VLC: Set up DLNA and UPnP streaming - how it works

You can set up DLNA and UPnP streaming with the versatile VLC media player. We show you how you can optimally access your network devices in this way.

Tap DLNA and UPnP streaming sources with VLC

Many network devices are capable of video streaming via UPnP or the newer DLNA. You will also find this feature more and more often in routers. Instead of using special software, you can also set up a stream in your local network with VLC. You can find the devices that can be streamed in the playlists of the player:

1. Open the VLC-Player and press the key combination [Ctrl] + [L].
2. Now the program shows you a long list of sources. You are only interested in the "Local network" section.
3. In the submenu you will find the item "Universal Plug'n'Play" (see picture). If you click on it, a list of streams (UPnP and DLNA) available on the network appears on the right.

Stream into the network with VLC

The whole thing works in the opposite direction. You can send a stream from your PC to your home network:

1. In the open VLC, press [Ctrl] + [S] this time to get to the streaming menu.
2. Use "Add" to select a file (see picture) that you want to transfer and then press "Stream".
3. Click through the setup, select "UDP Legacy" as the streaming method and decide on "Add". Now type in the destination IP address and leave the port at "1234".
4. For example, you can set "Video - H264 + AAC (MP4)" under "Recoding options". Finally, just click on "Stream" and you can play the content on the target device.

This not only works in the local network, you can also use VLC to stream a video to the Internet.