How to stream from VLC to Chromecast

VLC is one of the most popular media players as not only it provides you with a lot of advantages, such as support for multiple file formats and access to dozens of playback options, but it also comes without a price tag. The utility can be used to play DVDs as well as music files, convert movies, stream media over computer networks, and so much more.

A useful feature that people at VideoLAN are keeping under development for quite some time now is the ability to stream movies from VLC to Chromecast. This characteristic is available only in the experimental builds of the VLC media player as, at the moment, it's being considered as unstable. However, based on my testing, the method works for now except for one tiny aspect: it failed to display the subtitles on my TV. It could be my PC's fault though. Still, it's definitely worth a try if you're looking for a simple way to watch your PC movies on a big TV screen.

In a previous guide, I showed you how to stream media from your PC to your mobile device. Now, I will teach you how to use the VLC media player to stream movies to your Chromecast device. Here's what you need to do:

Step 1

Make sure your Chromecast device is being connected to your TV and it's set up properly.

Step 2

Download and install the experimental VLC media player version that's compatible with your computer from the official website.

Step 3

Launch VLC media player on your computer.

Step 4

Access the Video menu and go to Renderer -> Scan. The program will look for your Chromecast on the network. The process takes only a couple of moments. Then, go again to Video - > Renderer and select the Chromecast device from the given list.

VLC media player Settings

Step 5

Import your local movie by going to Media -> Open File. You can also drag-and-drop your video from Windows' File Explorer over the player's interface. An Insecure Site warning will be displayed on your screen. No need to panic. This happens because you're trying to stream content to a network device. Click the "View Certificate" button and then select the preferred option: Accept Permanently or Accept 24 Hours. Then, your video will start playing on your TV.

VLC Insecure Site Warning

Conclusion

As you can see, it's very simple to stream videos from VLC to a Chromecast device. So, will you give it a try or will you continue watching your movies on your desktop or laptop monitor instead of a big TV screen? Let us know in the comments section below.

Alternative downloads

VLC media player free windows VLC is a free and open source cross-platform multimedia player and framework that plays most multimedia files as well as DVDs... Download