Internet Radio Receiver - Can I play a Playlist from my PC?

TVeblen · Mar 15, 2023

Part 1:
I have a Pioneer receiver that has Internet Radio capability. You find the URL of the internet radio station you want to listen to, open the receivers Internet Radio settings from a browser on the PC - pointed to the receiver's local network (LAN) address - then enter the radio stations URL and bam! - music plays through the home theater's speakers wherever I want. Works Great.

Part 2:
I have a collection of MP3 music files on my PC. I can create a playlist from these files using a music player (Winamp for me), and then play my playlist on my PC. Works Great.

I want to see if I can play my playlist from the PC on the Internet radio on the receiver. So far I have not been successful.

The receiver's setting calls for a URL. I can enter the local address for the PC ( http://192.168.9.42/ ) but then I need to add the path to the shared folder. Not sure how to do this. Any ideas?

Note: I also have a Nvidia Shield TV box. I can get to and play the playlist file on the Shield, so that works. But it's a clunky, multi-step process to get that going. If I can get the receiver to play it I wouldn't even have to get up from my chair! (yeah - real lame).
The Shield can be pointed to shared folders easily. It occurs to me that if the receiver does not have that capability it might not be possible.

Also note that many of the radio streams from the internet are .pls or .m3u files. So I know a playlist will play.

Winuser · Mar 16, 2023

Does the receiver have a USB port you can use? If it does you can copy your play list to a flash drive.

TVeblen · Mar 16, 2023

Yes it does. And that would probably work.
There are a couple of different ways to play the playlist, but I want to see if I can figure out a way to do this specific method. The answer could be NO, but I'm going to try.

I think the problem is that I need to add a File Path to a URL. Or I need to set up the pls file as a network location.

I found something promising. It involved adding " file:/// " to the start of the Path. But that didn't work. And neither did the alternative methods detailed in this article:

https://www.digitalcitizen.life/2-ways-generate-link-shared-network-folder-or-library/

I should be doing work but I have already accepted this challenge!

Winuser · Mar 17, 2023

TVeblen said:
Yes it does. And that would probably work.
There are a couple of different ways to play the playlist, but I want to see if I can figure out a way to do this specific method. The answer could be NO, but I'm going to try.

I think the problem is that I need to add a File Path to a URL. Or I need to set up the pls file as a network location.

I found something promising. It involved adding " file:/// " to the start of the Path. But that didn't work. And neither did the alternative methods detailed in this article:

https://www.digitalcitizen.life/2-ways-generate-link-shared-network-folder-or-library/

I should be doing work but I have already accepted this challenge!

It will be interesting to see if you do get it working. One thing I do know about Windows and networking is that it can be a pain. For example, I have a mini pc running a media streaming server called Mezzmo. On my old PC it shows in File Explorer and I can open it just like any other folder. On my new PC it only shows if I open Network. By doing it this way I can only open it in Media Player and the files and folders are scattered all around. Works great on our TVs though.

Dru2 · Mar 17, 2023

TVeblen said:
I want to see if I can play my playlist from the PC on the Internet radio on the receiver. So far I have not been successful.

The receiver's setting calls for a URL. I can enter the local address for the PC ( http://192.168.9.42/ ) but then I need to add the path to the shared folder. Not sure how to do this. Any ideas?

Not possible unless the station allows you to store files on their server. And if so, the station themselves would have to provide the credentials to do so.

TVeblen said:
Note: I also have a Nvidia Shield TV box. I can get to and play the playlist file on the Shield, so that works. But it's a clunky, multi-step process to get that going. If I can get the receiver to play it I wouldn't even have to get up from my chair! (yeah - real lame).

Now if you had something like Plex Server (which I do) you can stream your own media content from your own server. I "thought" NVidia Shield supported Plex Media Server. but I don't see it listed in the server link.

Anyway, I stream my music from my WD PR4100 NAS (Plex supported) to my phone and ultimately to my car, so yeah, outside the house.

Plex also supports video streaming, music services streaming like Tidal, and internet radio streaming. Be aware though Plex is a paid program. Monthly or a one-time $150 permanent license (which I bought).

Lastly, it's NOT Windows networking you have to worry about, its the apps network settings you have to configure to allow streaming.

Questions?

TVeblen · Mar 17, 2023

Winuser said:
It will be interesting to see if you do get it working. One thing I do know about Windows and networking is that it can be a pain. For example, I have a mini pc running a media streaming server called Mezzmo. On my old PC it shows in File Explorer and I can open it just like any other folder. On my new PC it only shows if I open Network. By doing it this way I can only open it in Media Player and the files and folders are scattered all around. Works great on our TVs though.

I have learned more about UNC and URI naming conventions than I ever wanted to know!
It's a doozy of a project!

TVeblen · Mar 17, 2023

Dru2 said:
Not possible unless the station allows you to store files on their server. And if so, the station themselves would have to provide the credentials to do so.

I think you misunderstand. I'm not trying to do anything with stations out in the interwebs.
What I am trying to do is basically create my own local station on my PC.
The urls to outside internet radio stations look very similar to any local network url, so that's what has got me to think it could work.

TVeblen · Mar 17, 2023

Dru2 said:
Now if you had something like Plex Server (which I do) you can stream your own media content from your own server. I "thought" NVidia Shield supported Plex Media Server. but I don't see it listed in the server link.

Anyway, I stream my music from my WD PR4100 NAS (Plex supported) to my phone and ultimately to my car, so yeah, outside the house.

Plex also supports video streaming, music services streaming like Tidal, and internet radio streaming. Be aware though Plex is a paid program. Monthly or a one-time $150 permanent license (which I bought).

Lastly, it's NOT Windows networking you have to worry about, its the apps network settings you have to configure to allow streaming.

Questions?

I use Kodi. And like Plex, I can access music libraries, make playlists, and play music. I'm listening on it right now.
But that whole process of setting things up is a chore (oh - boo-hoo-hoo!)
I can make playlists on my PC with Winamp much faster, plus I have more options for sorting and organizing them. So I'm trying to invent something here. (Probably a perpetual motion machine!).

You are probably right about "it's not networking - it's the apps".
This is a relatively old receiver (Pioneer VSX-1020) and the protocols it uses could be ancient.

GaryW · Mar 17, 2023

Dru2 said:
Not possible unless the station allows you to store files on their server. And if so, the station themselves would have to provide the credentials to do so.

Now if you had something like Plex Server (which I do) you can stream your own media content from your own server. I "thought" NVidia Shield supported Plex Media Server. but I don't see it listed in the server link.

Anyway, I stream my music from my WD PR4100 NAS (Plex supported) to my phone and ultimately to my car, so yeah, outside the house.

Plex also supports video streaming, music services streaming like Tidal, and internet radio streaming. Be aware though Plex is a paid program. Monthly or a one-time $150 permanent license (which I bought).

Lastly, it's NOT Windows networking you have to worry about, its the apps network settings you have to configure to allow streaming.

Questions?

Plex also has a free version, which I use for a media server. I don't know that it would help the OP though

Winuser · Mar 17, 2023

TVeblen said:
I have learned more about UNC and URI naming conventions than I ever wanted to know!
It's a doozy of a project!

If you're like me, I just want it work. If I wanted to hurt my head I would use Linux instead of Windows.

Dru2 said:
Not possible unless the station allows you to store files on their server. And if so, the station themselves would have to provide the credentials to do so.

They want to play their own playlist they have on their computer.

Winuser · Mar 17, 2023

GaryW said:
Plex also has a free version, which I use for a media server. I don't know that it would help the OP though

I would think the Internet Radio would have to have the Plex app installed on it.

Dru2 · Mar 17, 2023

GaryW said:
Plex also has a free version, which I use for a media server. I don't know that it would help the OP though

You're right, I paid for the Plex pass subscription. That said, can you stream media content outside of your network (outside the house). No matter where I am as long as there's internet service, I can stream from my Plex server (WD NAS).

Winuser said:
They want to play their own playlist they have on their computer.

The OP said...

TVeblen said:
I want to see if I can play my playlist from the PC on the Internet radio on the receiver. So far I have not been successful.

That's not happening unless the (any) radio station allows people to upload and play their own content from their (radio station's) server. Additionally, the radio station would have to provide a dedicated station to tune into to listen to said playlist. That ain't happening either.

Winuser · Mar 17, 2023

@Dru2, This is what the OP said they want to do.
Part 2:
I have a collection of MP3 music files on my PC. I can create a playlist from these files using a music player (Winamp for me), and then play my playlist on my PC. Works Great.
I want to see if I can play my playlist from the PC on the Internet radio on the receiver. So far I have not been successful.
They are trying to coonect the radio to the files on the computer. It's probabbly not posible but they won't know unless they try.

TVeblen · Mar 17, 2023

Corrected quote:
"I want to see if I can play my playlist from the PC on the Internet radio function on the receiver. So far I have not been successful."

Dru2 · Mar 17, 2023

TVeblen said:
I use Kodi. And like Plex, I can access music libraries, make playlists, and play music. I'm listening on it right now.
But that whole process of setting things up is a chore (oh - boo-hoo-hoo!)
I can make playlists on my PC with Winamp much faster, plus I have more options for sorting and organizing them. So I'm trying to invent something here. (Probably a perpetual motion machine!).

You are probably right about "it's not networking - it's the apps".
This is a relatively old receiver (Pioneer VSX-1020) and the protocols it uses could be ancient.

If this is what you're talking about (and what I thought, you were talking about) that ain't happening and it has zero to do with the receiver and everything to do with servers and software apps.

Yes, there are receivers with built in networking functionality, but what you're asking - playing your personalized playlist from a radio station is something they aren't designed to provide (do).

Now if you said, you want to play music files through the Receiver that my answer would be... is the receiver networked? If so, that is possible, but the signal would be coming from some type of input - aux, analog, digital, or network. Not a "radio station".

Dru2 · Mar 17, 2023

@Winuser, given the OP's corrected quote, my answer remains the same

TVeblen said:
Corrected quote:
"I want to see if I can play my playlist from the PC on the Internet radio function on the receiver. So far I have not been successful."

That said, what you do mean by "radio function" Are you asking about tuning to a specific station and hearing your files?

TVeblen · Mar 17, 2023

This pic below may help visualize the problem:
All the internet radio stations #2 - #7 work. You can see how I enter their addresses in the settings of the receiver.
Station #8 - Alara Playlist - is the one I'm experimenting with.
I created a shared folder on C: , named 1Playlist , and created a test playlist file in it.
Now I just need to pont the reciever to the shared folder and playlist file, using a url syntax.
The local network address for the PC is 192.168.60.106

TVeblen · Mar 17, 2023

Dru2 said:
If this is what you're talking about (and what I thought, you were talking about) that ain't happening and it has zero to do with the receiver and everything to do with servers and software apps.

Yes, there are receivers with built in networking functionality, but what you're asking - playing your personalized playlist from a radio station is something they aren't designed to provide (do).

Now if you said, you want to play music files through the Receiver that my answer would be... is the receiver networked? If so, that is possible, but the signal would be coming from some type of input - aux, analog, digital, or network. Not a "radio station".

My use of the term "Internet Radio" seems to have thrown you off. This has nothing to do with a "radio station" as you would think of it. The receiver calls streams coming over the Ethernet "radio stations". I'm trying to create a "radio Station" on my PC.

The actual radio stations on the list I posted have a file, in a folder, on a server, that is connected to the internet, that I access on my receiver's Internet Radio function. I want to do the same thing locally. How hard could it be?

TVeblen · Mar 17, 2023

Oh, and don't get thrown by the address have in that pic for Alara Playlist.
That was just the last attempt I made. I have tried many different combinations of IPs and PATHs. In both UNC, URI, and a combinations of those formats.

Dru2 · Mar 17, 2023

TVeblen said:
My use of the term "Internet Radio" seems to have thrown you off.

And why I asked for a clear definition...

Dru2 said:
That said, what you do mean by "radio function" Are you asking about tuning to a specific station and hearing your files?

As for how to do what you ask from that standpoint, I do not know. This is where instructions come into play as to how and what you can and can't do with said equipment.

Edit: Given your image example above you would have to place your playlist in a folder and provide a name, and address where the files could be found. If you have an NVidia shield, why not place the files there and use the Shield's address pointing to the folder?

Internet Radio Receiver - Can I play a Playlist from my PC?

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