Stream music from my pc to my android phone over local wireless.
January 11, 2013 10:30 AM Subscribe
I want an app that I install on my Droid 3 phone that'll find my computer on my home wireless network and which I can point to my music folder and stream.
I've found a couple services that involve setting up local servers, web apps, and what have you. But ES File Explorer can find my Windows PC on my wireless network and transfer files without any hassle, and I want a music player that can do the same basic thing, but present my music as a tagged library, like the default Android music player. The idea here is that I can have my phone in my pocket, and walk around my apartment doing chores or whatever, but still have my entire music library available through my headphones.
I realize this is an absurdly specific request, but I vaguely suspect something like this exists, but is gonna be basically impossible to find via Google. Even a suggestion for a slightly more involved app (as in, one that requires a desktop application or something) is fine if it's elegant and fairly trivial to set up. Thanks, hivemind!
I've found a couple services that involve setting up local servers, web apps, and what have you. But ES File Explorer can find my Windows PC on my wireless network and transfer files without any hassle, and I want a music player that can do the same basic thing, but present my music as a tagged library, like the default Android music player. The idea here is that I can have my phone in my pocket, and walk around my apartment doing chores or whatever, but still have my entire music library available through my headphones.
I realize this is an absurdly specific request, but I vaguely suspect something like this exists, but is gonna be basically impossible to find via Google. Even a suggestion for a slightly more involved app (as in, one that requires a desktop application or something) is fine if it's elegant and fairly trivial to set up. Thanks, hivemind!
Not exactly the same thing, but what about Google Music? You can upload your library, or a portion of it, to their servers and then stream it anywhere you have a connection.
The android app itself works on tags, and pretty seamlessly integrates locally stored content with cloud content.
Edited to add: if you are in a region where Google Music is not available, you can get around this without too much trouble. You just need to use a location-faking service (VPN, proxy, alternate DNS) ONCE to log in to music.google.com and make it think you're in the US. From then on it becomes "activated" on your google account and can be used without jumping through any hoops. I am canadian and have been using this for months and I love it!
posted by utsutsu at 1:40 PM on January 11, 2013
The android app itself works on tags, and pretty seamlessly integrates locally stored content with cloud content.
Edited to add: if you are in a region where Google Music is not available, you can get around this without too much trouble. You just need to use a location-faking service (VPN, proxy, alternate DNS) ONCE to log in to music.google.com and make it think you're in the US. From then on it becomes "activated" on your google account and can be used without jumping through any hoops. I am canadian and have been using this for months and I love it!
posted by utsutsu at 1:40 PM on January 11, 2013
ZumoCast is a Motorola app that first became available on the Bionic, iirc, but I'm pretty sure it will work on the Droid 3. Here's a youtube demo.
posted by gimli at 1:43 PM on January 11, 2013
posted by gimli at 1:43 PM on January 11, 2013
I use SqueezeCenter, AKA Logitech Media Server (free) on my PC, and Squeezeplayer (cheap) on my phone, controlled by Squeeze Commander (cheap). Works perfectly for me.
posted by ComfySofa at 2:51 PM on January 11, 2013
posted by ComfySofa at 2:51 PM on January 11, 2013
I've set up Plex, a server program that will provide audio and video files to most any device with the app. PC program is free and worked out of the box for me, app is a couple of dollars. Give it a try.
posted by shinynewnick at 5:02 PM on January 11, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by shinynewnick at 5:02 PM on January 11, 2013 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Looks like BubbleUPnP with Foobar2000 and the server plugin work perfectly. Thanks!
posted by cthuljew at 8:36 PM on January 11, 2013
posted by cthuljew at 8:36 PM on January 11, 2013
Late to the party:
Vuze offers some easy to use device streaming. I used to use it to stream videos to my Xbox and it worked with no set up. Things just found themselves.
I know you didn't want to fiddle with servers but if you ever plan on having a NAS, Synology's have excellent streaming. There are proprietary Synology apps for streaming video and audio to iOS and Android (I use the latter) plus support for AirPlay and other audio streaming.
posted by NailsTheCat at 8:14 AM on January 12, 2013
Vuze offers some easy to use device streaming. I used to use it to stream videos to my Xbox and it worked with no set up. Things just found themselves.
I know you didn't want to fiddle with servers but if you ever plan on having a NAS, Synology's have excellent streaming. There are proprietary Synology apps for streaming video and audio to iOS and Android (I use the latter) plus support for AirPlay and other audio streaming.
posted by NailsTheCat at 8:14 AM on January 12, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
I believe Windows Media Player presents files to DLNA apps, but Bubble also has a PC server application that looks promising.
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 10:41 AM on January 11, 2013 [1 favorite]