INTERACT FORUM

Windows => Third Party Plug-ins, Programs, and Skins => Topic started by: andrewq on January 07, 2019, 04:04:14 am

Title: Amazon Echo and Houseband
Post by: andrewq on January 07, 2019, 04:04:14 am

I have my Amazon Echo Dot communicating fine with MediaCenter (after opening Port 52199 on my router). I can select artists and tracks without issue. However, the music is heard playing on the Windows computer rather than through the Echo device itself. How do I get it to sound through the Echo?

Title: Re: Amazon Echo and Houseband
Post by: ~OHM~ on January 07, 2019, 04:47:30 am

choose play to this device or maybe create a zone....check out House band in your Alexa, Echo app....

EDIT: a simple google search and this is what I found

https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=102709.0

https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=102709.50

http://www.alexaskills.in/house-band/2017/03

EDIT: Now I can't get anything with house band to work.....

Title: Re: Amazon Echo and Houseband
Post by: andrewq on January 07, 2019, 05:46:00 am

So it's not possible to actually play the music through the Echo device directly? It's simply a command stucture to control the main MediaCenter program?

Title: Re: Amazon Echo and Houseband
Post by: ~OHM~ on January 07, 2019, 06:00:17 am

I'm pretty sure I did play it through Echo at one time, just haven't messed with it in so long. post to the first or second link and see what response you get....now I gotta get mine working...lol

Title: Re: Amazon Echo and Houseband
Post by: JimH on January 07, 2019, 09:50:26 am

I think that would only work if the Echo supported DLNA.  I don't think it does.

Title: Re: Amazon Echo and Houseband
Post by: swiv3d on January 07, 2019, 02:26:37 pm

You can apparently get the echo to playback if you use bluetooth connection from your main computer to the echo - I haven't tried it personally as I find my floor standing speakers better adapted to the task.

Title: Re: Amazon Echo and Houseband
Post by: andrewq on January 07, 2019, 04:42:21 pm

After a bit of investigation, I found that the My Media for Alexa "skill" works well. Like MediaCenter, you place a small server program on your Windows pc, where it catalogues one's music. It uses port 52050. Then you simply link the skill on the Alexa app. Result: straightforward playback through the Echo Dot device. No need to mess with bluetooth or zones or anything. (Free 7 day trial then $5 per year at https://www.mymediaalexa.com/).

Surely MediaCenter could have similar capability? Obviously, I'd prefer to have that capability within MediaCenter rather than running an additional server on my PC - but it works fine for now.

Title: Re: Amazon Echo and Houseband
Post by: JimH on September 22, 2022, 02:02:39 pm

Alexa Support in MC30:  https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php/topic,133776.0.html

You can use it now with MC 29.0.87 or higher if you have an MC30 license installed.