Category Archives: vlc-streamer-iphone

VLC Streamer 4 – password issue (now fixed)

Update: As of 6th October, Apple have approved the update which should sort this issue and a handful of other minor problems. Please make sure you update to 4.01.


 

Apple just approved VLC Streamer 4, which is a massive redesign, and which fully supports iOS8 and the new devices.

Unfortunately, there are a couple of bugs.

The main one is that if you’re using a password on your helper, then if you can’t enter a new password. (If your old password is saved, that should continue working).

I’ll submit a fix today (4 Oct) and request an expedited review. Apple are swamped at the moment though, so this may take a while.

In the meantime, the only workaround is to turn off the password on your helper, though I understand that isn’t appropriate for everyone.

The other bug is the thoroughly ugly green background on the title in the main movie list (on iPhones only). I just want to assure you that this is an error rather than terrible taste…

my apologies for the inconvenience – I’ll get a fix out asap.

–update: 5th Oct

I submitted the fix on the 4th, and Apple have approved the expedited review request, so that should reduce the waiting time.

VLC Streamer iOS8 update

Things always break when there is a new version of iOS8, and this version has more changes than most.

I have been working on a huge rebuild of VLC Streamer which adds a bundle of new features and completely revamps the UI. Amongst other things, this makes it much easier to transfer movies through iTunes, and lets you tag movies to arrange them into groups/folders.

I had hoped to release this as a beta using Apple’s new TestFlight system. This is an excellent new system which promises to allow up to 1000 beta testers to try new apps before they are fully released. I had hoped this would mean that the new version got a thorough test, and I could fix anything I missed before pushing the update to everyone.

Unfortunately, my plans have been halted by the fact that Apple haven’t enabled this functionality yet.

This means that I need to wait for an Apple review before the new version goes live. That’s likely to take 5-10 days.

In the meantime, if you’re interested in signing up to be a beta tester when Apple does release the new system, please join the mailing list here:

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/hobbyist-software-beta-testing

thanks for your patience!

Do you want to be a beta tester on iOS8?

iOS8 promises a new way for people to beta test apps where you can easily test beta versions of apps.

The TestFlight app which enables this is already available in the US Appstore.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/testflight/id899247664?mt=8

We have been working hard on new versions for iOS8 and plan to release these as betas as soon as Apple allows it.

If you’d like to take part in testing, then please join our new beta-testing google group.

http://hobbyistsoftware.com/beta

We’ll pull your email address from the group and add you to the testing list.

thank you!

Update: iOS8 is live, but Apple hasn’t started the public beta testing system yet. They are labelling it as ‘coming soon’. Please sign up using the link above and we’ll let you know when it goes live.

 

 

iOS7 update 4

VLC Streamer 3.02 was approved by Apple on the 18th October.

This fixes the issue related to movies that had been copied to the device requiring a wifi connection to play.

There is one new issue, but it has a quick workaround. If you’re streaming over airplay, then when the screen turns off on your iPad/iPhone, the streaming stops. The workaround is to use the old player when using airplay. To do this, open the settings tab and select ‘use old movie player’.

I should have this issue fixed shortly.

Thank you for your patience.

iOS7 update 3

VLC Streamer 3 is now live.

This should fix most issues related to iOS7, and also gives the UI an update.

The remaining issue is related to movies copied to the device – these currently only play if your device is connected to some kind of network – even if you are not ‘properly’ connected.

So for example;

  • If your wifi is off, and your cellular data connection is off, then the movie won’t play. (We have submitted a bug to Apple, and are working on a workaround)
  • If your wifi is on, and you are connected to a hotspot – but you haven’t paid to use the hotspot – then your movie will still play!
  • If your cellular data connection is on, but you have turned off cellular data for VLC Streamer in the settings – then your movie will still play!
  • If your cellular data is on, but you have no data connection (out of range) – then your movie will still play! (I have had this reported by users, but haven’t independently checked this point)

I know this is frustrating, and I’m working on a complete fix – but hopefully this will handle at least some cases.

Please bear with us.

 

 

iOS7 update 2

Sat 21 September

I just submitted an update to apple which partially fixes the issues related to movies which have been copied to the device.

I have requested an expedited review, but I imagine Apple are overwhelmed with iOS7 related updates at the moment, so it may be a while before they can approve the update.

If you are watching ‘normal’ movies streaming from the helper, then there shouldn’t be any problem (if there is, then let me know!)

If you are copying movies to the device to watch away from home, then this effects you.

1) Currently, copied movies are either failing to play, or showing large levels of corruption.

I have found a workaround to this issue, so movies should play properly when this update is approved.

2) When your device has no internet connection at all, then the movie refuses to play ‘Doh! there was a problem playing the movie…’

I have not found a fix for this. There seems to be a straightforward bug in the OS where the player checks for an internet connection before even trying to play the movie. That probably made sense to someone – but it misses cases like VLC Streamer where the movie is being played from a webserver which is actually running on the device.

The webserver works – but the movie player doesn’t even try to contact it.

The only workaround at the moment is to connect to something. It doesn’t matter if that is a hotspot and you don’t even pay to use it – that’s enough for the movie player to try to play the movie.

I will submit this as a bug report to apple, and request help through their technical reporting service, but I don’t expect this to be fixed until they release an OS update to resolve the issue.

I’m sorry for the inconvenience,

Thanks for using my app.

 

iOS7 update…

I’m working hard on getting VLC Streamer ready for iOS7.

I am aware of one major issue; When movies have been copied over to the device, they no longer play (or at least – they are very distorted).

I have just figured out a workaround (Thu 19th) so I should have an update submitted to the store shortly.

In the meantime, streaming from your Mac/PC should work correctly.

I’m sorry for the delay, and hope to have an update shortly.

 

Audio and Subtitle tracks

One of our more recent features is the ability to pick the audio or subtitle track you want to use when you watch a movie.

The easiest way to pick the track is to add the movie directly from your iPhone or iPad. If VLC Streamer spots multiple tracks then it will show a red count in the subtitle or audio track tab-bar at the bottom of the quality screen.

Subtitles

just pick the track you want and click ‘Watch!’

There are other ways to pick the tracks you want, including specifying your preferred language and letting VLC deal with things. You can read all about it on our wiki.

Multiple Monitors on Mac…

If you have multiple monitors connected to a mac, then this might interest you.

I just launched my first app in the Mac Appstore. It’s called Multi Monitor Wallpaper.
It lets you take one large image and apply it across your monitors.

You can move and scale the image, and even tweak the exact layout of your monitors.

My app cuts up the image and applies it across your screens.

Let me know what you think!

You can get it at the Mac Appstore