Casting media from the popular VLC media player to Chromecast devices is an easy way to stream videos, music, and more to your TV. With just a few simple steps, you can leverage the power of VLC and Chromecast for an enhanced entertainment experience.
Table of Contents
What You Need
To get started casting VLC media to Chromecast, you will need:
- VLC media player version 3.0 or higher – Older versions do not support Chromecast streaming so be sure to upgrade to the latest release. VLC is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS.
- A Chromecast device – Purchase a Chromecast, Chromecast Ultra, or Chromecast Audio to connect to your TV or speakers.
- A WiFi network – Ensure devices are on the same WiFi network for casting.
Casting from Windows or Mac
Casting from the VLC desktop app running on Windows or Mac machines is straightforward:
- Launch VLC media player on your computer
- Click on Playback in the top menu bar and select Renderer
- Choose your Chromecast device from the list
- Open the media files you wish to play
- The selected video, audio or streaming content will now cast to the TV or speakers connected to your Chromecast
Pro Tip: If you do not see your Chromecast device listed, click on Scan to search for available devices on your network.
Casting from Mobile Devices
To cast media from the VLC app for Android or iOS mobile devices:
- Launch VLC and begin playing a video
- Tap the Cast Button visible in the top toolbar
- Select your Chromecast device
- The VLC mobile app will connect and begin casting media to your Chromecast
Pro Tip: You can continue browsing and playing new media from the VLC mobile app and it will automatically cast to the connected Chromecast device.
Advanced Casting with VLC
Beyond basic streaming, VLC offers advanced casting features to take your experience to the next level:
Transcoding Unsupported Formats
The Chromecast has limited format support out-of-the-box. Leverage VLC’s real-time transcoding capabilities to seamlessly convert and cast unsupported media formats that would otherwise fail to play.
Subtitles and Multiple Audio Tracks
Enable subtitles and select alternate audio tracks to cast alongside your video for foreign language and accessibility support.
Fine-tuned Playback Settings
Take control of your casting experience by customizing playback settings like speed, aspect ratio, deinterlacing, and video effects before transmitting media to your Chromecast.
Cast Your Entire Desktop
If you want to mirror your entire desktop instead of just the VLC player, enable desktop casting mode to send your full screen to Chromecast for activities like gaming, web browsing and video calls.
Troubleshooting Tips
Here are some handy tips for resolving common VLC Chromecast issues:
- Update VLC media player and Chromecast firmware to latest versions
- Use 2.4Ghz WiFi band instead of 5Ghz
- Restart the Chromecast device
- Check firewall and anti-virus software for conflicts
- Disable VPN connections and public WiFi networks
- Clear VLC app cache and reset preferences
With VLC’s native Chromecast integration, streaming your media library to the big screen is simple. Follow these guidelines to smoothly link VLC and Chromecast for an enhanced viewing experience across devices.
