Videostream for iOS - Searching for Videostream - Are my expectations wrong?

syshero

Hi,

I've been trying to use the iOS app with a Linux/Ubuntu computer for a couple of weeks without success, I'm seeing the following screen:

Searching for Videostream
We found a Chromecast on your network! Cast a video to it from the Videostream computer app to control it here!

I've checked my firewall/network multiple times and as far as I can tell it's supposed to work.

I'm using chrome version 47.0.2526.80-1 and Videostream extension version 2.15.1204.1

I was expecting to be able to configure my Media Folder on the settings and to select the videos from it on my phone to be played on my chromecast, but I can only control Videostream when a video is already playing, maybe are my expectations wrong?

Just to try to explain better, the behavior that I'm seeing is:

Media folder configured on the Settings in Videostream
Videostream for iOS always searching for a Videostream
if a video is started from the computer, the iOS app allows me to control the playback options
I can't do anything on the iOS app unless the browser is playing something.

What I was expecting:

Add a Media Folder in Settings
Be able to see a list of videos on my Media Folder on my iOS app
Playback on my chromecast, using the iOS app to control the computer remotely

Are my expectations wrong? Have I misunderstood the functionality of the iOS app?

My iOS device and computer running Videostream are on the same network segment and also on the same Wi-Fi network.

Just to be sure that it's nothing something on my machine I've gathered some extra information and as can be seen, I don't have any firewall rules in place and chrome process is listening on both TCP ports:

root@sunny:~# iptables -L -t nat
Chain PREROUTING (policy ACCEPT)
target prot opt source destination

Chain INPUT (policy ACCEPT)
target prot opt source destination

Chain OUTPUT (policy ACCEPT)
target prot opt source destination

Chain POSTROUTING (policy ACCEPT)
target prot opt source destination
root@sunny:~# iptables -L -t mangle
Chain PREROUTING (policy ACCEPT)
target prot opt source destination

Chain INPUT (policy ACCEPT)
target prot opt source destination

Chain FORWARD (policy ACCEPT)
target prot opt source destination

Chain OUTPUT (policy ACCEPT)
target prot opt source destination

Chain POSTROUTING (policy ACCEPT)
target prot opt source destination
root@sunny:~# iptables -L -t raw
Chain PREROUTING (policy ACCEPT)
target prot opt source destination

Chain OUTPUT (policy ACCEPT)
target prot opt source destination
root@sunny:~# netstat -nalp | grep LISTEN | grep chrome
tcp 0 0 127.0.0.1:5556 0.0.0.0:* LISTEN 25386/chrome
tcp 0 0 192.168.0.22:5556 0.0.0.0:* LISTEN 25386/chrome
tcp 0 0 127.0.0.1:5558 0.0.0.0:* LISTEN 25386/chrome
tcp 0 0 192.168.0.22:5558 0.0.0.0:* LISTEN 25386/chrome

Thanks in advance

tuanalan

Has anyone answer this ? I have similar issue, except I'm using MAC/Chrome for casting and iOS app for remote. The iOS app displayed "Searching for Videostream" with spinning circle.
How do I change the firewall to accept the mobile app connection ?
Looking forward to use the playlist feature in premium , but will not update to premium if I can't get this resolve.

Thanks!

rottenpossum

I came here looking for more information on this. What I can add to the discussion is this; when I have already initialized a stream remotely with my Nexus 7 (gen 2) I am immediately able to see the active stream being sent the the chromecast from my iphone6. Trying to start a brand new stream with my iphone however has the same issue described by OP.

I'm betting this is by design and not a full featured app like the android version, which would be a poor decision if it's avoidable. Myself & my wife both have iphones and the only remote device I have that works for starting a stream is my android tablet which is not always at home when I'm not there.

Orroloth

I'm having this issue too. Chrome on iMac, using LG android successfully to control the Videostream casting, but can only ever get past the "Searching for Videostream" in iOS (iPhone 5S) if I already started a Chromecast with the Android, and then I can only stop/pause/play the video that is currently streaming.

IOS can't browse files, can't select a different one to play.

Orroloth

So I got this reply from one of the developers. I think it's ok to share here, as it casts light on the situation.

Hi Orri!
Sorry! Right now the iOS app is behind our Android one in terms of features, so it can only control videos that are
already playing! I can see how that'd be confusing if you have both apps.
We're working on updating the iOS app, but with our small team it could be a while before it catches up with the
Android one!
Cheers!
Michael