AirTunes

I've conned the wife to let me spend $200 on an Airport Express to allow me to play iTunes through my hi-fi speakers in the living room. I've had it for two days now and can't get the damned thing to work.
I can't seem to find the Airport Expres modem through my mac.
I also have a wireless internet router (NetComm NB5Plus4W). I only bought the Airport Express for my iTunes. My mac is connected to the internet router via ethernet.
Apologies if all this sounds dumb - I'm coming to the conclusion that I'm technologocally challenged. Can't wait till my 3 year old son is able to do all this for me.

First welcome to the discussions, Maybe on of these 2 will help you.
http://www.apple.com/airportexpress/
Adn also this one.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107454
Don't forget to use the Airport Admin Utility.
Don

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Airtunes no longer working with AirPort Express? can anyone help?!

so i recently bought a refurbished airport express and i loved how i could stream audio over the wireless network via airtunes but the delay was a bit annoying so i took it upon myself to try and find a solution to this.
I bought a reverse audio splitter (1 female to 2 male) thinking that i could plug my speakers into the female end of the splitter, leave one of the male audio jacks plugged into the airport express, and the other male end into my computer so when i was at my desk the audio would go straight from my computer to the speakers (bypassing the airport altogether) and the delay problem with airtunes would be solved.
this worked for a little bit, but the next day when i went to play a song via airtunes it didnt work.. no error messages, just no sound.. i did some investigating and found that there was a red light coming from the audio jack on the airport express which i found out could mean that either it is in optical mode or that it is just dead..
But here's the real weird part!! so i also have the program called AirFoil to transmit audio from the internet to my speakers via the airport express, and the speakers connected to the airport can play itunes when AirFoil is connected to itunes even though the light is still red inside the airport audio jack!! weird huh?
Anyways, i just wanna know if there is anything that i can do to fix my AirTunes sound output since it seems like the audio jack on the airport express isnt totally dead??

I'm in the same boat. I can still get on the web with it, but neither airport utility or itunes can see it. disappointing to say the least.

Can I use a Mini as a remote Airtunes stylee speaker terminal?

Hi there,
I have a iMac whcih acts as my 'main' (currently also my only) iTunes library. I am soon to sync my Mini with my iMac with TuneRanger so I should have the same libraries on each machine.
However, while I ponder the various setups, is it possible for the Mini to behave in the same way as an Airport Express/Airtunes whereby I have my iMac playing music, transmitting to my Airport Express in my kitchen and also to my Mini in my living room? I could use Airfoil for this but I would prefer for it to be controllable from an iPhone.
I guess the alternative would be to 'run' any music that I'm playing anywhere other than my study (where my iMac is) from my Mini (as the 'source') and switch the kitchen speakers on/of from the iPhone. But that relies on TuneRanger having recently run as I'll be doing all my ripping/purchases on the iMac.
So, can the Mini behave/act like an Airtunes speaker?
Thanks

I heard of software that can do it but can't remember the name of it maybe someone else in the discussions will remember.
You dont need to sync your music library. a work around is this. enable itunes sharing on the imac. enable screen sharing on the mac mini.
connect to the mini from the imac using screen sharing, open itunes on the mini and select your imacs library and off you go.

Follow up question: Is there a way to wirelessly use Airtunes and internet

I had marked this post as resolved, but things have subsequently become quite 'unresolved.'
This is my original thread where I explain the problem and Tesserax provides an answer:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1702063&tstart=0
Here is where I am now:
I made the changes that Tesserax suggested, and everything worked fine for about an hour. Internet and airtunes worked simultaneously. Then, for no reason that I can discern, airtunes stopped working. It would no longer connect to remote speakers, giving me instead a -3256 error message. I scanned the forum for a fix, found that there have been firmware updates. I found that I had 6.3 installed on the AX, but I re-downloaded it just to be sure. No dice. I also made sure that the UDP was not being blocked in the Pref/Sharing/Firewall window. It wasn't. In fact there was no UDP button at all. Finally, when I try to use the Airport utility, both the base station and AX turn off and disappear altogether during the utility scan. They don't reappear until I close iTunes and utilities, and only then after rebooting themselves.
Any ideas about what might be causing all of this?
Thank you,
Peter

Yes, you can do both at the same time, by reconfiguring the AirPort Express Base Station (AX) as a "wireless client."
Either connect to the AX's wireless network or connect directly, using an Ethernet cable, to the Ethernet port of the AX, and then using the AirPort Utility in "Manual Setup" mode, make the following changes:
AirPort > Base Station
o Base Station Name: <rename or leave default>
o Base Station Password: <enter desired password>
o Verify Password: <re-enter desired password>
o Remember this password in my keychain: (optional)
o Set time automatically: (unchecked)
AirPort > Wireless
o Wireless Mode: Join a wireless network
o Network Name: <existing AEBS's wireless network>
o Wireless Security: <select the encryption type of the existing wireless network>
o Wireless Password: <enter the existing wireless network password>
o Verify Password: <re-enter the existing wireless network password>
Music
o Enable AirTunes (checked)
o iTunes Speaker Name: <enter desired speaker name>
o iTunes Speaker Password: (optional)
o Verify Password: (optional)
o Click Update to write the new settings to the AX
In iTunes:
iTunes > Preferences... > Advanced > General
o Look for remote speakers connected with AirTunes (checked)

Airtunes with new airport extreme

i have a new airport extreme. my airtunes no longer shows up. how do i reconfigure the 2 express base stations to play airtunes?

I figured it out. I had to do a hard reset on the airpot express and renew the settings.

Modem encryption needs to be changed in order for airtunes to work?

Hi all,
I was happily listening to airtunes, closed the mac, opened it and airport express then had a flashing amber light. Now, if I try airtunes it won't work thru my speakers. I can only hear music thru the macbook. I spent a fair amt of time today on the phone with mac support and was told that my modem encryption needs to be changed. Apparently it has to go from WEP to WPA?
Has anyone else had to do this in order for airtunes to work? It was working fine and then poof, gone.

I've fixed the issue. I called support back again after reading this http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2098
and the girl on the phone was wonderful. We changed the setting from wep 128 to wep 40 and it works!

Why does Airtunes Drop Frequnetly under Tiger?

After having sifted through the last week's worth of posts to this forum, I find that I'm having a problem that many others are also having, and that it has yet to be solved. I'm posting yet another thread on this topic, hoping that Apple will take notice.
Since upgrading to Tiger, I've had a bad experience with Airtunes frequently dropping out. Sometimes it resumes playing after a few seconds, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes disconnecting from my wireless network and then reconnecting fixes the problem, sometimes it doesn't. As far as I know, everything is up to date:
Mac OS X 10.4.7
iTunes 6.0.5 (20)
Apple Base Station v6.3 (that's the firmware)
Software update gives me weekly updates too, so my Airport software should be current (how does one find the version number for this?). This problem also ocured under firmware 6.1. A hard reset of the Airport Express did not fix the problem either.
The strangest symptom that I experience is when Airtunes drops out and I try to deselect my speakers in iTunes. It just hangs and I get the dreaded spinning beach ball. After 2 or 3 minutes it finally deselects. Sometimes if I reselect the speakers, Airtunes resumes working. But other times it just seems dead.
While all of this is going on, my internet connection through the APExpress is still ok.
Airtunes worked flawlessly for me under Panther. So I'm fairly sure that the problem arose when I switched to Tiger.
Anyone know how to solve this problem (other than downgrading to Panther)?

Okay, I've read the posts in this thread and think I might be able to contribute.
My set up is an Airport Extreme Base, with two Express's. I'm new to all this WiFi stuff, and have built this system adding each component over the past two years. So, frequent droping out has also been a problem with my setup. Yet (fingers crossed) i think I got things working pretty well with, ahem, (almost) no drop outs in days.
1. First suggestion is this link.
http://www.macgeekery.com/hacks/hardware/optimizingairportconnectivity
It basically talks about channel switching the Extreme Base Station and how to find out who else might be using that channel. With hints for advanced software from Apple (and where to get it) that I did not have, that helped me monitor signal strength and other neet learning tools.
2. I purchased airfoil recently (great software IMHO), and in the troubleshootong section it talked about how any 802.11b hardware (like my 867 Tibook) automatically down throtles your network from a potential 54 mbps to 11mbps. Now I'm not real versed on what sort of thru put you need to stream this music stuff, but 11mbps probably is not enough for two consecutive streams (w/o constantly dropping out). I have not heard of this potential problem disscussed ANYWHERE else.
3. One of my signals has to travel down a long hallway to reach the Express & speakers, 50 feet, and the signal would always stop when (it seemed as though) I would walk down it. My body seemingly disrupting the signal.
This has seemed to dimminish after my last (#4)suggestion. A house full of people would (i think) kill any signal(s) no matter how strong the signals are.
4. Upon messing around with the settings in the Airport Administrator Utility,
i accidentally had it set to 25% of its potential Transmitter power (under Airport-->Airport Network -->Wireless Options. That fixed alot, boy I felt stupid.
So, these may be things worth looking into. In addition, I have a couple of ?'s.
1. what is the multicast rate? it's under Airport-->Airport Network -->Wireless Options also. what do ya'all have it set at?
2. Would WDS have a positive signal strength effect with an Extreme Base Station and 2 or more Express stations.
I have never run any WiFi under panther, but have had constant drop out issues under tiger until recently (who knows, maybe they'll return)
Goodluck all !!!!
GG-01
PowerMac Dual 2.0 (last rev.) Mac OS X (10.4.7) Ti Book 867

Is it possible to use AirTunes without a wireless router?

At home, I have a MacBook and use AirTunes with my AirPort Express on my home wireless network. It all works great without any problems.
But I also occasionally provide music on at the neighborhood pool (for kid's parties, etc) which does not have any kind of internet connection (no WiFi, nothing).
I was wondering if it's possible to stream the music wirelessly from my MacBook to my AirPort Express (which will be plugged into a sound system) without a WiFi network present? In other words, is there some kind of way to set up wireless communication between the MacBook and the AX without having to bring and configure a wireless router at the pool?
PS) More info:
The reason I want to do it wirelessly is so that I can locate the MacBook somewhere away from the sound system to not only protect it from water/traffic, etc, but also somewhere where the kids won't see it and "fight" over changing songs, etc.
And also, as a side question, I have Apple's "Remote" app on my iPhone. Just wondering if I can control iTunes with my iPhone; again without the presence of a WiFi router?
Thanks very much in advance!

In other words, is there some kind of way to set up wireless communication between the MacBook and the AX without having to bring and configure a wireless router at the pool?
Yes and no. The AX IS a wireless router. You would simply configure the AX to create a wireless network. Your MacBook would connect to that network and stream the music.

How do you stop airtunes dropping out with AEX/Extreme bridged airports?

I finally found out how to get my Airports networked so that I could use the internet and airtunes to work at the same time, only now neither works well. The connection to my speakers cuts out every few minutes, simultaneously disconnecting from the internet. This is driving me nuts. Does anyone know how I can get this to stop?
Thanks,
Peter

I finally found out how to get my Airports networked so that I could use the internet and airtunes to work at the same time, only now neither works well. The connection to my speakers cuts out every few minutes, simultaneously disconnecting from the internet. This is driving me nuts. Does anyone know how I can get this to stop?
Thanks,
Peter

How to set-up multiple AE for AirTunes

Hi Everybody,
just ordered a second AE since the simultaneous streaming is offered now. So I borrowed a friends AE to check it out, but we couldn't get the second AE to show up neither on multiple speakers (speakers were hooked to the second AE!) on iTunes nor on the Airport Admin Utility (it was showing up when it was running alone though). His AE is updated to 6.3 as well. Maybe it had something to do that my base AE was protected through WPA; I later changed it back to WEP and now I can check the "allow wireless clients on this base station". Unfortunately my friend took his AE back home...:-)).
I do know that this actually is not the precondition of streaming through AirTunes, but would like to know how I should set-up the second AE in order to make it play the music. Since I'm expecting my new AE tomorrow any advice would be deeply appreciated. Internet and AirTunes connections to main AE are running without any problems.
Best regards
Roman
iTunes 6.0.2
AX Firmware 6.3
Sony VAIO Z1XSP, XP Professional
Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection, Driver Version 9.0.3.9
Sony VAIO Z1XSP Windows XP Pro

Alan,
phuhh - took me 4 hours to figure this one out!!
First I couldn't set up the second AE with the assistant, so I only used Admin. Utility trying all kinds of settings (the connection has to be manually and not over "Using DHCP"). Had to try around with different IP addresses. But the real issue was with the security settings. Had changed it yesterday to 128 bit WEP and the same Password was set to both AEs. No success! Then finally I switched security settings off and got it to work! Now I put in the MAC addresses of my Laptop and second AE for access and put security settings to 40 bit WEP; this should work. WPA is not available for setting the base station as a WDS. Man, these airports sometime can really hang you up there...
Thanks again for the help.
Best
Roman

Regarding an Apple TV and an existing Airport Express/AirTunes setup

alright, i think i'm going to make the jump now for the new Apple TV. but i do have a few questions, particularly re: my existing Airport Express/AirTunes and wiring since i'm really maxed out in terms of open ports that i have left.
—my HDMI will have to go through a new HDMI smart switch hub into my older plasma that has one HDMI input. no problem, i've researched the smart switch, and realize the Apple TV may go in the low priority input since it seems to throw a continous current. if anyone LOVES their smart switch, throw me a bone here.
--however, i will need to go audio optical out into my receiver based on my current setup. and my receiver's optical inputs are all currently used. however, one is in use by a nearby Airport Express. since that AE has been used for AirTunes for years, i assume i can now safely ditch it's optical out since i will now be running my music through the Apple TV instead, correct? and therefore i will have my receiver's optical input now freed up, and there goes my Apple TV wire instead. just looking for verification here.
--since this AE is right there, will I get any speed advantage to the Apple TV by dropping an Ethernet cable from the AE's output into the Apple TV's Ethernet input, rather than relying on a pure wireless signal? my assumption is no, since they are both receiving the signal from my Airport Extreme on the other side of the house, but i thought it was still a worthwhile question.
--this particular AE has also been acting as a WiFi range extender (it's b,g,n). so i guess i will still just leave it plugged into the wall, but turn off it's AirTunes sharing, correct?
--(side note: if i wind up not needing the AE's optical out, and i don't need it's Ethernet out, i will then be moving it across the room since i'm ridiculously tapped out of electrical outlets by my entertainment center. and that's where the Apple TV power cord will go. just a boring fyi)
--i truly think i had another important question, but i cannot remember it. so i'll repost when it comes to me.
so i think i know my answers, but i always learn in these forums. so any thoughts or feedback is greatly appreciated.
thank you!

kevinopp wrote:
—my HDMI will have to go through a new HDMI smart switch hub into my older plasma that has one HDMI input. no problem, i've researched the smart switch, and realize the Apple TV may go in the low priority input since it seems to throw a continous current. if anyone LOVES their smart switch, throw me a bone here.
Older AppleTV did not play well with some switches, so it'd be sensible to get advice about one that definitely works with the new unit. They may have ironed out HDMI glitches but too early to tell.
--however, i will need to go audio optical out into my receiver based on my current setup. and my receiver's optical inputs are all currently used. however, one is in use by a nearby Airport Express. since that AE has been used for AirTunes for years, i assume i can now safely ditch it's optical out since i will now be running my music through the Apple TV instead, correct? and therefore i will have my receiver's optical input now freed up,
Yes, the AppleTV will replace the Airport for optical audio duties from your iTunes library. Add an iPhone/iPas Remote app and it should work very nicely as it did with the 1st gen.
--since this AE is right there, will I get any speed advantage to the Apple TV by dropping an Ethernet cable from the AE's output into the Apple TV's Ethernet input, rather than relying on a pure wireless signal? my assumption is no, since they are both receiving the signal from my Airport Extreme on the other side of the house, but i thought it was still a worthwhile question.
I doubt it would be of any benefit as AppleTV has wireless n anyway.
--this particular AE has also been acting as a WiFi range extender (it's b,g,n). so i guess i will still just leave it plugged into the wall, but turn off it's AirTunes sharing, correct?
In that case if it's an extender you may need it on for AppleTV to pick up the wireless, though I think I'd try and see if it receives the main signal adequately first.
--i truly think i had another important question, but i cannot remember it. so i'll repost when it comes to me.
I know that feeling.

How do I set up multiple Airport Expresses to connect over ethernet for Airtunes only?

I am trying to set up an Airtunes network using an Airport Extreme and three Airport Expresses connected together via ethernet (CAT5 cable). At each Airport Express there will be a speaker setup. I don't need/want internet connectivity on the network, but not sure if it is required for setup or not. I have made this work over wifi, using the Expresses to extend the network, but struggling to get this to work over ethernet.
I would be verry grateful of a step-by-step method to setting this up! I am also looking to set up 6 airport expresses to do the same thing in another location.
Thanks in advance!

Thanks for the info.
I assume that the AirPort Extreme is setup and working at this point.
Work with one AirPort Express at a time to get them all configured, and then you can locate them where they will be needed.
AirPort Setup will configure the Express devices to "extend a wireless network" using Ethernet, so they will be broadcasting the same wireless signal as the AirPort Extreme and provide more wireless signal coverage as well.
I have yet to meet the first person who thought that they had too much wireless coverage, but you would have the option to turn off the wireless on the Express if you wanted. Most users like having extended wireless for their devices.
Temporarily, move an Express close to the AirPort Extreme
Connect a spare Ethernet cable from one of the LAN <-> ports on the Extreme to the WAN "O" port on the Express
Power up the Express for a few minutes
Hold in the reset button on the back of the Express for 10 seconds and release. Allow a full minute for the Express to restart to a slow, blinking amber light.
Click the Airport icon at the top of the Mac's screen and wait a few seconds for AirPort Express to appear just under the listing of New AirPort Base Station
Click directly on the AirPort Express
AirPort Setup will open up automatically and take a minute to analyze the network, then announce that the Express will be configured to extend the AirPort Extreme network.
Enter a device name that you want to use....example.....Express1.....and click Next
AirPort Setup will configure everything for you. Notice that the message will say that the Express is being set up to extend using Ethernet. When you see the message of setup complete, click Done.
Now you can move the Express to the remote location where it is needed, hook it up to the Ethernet connection there, power up the Express and set up AirTunes on the device.
AirTunes is enabled by default, to other than make the speaker connection, you won't have much to do on that.
Set up other Express devices the same way, except assign a different name to each device....example....Express2, Express3, etc.....to keep things organized.

Using multiple laptops and AirTunes with one static IP

I just moved into a place that requires a static IP they provided me. After much tinkering, I finally got the Airport Express to work so that I could get online using my Powerbook. However, whenever I'm on the internet (Airport set NOT to distribute IP addresses), I can't use AirTunes. The moment I change that (whether it's using Airport Admin Utility or changing Network Settings on the Powerbook) and I am able to get online again, AirTunes quits and iTunes can't seem to find the remote speakers again.
I can't even use these both at the same time, and I would eventually like to use AirTunes at the same time as the internet AND be able to connect wirelessly to the internet using my PC laptop. Before moving into the apartment with the static IP, this was possible.
I keep reading about port mapping - perhaps that is the answer? Problem is, I have no idea what that is. Can somebody please explain why this is happening and offer a solution?

a) WEP WPA password, ive never set one up for the airport, where do i find out what this password is for my PC?
You will set up wireless security (WEP or WPA) on the AirPort Express Base Station (AX)..using the AirPort Admin Utility, which is part of AirPort for Windows.
b) Everytime I run the Airport Express Assistant it gives me an error message saying "Windows is not the current network manager...please change Windows to the default", I dont know why I get this error and I assume windows is the one managing the networks I use.
Your PC has wireless capability...correct? The AirPort Setup Assistant requires a wireless connection to the AX.
c) I can connect to the airport through windows, but when in the Airport Management Utility it does not detect the Airport
Connect your PC directly, using an Ethernet cable, to the Ethernet port of the AX, and then run the AirPort Admin Utility to configure it.
d) After all this, will Windows and iTunes allow you to stream music thru the Airport Express, like it does on my mac with itunes???
Yes, you will be able to stream iTunes from your PC to the AX, either wired or wirelessly.

2 computers and 1 AirTunes: How to remotely disconnect 1 to play the other?

I am trying to decide between squeezebox duet and airport express in order to stream music from two computers to one amplifier. Obviously not at the same time. But I don't want to have to run into one room to disconnect one computer from the AirTunes speakers, then run into the other room to connect the other computer to AirTunes and then play music. I want to do all of that via a remote. I can do that with squeezebox -- But I would rather use airport express and my iphone remote app. Is there a way to do this?

There is no way to be logged into two iTunes accounts on the same computer at the same time.
You can sign into each account seperately and download available content for each account.
There also is no way to merge iTunes accounts.

How do I add a second Airport Express for Airtunes only?

I already have one Airport Express hooked up to my G5 for wireless internet. Works just fine. How, in simple english, do I add a second Airport Express to my downstairs stereo fot playing my iTunes music through.
I have looked through the help sections, but it all comes across too complicated sounding. It can't be that hard.
What do I do to set it up & NOT screw up my already working internet conection?
I have the audio cable hooked up to my stereo/Airport Express downstairs & the Airport Express plugged in... "Yellow Light" lit on Express, what next?
Thanks fellow Mac Fans!

For the AX connected to the speakers:
To set up AirTunes on the AirPort Express Base Station (AX), using the AirPort Admin Utility, connect your computer directly (using an Ethernet cable) to the Ethernet port of the AX, and then, try these settings:
AirPort tab
- Base Station Name: <whatever you wish or use the default>
- Wireless Mode: Join an Existing Wireless Network (Wireless Client)
- Wireless Network: <select the existing wireless network>
Music tab
- Enable AirTunes on this base station (checked)
- Enable AirTunes over the Ethernet port (optional)
- iTunes Speaker Name: <whatever you wish>
- iTunes Speaker Password (optional)
In iTunes:
iTunes > Preferences... > Advanced > General
- Look for remote speakers connected with AirTunes (checked)

Can I use Airport Express's Airtunes with a non-Apple modem/router?

I am about to set up a network in our second home, so I am trying to do it as economically as possible. I will have a Verizon modem/router. The Verizon rep says the Verizon equipment is all I need for a computer network (no Airport Extreme Base Station needed). But I would also like to play music on Internet radio stations through iTunes on my Cambridge Soundworks system in a room that is different from the one where the Verizon modem/router will be. Can I purchase an Airport Express with Airtunes to plug in near the music system without also getting an Airport Extreme Base Station to which the Airport Express would be linked? If it is possible to go with just the AE, is it foolish to avoid getting the base station if I would also like to have wireless printing on my network? (I believe I would need the Airport Extreme Base Station for printing because it has the USB port.)

The Airport Express will do what you want in addition to printing if your printer is compatible as it does have a USB port. Just configure the Express to "join" the wireless network that the Verizon router is creating.
You will be able to stream AirTunes to the AirPort Express, which in turn will furnish an audio signal to your stereo system.
If you want to be able to stream any audio source from your computer to the AirPort Express...not just iTunes audio sources...you might want to take a look at Airfoil.

AirTunes

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