Chromecast streaming from DVB-Dream (working for HD and SD)
Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 1:48 pm
Hi
I'm not sure if anyone else would be interested in this, but I have found a way that works to reliably stream SD channels from DVB-Dream to a Chromecast.
I've had rare success with one HD channel as well (BBC World on 19.2E) but nothing consistent, perhaps due to the settings below or maybe a lack of CPU power in my i5 CPU.
What you need:
Chromecast
DVBDream
Lan Streaming turned on within DVBDream to 127.0.0.1:1234
Castnow (https://github.com/xat/castnow)
ffmpeg
NoteJS (I used 32bit version) - https://nodejs.org/en/download/
VLC 2.x
Steps to take:
*Install NodeJS
*Install Castnow (from command line type "npm install castnow -g")
*Download FFMPEG windows binaries https://ffmpeg.zeranoe.com/builds/ (again I used 32bit) and put all the .exe files into NodeJS bin folder (for me this was C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\npm).
Now first you need to open up DVBDream and tune into a channel (better to test with an FTA channel at first).
Then open up your command line and first run the following command:
Obviously replace C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc.exe with the location of your vlc.exe file or change to that directory first.
This will open up a new command window (leave open), allow that to start up and then after 5 seconds open a new command window and run the following:
NodeJS sets an environment path so this command should work from anywhere. As long as you have a Chromecast on your network then this should stream the SD channel from DVB-Dream to your Chromecast.
Few notes/hints:
*My PC with DVBDream is connected with a LAN cable to my router although obviously the chromecast is wireless
*Check your firewall isn't blocking the HTTP stream created by vlc.exe on port 8085 (Windows firewall might bring up a popup the first time you run that command and you can allow access on this dialog).
*As I said I didnt have much luck with HD (and didn't even try 4:2:2) but when I did have some luck it was by changing the "vb=10000" value to higher values on the first command above. Removing deinterlace may also make a difference and trying vcodec=mp4v or other codecs may also make a difference).
*Its possible to put the two commands together in a batch file and just have shortcut on the desktop to start streaming to Chromecast, use "start /b" to run the first command in the background and "timeout /t 5" to leave a pause before starting the second command.
Any questions I'll try and help but I can't guarantee it will work for everyone! As I say it works for me reliably and with about 30 minutes testing sound stays in sync and stream is uninterrupted after a few hiccups when launching it.
Please post if you have any luck with different vlc parameters to get HD working.
I'm not sure if anyone else would be interested in this, but I have found a way that works to reliably stream SD channels from DVB-Dream to a Chromecast.
I've had rare success with one HD channel as well (BBC World on 19.2E) but nothing consistent, perhaps due to the settings below or maybe a lack of CPU power in my i5 CPU.
What you need:
Chromecast
DVBDream
Lan Streaming turned on within DVBDream to 127.0.0.1:1234
Castnow (https://github.com/xat/castnow)
ffmpeg
NoteJS (I used 32bit version) - https://nodejs.org/en/download/
VLC 2.x
Steps to take:
*Install NodeJS
*Install Castnow (from command line type "npm install castnow -g")
*Download FFMPEG windows binaries https://ffmpeg.zeranoe.com/builds/ (again I used 32bit) and put all the .exe files into NodeJS bin folder (for me this was C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\npm).
Now first you need to open up DVBDream and tune into a channel (better to test with an FTA channel at first).
Then open up your command line and first run the following command:
Code: Select all
"C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc.exe" --ffmpeg-hw -I dummy udp://@ :sout=#transcode{vcodec=x264,vb=10000,deinterlace,scale=0.75,acodec=mp3,ab=64,channels=1,samplerate=44100}:http{mux=ts,dst=:8085/}
This will open up a new command window (leave open), allow that to start up and then after 5 seconds open a new command window and run the following:
Code: Select all
castnow http://127.0.0.1:8085 --tomp4
Few notes/hints:
*My PC with DVBDream is connected with a LAN cable to my router although obviously the chromecast is wireless
*Check your firewall isn't blocking the HTTP stream created by vlc.exe on port 8085 (Windows firewall might bring up a popup the first time you run that command and you can allow access on this dialog).
*As I said I didnt have much luck with HD (and didn't even try 4:2:2) but when I did have some luck it was by changing the "vb=10000" value to higher values on the first command above. Removing deinterlace may also make a difference and trying vcodec=mp4v or other codecs may also make a difference).
*Its possible to put the two commands together in a batch file and just have shortcut on the desktop to start streaming to Chromecast, use "start /b" to run the first command in the background and "timeout /t 5" to leave a pause before starting the second command.
Any questions I'll try and help but I can't guarantee it will work for everyone! As I say it works for me reliably and with about 30 minutes testing sound stays in sync and stream is uninterrupted after a few hiccups when launching it.
Please post if you have any luck with different vlc parameters to get HD working.