Thanks to @duepuntozer0 for the tip on ipodnn’s post, Onkyo updates receivers for 3D, Windows 7. The new Onkyo Receivers TX-NR3008 and TX-NR5008 are not only DLNA certified, they carry the Compatible with Windows 7 logo. By earning the logo, you can be assured that these Onkyo receivers work great and support Windows’s 7 Play To feature. Play To allows you to seamlessly play music, video, and photos through your home network to any network media device that carries the Compatible with Windows 7 logo.
In the case of the receivers, you can easily play music from your PC to these devices with just the right-click of your mouse. If you haven’t used Play To before, just open Windows Media Player or Windows Explorer. Right click on your audio track and select “Play to.” The Play To session will open and you’ll be enjoying your favorite media on your Onkyo receiver. You can also select the “Play to” button above the now playing list in Windows Media Player.
You can read Onkyo’s full press release here.
I'd be curious if you can control which zone you want to PlayTo. Also, does this also support video or just audio streaming?
Hi John, Play To supports music, video and photos. That said, usage depends on the device you have. If the device doesn't have a screen pushing photos or videos doesn't make much sense just like if it doesn't have speakers, I wouldn't push music.
One of the nice features of Play To is you can select the exact device you want to stream to. That way I could stream a video to my tv in one room and music to an receiver in another room.
From the 'Features' page on the Onkyo site, it appears these receivers only support streaming music. At least that's all they mention. Currently, the owners manual is not available for download, so we can't really know for sure. Also, one other gotcha with these devices and the Win7 logo program -- most of the time they will not support the Windows DRM (I think now called PlayReady). Without DRM support there's no playback of protected content whether purchased or rented from services like the Zune Pass.
In my opinion, MS should not be granting the Win7 compatibility logo to companies that don't support the full gamut of PlayTo and especially not to those that don't support the MS DRM scheme. MS appears to be handing out this certification willy-nilly without regard to their customers.
Hi Rehabman,
The Play To feature in Windows 7 supports streaming video, music, and photos to supporting network media devices as well as other Windows 7 PCs on your network. Not all network media players support all media types, and the logo program provides flexibility to manufacturers to create devices designed for specific scenarios. These Onkyo receivers do a fantastic job with streamed audio, but aren’t designed to support video or photos through Play To.
I know you are a fan of DRM since I read your comment on the WD post. However Play To was designed to allows user to stream the non-protected content that they own to devices on their home network, and DRM-protected content isn’t supported. Depending on the specific DRM, there are different rules around how these tracks may be used, so we designed the feature to allow you to stream content you own free and clear.
One final point- the Windows 7 Logo Program was absolutely designed with customers in mind! We vetted all the requirements to ensure that every application and device that qualifies provides a great experience (easy installation, reliability, interoperability with other logo’d products,…) with Windows 7.
-s
Hi Sarah, I just assumed that because the Onkyo has HDMI inputs and outputs that it might also support video PlayTo. I agree with RehabMan, if it is true, that not being able to utilize my Zune Pass subscription is a showstopper. Within the confines of my home, there shouldn't be any barriers like that.
Thanks for the response, Sarah...
Just a note, I use Play To with my now discontinued Roku SoundBridge... and... it works with the Zune Pass protected DRM content that I serve up via my HP MediaSmart server running Windows Home Server. It was a bit of a fight to make it work, as the Zune client software wasn't really meant to run on WHS. You make it sound as if Play To doesn't work with protected content. My point here is that the SoundBridge is years old, and development has stopped on it for quite some time, and yet it supports the Microsoft ecosystem better than these devices getting the Win7 logo.
I see the Win7 logo as being a clue to the consumer that things should be compatible with the larger Microsoft vision... And I think it is a reasonable expectation that things like the MS DRM scheme would be supported. I think pushing these products without mentioning the downside of them not being compatible with DRM could surprise some people.
And given that an ancient device such as the SoundBridge can do it, perhaps these manufacturers can provide support for DRM with a firmware update. Until then, though, I'll stay away... and advise others to do the same.
You mention that I'm a "big fan of DRM." Well, not really... it is a necessary evil. But I do find value in the Zune Pass, but only if I can enjoy the music in my home, car, and on-the-go. With proper network support for DRM, that is all possible. On the other hand, I am a big fan of Microsoft (having worked there as an SDE in the 1990s, and still being a shareholder)... I'd just wish they'd get their act together and take advantage of some great technology that with a little synergy, could be even more useful.