There are many mobile applications that let you transmit from a GoPro to a phone without any problems. But if you're trying to stream from your GoPro to a computer with the VLC media player, you've likely run into a couple problems. Luckily, even without advanced programming knowledge, you can configure your GoPro camera to stream on the VLC player. You need to install external software for newer models, but with just a couple of extra steps, you will be able to stream from your GoPro to the VLC player in no time.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Stream from a GoPro Hero2 (with "Wi-Fi BacPac") or Hero3 to VLC Media Player
Step 1. Activate Wi-Fi on your GoPro
This process varies between the Hero2 and Hero3 series.
- If you have a Hero2, first connect your camera to the "Wi-Fi BacPac". Press the Wi-Fi button on the BacPac to open the Wi-Fi menu, then select "Phone and Tablet."
- If you have a Hero 3 or 3+, navigate through the GoPro settings menu using the "Mode" button. Open the Wi-Fi settings and select "GoPro App."
Step 2. Connect your computer to the GoPro
Your GoPro should appear in the list of available wireless networks on your computer. Connect to your GoPro as you would to any wireless network. The default password for the GoPro is "goprohero".
Step 3. Get the URL of the GoPro stream
You need to send the stream from the GoPro to the VLC media player.
- In the address bar of your browser, type http://10.5.5.9:8080/live and press the "Enter" key.
- Click on "amba.m3u8".
- Copy the URL into the address bar by selecting all of it and pressing the Ctrl + C keys.
Step 4. Configure the VLC media player
Open the VLC player and navigate to the "Media" menu to select "Open network location". Paste the URL of the stream into the dialog box below where it says "Enter a URL" by pressing the Ctrl + V keys.
Step 5. Watch your live broadcast
Press "Play" to open the VLC media player.
Method 2 of 3: Stream from your GoPro Hero4 to the VLC Media Player
Step 1. Download and install the Camera Suite program from camerasuite.org
The page to download the software will open as soon as your payment is finished processing.
Step 2. Create a new connection on your GoPro
From your GoPro settings screen, open the "Wireless" menu and select "GoPro App". Select "New" to display the 6-digit pairing code. You will need it later.
Step 3. Pair your computer with the GoPro
On your computer, connect wirelessly to the GoPro Wi-Fi network (the default password is "goprohero"), then open the Camera Suite software. Click the "Pair Camera" button and enter the 6-digit pairing code for the camera. Select "Pair Camera Now".
Step 4. Launch the video streamer
In Camera Suite, click the link that says "Video Streamer" and then select "Hero 4" as your camera model. Click "Start" to start streaming the videos, then click "Copy Player URL into Clipboard".
Step 5. Configure the VLC media player
In the media player VLC, open the menu "Medium" and select "Open Network Location". Click on the dialog box below "Enter a URL" and paste the URL by pressing the Ctrl + V keys.
Step 6. Watch your live broadcast
Press "Play" to open the VLC media player.
Method 3 of 3: Transmitting from a GoPro using a different player or device
Step 1. Find another media player for your computer
If you are comfortable with using the command prompt and running Python scripts, a better option for streaming to your computer is FFmpeg.
Step 2. Stream to your mobile device
Popular services like Livestream, Periscope, and Meerkat have mobile apps that allow you to stream from your GoProp in a couple of minutes.
Step 3. Try a webcam from the computer
It is likely that a simple webcam will help you do this.