktop can see and if you use aVia as a Player for now that will work. PlayOn is promising CCast support in their App soon so when they do aVia will no longer be needed. PlayOn I hear DOES do some transcoding but aVia doesn't and until they support CCast natively I can't say for certain if you could skip Option 1 using this method.
So you pretty much have two choices. Re-Encode all of your Library or Set up a DLNA server that will transcode the source files for you on the fly and as needed.
Thats the best method for supporting media streaming to ALL of your devices.
If you have an old computer laying around that has more than a Pentium 4 Proc then Throw Linux on it, get Plex for Linux and it should be powerful enough to transcode for you. Windows would take up too many resources but Linux is lean enough to get away with an older proc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, I have ensured that video is chromecast compatible already.
When I copy the video to my sdcard on my tablet, and cast via avia, then I get both video and audio on my tv. (1st scenario in my list.)
When I delete the video from my tablet's sdcard, and instead lookit up from my routerstorage via es file explorer, then only audio plays..no video.
So it's not a transcoding issue.
Steps to reproduce
- copy any video file that works with chromecast from your device to another network location.
- use es file explorer to lookup the file on network and play it to avia
- this time avia will not cast the video. Only audio will come on the tv.
Sent from my GT-N8013 using Tapatalk

smrsxn said:
Differnce is that avia is not casting in scenario 2, but casting in scenario 3.
When avia is not casting, then video plays fine on my device.
When avia is casting same video, then only audio plays on chromecast.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ooooh I think I understand now.
In Scenario 2, Avia is not connected to Chromecast, but in Scenario 3, Avia is already connected to Chromecast?
I'm not sure whether ES File Explorer's Send to/Open makes a copy of the remote file locally before opening - I think it might.
If that's the case, it might be a difference of available bandwidth between scenarios 2 and 3.
In scenario 2, ES File Explorer copies the remote file to local.
In scenario 3, ES File Explorer is copying the remote file to local while Avia is trying to send the incoming data back out to Chromecast.
The copy action is probably bursting/clogging the wireless connection so the Avia-to-Chromecast transfer isn't able to send the video data fast enough to Chromecast. The video data is getting to Chromecast too late and Chromecast is throwing them away instead of showing them.
That is, of course, if I'm correct that ES File Explorer's network browse makes a temporary local copy or cached chunk.

Possible diagnosis... atleast its adding up.
Let me try with low bitrate mp4 and see if that changes anything.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

SOLVED!!!
Happy to report that this issue is solved by using vget to stream network media.
It works excellent... i will start a new thread as vget does much more than just network storage casting...
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ChromeCast and Serviio!

Hello All, I've been using Serviio as a media server for almost a year, no complaints, so to make this work you will need the following:
1. Serviio 1.4 installed in your computer (don't forget to select the folders you want to stream)
2. Avia Media Player (paid version that enables chromecast support) - installed in your phone
3. MediaHouse (FREE) - installed in your phone
4. A chromecast dooh
- Plug your chromecast to your TV
- Open Avia and tap on the device icon on the top right and select chromecast then press your home button.(That should display the Avia start screen on your TV)
- Open MediaHouse, then on devices select Serviio
- tap on Browse then select videos, image or audio
- I suggest to select FOLDERS instead of other, at least it's easier for me to find my files
- browse to the desired file and tab on it
- select Avia
- that will open avia and the media file should be streamed to your TV
Hope this works for you!
Note: srt subtittles won't work anyways

Not sure if it's an update, but all I needed was Avia. Launched Avia and it detected Serviio without MediaHouse, but thanks for the tip, was wondering how I could get playback without the stutter.

Serviio is a DLNA server/source, and Avia can browse DLNA sources natively, so MediaHouse shouldn't be necessary.

bhiga said:
Serviio is a DLNA server/source, and Avia can browse DLNA sources natively, so MediaHouse shouldn't be necessary.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The man is right! just a matter of picking serviio in avia's setup and DONE!

Looks like Google just release the Chromcase Dev kit. http://chrome.blogspot.com/2014/02/chromecast-is-now-open-to-developers.html
Was trying to wrap my head around getting serviio to transcode automatically via editing the profile.xml file. With a little bit of time, looks like I won't have to worry about that! w00t

Unreadhyperion said:
Looks like Google just release the Chromcase Dev kit. http://chrome.blogspot.com/2014/02/chromecast-is-now-open-to-developers.html
Was trying to wrap my head around getting serviio to transcode automatically via editing the profile.xml file. With a little bit of time, looks like I won't have to worry about that! w00t
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that only avi en wmv had to be transcoded at least every mkv and mp4 i tried worked

Alas it generally works for my mkv files as well; however, there are some mkv files that do not play. Hunger Games does not play at all but Catching Fire does... so my choices are to either re-encode to make it chromecast compatible or Serviio profile. Neither of which are ideal scenarios. In the first case, Handbrake takes 5 to 6 hours per movie to re-encode and even then, that's assuming 100% CPU dedication. In the second case, my desktop crashed with an issue with the motherboard... I'm currently using an old desktop that struggles to launch two programs at the same time... on the fly transcoding would probably run horribly.
So I am actually hopeful that this might expand it so that I don't have to do any transcoding.

Cast Xbmc .Flv files using VLC Player

This is a how to on Casting Xbmc .FLV files from Computer to TV using VLC Player, Vidcast and the Chrome Browser. Founder is Mathorv
Video at http://youtu.be/ywfDtspUPOU
Step 1. Go into the Chrome Browser and add the Google Cast Extension at
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/google-cast/boadgeojelhgndaghljhdicfkmllpafd?hl=en
Step 2. Download and install XBMC Windows version 12.3 Frodo at
http://xbmc.org/download/
You need to run xbmc once to set up the proper folders.
Step 3. Download modified VLC playercorefactory.xml at
http://www.mediafire.com/view/b83b9sa39kuxip1/playercorefactory.xml
Place playercorefactory.xml in the userdata folder using the following path.
C:\Program Files (x86)\XBMC\system\
Step 4. Download VLC Player 64 Bit
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-windows.html
Step 5. Demonstration
Start Chromecast
Start XBMC
Start your show and it automatically finds the VLC Player and plays the video.
In VLC:
go to Tools...Media Information: Copy the file link.
go to Media...Stream....Network and paste the file link in the network url box.
Click Stream....Next....Change File to Http..Click Add, set port to 8080, set path to /
Click Next, Make sure Activate Transcoding is checked
Change Profile to Video - VP80 + Vorbis (Webm)
Click Next, Make sure Stream all elementary streams box is checked, dont touch Generated stream output string.
Click Stream
Have the Vidcast link https://dabble.me/cast/?video_link=http://192.168.1.10:8080/ ready to go in the Chromecast browser. You will need to change 192.168.1.10 to your own local IP address.
Press Enter to activate the link. A box will pop up on the right and you will need to hit Chromecast and then Cast.
Good Luck!

Casting Video - please help!

Firstly, I have sincerely looked everywhere for an answer to my issues. I've spent the last 2 weeks trying to get this working and I just keep hitting brick walls. For the record, the chromecast works fine with the youtube app etc. I'm casting from my 2013 nexus 7.
Firstly, there's the apps I've tried. Allcast, BubbleUPnP, LocalCast. Secondly, there's the media servers. I've tried PS3 media server, plex, and serviio (win2008 r2 x64).
From memory, the story goes like this. Installed PMS. AllCast stuttered. Localcast either didn't work or stuttered.
Next, tried plex. AllCast couldn't see the server (just says 'loading'). Although, once, it could see the server. Played an MKV and got video with no sound. Tried modifying the generic.xml profile so it was like the chromecast.xml profile, restarted, and once again AllCast couldn't see the server. Tried restarting the server again (after replacing original generic.xml profile), and the nexus 7, still just says 'loading'.
Using LocalCast, I played several MKVs - video, but no sound.
Next, tried Serviio. Couldn't see that server in any of the apps.
Tried PMS again. AllCast still can't see any servers (still just says 'loading'). Created a Chromecast profile in PMS. When I play a video (mkv, avi, mp4) in PMS, the log says the video starts to play, then 5 seconds later it says it stops.
Tried BubbleUPnP. When I send the video from PMS to any video player, the video player either crashes, or just says it can't play the file.
Has anyone actually got a successful setup going with a media server and casting from an app? At this point I'm willing to try anything!

I use plex and there isn't a problem at all. Must be a network issue.
Edit: first suggestion is make sure everything is on a 2.4Ghz network. Chrome won't work on a 5Ghz network.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

What audio do the mkv files have? Ac3? Ac3 is not supported on Chromecast.
See link: https://developers.google.com/cast/docs/media
If the mkv file plays the video but with no audio, then PMS with have to transcode the audio. On a slower computer, you will get major stutter.
PMS transcoding requirements: https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/ar...kind-of-CPU-do-I-need-for-my-Server-computer-
I re-encoded all of my library, so no transcoding is required and all plays super smooth using any app that you mentioned.
Hope that helps!!!
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 12:07 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:01 AM ----------
Also, check network like Cuzz1369 said
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

I am using bubbelupnp server for transcoding on the fly and it works great for me.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

PMS plus Plex (App) paid version works fine for me, as does PMS plus accessing PlexWeb Interface in Android Chrome and casting from there.
I used to use BubbleUPnP + the BubbleServer to read from PMS, but found that disabling PMS's DLNA server helped with general stability a lot so dumped that, particularly as my other major use for BubbleUPnP - casting from other online video sources is now provided direct in Android Chrome.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions so far. Apologies I haven't replied sooner.
Firstly, I can confirm I'm on a 2.4gHz network (also, chromecast works fine when casting youtube, etc).
I know that chromecast won't play ac3 audio, so I'm trying to use plex or ps3 media server to transcode the audio as mp3. Haven't even been able to get to the stuttering problem - my issues seem to be before we even get to that part!
I am trying to find a solution I don't have to pay for (I mean, this stuff is supposed to work, right??) so bubbleupnp server and plex android app are both out.
@neu - smurph - when you're mentioning PMS, do you mean ps3 media server, or plex media server? if plex, have you tried any other apps to try and stream from plex?
If anyone has an actual functioning setup where they can cast transcoded mkv's where the ac3 is replaced by mp3 and they haven't paid for any apps, could you please let me know what your setup is? I'll be very keen to recreate it!

benzothegreat said:
Thanks everyone for your suggestions so far. Apologies I haven't replied sooner.
Firstly, I can confirm I'm on a 2.4gHz network (also, chromecast works fine when casting youtube, etc).
I know that chromecast won't play ac3 audio, so I'm trying to use plex or ps3 media server to transcode the audio as mp3. Haven't even been able to get to the stuttering problem - my issues seem to be before we even get to that part!
I am trying to find a solution I don't have to pay for (I mean, this stuff is supposed to work, right??) so bubbleupnp server and plex android app are both out.
@neu - smurph - when you're mentioning PMS, do you mean ps3 media server, or plex media server? if plex, have you tried any other apps to try and stream from plex?
If anyone has an actual functioning setup where they can cast transcoded mkv's where the ac3 is replaced by mp3 and they haven't paid for any apps, could you please let me know what your setup is? I'll be very keen to recreate it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By PMS I mean Plex Media Server - and for a totally free setup including PMS transcoding any non Chromecast compatible media it should work using Android Chrome via http://plex.tv/web/app or yourserverip:32400/web/index.html#. You can only cast video with Android Chrome though - not music or photos. For that you'll need the paid app or a subscription (which gets you a free copy of the paid app).

Plex will not transcode unless your using the Plex App to playback the files. I'm not sure but I bet Bubble requires you to use the Bubble App as well to get the transcoding.
So your attempt at using Plex with some other app is not going to transcode and since your Audio is not CCast compatible your not going to get Audio.
[EDIT] Ok I just checked....and Plex will transcode without their app but only provided your unit has a profile in Plex that supports your unit....
What you will have to do is check the Plex Server logs to find out what your unit is identified as when streamed to, and make a profile (using the CCast profile.xml as your template), change the parameter <Client name="Chromecast"> to <Client name="yourdevice"> and save it as yourdevice.xml

Asphyx said:
Plex will not transcode unless your using the Plex App to playback the files. I'm not sure but I bet Bubble requires you to use the Bubble App as well to get the transcoding.
So your attempt at using Plex with some other app is not going to transcode and since your Audio is not CCast compatible your not going to get Audio.
[EDIT] Ok I just checked....and Plex will transcode without their app but only provided your unit has a profile in Plex that supports your unit....
What you will have to do is check the Plex Server logs to find out what your unit is identified as when streamed to, and make a profile (using the CCast profile.xml as your template), change the parameter <Client name="Chromecast"> to <Client name="yourdevice"> and save it as yourdevice.xml
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Asphyx - that's a great help. I did look around last week and grabbed a profile for the Chromecast - I even replaced the 'generic' one with the CC specific one. Unfortuantely, my problem is before that stage - AllCast doesn't even SEE PMS.. it just says 'searching...' - any suggestions?

same here, I tried almost all the apps and when I want to cast a video from my phone to the CC it buffers and stutters...Is it because I have the free version to try the apps?

benzothegreat said:
Thanks Asphyx - that's a great help. I did look around last week and grabbed a profile for the Chromecast - I even replaced the 'generic' one with the CC specific one. Unfortuantely, my problem is before that stage - AllCast doesn't even SEE PMS.. it just says 'searching...' - any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure you have the DLNA server enabled on Plex?
If you do also try enabling GDM in Network settings. Sometimes that helps with discovery issues.

This is ridiculous. I made sure GDM was enabled, and the DLNA server is running because I can see the log. So I tried connecting - all good from allcast. No sound, since I was using the generic profile.
I made sure I had a CC-friendly profile called name="Generic", restarted, now I can't see plex again.
It's like when I have a profile that will work properly with the CC, plex doesn't want to be seen? I've uploaded my log file in case there's anything helpful in there..

benzothegreat said:
This is ridiculous. I made sure GDM was enabled, and the DLNA server is running because I can see the log. So I tried connecting - all good from allcast. No sound, since I was using the generic profile.
I made sure I had a CC-friendly profile called name="Generic", restarted, now I can't see plex again.
It's like when I have a profile that will work properly with the CC, plex doesn't want to be seen? I've uploaded my log file in case there's anything helpful in there..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you need to look at is the Plex DLNA logs...Thats the general log for the entire server you posted...

oops - ok, here are two DLNA logs (not sure which one is the right one)..

benzothegreat said:
oops - ok, here are two DLNA logs (not sure which one is the right one)..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your log only shows an attempt to load a photo (probably a preview image)
But it does say User Agent Windows Media Player....That shouldn't say that if it recognized your device as generic Android.
You should not have changed the generic profile, you really need to make a new profile that WILL match your device properly...
I see no attempt to load Video here, perhaps AllCast is not using the DLNA and using UPnP instead....

Asphyx said:
Your log only shows an attempt to load a photo (probably a preview image)
But it does say User Agent Windows Media Player....That shouldn't say that if it recognized your device as generic Android.
You should not have changed the generic profile, you really need to make a new profile that WILL match your device properly...
I see no attempt to load Video here, perhaps AllCast is not using the DLNA and using UPnP instead....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn.. ok i replaced the original 'generic' profile, hoping that would fix it... no dice
How can I tell if allcast is using DLNA or UPnP ?

benzothegreat said:
Damn.. ok i replaced the original 'generic' profile, hoping that would fix it... no dice
How can I tell if allcast is using DLNA or UPnP ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you might just be better off Uninstalling PMS, Deleting all the data folders (in your User space on Windows, Data not saved in the programs folder)
And re-installing it and resetting all your profiles.
See if you can at least see the server under Media Servers.
(I have confirmed this works in Allcast)
Then we can take a look at the logs when you try and connect and we will see if we can't create a good profile for you...
But I have to say it sure looks like it is transcoding for my CCast without any need to change profile.

Asphyx said:
I think you might just be better off Uninstalling PMS, Deleting all the data folders (in your User space on Windows, Data not saved in the programs folder)
And re-installing it and resetting all your profiles.
See if you can at least see the server under Media Servers.
(I have confirmed this works in Allcast)
Then we can take a look at the logs when you try and connect and we will see if we can't create a good profile for you...
But I have to say it sure looks like it is transcoding for my CCast without any need to change profile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Asphyx - sorry again it's taken so long to reply. Ok - uninstalled PMS, re-installed. Allcast found Plex.
Tried to cast a new MKV (would have ac3 audio) from my nexus 7 - video, but no sound. So plex isn't transcoding the audio into mp3/aac.
Next, tried to cast a very old simpsons ep (avi) - and I got no video, and garbled audio...
I've attached the log files in a zip. The 'Neptune' log was about 10mb so I truncated it - but it's basically saying the same thing over and over - something about a bad SCPD response from my chromecast.
Also, I'm pretty sure Plex is recognising the chromecast as 'generic'...

benzothegreat said:
Hi Asphyx - sorry again it's taken so long to reply. Ok - uninstalled PMS, re-installed. Allcast found Plex.
Tried to cast a new MKV (would have ac3 audio) from my nexus 7 - video, but no sound. So plex isn't transcoding the audio into mp3/aac.
Next, tried to cast a very old simpsons ep (avi) - and I got no video, and garbled audio...
I've attached the log files in a zip. The 'Neptune' log was about 10mb so I truncated it - but it's basically saying the same thing over and over - something about a bad SCPD response from my chromecast.
Also, I'm pretty sure Plex is recognising the chromecast as 'generic'...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries on the time delays....Just as long as there are not 4 pages of posts in between so I can catch up! LOL
Neptune log won't help us...but we will get to that...Unfortunately Plex has multiple Logs it gets confusing...
Okyou are seeing the server which was half the problem....
Your right it isn't transcoding...
I just looked at my Generic.xml and it appears to be blank....Just the XML Header...That could be the problem if it's the same on yours.
So open up generic.xml and tell me what it says after
Code:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>

<Client name="Generic" />
If nothing then it's not transcoding at all....Which I can reproduce on my end...
Take a look at Plex DLNA Server.log
Do a search for User-Agent and tell me what it says...
Mine says "User-Agent: Dalvik/1.6.0 (Linux; U; Android 4.2.2; Xoom Build/JDQ39)"
Your's should say something different which I think is the problem here with All Cast and Transcoding from Plex.
There may be multiple entries listed so try and distinguish which one is actually Android, My guess is it will be similar to what mine says with some reference to Android version.
Copy what it says and save it in a text file somewhere for later use...
The issue maybe that Allcast is not giving a clear UserAgent reply to Plex. The one I'm seeing is a bit overly complicated and Allcast (like aVia) should have a setting to change the Useragent name in the App...Unfortunately Allcast doesn't have this setting. Something I'm sure Koush could easily fix.
What you can try to do is:
Open the Chromecast.xml file in a decent XML editor (I don't suggest a plan text editor but you can get by with it if thats all you have)
Where is says <Client name="Chromecast"> change the Chromecast to what we saved for useragent (leave out the UserAgent: of course)
Save the file as filename.xml (filename being the same as what you just replaced Chromecast with).
DO NOT modify, change or overwrite the Generic.XML! I know it sounds easier but could mess you up later on in life...Better to match the UserAgent properly.
Reboot your PMS machine to be sure it recognizes the new Profile and then see what happens with Allcast....
If it still doesn't work then we can look at the logs again and go from there...
And just to be clear, this will only work for that particular device if what I'm seeing here is correct.
We should write to Koush to see if he can't give us a clearer UserAgent report setting that we can use to match UserAgent and get the proper transcoding. It might even be nice if he added the ability to report to DLNA a useragent depending on what target device is selected.
So when the target is CCast Allcast reports itself as a Chromecast and Plex handles the proper transcoding.

Asphyx said:
If nothing then it's not transcoding at all....Which I can reproduce on my end...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes! My generic.xml file is empty too...
Asphyx said:
Take a look at Plex DLNA Server.log
Do a search for User-Agent and tell me what it says...
...
Copy what it says and save it in a text file somewhere for later use...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok - mine says "User-Agent: Dalvik/1.6.0 (Linux; U; Android 4.4.3; Nexus 7 Build/KTU84L);"
Asphyx said:
The issue maybe that Allcast is not giving a clear UserAgent reply to Plex. The one I'm seeing is a bit overly complicated and Allcast (like aVia) should have a setting to change the Useragent name in the App...Unfortunately Allcast doesn't have this setting. Something I'm sure Koush could easily fix.
What you can try to do is:
Open the Chromecast.xml file in a decent XML editor (I don't suggest a plan text editor but you can get by with it if thats all you have)
Where is says <Client name="Chromecast"> change the Chromecast to what we saved for useragent (leave out the UserAgent: of course)
Save the file as filename.xml (filename being the same as what you just replaced Chromecast with).
DO NOT modify, change or overwrite the Generic.XML! I know it sounds easier but could mess you up later on in life...Better to match the UserAgent properly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok - so should I say Client name="Dalvik/1.6.0 (Linux; U; Android 4.4.3; Nexus 7 Build/KTU84L);" ? and what should I call the filename? I can't put slashes etc in the filename?
Asphyx said:
Reboot your PMS machine to be sure it recognizes the new Profile and then see what happens with Allcast....
If it still doesn't work then we can look at the logs again and go from there...
And just to be clear, this will only work for that particular device if what I'm seeing here is correct.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok will do! - thanks again Asphyx!

Alternative's to "Cast your entire screen"

Hi,
I've only recently found out about Chromecast, reviews were very praising so yesterday I went out and bought one. Unfortunately, my initial enthousiasm has almost disappeared because I can't successfully do the 2 most important things I was planning to do with such a device: 1) Stream my desktop for 720p/1080p video playback and 2) Stream/Cast my Nexus 6 screen (I get a green screen when I connect it, separate apps do work though).
Focusing on the pc casting, the video playback is lagging a lot even if I switch to 480p which is of course unacceptable for watching HD movies. I am not talking about the 0.5 - 1 second input delay, I don't care about that as I don't want to play games with it but rather for the constant speed dropping/pausing/catching up. I have a 50/10 mbps connection which I would think is enough for this but to its defense, I have only tried it through a 2014 Macbook Pro i7/16gb ram running Windows through bootcamp. Could that be the cause of slow performance? Bootcamp may be adequate for basic stuff but the computer does not feel at all like an i7 / 16gb ram unit should.
If the pc is not the issue, are there alternatives to cast your desktop at an acceptable level through other apps? I saw vnc2cast in another thread. Also, is it an option for Chromecast to work if i connect my pc through Ethernet instead of wi-fi for better performance?
Thanks

Why do you need PC video playback on CC? Its smth like record a video of playing movie by phone and then watch it, instead of copy the file to phone and then open it... You could find some FAQ first...
1.Google Cast extention for Chrome Browser will let play compatible formats of video to CC. Just drag&drop the file to a tab and hit the Cast button. It also has "Cast Entire Screen" option.
2.Videostream extention will transcode and play most of the unsupporded files, including .avi, besides the regular ones
3. Share the folder to local net, use ES File Explorer + ES File Explorer Chromecast plugin. Find the shared folder in LAN section then play with plugin.
4.KMP Player for android+KMP Connect on PC.
5.BubbleUPnP android app+BubbleUPnP server on PC for transcoding any file.
6.Plex Media Server + Plex android app
7.ANY Media server on PC (Twonky, Plex, Serviio, BubbleUPnP etc) + Any program that see DLNA (Avia for example). If an app has "open with" option, one can use VEGA Cast, AllCast, Avia, ES Cast Plugin etc...
For Screen Mirror try Koush's "Mirror" app. First join ClockWorkMod beta testers Google+ group, then it will be available in Google Play.

playahate said:
Why do you need PC video playback on CC? Its smth like record a video of playing movie by phone and then watch it, instead of copy the file to phone and then open it... You could find some FAQ first...
1.Google Cast extention for Chrome Browser will let play compatible formats of video to CC. Just drag&drop the file to a tab and hit the Cast button. It also has "Cast Entire Screen" option.
2.Videostream extention will transcode and play most of the unsupporded files, including .avi, besides the regular ones
3. Share the folder to local net, use ES File Explorer + ES File Explorer Chromecast plugin. Find the shared folder in LAN section then play with plugin.
4.KMP Player for android+KMP Connect on PC.
5.BubbleUPnP android app+BubbleUPnP server on PC for transcoding any file.
6.Plex Media Server + Plex android app
7.ANY Media server on PC (Twonky, Plex, Serviio, BubbleUPnP etc) + Any program that see DLNA (Avia for example). If an app has "open with" option, one can use VEGA Cast, AllCast, Avia, ES Cast Plugin etc...
For Screen Mirror try Koush's "Mirror" app. First join ClockWorkMod beta testers Google+ group, then it will be available in Google Play.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reason for pc video playback is I'd like to see movies from my local drives without having to set up a media server/NAS thing. I guess the extensions you mention in 1) and 2) can do that? I'll try them out.
Now if I understand correctly 3-7 regards sharing files from pc to phone and then streaming them to CC? I'd like to avoid that if possible as it requires the phone to act as an intermediate between pc and CC If I am not mistaken.

mclisme said:
Reason for pc video playback is I'd like to see movies from my local drives without having to set up a media server/NAS thing. I guess the extensions you mention in 1) and 2) can do that? I'll try them out.
Now if I understand correctly 3-7 regards sharing files from pc to phone and then streaming them to CC? I'd like to avoid that if possible as it requires the phone to act as an intermediate between pc and CC If I am not mistaken.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone is basically a remote to initiate and control the cast from the remote device/storage for all / most of these options (definitely for Plex and the BubbleUPnP options). It's not doing any heavy lifting.
Plex is probably the most adaptable option.
Also beware that casting local high bandwidth media from a wifi networked device/storage via router to chromecast may never produce consistent results as performance is often impacted by network conditions. Tweaking various arcane settings on your router can help but it's a pain.
For me there were huge differences in performance depending on whether the host device was is the same room as the router (very good) or in it's normal location a floor up and 20-30 yards away (pretty poor) or wired (excellent). I ended up resurrecting an old laptop heading for recycle with a fresh linux install to be permanently wired to my router to host a Plex server and media. Never looked back.

playahate said:
2.Videostream extention will transcode and play most of the unsupporded files, including .avi, besides the regular ones
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I tried Videostream and I find it amazing. Even its interface is so simple and smooth and with the remote control app for the phone I think it's great. So watching my movies is solved.
Now, another reason I was looking for "cast your entire screen" alternatives is that I can't seem to get a specific video streaming service that I often use to work properly. If I cast the tab, for some reason the video does not show up in CC even though the rest of the page like pictures and video controls show up fine. I guess it has to do with the fact that this specific service is encrypted and does not allow HDMI connections, if it detects one it just stops. So maybe it similarly blocks Chromecast plugin from capturing the video off it and sending it to CC?
The only way to fool it is to cast my entire screen. Then the video works fine but at a rate below 24 fps which makes it almost unusable. I even switched to 480p but still the video is slow for live sports. I guess when screen-casting, the load is too much for CC to handle?
So If there aren't other ways to improve screen-casting to a watchable level (24fps) either by 3rd-party apps or CC hacks/mods, I can only hope something is developed in the future I guess...

Database Develop

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