How to Cast VLC to TV from Android/iOS/PC/Mac - Full Guide

VLC Media Player is known as the "Swiss Army knife" of media players, able to handle nearly any video format. What many don't realize is that VLC also lets you cast content to your TV, streaming sticks, and other devices. Whether you're dealing with rare video formats or want to share your media across devices, VLC offers a free and versatile solution. This guide will show you how to do VLC cast to TV from any platform, along with an alternative for regular use.

How to Cast VLC to TV

Unlike some media players that lock you into a specific ecosystem (like Apple's AirPlay), VLC can cast to devices using multiple protocols, including VLC Chromecast, DLNA, and AirPlay, making it one of the most flexible casting solutions available. The core requirement for all methods is that both your casting device and your receiving device must be on the same Wi-Fi network.

How to Cast VLC to TV from Android

Casting VLC from your Android device to a TV is quite straightforward, especially if your TV supports Chromecast or has built-in casting features, or you prefer to use your local network. Here's how to cast from VLC Android to TV:

• VLC Android Cast to TV via Chromecast

Step 1. Ensure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Step 2. Install and open VLC on your Android device, then start playing your video.

Step 3. Tap the Cast icon in the top-right corner (looks like a rectangle with Wi-Fi waves).

Step 4. Select your Chromecast, Android TV, or Google TV from the list of available devices.

Step 5. Adjust playback controls directly from your phone while the video plays on your TV.

• VLC Android Cast to TV via Local Network

Step 1. Ensure your target device (Smart TV, game console, or media player) has media sharing enabled in its network settings.

Step 2. In VLC, tap the GO TO MEDIALIBRARY PREFERENCES.

Step 3. Select your target device from the Local Network menu.

Step 4. Browse through the shared folders on that device, select your media file, and tap to play it directly.

How to Cast VLC to TV from iPhone/iPad/Mac

iPhones can easily cast VLC videos to your TV via Apple's AirPlay protocol, ensuring seamless streaming. However, it's important to verify that your receiving device is AirPlay-compatible, such as an Apple TV or a smart TV with built-in AirPlay support. Here's how to cast from VLC to TV:

• iPhone VLC Player Cast to TV via AirPlay

Step 1. Ensure you have the latest version of VLC Media Player from the App Store on your iPhone.

Step 2. Confirm your iPhone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Step 3. Open the VLC app and select the media you want to cast.

Step 4. Tap the AirPlay icon (usually represented by a rectangle with an upward arrow) from the VLC media player or the Screen Mirror button in the Control Center.

• iPhone VLC Player Cast to TV via Chromecast

For casting to Chromecast or other non-Apple devices from your iPhone, here's how you can do VLC cast to smart TV:

Step 1. Open VLC and start playing your video.

Step 2. Tap the Cast icon within the VLC app while playing a video and select your Chromecast device.

Step 3. Select your Chromecast or other available device from the list.

How to Cast VLC to TV from PC

Casting from a computer to TV offers the most powerful VLC experience, with added controls and flexibility. Windows PCs in particular can fully utilize VLC's advanced features, such as superior codec support and network browsing. If you're using a PC, here's how to cast from VLC PC to TV:

Step 1. Download or open VLC Media Player on your Windows PC.

Step 2. Click Playback in the top menu, then select Renderer.

Step 3. Choose your target device from the list (Chromecast, Smart TV, etc.)

Step 4. Open your video file, and use VLC's playback controls on your PC to manage the stream.

Here are the advanced Windows features you can use for a more flexible and powerful VLC casting experience:

• Network Browsing: Access the "Local Network" section in VLC under the "View" menu to browse and stream content from DLNA/UPnP devices on your network.
• Playlist Casting: Create and cast entire playlists directly from VLC to your TV, making it easy to stream multiple videos without interruptions.
• Audio/Subtitle Sync: Adjust audio and subtitle sync in real-time during casting, ensuring the perfect viewing experience.
• Multiple Monitor Support: In multi-monitor setups, choose which screen to cast from, giving you flexibility in managing your display.

VLC Media Player Cast to TV with PigeonCast

If you want to cast VLC to TV without Chromecast, free PigeonCast offers a reliable alternative. It supports multiple casting technologies like AirPlay, DLNA, and Google Cast, allowing you to wirelessly stream content without any cables. Plus, this no-ads app enables you to connect two laptops in up to 4K resolution, with minimal latency. Now, let's explore how to cast VLC mobile to TV using PigeonCast.

Step 1. Ensure your devices are connected to the same wireless network.

Step 2. Install PigeonCast on your mobile device, such as a phone, tablet, or laptop, from the app store.

Step 3. Install PigeonCast on your TV from the app store if available.

Step 4. Launch the app, tap Select device or Send my screen to choose your TV from the available list.

Step 5. Enter the onscreen PIN code to confirm the pairing process. Alternatively, you can scan the onscreen QR code to finish the connection.

Step 6. When this pairing succeeds, tap Screen Mirror or Start mirror option to begin your mirroring activities and open the VLC app to stream VLC to TV.

Closing Words

Can you cast VLC to TV? Absolutely! VLC Media Player provides a flexible and free solution for casting content to your TV, whether through Chromecast, AirPlay, DLNA, or alternatives like PigeonCast. With its wide compatibility across devices, VLC makes it easy to stream media seamlessly from your phone, tablet, or PC to your TV.

VLC Cast to TV FAQ

Why are subtitles not showing when casting VLC to TV?

Subtitles may not appear when casting VLC to TV because some casting protocols, such as Chromecast, do not fully support certain subtitle formats. Updating VLC, using SRT subtitles, or switching to screen mirroring can usually fix the issue.

Why is VLC not detecting my Google TV?

VLC may fail to detect your Google TV if both devices are not connected to the same Wi-Fi network, Chromecast is disabled, or the VLC app is outdated. Restarting your Google TV and reopening VLC usually fixes the issue.

Why is VLC Chromecast not working?

VLC Chromecast may stop working because of unsupported video codecs, network issues, outdated VLC versions, or Chromecast discovery errors. Restarting both devices or using screen mirroring can often solve the problem.

Can VLC cast to Samsung TV without Chromecast?

Yes. VLC can cast to Samsung TVs through AirPlay, DLNA, or screen mirroring even without Chromecast. However, compatibility depends on your TV model and network settings.

Why does VLC casting lag or buffer on TV?

VLC casting may lag because of weak Wi-Fi signals, unsupported video formats, high-resolution files, or network congestion. Lowering the video quality or switching to screen mirroring can improve playback stability.

Can VLC cast to TV without Chromecast?

Yes. VLC can stream videos to TVs without Chromecast by using DLNA, AirPlay, or screen mirroring technologies. Some smart TVs also support direct local network streaming through VLC.

Why does VLC cast have no sound on TV?

VLC casting may have no sound if the video uses unsupported audio codecs such as DTS or AC3. Converting the file format or using screen mirroring instead of native casting usually fixes the issue.