Created: Nov 28, 2001

Streaming DVD over an IP LAN

This document describes the procedure I followed in configuring VideoLAN Server to stream DVDs over an IP network. I am in no way associated with the VideoLAN project. I am only explaining what I have learned through my own experience with the software. Also this configuration allows a DVD to be streamed to only one client at a time. I am experimenting with multicasting to have it stream to multiple computers, and I will update this doc as soon as I figure it out.

Assumptions

Computer1 (192.168.1.1):
  • Has DVD drive as device /dev/dvd
  • Will stream DVD to computer 2
    • Computer2 (192.168.1.2):
  • Will play video streamed from Computer1

    • On Computer1

    Retrieve/Compile VideoLAN Server

    Download the latest (I used 0.3.0) from the VideoLAN Server download page.

    Untar the archive tar zxf vls-0.3.0.tar.gz

    Change to the vls directory and compile

    cd vls-0.3.0
./configure
make

    Configure VideoLAN server

    (We will do this in the install directory first just to test)

    cd bin
cp ../vls.cfg .
    Modify the configuration file (vls.cfg).
    Change: Interface = "lo" to Interface = "eth0"
    Change: DstHost = "localhost" to DstHost = "192.168.1.2"

    Create input.cfg.
    Containing: 

    BEGIN "Input"
  FilesPath             = "."
  PgrmCount             = "1"
END

BEGIN "1"
  Name                  = "DVD"
  Type                  = "Dvd"
  Device                = "/dev/dvd"
END
    N.B. Make sure you have permissions to access /dev/dvd

    Begin streaming

    Start the server. 
    export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=. #(So it can find local.so)
./vls
    Now to actually begin the stream.
    In another terminal preferably execute the following...
    telnet 192.168.1.1 9999
    At Login: prompt, type bozo At Password: prompt, type bozo
    N.B.These users, passwords, and port numbers can all be modified in the vls.cfg

    start DVD localhost local1 Check the terminal with the vls process and make sure there are no errors.

    On Computer2

    Retrieve/Compile VideoLAN Client

    Download the latest (I used 0.2.91) from the VideoLAN Client download page.

    Untar the archive tar zxf vlc-0.2.91.tar.gz

    Change to the vls directory and compile

    cd vls-0.2.91
./configure
make
make install

    View the stream

    Execute 
    vlc
    Select Net from the menu bar
    Change Address to 192.168.1.1
    Select OK

    If all goes well you should now see the DVD playing on Computer 2.