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Can Windows 7's 'Play to' feature be implemented in Win XP through 3rd party software ?

post #1 of 8
2/5/13 at 8:26pm
Thread Starter 
Hi,
As you all know that Windows 7 has a 'Play to' feature where right clicking on a media file (like MP3) can give you option to 'Play to' and then that file can be sent to a DMR (digital media tenderer) unit and can be played remotely. It works similar to AirPlay and files can be pushed to 'media renderers'. For example I have Pioneer X-SMC4 and I can send files from my Windows 7 PC to that Pioneer boom box through WiFi and it works flawlessly. Following is a video demonstrating 'Play to' feature.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj-nEUq5mcI

I still have couple of older laptops which cannot run Windows 7 and I was wondering is there any 3rd party software solution for WIndows XP where I can have 'Push to' or 'Play to' option for media files under Windows XP?
Thanks.
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post #2 of 8
2/6/13 at 4:47am
I've been collecting links to applications for the OPPO FAQ: Is the player a Digital Media Renderer?

You'll have to check the system requirements for each.

I don't use this feature myself so the list grows slowly, as I see people reporting on the programs.

-Bill
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post #3 of 8
2/6/13 at 6:36am
I think Twonky Manager has this feature the actual proper name is DLNA DMC (digital media controller) paired with a DLNA DMR (digital media renderer).

Some music based players might have it to, maybe Monkey Media.
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post #4 of 8
2/6/13 at 7:23pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for helpful replies. And yes I was referring to DLNA DMC (digital media controller) paired with a DLNA DMR (digital media renderer).pairing. I would test one of these software and report back.
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post #5 of 8
2/17/13 at 3:23pm
Thread Starter 
Alright I have tried Monkey Media, Mezzmo and Tvmobili so far on Win XP. Monkey Media and Mezzmo do not have "Push to" or DMC functionality. Tvmobili has so screwed up interface that I gave up on it and uninstalled it.
In the end I installed iTunes 10.2 (for AirPlay) and got done with it. However I have found few apps for my Android phone which has DMC capability and at cheaper price point than Twonky Manager or Mezzmo.
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post #6 of 8
2/17/13 at 5:20pm

Can Windows 7's 'Play to' feature be implemented in Win XP through 3rd party so

I know your aren't looking for a media streamer, but I think the Western Digital devices do this now.
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post #7 of 8
2/18/13 at 2:48pm
Thread Starter 
Another update.
I have just tried 'Twonky Manager' and yes I does have 'Play to' or DMC (Digital Media Controller) ability, But there are significant hurdles. Interface is very cumbersome and it did not work on some devices. For example it was able to push content to WDTV Live unit but could not push MP3 file to Pioneer X-SMC4 unit which both Win7 and iTunes had no problems with. Also sending files to Pioneer unit caused Pioneer unit to freeze and it needed a restart before it can accept files from either Win7 or iTunes.

Also 'Twonky Manager' was very flaky in operation. When I sent files to any DMR unit, it caused 'Twonky Manager' application to stop responding for 5 seconds or so. Very annoying, reminded me of Windows 95 era software. So I guess I would stick with iTunes or Bluetooth A2DP profile for pushing audio files.

However few Android based DMC apps worked fine, even with Pioneer unit, and without pauses and freezes.
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post #8 of 8
2/19/13 at 5:58am
The latest nightly builds of XBMC have this feature now, though XBMC is a media center UI and not something that is run as a traditional windowed application so it might be no good

Maybe it would be easier to just buy Win7 upgrade for WinXP or use your Android phone as the controller for a DLNA server running on the Win XP PC.

Mezzmo, Twonky Server, Serviio are just DLNA servers not controllers. Serviio is free by the way but it requires Java which is a major security risk, go into java control panel and disable java browser plugins to be safe.
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