Streaming using VLC

[danieldunn10]

Hey, I've tried setting up a stream from my computer to my friend via the internet but i cannot seem to get it to work :-S I have used the following guide, and followed each stage exactly as it says but i still cant get it to work!

https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=259354

I can get the stream to work on computers on my network, by going onto 'open url' in windows media player and using http:\\192.168.***.*:8080 as the url.

But if i try open my stream from my friends computer, (and use the url of my ip address which i found from the site http://whatismyipaddress.com/) it still doesnt work.

I've also done port forwarding on my router for the port 8080.

still after doing all this i cant seem to get it to work? :-S

What could i be doing wrong?

Thanks alot for any help,

Dan

[dnix71]

Call your isp and ask if they allow this. They may be blocking ceratin ports up to prevent people at home from running a website without paying extra.

[danieldunn10]

Thanks for your reply, i rang them but they said that this was not the case :-S

[dnix71]

I use a mac, but the principle is the same. You need a 'public' share folder somewhere for access outside your local network.

There is inexpensive web server software like this

http://www.topshareware.com/WebServer-download-3882.htm

You need to set rules for sharing. There are people who look for open shares of music and videos to post. Too much traffic will break your connection.

[danieldunn10]

Thanks for your reply, ive downloaded a trial of that software.

Im not sure what the settings should be though ive trield loads of different ip addresses in both VLC and the trial software but none of them seem to work? im not sure which ip addresss go where?

Thanks for any advice, much appreciated

Dan

[dnix71]

I assume you have a permanent ip from your isp. You are going to have to give your friend the web ip/local workgroup/computer name/file location for the music host computer so that once the request reaches your local network server it can be properly rerouted.

Either that or let the local server host the file to make it simple. That's what the scripts are for. You put the web server software on the local network server and when a request for that file comes in, the script is to go get the file and stream it back using VLC. If you didn't have a local network it would be much easier to do.

Under options you are behind a router. You'll have to read the manual on your router to see how to set it to allow incoming requests for a particular ip and port. Since there may be more than one computer behind the router at any time, the one hosting the files should be a permanent ip on the local network (not HOME 127.0.0.1) and then pick 8080 as the port listening for the web server and VLC.

Most home routers ignore all unsolicited incoming requests on purpose. No one can scan your network from the outside because there is simply no answer from the router. Your dsl modem must also allow incoming unsolicited requests.

Your software firewall must also allow the incoming and outgoing traffic over the web, not just the local network.