While this feature is not currently in the open beta, Play To highlights Windows 7 ability to be both a control point and server in a DLNA network. What’s so awesome about this is that a ton of devices already have this baked in and Windows 7 can auto-discover them as well as present itself to them. It’s great to see how easily this system works with existing media devices and formats.
Seeing this feature though also raises the obvious opposite perspective from Apple’s model. The iTunes system ONLY works with itself. Sure it works on both Macs and PC’s but there is no way without some hacking to get your AppleTV to play with other sources. Even then it does not function as a DLNA UPnP device like what was shown in the video. There’s no way to share media from my Nokia Handset to my television without first syncing to my desktop and then copying – through iTunes – over to the AppleTV.
Apple’s closed system certainly simplifies the consumer experience though that’s only due to the substantially limited perspective on how we are allowed to share media in the home. I have many more things captures media than just those made by Apple … and I know I’m not alone.
Thanks to eHomeUpgrade for the tip.
Thanks for the link! I've been wondering how well DLNA will improve over UPNP, and whether it will catch on.
The sad thing is that the Video on tne link is encoded with M$ Silver light.
Well running Windows 7 I'm pretty ok with Silverlight too … even installed Moonlight in Ubuntu.
You can see the video in WMV HQ here:
http://mschnlnine.vo.llnwd.net/d1/on10/4/4/7/4/…
I think it depends on what you're trying to do. I don't mind importing my movies and music to itunes so the Apple TV doesn't really have many problems IMO.
I use AppleTV as a base as well though it does not support UPnP devices when they are on the network which was the point here. It would be nice if Apple played in a larger field here so more things could talk to each other. I would be very comfortable using AppleTV as the main set top box …
I think it depends on what you're trying to do. I don't mind importing my movies and music to itunes so the Apple TV doesn't really have many problems IMO.
I use AppleTV as a base as well though it does not support UPnP devices when they are on the network which was the point here. It would be nice if Apple played in a larger field here so more things could talk to each other. I would be very comfortable using AppleTV as the main set top box …