This is probably a ridiculous question, but I usually stream from my laptop to my LG tv or my phone to any other tv, and I find that using my VPN keeps the casting output option from working. Like in Popcorntime, the Watch Now doesn’t show my tv, only the laptop app or VLC. On my daughter’s fire stick I can’t even cast to it unless I turn my VPN off.
I don’t have any problem streaming Plex or Emby from my laptop to the tv. Is there a way to cast without compromising my privacy?
Another possibility: some VPNs will allow you to connect multiple devices together via the VPN. I know NordVPN does, they call that feature “Meshnet”. See if you can put your TV on the VPN too and set it up for that. But yeah, the VPN is definitely your problem here.
The solution might be to ditch Popcorntime for separate torrent and media programs, then you could set up a split tunnel.
Just because it bugs me to no end: thats the original purpose of a VPN, not some privacy snakeoil. That being said most host-discovery doesn’t work reliably, or is not implemented by most programs.