Now that VLC allows Apple TV to play stored media files, Apple TV is now a \u201ctwofer\u201d that can replace either a Roku for streaming or Kodi for the playback of media files. As a bonus, Apple TV permits Apple-specific things like Airplay and access to iTunes purchases.<\/p>\n
Apple TV remote control<\/p>\n
The VLC developers did a good job of adapting the VLC interface and options to the \u201cten foot interface\u201d paradigm with a remote control. Before we go any further, let\u2019s talk about the Apple TV 4th<\/sup> generation\u2019s remote control: it relies on a touchpad area at the top of the remote control that allows for gestures and swiping with your fingers, and its touchpad surface is clickable like a mouse. This is useful for \u201cscrubbing\u201d which is a technical term for moving the slidey thing to different parts of the media file.<\/p>\n File listing limitations<\/p>\n There is only one style available for the presentation of media files, as a set of rectangles, some with cover art, showing file names such as \u201cshow 1080p S01E11…mkv\u201d with the title shortened to fit. Depending on how a file is named, this can cut off important information, such as the episode number.<\/p>\n Subtitles shown by default<\/p>\n If subtitles exist within a media file or externally as a subtitles file in the same directory, VLC will always show the subtitles by default. This can be annoying. In order to play a file with subtitles disabled, tap lightly on the touchpad to show the progress bar, then swipe down to show the subtitle menu while video keeps playing.<\/p>\n Subtitle download feature [Update: 20180816 subtitle download fixed at some point since this post]<\/p>\n The VLC \u201cTrack Selection\u201d menu has an option to download subtitles for video files from an Internet service.<\/p>\n A pause bug has been fixed.<\/p>\n [Update: 2018\/04\/07 VLC on Apple TV has been updated and a bug in the pause\/resume feature has now been fixed.] I am now able to recommend VLC on Apple TV as a replacement for Kodi as a media player for video and audio files stored on a local network file server.<\/p>\n Update 2018\/03\/27: You may find the following post of interest: “Streaming or downloading video files from a home network server to an iPad using VLC<\/a>“<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Now that VLC allows Apple TV to play stored media files, Apple TV is now a \u201ctwofer\u201d that can replace either a Roku for streaming or Kodi for the playback of media files. As a bonus, Apple TV permits Apple-specific things like Airplay and access to iTunes purchases. Apple TV remote control The VLC developers … <\/p>\n