All People Aboard! I am going to explain the magic within minutes.
Q: Why do you request a VLC media server plugin? Do I really need this?
A: Obviously, I think you would.
Q: So you mean I can't stream my media without a media server?
A: You can without a media server - but that's not the point I want to make.
Q: So why do you request it, then? I am streaming for over years just by clicking my movies within my shares.
A: On a local LAN, yes, you should have no problems at all. But have you ever looked at the file size of HD movies?
Q: Eehhrr... That's mostly around 16GB I guess... So what's problem?
A: Many people in this world want to stream their media also to locations whose not within their homes.
Q: Cool. So open up a router port, note my public IP address and I'll be fine right?
A: If we are talking about streaming MP3's and show holiday pictures, there won't be too much of a problem. Only a very small amount of people have the access fo fast broadband (fiber) connections. Mostly the download is fast, but upload speeds are dated. In fiber, the upload speeds aren't a problem. The problem is still nearly nobody has the ability to buy a fiber connection - the infrastructure just isn't there.
Q: I remember. The last time I used OpenVPN to stream that HD movie over my broadband connection it took 10 seconds to load the first second of the movie. I considered it unwatchable. So I need to blame my broadband for it? How will a media server help?
A: A media server can transcode a movie realtime. For example, scale down the bitrate and send out a different resolution/HD profile. This will make the packets fit into your bandwith and you can watch without hiccups.
So lower the quality of the movie somewhat to watch without hiccups! That's brilliant! I assume this isn't needed on my own LAN as well?
A: No. Off course, this is not the best solution. The best solution, off course, is to build fiber connections to the homes, but that will take years.
So that is why I am asking for a media server. Many would benefit. VLC, in this case, is one of the Open Source options.