GoPro cameras are renowned for their ruggedness, versatility, and high-quality video capture, making them a favorite among adventurers, athletes, and content creators. While GoPros excel at recording action-packed moments, sometimes you need to view that footage in real-time on a larger screen, or even stream it online. Fortunately, you can leverage the power of VLC Media Player, a free and open-source cross-platform multimedia player, to stream your GoPro directly to your PC. This article provides a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to achieve this, covering everything from connecting your GoPro to setting up VLC and troubleshooting common issues.
### Why Stream Your GoPro to Your PC?
Before diving into the how-to, let’s explore why you might want to stream your GoPro to your PC:
* **Larger Viewing Screen:** Reviewing footage on your PC’s monitor offers a much better viewing experience compared to the GoPro’s small LCD screen.
* **Real-time Monitoring:** Streaming allows you to monitor your GoPro’s live feed, which is useful for activities like remote photography or surveillance.
* **Live Streaming:** Combining VLC with other streaming software enables you to broadcast your GoPro’s feed to platforms like YouTube, Twitch, or Facebook Live.
* **Simplified Editing Workflow:** By previewing the footage on your PC, you can more easily identify key moments and plan your editing workflow.
* **Backup and Recording:** You can record the streamed feed directly to your PC, creating a backup copy or capturing longer durations without filling up the GoPro’s SD card.
### What You’ll Need
To successfully stream your GoPro to your PC using VLC, you’ll need the following:
* **GoPro Camera:** Compatible GoPro models include HERO5 and later, as these support real-time streaming.
* **USB Cable:** A USB cable to connect your GoPro to your PC. Ensure it’s a data cable and not just a charging cable.
* **VLC Media Player:** The latest version of VLC Media Player installed on your PC. You can download it for free from the official VideoLAN website (www.videolan.org).
* **Wi-Fi Network (Optional but Recommended):** While you can stream via USB, Wi-Fi offers greater flexibility and freedom of movement.
* **GoPro Quik App (Recommended):** The GoPro Quik app can simplify the initial setup and configuration, especially for Wi-Fi streaming.
### Step-by-Step Guide: Streaming GoPro via USB
This method is straightforward and reliable, providing a direct connection between your GoPro and PC.
**Step 1: Connect Your GoPro to Your PC**
* Use the USB cable to connect your GoPro to your computer.
* Power on your GoPro.
* Your GoPro might display a message asking what to do with the USB connection. Select “GoPro Connect” or “MTP”. The exact wording may vary depending on your GoPro model. If no options appear, your GoPro may automatically connect in MTP mode.
**Step 2: Open VLC Media Player**
* Launch VLC Media Player on your PC.
**Step 3: Open Capture Device**
* In VLC, go to **Media > Open Capture Device…**
**Step 4: Configure Capture Settings**
* In the “Capture Device” window, configure the following settings:
* **Capture mode:** Set this to “DirectShow”.
* **Video device name:** Select your GoPro camera from the dropdown list. It might be labeled as “GoPro Camera” or something similar. If you don’t see it, ensure your GoPro is properly connected and recognized by your computer.
* **Audio device name:** Select your GoPro camera or your PC’s default audio input. Selecting the GoPro ensures you capture audio from the camera’s microphone.
* **Options:** You may need to adjust the video and audio settings under the “Options” tab. The specific settings will depend on your GoPro model and desired output quality. Experiment with different resolutions (e.g., 1920×1080, 1280×720) and frame rates (e.g., 30fps, 60fps) to find the optimal balance between quality and performance.
**Step 5: Start Streaming**
* Click the “Play” button at the bottom of the “Capture Device” window.
* VLC should now display the live feed from your GoPro.
**Step 6: Adjust Display Settings (Optional)**
* If the video appears distorted or the aspect ratio is incorrect, you can adjust the display settings in VLC.
* Go to **Video > Aspect Ratio** and select the correct aspect ratio (e.g., 16:9, 4:3).
* You can also adjust the zoom level under **Video > Zoom**.
**Step 7: Recording the Stream (Optional)**
* To record the live feed, click the “Record” button (the red circle) at the bottom of the VLC window.
* Click the “Record” button again to stop recording. The recorded video will be saved in your default video folder.
### Step-by-Step Guide: Streaming GoPro via Wi-Fi
This method offers more flexibility and allows you to move around with your GoPro without being tethered to your PC.
**Step 1: Connect Your GoPro to Wi-Fi**
* Turn on your GoPro.
* Put your GoPro into pairing mode. The method for doing this varies depending on your GoPro model. Consult your GoPro’s manual for specific instructions.
* Generally, you’ll need to navigate to the wireless settings on your GoPro’s screen and enable Wi-Fi.
**Step 2: Connect Your PC to the GoPro’s Wi-Fi Network**
* On your PC, open your Wi-Fi settings and look for the Wi-Fi network broadcasted by your GoPro.
* The network name will typically be something like “GoPro-XXXXXX”.
* Connect to the GoPro’s Wi-Fi network. You’ll likely be prompted for a password. The default password is usually “goprohero” or the last eight digits of your GoPro’s serial number. Check your GoPro’s manual for the exact password.
**Step 3: Find the GoPro’s IP Address**
* Once connected to the GoPro’s Wi-Fi network, you need to find the GoPro’s IP address.
* There are several ways to do this:
* **Using the GoPro Quik App:** The easiest way is to use the GoPro Quik app. Connect your phone or tablet to the same Wi-Fi network as your GoPro. Open the Quik app, select your GoPro, and go to the camera settings. The IP address should be displayed there.
* **Using a Network Scanner:** You can use a network scanning tool like Advanced IP Scanner (free) to scan your network and identify the GoPro’s IP address. Look for a device with a hostname that includes “GoPro”.
* **Checking your Router’s DHCP Client List:** Log in to your router’s administration panel (usually accessible through a web browser by typing your router’s IP address in the address bar). Look for the DHCP client list or connected devices list. You should find your GoPro listed there along with its IP address.
**Step 4: Open VLC Media Player**
* Launch VLC Media Player on your PC.
**Step 5: Open Network Stream**
* In VLC, go to **Media > Open Network Stream…**
**Step 6: Enter the GoPro’s RTSP URL**
* In the “Open Media” window, enter the following RTSP URL:
* `rtsp://
* Replace `
* `rtsp://192.168.1.100:8554/live`
* **Note:** Some GoPro models may use a different port number or URL structure. Consult your GoPro’s documentation or online resources for the correct RTSP URL.
**Step 7: Start Streaming**
* Click the “Play” button.
* VLC should now display the live feed from your GoPro over Wi-Fi.
**Step 8: Adjust Display Settings (Optional)**
* As with USB streaming, you can adjust the display settings in VLC to optimize the video quality and aspect ratio.
**Step 9: Recording the Stream (Optional)**
* You can also record the Wi-Fi stream using the “Record” button in VLC.
### Troubleshooting Common Issues
Streaming your GoPro to your PC using VLC can sometimes encounter issues. Here are some common problems and their solutions:
* **GoPro Not Recognized by PC (USB Streaming):**
* **Solution:** Ensure the USB cable is properly connected and is a data cable, not just a charging cable. Try a different USB port on your PC. Restart your GoPro and your PC. Make sure your GoPro is in “GoPro Connect” or “MTP” mode. Update your GoPro’s firmware.
* **No Video or Audio in VLC:**
* **Solution:** Double-check that you have selected the correct video and audio devices in the “Open Capture Device” window. Ensure your GoPro’s microphone is enabled. Try different video and audio codecs in VLC’s preferences (Tools > Preferences > Input / Codecs). Increase the caching value in VLC’s advanced settings (Tools > Preferences > Input / Codecs > Advanced).
* **Choppy or Laggy Video:**
* **Solution:** Reduce the video resolution and frame rate in VLC’s capture settings. Close any unnecessary applications running on your PC to free up system resources. Ensure your Wi-Fi signal is strong and stable (for Wi-Fi streaming). Try using a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi for your PC. Update your graphics card drivers.
* **Cannot Connect to GoPro’s Wi-Fi Network:**
* **Solution:** Double-check that you are entering the correct Wi-Fi password. Ensure your GoPro is in pairing mode. Restart your GoPro and your PC. Move closer to your GoPro to improve the Wi-Fi signal strength. Reset your GoPro’s Wi-Fi settings to the default values.
* **RTSP URL Not Working:**
* **Solution:** Verify that you have entered the correct IP address for your GoPro. Double-check the RTSP URL structure for your specific GoPro model. Ensure your GoPro and PC are on the same Wi-Fi network. Some firewalls or antivirus software may block the RTSP stream. Temporarily disable them to see if that resolves the issue.
* **VLC Crashes or Freezes:**
* **Solution:** Update VLC to the latest version. Reset VLC’s preferences to the default values (Tools > Preferences > Reset Preferences). Try disabling hardware acceleration in VLC’s settings (Tools > Preferences > Input / Codecs > Hardware decoding). Reinstall VLC.
### Advanced Tips and Tricks
* **Using VLC for Live Streaming:** You can use VLC to stream your GoPro’s feed to platforms like YouTube, Twitch, or Facebook Live. This requires configuring VLC to output the stream to a streaming server. The process involves obtaining a stream key from your chosen platform and configuring VLC to use that key.
* **Creating a Custom Overlay:** You can add a custom overlay to your GoPro’s stream using VLC. This can include text, images, or even live data from sensors. This requires using VLC’s command-line interface and creating a custom overlay configuration file.
* **Automating the Streaming Process:** You can create a script or batch file to automate the process of connecting to your GoPro and starting the stream in VLC. This can be useful for setting up a dedicated streaming station.
* **Adjusting Audio Levels:** Use the VLC audio mixer to adjust the audio levels of the GoPro’s microphone input. This is especially useful when live streaming commentary or other external audio.
### Conclusion
Streaming your GoPro to your PC using VLC Media Player is a versatile and powerful technique that unlocks a range of possibilities, from real-time monitoring to live streaming and simplified editing workflows. By following the detailed steps and troubleshooting tips outlined in this article, you can harness the full potential of your GoPro and VLC to enhance your creative endeavors. Whether you’re capturing extreme sports action, conducting remote surveillance, or broadcasting live events, streaming your GoPro to your PC provides a valuable tool for expanding your capabilities and sharing your adventures with the world.