First, let's mention online services, many of which rely on other streaming or video sharing platforms to transmit video streams. They are only auxiliary for synchronization, and this method requires everyone to subscribe to streaming media services or at least have access to these platforms, which is not suitable for most people. Moreover, the available videos are also limited (limited by the authorization of the source, and such commercial services do not have much "future").
For example, TeleParty is a browser extension that also has an Android client. It allows users to synchronize video playback on multiple computers. It supports Netflix, YouTube, Disney Plus, Hulu, HBO, and Amazon Prime Video. Extension address: Netflix Party is now Teleparty - Chrome Web Store (google.com)
The above tool comes from 13 Apps to Watch Videos with Online Friends - Make Tech Easier, you can check it out if you are interested.
There is also one called Koi Watch, which is based on Google Drive according to the description. I haven't used it.
Now let's get into the main content.
This article introduces three methods: screen sharing, progress bar sharing (Syncplay), and video sharing (Jellyfin). Among them:
- The method with the best effect, low cost, and slightly higher difficulty is progress bar sharing (Syncplay).
- The method with the lowest difficulty is screen sharing.
- The most convenient method is video sharing (Jellyfin).
Overall, AhFei highly recommends using Syncplay for progress bar sharing. The following will introduce them in order from easy to difficult.
Screen Sharing#
Screen sharing is an additional feature of remote control software. The first remote control software I used was Sunflower, which had decent control capabilities, but it couldn't meet the requirements for watching movies (bandwidth limitations in server relay solutions). Moreover, the drawback of remote control software for screen sharing is that only two people can watch at the same time.
Tencent Meeting can overcome the limitation of not being able to watch with multiple people, but it also loses progress control and has started charging fees.
I recommend using Parsec: https://parsec.app/. This software is designed for remote gaming, and its promotion also says: "Parsec connects you and your friends to the games you love from anywhere, on any screen." Well, my understanding is that multiple people can remotely control a computer together? I haven't tested it, but if it works, multiple people can watch together.
In addition, it prioritizes peer-to-peer connections without the need for server relay. Generally, home broadband upload speeds are at least 30Mbps, so the video quality will be much better. Since Parsec's servers are located overseas, to establish better peer-to-peer connections, it is recommended to use ZeroTier/Tailscale together. As long as ZeroTier successfully punches through, it can directly connect to another computer.
The specific process will be written in another article when I have time, but that article will start with Parsec remote gaming.
Using Syncplay#
Syncplay can synchronize the progress of media players, eliminating the need for everyone to count down together after pausing a movie.
Note: The principle is to synchronize the progress of the player. It can be understood as synchronously operating the player on each computer with a pair of code hands. Therefore, each computer must have the same video file.
Because of this, as long as there is a source, you can watch any media, and the synchronization process is very smooth. There is no upper limit to the video quality. Good source + good display + good headphones + friends = excellent experience.
In the frequent outbreaks of the COVID-19 pandemic, as we grow older and face the challenges of life (starting a family), it becomes more difficult to meet and chat face to face. The opportunity to do so may become less and less. Watching movies together with synchronized online calls can create a good environment.
Preparations#
- Syncplay: https://syncplay.pl/ for synchronization.
- mpv.net: https://github.com/stax76/mpv.net, a player that supports Syncplay. mpv.net works well but has a simple interface. VLC also works, but the synchronization effect is not as good as MPV, for example, it reacts slower and is prone to freezing.
- Local video resources.
Installing the Software#
Take the example of the zip files of the two software I prepared (download links at the end of the article). They are both portable versions, so they can be used directly after extraction.
Win10 extraction method: Right-click - Extract all
Place them in a location you like, and remember the location of the player mpv.net, which will be used later.
Steps to Use#
Launch Syncplay
Enter the Settings
Here, I will use the server I hosted as an example. From top to bottom, they are (version 1.7.0 has simplified Chinese translation):
- Server address: the server and port, vfly2.cn:8999
- Server password: the server password, vfly2
- Username: the username, you can choose any, such as AhFei
- Default room: the room name, you can choose any, such as we2family
- Path to media player: select the player, left-click Browse, find the location where you placed it earlier, run the program and then click Open.
After completing the settings, it will look like this:
Click Store configuration and run Syncplay to start.
The player will be automatically launched. When you close either the player or Syncplay, the other will also be closed.
After launching, it will look like this:
Specify the Media Path
Open the folder where the media file, such as a movie, is located in the file manager, and drag the media file into the white box in the lower right corner (the red text says Drag file). The people watching together should also drag their corresponding files into it.
Click I'm ready to watch in the lower right corner to prepare.
Start Synchronized Playback#
Go to the player interface and start playing. All computers will synchronize playback, and pausing and skipping will also be synchronized.
Enjoy watching movies together remotely with family and friends.
Tips
- The input box in the lower left corner is used for chatting.
- In the upper left corner, go to file - Set media direction, and set the media directory here. Add a folder to add a path.
If your friends also set the path and you all place the media files in this path, as long as one person drags a media file into it, everyone will synchronize. This is suitable for watching TV series together.
Download links for the software prepared in this article:
Syncplay download link: https://nextcloud.ahfei.blog/index.php/s/2Kjt3KQ56angMqm
mpv.net download link: https://nextcloud.ahfei.blog/index.php/s/nkewwQE9FLxtEX3
Plex or Jellyfin#
Basically, you can only use this method by setting up a Plex or Jellyfin server yourself, so it is the most difficult method, and to achieve good results, you may need to spend more money. Essentially, it is the server simultaneously transmitting video streams to clients, so it is limited by latency and bandwidth, and ordinary computers can only achieve a usable level.
However, this method is the most convenient, as long as you have a browser, the process is very simple. Taking Jellyfin as an example (without paying for Plex, you can only watch the first three minutes), after setting up the server, go to the website, and the icon with three people in the upper right corner is the synchronous playback function. Just explore it and you will understand.
Related URLs: Watch Together | Plex Support
Original article link: https://blog.vfly2.com/2023/04/3-methods-to-watch-videos-with-online-friends/
Copyright Statement: All articles on this blog, except where otherwise noted, are original works by AhFei and are licensed under the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license. Please indicate the source as 承飞之咎 (blog.vfly2.com).
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