Play Videos on Apple TV with VLC

VLC Media Player Now Available for Apple TV

The versatile, cross-platform VLC application, renowned for its extensive video playback capabilities, is now accessible on Apple TV.

For a considerable period, VLC has been a favored choice among users of Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.

Expanding Playback Options on Apple TV

Apple TV excels at playing content originating from Apple itself. However, accessing media from alternative sources—such as personal files, the internet, or various streaming platforms—often necessitates additional configuration.

Rather than re-acquiring films through the iTunes Store, or undertaking the task of converting your existing video library, VLC provides a solution.

It facilitates the playback of video streams sourced from both your local network and directly from the internet.

The tvOS version of VLC offers features familiar to desktop and mobile users.

Key Features of VLC for tvOS

Playback speed adjustment for accelerated viewing of documentaries and similar content.
Direct integration with OpenSubtitles.org, enabling on-demand subtitle downloads during media playback.

This integration allows users to conveniently download subtitles while enjoying their chosen videos.

Installation Instructions

To begin utilizing VLC on your Apple TV, simply search for "VLC for Mobile" within the Apple TV app store.

Once located, download and install the application to unlock its full range of features.

Exploring Media Playback Options with VLC on Apple TV

VLC offers three distinct methods for enjoying media on your Apple TV: playback from a local network, remote playback functionality, and network streaming. Each approach caters to different media access scenarios, and we will illustrate how each one functions and when it is most effectively utilized.

Local Network Playback: Leveraging File Shares

Related: Utilizing Your Computer as a DLNA Media Server

If you have established file sharing on your local network, either through Windows network shares or utilizing UPnP file discovery, accessing files within those directories is straightforward via the "Local Network" tab in VLC for Apple TV.

Upon launching the VLC application, the local network view is presented by default. As demonstrated in the image above, VLC automatically identifies several detectable file shares on our network, including Windows (SMB) shares, UPnP file sharing, and a Plex Media Server (which also employs UPnP).

Related: Installing Plex on Your Apple TV

Should your primary intention be accessing your Plex Media Server, consider installing the dedicated Plex Apple TV app for a more refined media center experience.

VLC’s local network capability also extends to support for playback from local FTP servers, though this is not visible in the screenshot.

To access the desired files, simply select the appropriate entry within the local network tab and, if prompted, provide the necessary login credentials for the file share or FTP server. You can then navigate the shared folders, mirroring the experience on your computer, using the Apple TV remote.

Selecting a file from the directory initiates full-screen playback with complete remote control support, functioning similarly to video playback within iTunes.

Swiping down on the Apple TV remote touchpad reveals the on-screen menu.

From here, you can modify the audio settings, download subtitles from OpenSubtitles.org, and adjust the playback speed.

Remote Playback: A Simple Drag-and-Drop Solution

Local network playback is ideal when file servers are already configured, but what if you need to play a file on your computer immediately without adding it to a share? VLC’s remote playback function provides a convenient solution.

Launch VLC and navigate to the "Remote Playback" tab.

Highlight "Enable Remote Playback" by swiping down and select it using the touchpad.

This activates the VLC remote playback server. Subsequently, open a web browser on any computer on your local network. Enter the address displayed on your TV screen (it will resemble the one in our screenshot, but with a unique address). This is what you will see in your browser.

You can drag and drop any video file onto the browser pane, or you can enter a URL for a specific video stream. Alternatively, clicking the plus symbol in the upper right corner allows you to access your local file explorer and browser.

While drag-and-drop functionality requires a PC, loading the same remote playback URL on a mobile device (where drag-and-drop is not available) still allows you to select media using the plus symbol.

Files sent from either your computer or mobile device will play on your Apple TV and are cached to the device’s local storage. This is particularly useful for frequently watched content, such as children’s movies or TV shows. The operating system automatically deletes cached files when storage space is needed.

Network Stream: Direct Access to Internet Streams

The final method, suitable for both video and audio, involves entering the URL of the streaming source into the address box within the "Network Stream" tab. This tab also conveniently stores a history of previously entered URLs, including those accessed through the remote control web interface.

It’s important to note that this feature isn’t as straightforward as simply pasting a YouTube or Netflix URL. The network stream function requires the precise URL of the streaming resource itself, a format VLC can directly access. The webpage you are viewing (e.g., www.somestreamingsite.com/funnymovie/) is not the actual streaming URL, which is typically a lengthy and hidden URL embedded within the website’s code. Obtaining this URL requires specialized knowledge.

While direct URL-based streaming is a niche use case for many, it’s valuable for streaming live events (like NASA launches or press conferences) and accessing streams from networked security cameras that support URL-based streaming.

With the free tvOS version of VLC media player, you can play virtually any content from your home network or the internet—without the need for transcoding, conversion, or complex configuration.