Using VLC to stream video to N770

Something I found very useful. Since I could now stream the video to my N770 from my desktop PC, I no longer need to rely on the memory card to play my media files; also, I am no longer limited by the size of the RS-MMC card.

What you need to do the Streaming?
  • VLC Media Player - you need this to stream the video. I am using the Windows version but I believe the platforms should work as well
  • MPlayer for maemo - player to play the media files on your N770. The software should be available for installation from the Application Manager on N770
  • Telnet client - you need this to start MPlayer in command line. I know it's no good. It is available from the Application Manager on N770
Steps on the Server side

Below batch file I used to start the streaming using VLC:

vlc.exe movie-filename --sout=#transcode{vcodec=mp4v,vb=256,width=320,height=240,acodec=mpga,ab=
64,channels=2}:duplicate{dst=std{access=http,mux=asf,dst=192.168.1.124:1234}}

Let's go thru the different part in the command,

vcodec=mp4v,vb=256,...,acodec=mpga,ab=64
  • This is the video and audio codec I used and the video/audio bitrate I am using. Others have mentioned the use of WMV format but I found it too slow on my N770.
width=320,height=240
  • Size of the output stream. For 16:9 movies, you may use 400x224
access=http
  • Streaming mode. I haven't used other options
mux=asf
  • Format of the container stream. I noticed others said they are using mpeg but again, it works too slow on my machine. asf provides me the best experience
dst=192.168.1.124:1234
  • IP address and port number where the movie will be streamed to. Change this to match IP address of your machine and select any port you like
Steps on the Client Side

Bring up telnet and use the below command to start mplayer to play the movie:

mplayer -cache 4096 http://192.168.1.124:1234/

The URL has to match with the values you used in the VLC command.

For the cache value, you may use a lower value for faster startup. Do remember a lower cache may cause problem when you seek to different positions in the movie.


Comments

Anonymous said…
Reading these kind of posts reminds me of just how technology truly is everywhere in this day and age, and I think it is safe to say that we have passed the point of no return in our relationship with technology.


I don't mean this in a bad way, of course! Ethical concerns aside... I just hope that as technology further innovates, the possibility of copying our memories onto a digital medium becomes a true reality. It's a fantasy that I daydream about every once in a while.


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