Daren Matthews

The “class D” multicast address range is 224.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.255, with the private range falling between 239.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.255

This configuration tests multicast routing configurations using VLC:
Any machine can join a multicast group by sending a request on the network, and it will automatically receive the stream. When it sends a request to leave the group, it will automatically stop receiving the stream. The streaming server only sends one stream even if there are multiple clients receiving it.

Using UDP to stream to multiple recipients

locate a suitable video file (e.g. “file.avi”) and open a command prompt (windows) or terminal window (Linux).  Change to the directory where file.avi exists.

On the server enter:

vlc -vvv file.avi –sout udp:239.0.0.1 –ttl 12 –loop

NOTE:  If VLC is not in your path, you need to add it.  To do this, type “set” to show your existing path, e.g.

path=c:\php;C:\Perl\site\bin;C:\Perl\bin;C:\WINDOWS\system32;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\System32\Wbem;C:\Program Files\ZipGenius 6\;C:\usr\bin;C:\Program Files\SSH Communications Security\SSH Secure Shell\

Now add the VLC directory to the path, with “set path”:

set path=c:\php;C:\Perl\site\bin;C:\Perl\bin;C:\WINDOWS\system32;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\System32\Wbem;C:\Program Files\ZipGenius 6\;C:\usr\bin;C:\Program Files\SSH Communications Security\SSH Secure Shell\;C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC\

On the client(s) enter:

vlc -vvv udp:@239.0.0.1

OR from the VLC player:

Media > Open Network  (then choose UDP and enter multicast address).

You should now receive the video stream via multicast