VSG:Interface:HTTP

How To Start VLC Server with http Interface

VLC ships with a little HTTP server integrated. It is used both to stream using HTTP, and for the HTTP remote control interface.

Step 1: VLC Server Preferences Settings

Set up the http interface details in the VLC server application: Open VLC, then select Tools > Preferences. In the bottom left corner of the window, under "Show settings", click "All".

• In the left hand menu click on the + button next to Interface. This will display three choices. Control interfaces, Hotkeys settings, and Main Interfaces. Click "Main Interfaces". Select "HTTP remote control interface".
• Click on the plus button next to "Main interfaces". This will display four settings HTTP, Qt, RC, Skins. Click on HTTP to display the "HTTP remote control interface" settings.
• Host address: Enter the port number that you want to use. Default is 8080.
• Source directory: If you have installed VLC in a different folder than the default, enter path\to\VLC\\http.
• If you are NOT using handlers or SSL certificates the setup is complete.
• Click on the Save button in the lower right hand of the window.
• If needed, edit the .hosts file in the vlc/http directory. By default only "localhost" is allowed, edit to enable other hosts.
• Exit and restart VLC

Step 2: Command Line Startup

The VLC appplication can be run in a server or client environment. For complicated video and audio streaming on a LAN, one should consider dedicating a machine to act as the VLC server.

To start the VLC application in a server mode with the http interface automatically set, use the following command line in your desktop shortcut. This assumes the default location for installation was selected.

"C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc.exe" --extraintf http --intf wx

Step 3: Testing the Interface

From another computer, connect to the VLC server computer using your browser to the URL

http://server_ip_address:8080, such as http://192.168.0.186:8080

The Main VLC Interface page will be displayed,

See Web Interface for additional information.

This page is part of the informal VLC Support Guide.

Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.