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VTIFF Virtual Cinema

We currently have no films on offer in VTIFF’s Virtual Cinema.

There are many ways to view our films on your TV screen, see FAQ at the bottom of this page.

None today but check future events

If you have any questions or need technical support, don’t hesitate to email us.

How to watch Virtual Cinema

Troubleshooting Guide

How do I enable Closed Captioning?
Closed Caption is only available if the film distributor has provided it. We indicate on the films’ web page and/or on the film description in the viewing portal if it has been provided. Closed Captioning is currently only available when viewing online, not when viewing through the VTIFF TV apps. To enable, go to the bottom right after any intros or pre-show spots have ended. You will see a small box. Click on that and select English (CC).

What are the system requirements?
You can watch content on PCs running Windows 7+, and Intel-based Macs running OSX 10.12+. You can also watch films on Android tablets and phones using Chrome, and on iPhones and iPads using Safari.

What are the requirements for Windows computers?
Windows 7, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 Supported browsers: Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera. We recommend using the latest version of your browser. Internet Explorer is not supported.

What are the requirements for Mac computers?
Mac OSX 10.12 or later
Supported browsers: Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Opera. We recommend using the latest version of your browser.

Can I watch content on my iPhone/iPad?
Yes, you can watch content using Safari on iOS 11.2 or later. Please note that you must have “Screen Mirroring” turned off for content to play, and you cannot use a lightning to HDMI adapter plugged into the device.

Can I watch content on my Android Device?
Yes, you can watch content using Chrome on Android 6.0 or later.

Can I Chromecast content?
Yes from a Chrome web browser on PC and Mac computers as well as Android devices by selecting the cast button in the bottom right-hand side of the player.

Can I AirPlay to my AppleTV?
You can AirPlay from most browsers if you have Apple TV by selecting the AirPlay button in the bottom right-hand side of the player. You can now use Airplay with most Roku enabled TVs as well.

What happens if I forget my password?
Use the password reset option on the login page to reset your password. You will need access to the e-mail address you use to log in.

Why does video playback stall or not play smoothly?
We use adaptive bitrate streaming which means the streaming quality will automatically adjust based on your internet speed. If your internet connection is poor or inconsistent you may experience problems during playback. If you’re on wi-fi, try moving closer to your router.

Why do I see a black screen if I am watching content with AirPlay on my TV?
You likely have “Screen Mirroring” turned on in your device settings. Please turn off the screen mirroring setting and start AirPlay by selecting the AirPlay button in the bottom right-hand side of the player.

Why do I see a black screen after the pre-roll if I am casting to Chromecast?
Some Chromecast versions cannot support transitions from one video to another. If this happens, turn off casting and re-start it once the film starts playing.

How to watch films if I am an All Access Member?

FOR ALL ACCESS MEMBERS ONLY
To view films as an All Access member go directly to the VTIFF app or portal (watch.vtiff.org). You do not need to select/book films on vtiff.org. If you have used the app in the last 30 days you will likely be already logged in, and you will see the available films to select from. If not, log into the “Pass Holder” field either by using your email and the password you created with CineSend or by pairing the app (Note that the Roku app no longer has the “Pairing” feature available, but the Fire TV and Apple TV apps do have that feature- see our FAQ on pairing apps if you need assistance). If you have forgotten your password, go online to watch.vtiff.org, enter your email address, and click “Forgot?” under the password field (note that too many wrong password tries will lock you out). If you have not created a CineSend password yet, go online to watch.vtiff.org, enter your email address, and follow the prompts to create a password. You will then be able to enter your email and password into the app, or pair your device using Fire TV or Apple TV (by either going to watch.vtiff.org/pair or if you are already signed in on your device, click on the gear icon in the upper right corner and choose “Watch on my TV”). You would then enter the code on the app screen into the field on your device.

 

Roku App

Optimal for those with a Roku TV or Roku device plugged into your television.

If you have a Roku Player or RokuTV, you can add the VTIFF channel for free:

  • Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
  • On the left sidebar, scroll down to the Streaming Channels section.
  • Select Streaming Channels to open the Roku Channel Store.
  • Scroll down and click on Search Channels.
  • Type in VTIFF.
  • Select the VTIFF Channel that shows up in the results and press OK.
  • Select Add Channel to install the channel.
  • You can now open the channel from here, or hit the Home button and find it on the right hand side of the screen alongside your other installed channels.
  • You will now be able to access the VTIFF channel from your Roku Home Screen. 

Roku Support’s Video Walkthrough

TCL is the most common brand for Roku TVs, but a handful of other name-brand companies make them as well. Check to see if your television is a Roku TV by looking for the Roku logo on your remote, or if your television shows the Roku logo when you turn it on. Roku also makes streaming devices that can plug into any TV using an HDMI port, the most affordable of which is the Roku Express at $29.99.

Firestick app
  1. Launch your Fire Stick and select the magnifying glass icon from the top menu. You can find this in the top-left corner of your screen. If you have a Fire Stick remote with a built-in microphone, you can also search for apps by pressing the microphone button on the remote and saying the name of the app.
  2. Using the directional pad, type in the name of an app (VTIFF).  The name of the app may appear before you completely type it in.
  3. Then select the app from the list. Once you see the name of the app you want to download, press down on the directional pad until you reach the app’s name.
  4. Press the center button on your remote to select the app.
  5. Then select Get or Download.
  6. Wait for the download to finish and select Open to launch it. 

You should also be able to save the app to your home screen by going to Apps, and moving it up on the list of favorites (the exact instructions for this vary by model).

Another way to get the app is to “purchase it” (at no cost) in your amazon account and it will either automatically show up in your apps on the Fire TV, or you may need to sync the Fire TV in your settings for it to appear.

 

Apple TV 4k App

Optimal for those with an Apple TV 4K device.

A subscription to AppleTV+ is not required, but the app is only available on the Apple TV 4k edition. If you own an Apple TV that is not the 4k edition, you can still use Airplay to watch the film on your television. For those instructions, skip to the next section.

On your Apple TV 4K:

  • Go to the home screen and find the App Store  along the bottom row of tiles.
  • Select Search and type in VTIFF.
  • Install the VTIFF channel for free.
  • You will now be able to access the VTIFF channel from the home screen on your Apple TV 4K.

Apple Support’s Walkthrough

Apple Airplay

Optimal for those using an Apple device to purchase their film who also own an Apple TV or AirPlay 2-enabled Smart Television

Many Smart Televisions are compatible with Apple’s AirPlay function, and all Apple TVs, regardless of age or model, are also able to use AirPlay. If you are using an iPhone, iPad, iPod, or Mac computer, you can use AirPlay to cast to your television by following these steps:

  • Make sure that the Apple device you are using is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your AppleTV/Compatible Smart TV.
  • Play the film on your apple device.
  • Tap the icon.
  • Choose your Apple TV or AirPlay-2 compatible smart TV.
  • To stop streaming, tap the   icon and choose your iPhone/iPad.

Apple Support’s Walkthrough

You can also add the VTIFF channel to your device using the Apple TV app on a linked iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Apple’s Walkthrough for this can be found here.

Google Chromecast

Optimal for those using a Windows PC or Android device to view their film and wish to stream to their Chromecast device or Smart Television

As long as you are using the Google Chrome browser on your PC or android device, casting to your Chromecast or Chromecast enabled TV is fairly straightforward.

  • Make sure that the mobile device, tablet or computer you are using is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast or TV with Chromecast built-in.
  • Start the film on your device
  • Press the Cast button which is typically found in one of the corners of the video player.
  • Select the device you’d like to cast to.
  • The Cast button will turn color once connected.
  • To stop casting, tap the Cast button   and hit Disconnect.

Google’s Walkthrough

If you need to set up a new Chromecast, see Google’s instructions here.

HDMI Cable

Optimal for those who are using a PC/Mac with an HDMI port that can be plugged into their television.

If none of the options above are available to you or you are having issues using one of those methods, it is fairly straightforward to plug a laptop or nearby PC into your TV using an HDMI cable. Not only is this the most affordable option, but it also rarely requires further troubleshooting or setup.

  • First, make sure that your computer and your television both have an HDMI port on it, it will be this shape:   
  • There are other types of HDMI ports such as Mini-HDMI and Micro-HDMI, and some newer computers may not have an HDMI port at all, opting for USB-C ports instead. Consult your product manual, or look up your device online, to see which option you have. Each of those ports has a corresponding cable or adapter that you can buy to enable use of your TV as a display.
  • Find or purchase the appropriate HDMI cable that will reach from your computer to the back of your television
  • Once the cable is connected and the television is turned on, your computer will recognize the TV screen and either extend your display or mirror it onto your television.
  • Use your television remote to change the INPUT source to the HDMI channel. Note that there may be more than 1 HDMI channel so keep trying until you find the correct one.
  • To adjust how your computer uses your TV as a monitor, check your Display Settings either in Control Panel for PC, or in your System Preferences for Mac

WikiHow walkthrough for using HDMI cables with TVs

Your computer will automatically pick a screen resolution that works best with the TV, it is typically best to leave this as-is unless your screen is highly magnified or stretched, in which case you will want to try a higher resolution. If audio is not being sent to the TV, check your computer’s sound settings and make sure the output is set to the correct device.