Wireless system that works with MinimServer? (SONOS alternative)

[Cebolla]

(16-03-2017 18:29)adrian Wrote:  Are there any other bridge functions it supports? (Any other standards it can connect to?)

No, like I said earlier BubbleUPnP Server (currently) provides helper functions for standard UPnP/DLNA, OpenHome & Google Cast devices (only). Its bridge functions are:
create OpenHome renderer, for standard UPnP/DLNA renderers;
create OpenHome renderer and/or create standard UPnP/DLNA renderer, for Google Cast devices.

(16-03-2017 18:29)adrian Wrote:  So suppose I set things up as you describe and say I install Linn everywhere. (I've never used Linn, but since it's available on all machines I have a consistent interface.) Then using Android Tablet A I start playing music using Minimserver running on my NAS.

Best not to refer to the Linn Kazoo controller as 'Linn', since there is another (older) Linn controller called Linn Kinsky (unlike Kazoo it supports standard UPnP/DLNA as well as OpenHome, but can be a bit buggy especially for standard UPnP and is missing some of OpenHome's features, such as TIDAL access).

(16-03-2017 18:29)adrian Wrote:  Now suppose I'm not near the tablet I used before so I pull out my iPhone. Will I be able to skip a track or change the playlist, or seek in the playing file? Redirect music to a different speaker (group)? Change playback volume? Adjust relative playback volume of multiple speakers in a group? (This last one would require running the chromecast app, wouldn't it? I'd have to switch apps.)

Yes to all, including the last one (so no need to switch to the Google Home app) - that should be for any OpenHome supporting controller app, not just Kazoo.

(16-03-2017 18:29)adrian Wrote:  Now suppose I want to stream from a radio station or amazon prime. Do I run a different app on my phone? Or can I do this without switching apps?

Talking about not being in the title/moving goal posts.
OpenHome does provide support for internet radio and some online music services (OpenHome Streaming Services - currently can access TIDAL & Qobuz). However, these features are optional and BubbleUPnP Server's created OpenHome renderer supports OpenHome Streaming Services (ie TIDAL & Qobuz access), but not internet radio.

So, you are going to have to switch apps for internet radio, unless you know their URLs and can list them in MinimServer's internet radio feature (via MinimStreamer). Also, not sure if there are any apps that officially support Google Cast from Amazon Prime. Amazon even stopped selling Google Cast devices quite a while back, presumably in preparation for its rival Echo devices.

(16-03-2017 18:29)adrian Wrote:  What happens if I am listening to the radio station and I turn off the phone?

That'll depend on what app you are using and how it's casting to the Chromecast Audio. I know that with the TuneIn app you can switch off the device and the Chromecast Audio it's casting to carries on playing, presumably because TuneIn provides it with the internet radio stream's actual URL.

Incidentally, the OpenHome by design allows the renderer to play the entire playlist, not just the current track that's being played, if the controller is switched off.

(16-03-2017 18:29)adrian Wrote:  In order to group multiple speakers together do they have to use the Chromecast Audio device? Or can speakers that have integrated chromecast be placed into groups?

Apparently you can mix Chromecast Audios & Google Cast supporting speakers in the same group, or, at least by this year following an update, according to Google support:
"Can I add Chromcast built-in audio devices to a group?
We are working on adding Multi-room group playback support to all of our existing and upcoming Chromecast built-in audio devices. This will allow you to group your Chromecast Audio devices and Chromecast built-in audio devices from different brands into one seamless experience. This feature will be rolled out to all Chromecast built-in audio devices throughout 2017."
Source: Google Chomecast Help, Chromecast Audio - Multi-room group playback FAQs

(16-03-2017 18:29)adrian Wrote:  Is this process using both openhome and chromecast?

No, BubbleUPnP Server does not support OpenHome's (optional) grouping feature with its created OpenHome renderer. So the idea is to create a Google Cast group with the Google Home app and then create an OpenHome renderer for that Google Cast group with BubbleUPnP Server.