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4 Ways to use VLC media player with Apple TV (Play any Video)

4 Ways to use VLC media player with Apple TV (Play any Video)

Have you ever wanted to watch or stream a video on your Apple TV using VLC? With VLC Media Player, there’s a number of ways to do this.

This powerful media player is compatible with the majority of Apple devices, allowing you to stream and enjoy any type of video on your TV.

Related: How to Cast Videos from VLC to ANY Smart TV

We’ll cover each of the following methods that let you get videos from VLC to Apple TV:

Ways to Play Videos on Apple TVDescription
Remote PlaybackDrag and drop video files to your Apple TV using a web browser.
Local NetworkAccess video files on your network, including popular media servers like Plex.
Network StreamStream videos from any network source, such as FTP servers, IP addresses, and file servers.
AirPlayWirelessly stream audio and video files from your Mac directly to your Apple TV using the VLC media player app.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to use VLC Media Player with your Apple TV, including tips for Remote Playback, Network Streams, AirPlay Mirroring and more.

So grab the popcorn and get ready to learn how to watch any video on your Apple TV with VLC!

Related: 21 Best Video Players for Mac (Free & Paid)

Key Takeaways

  • VLC offers several ways to play videos on your Apple TV: Remote Playback, Local Network, Network Stream, and AirPlay.
  • Remote Playback allows you to drag and drop video files to your Apple TV using a web browser.
  • Local Network lets you access video files on your network, including popular media servers like Plex.
  • Network Stream allows you to stream videos from any network source, such as FTP servers, IP addresses, and file servers.
  • AirPlay lets you wirelessly stream audio and video files from your Mac directly to your Apple TV using the VLC media player app.

Related: VLC Media Player: Is it still the Best Video Player?

Why would you want to use VLC to play videos on Apple TV?

VLC’s most useful feature is its capability to play media files with file types that iOS or Mac do not natively support, including AVI files.

However, there is a known bug where AVI files may not play audio, which is expected to be resolved in a future app update. On the other hand, other file types like MKV and MP4 can be played without any issues.

Related: How to play avi files on Mac

For instance, if you have a video file that is partially corrupted or incomplete, other media players may not be able to play it. However, VLC can often still play these files, allowing you to recover the parts of the video that are still intact. This is a unique feature that sets VLC apart from many other media players.

4 ways that let you Play Any Video on Your Apple TV Using VLC

Why would you want to use VLC to play videos on Apple TV 1

Are you tired of limited video playback options on your Apple TV? Look no further than VLC media player – Let’s dive into all the different ways you play videos on Apple TV and Apple TV 4k with VLC.

1. Remote Playback with VLC: Drag and Drop to Stream Videos to Your Apple TV

Remote Playback with VLC

To save a video file on your Apple TV using VLC, simply open a web browser and navigate to the IP address of your Apple TV.

Drag and drop the video file into the web page, and VLC will automatically save it on your Apple TV.

Keep in mind that these files will take up storage space on your Apple TV, so it’s not recommended to store large files this way.

If you want to stream and watch videos on your Apple TV, VLC’s Remote Playback feature can make it easy for you.

Here’s how to use the remote playback feature to play videos to Apple TV with VLC:

  1. To use Remote Playback, launch VLC Media Player on your Apple TV and navigate to the Remote Playback tab at the top of the screen.
  2. Click on the Enable Remote Playback button to get two addresses: one with your local IP address and one with the more easily readable local network address.
  3. Enter either address into your web browser to access a web page that lets you drag and drop videos to watch on the big screen.

Related: 10 Best Video Players for iPhone (Free & Paid)

With Remote Playback, you can access unlimited entertainment with just a few clicks or taps. Enjoy all your favorite videos on Apple TV hassle-free!

This advanced feature allows you to play videos from your computer or other devices over a network.

You can also adjust playback speed and use advanced technology like video streaming and audio device selection.

2. Use Local Network on Apple TV with VLC

Use Local Network on Apple TV with VLC

VLC for Apple TV offers a convenient feature called “Local Network,” which allows you to easily access video files on your network. This includes popular media servers like Plex, as well as FTP servers and other sources.

To use Local Network, simply open VLC on your Apple TV and select the “Local Network” tab. From there, you can view your server and access your movies with ease. VLC also offers a remote playback function, which lets you play video files stored on your network without the need for manual transfers or other complicated methods.

Related: 13 Best Video Players for iPad Pro and Air

Local Network supports advanced features like playback speed control and audio device selection, which ensures an optimal audio-visual experience.

For instance, if you have a media server running on Linux, you can use VLC on your Apple TV to access and stream video content without any additional cost or software purchases. With VLC, you can enjoy a vast selection of video content right from your couch without any hassle.

3. Network Stream

Network Stream

VLC for Apple TV provides a useful feature called “Network Stream,” which enables you to stream videos from any network source. This includes FTP servers, IP addresses, file servers, and more.

Using Network Stream is easy and straightforward. Simply go to the “Network Stream” tab in VLC for Apple TV, enter the URL of your video file, and you’re ready to go. This feature allows you to quickly stream your favorite videos on your big screen without any hassle.

Related: 7 Best Mousepads for Apple’s Magic Mouse

Network Stream also supports advanced technology such as video streaming and audio device selection, ensuring a high-quality audio-visual experience. With just a few clicks or taps, you can access unlimited entertainment using VLC’s Network Stream.

4. Stream Videos from Your Mac to Apple TV with VLC and AirPlay

Stream Videos from Your Mac to Apple TV with VLC and AirPlay

AirPlay is the perfect way to bring your Mac’s media files to life on your Apple TV. This will allow you to also Stream MKV videos (and other video file formats like AVI, Mp4, etc) from a Mac device to an Apple TV.

Using AirPlay to stream media from your Mac to your Apple TV is one of the quickest and easiest ways to do it. All you need is a Mac running OS X 10.6 or later, an Apple TV version 3 or later that’s connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac, and the VLC media player app for the Mac. With AirPlay, you can wirelessly stream audio and video files from your Mac directly to your Apple TV like a charm!

  1. To get started, open up VLC on your Mac and locate the AirPlay icon on the top right of your screen.
  2. This icon looks like a small rectangle with a triangle pointed downward in it—click it to bring up a list of devices compatible with AirPlay.
  3. Select your Apple TV device from this list, then select “Start Streaming” from the menu that appears. You should now see whatever media file you had open playing on your TV!

AirPlay also supports audio files in addition to video files, so if you have some music stored on your computer you can send it over too.

To do this just select “Audio Only” instead of “Video” when selecting which type of file you’d like to stream with AirPlay. It’s really that simple—you’ll be streaming all sorts of content from your Mac in no time at all!

Other ways to get videos on Apple TV

Other ways to get videos on Apple TV 1

If you’re looking to improve your home entertainment experience, there are many ways to access videos and music on your Apple TV. Advanced technologies like AirPlay mirroring, file format conversion tools, and remote playback functions can help you watch almost any type of video content with ease.

  • Mirroring: AirPlay mirroring is a useful method for streaming audio and video files from one device to your Apple TV. To use this feature, you’ll need a Mac with OS X 10.6 or later, an Apple TV version 3 or later, and the VLC media player app for Mac. You can also use AirPlay to stream content from an iOS device directly to your Apple TV by selecting “AirPlay” from the Control Center and choosing your Apple TV.
  • Converter video file: Besides AirPlay mirroring, you can convert files into a compatible format for playback on your Apple TV. Many online file converters can take different file formats and convert them into a format compatible with your Apple TV. Simply upload the file, select “AppleTV compatible” as the output, and download the converted file once it’s ready.
  • Use a streaming service: Many streaming services offer remote playback functions, which allow you to control what’s playing on your Apple TV from anywhere with an internet connection. This feature is especially useful for people who are away from home but still want to access their favorite videos.

Related: How to Convert Youtube Video to Mp3 (Audio) using VLC

Handbrake – Convert the video you need for Apple TV

Handbrake Convert the video you need for Apple TV

Handbrake is a user-friendly, free and open-source program that converts MKV videos to compatible formats for streaming on Apple TV.

Download and install Handbrake on your Mac, open the program, select your MKV file, choose your desired destination folder, and wait for the conversion process to finish.

With Handbrake, you can easily stream videos from your Mac to Apple TV using VLC media player app without requiring any additional hardware or software, as long as you have an Apple TV 3 or later and a Mac running OS X 10.6 or later with VLC media player app installed.

Related: How to Convert Videos with VLC Media Player (Mac & Windows)

FAQ

Is it possible to use VLC for AirPlay streaming?

Yes, VLC can be used for AirPlay streaming. The media player has in-built support for AirPlay streaming, which enables users to easily stream audio and video content from their Mac or iOS device to their Apple TV.

To use AirPlay with VLC, ensure that your Apple TV and Mac or iOS device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Open the video or audio file you want to stream in VLC, click on the AirPlay icon, and select your Apple TV from the list of available devices. Your content will then begin playing on your Apple TV via AirPlay.

Can I stream to my TV using VLC?

Yes, you can stream content to your TV using VLC media player. VLC media player supports streaming content from your computer to your TV via various methods, such as casting, AirPlay and more with Apple TV. Its also possible with Chromecast and other devices.

To cast to your TV using VLC, you need a casting device like Apple TV, Chromecast or Roku. Connect your device to your TV and ensure that your TV and device are on the same network.

Open VLC on your device, click on the playback menu, and select the renderer you want to cast to. Then, choose the file you want to stream and click play. The content should begin playing on your TV.

Does VLC work with Apple devices?

Yes, VLC media player works with Apple devices. There are multiple ways to use VLC with Apple devices, including:

  1. Using VLC on Mac computers to play media files directly on the device.
  2. Using VLC on iOS devices to play media files on the device.
  3. Streaming media content from a Mac computer to an Apple TV using AirPlay or Remote Playback features in VLC.
  4. Streaming media content from an iOS device to an Apple TV using AirPlay feature in VLC.

These methods allow users to easily access and play media content on their Apple devices using VLC media player, making it a versatile and convenient media player for Apple users.

How to fast forward in VLC on Apple TV

To rewind or fast-forward continuously in VLC on Apple TV, press and hold the left or right button.

Alternatively, press either button repeatedly to switch between different rewind or fast-forward speed options such as 2x, 3x, or 4x. To resume playback, press the center or play button.

Fix error: vlc apple tv storage limit reached

If you encounter the “VLC Apple TV storage limit reached” error, it may be due to an older bug that has since been fixed in newer versions of Apple TV or VLC on Apple TV. The issue arises when the system thinks that the storage is full even though space has already been freed up.

To resolve this, try updating to the latest version of Apple TV or VLC on Apple TV. If the issue persists, you can try resetting your Apple TV or contacting VLC support for further assistance.

About the author:

Photo of Paul Michael, Founder of MediaPeanut

Paul Michael

Paul Michael is a media and technology expert whose research reveals how technology and media are being used in the world today. He has expertise on computers, the internet, streaming, Roku, electronics, and education. He also enjoys graphic design & digital art. Paul has his Bachelors of Arts and Science(s) from Rutgers University-New Brunswick, NJ