Music dropping out via airtunes

Hi all, more probs with the AX for Airtunes - i'm getting constant and very irritating drop outs when i play music through my stereo via Airtunes. Any ideas? There are a fair few wireless networks running in my building and i was wondering if that's blocking the channels. If anyone else has had similar problems please let me know. I'm also running Limewire quite heavily. Cheers..

I must say that this problem is both persistent and apparently pervasive. I, and others in this forum, are able to stream music via AirTunes--for a while. Then quite suddenly the music stops; on occasion it will resume without intervention. I have the following configuration:
MacBook Pro (2.33 GHz)
Airport Express (6.3 firmware version)
Airport Base Station
G5 connected to base station via Ethernet
Closed network with WPA2 Personal security
No WDS; Internet robustness turned on
Signal strength at or near maximum
I live in an apartment building with several wireless networks visible
I connect to the Internet via the building's high-speed fiber network
I have configured my wireless devices and software several different ways; none prevent the sudden cutouts in music streaming. I have the latest updates of all relevant software. My phone works on the 5.8 GHz frequency.
I suspect, but cannot confirm, that the cause of the problem is 2.4 GHz interference from neighbors' phones. If this is the case, then I don't know what I can do--other than acquire the new Airport Extreme (which I've ordered) and configure it to operate on the 5 GHz frequency.
By the way, I'm now streaming music from iTunes using Airfoil (http://rogueamoeba.com/). It has briefly cut out once while I've been typing this post, which would suggest that the problem is interference rather than hardware or software related. (Note: My daughter, who lives in a house, recently set up an Airport Express for her laptops. She has experienced no problems with cut outs.)
Open to any suggestions and observations.
MacBook Pro & G5 PowerMac   Mac OS X (10.4.8)  

Similar Messages

  • Apple AirPort Express - Streaming Music on iTunes - Frequent Music Drop out

    *Apple AirPort Express - Streaming Music on iTunes - Frequent Music Drop outs*
    I have just purchased an Apple AirPort Express for the sole use of streaming music from my laptop to my home cinema system.
    My system has bundles of power (Core 2 Duo, 3gb RAM, 320gb hard disk, Intel-N WiFi) and is running Windows Vista Premium. I am using the latest version of iTunes (version 8) and have it setup to play through remote speakers. I have my AirPort Express connected to my home cinema system.
    When I play music on iTunes through ONLY my computer speakers I have no problem with drop outs.
    However, when I play music through either (1) my AirPort Express or (2) multiple speakers (i.e. the AirPort Express and my computer speakers together) I experience frequent and unbelievably annoying drop outs in the music stream.
    I have determined this has nothing to do with interference with the wireless signal and believe this is something to do with iTunes - the reason being the drop outs occur in BOTH the computer speakers AND the AirPort Express speakers (when I select multiple speakers) but does not occur when I select ONLY the computer speakers.
    Please could you provide some advice on this as I am unable to use the AirPort!
    Many thanks
    Elliot

    You don't say which Airport Express you are using and what its settings are.
    There are two Airport Express models. The original model works on 802.11b/g on 2.4 GHz. The later model can do 802.11n on 2.4 GHz or 5.0 GHz. My experience is that interference when using the 2.4 GHz band creates drop-outs when sending audio from iTunes to an Airport Express. I now have an 802.11n network on 5.0 GHz and no longer have drop-outs. I also have a 2.4 GHz 802.11g network for my iPhone and other devices that can't do 802.11n. They are connected to each other by ethernet.
    Interference on 2.4 GHz occurs because a lot of people nearby have wireless networks too. You may not notice the interference when doing other network activity that is not time dependant but it shows when streaming music. Using a utility like iStumbler or AirRadar I can see I am the only one using the 5.0 GHz band in range of my computer.

  • New version airport express and music drop-outs

    Does the new version of Airport Express (802.11n) solve the problem of AirTunes audio stream drop-outs? My existing Express suffered so badly, I stopped using it!

    Can report back that the new Express is fantastic. No more dropouts. Gand set it to work on N only and it is great having the same music in the kitchen as in the living room. have now sold my 2 old units. Next purchase Timecapsule.

  • Airport Express Frequent Music Drop-out

    Looks like this is a standard, mostly unfixable feature with this. Great.
    Anyway - laptop inside on wireless, hooked via AUX to stereo receiver, sending to AE outside hooked to other receiver.
    Music plays, but drops out (volume down) frequently. We have cordless phones, no base stations that near. Microwave wasn't on.
    Any ideas for troubleshooting?
    DC

    Ok, thanks for clarifying your current network configuration for me. What is important is to understand the path the audio stream must take to get to the AirPort Express.
    Basically, it will be: Laptop >>> AirPort Extreme >>> AirPort Express > Audio Receiver, where ">>>" represents a wireless connection, and ">" represents a wired one.
    For the wireless connections, distance, other (non-audio streaming) network traffic, & Wi-Fi interference (cordless phones, walls, other Wi-Fis broadcasting nearby, etc.) will play a toll on the overall bandwidth available left for streaming.
    I would suspect the bandwidth will be the least between the two AirPorts. One simple test would be to calculate the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) at the location of the Express. SNR (in dB) = Signal (in dBm) - Noise (in dBm). You will want SNR to be 25+ dB. You will want to take the measurements with the Express powered-off so that you will be calculating the SNR for the Extreme only at this location.
    You can easily obtain the Signal & Noise values (if your laptop is a Mac) from System Profiler.
    Click the Apple icon in the menubar
    About This Mac
    More Info ...
    Contents > Network > AirPort > Interfaces > en1 > Current Network Information > Choose your Wi-Fi network > Signal / Noise
    While your here, note the following values as well:
    PHY Mode
    Security
    Transmit Rate
    Please post back your results.

  • ATV2 music drops out after 2-3 songs, withou fail.  Restarted/rebooted everything and my router shows no signal drops, suspect it is the home sharing but can't get into it to fix it. Am at my wits end.

    Recently bought the ATV2, all working well until 2-3 songs played and it drops out and returns to the main menu.  I have rebooted/restarted everything, and checked the event log in my router which shows no drop outs in WiFi connection.  When I tested it with a movie, it worked, ran for the length of the movie, but when I put on music it did it again. Suspect problem is software, maybe the home sharing and the time until it drops out is close to the same each time.  I am at a complete loss, and at my wits end.  Please help

    Did you happen to allow enough time for a power recycle when switching the router connected to your DSL modem?
    Modem/Router Power ReCycling
    - Power-off the DSL/Cable modem, Internet Router, & computer(s). (Wait at least 30 minutes. If possible, leave the modem off overnight.)
    - Power-on the DSL/Cable modem; Wait at least 30 minutes.
    - Power-on the Internet Router; Wait at least 5 minutes.
    - Power-on the computer(s)

  • Music drops out on DVD

    I am using iDVD 3 and when burning the audio drops out of the imported tracks. Only the audio on the original footage remains. This happens consistently - what can i do?

    If you're using music purchased from the iTunes music store, it will play fine in iMovie, but Apple's copy protection process prevents it from being burned to DVD using iDVD. There is a workaround (burn a playlist to CD and re-import) if this is your problem.

  • Music drop outs / stutter when listening to MP3s or Internet Radio with Verizon Media Manager

    Does anybody know when I play MP3s or listen to Internet Radio I'm getting slight drop out or stutter?
    I just downloaded and installed the Verizon Media Manager on a machine running Windows 7.
    Any help would be appreciated.

    Found this answer on DSLReports...
    "This problem has reported before. It's a problem with the audio driver for 7XXX boxes that was introduced with IMG 1.9a. It also impacts iHeart radio and Pandora streaming. It is supposed to be fixed in 1.9.1, which is due sometime in the next decade."

  • Airport express: how to stop music dropping out

    Have been using an airport express version 7.6.3, 1st generation, for over a year without problems, but for about a week now, it is cutting in and out. Any advice on how to fix this?

    Yes, the problem became more fequent and bothersome in the past week, but I suppose it have started, albeit less noticeably, after the last update earlier this spring. Anyway, working fine now, and fingers crossed, will continue to do so.
    By the way, helpful advice on how to easily switch between versions is included here: http://9to5mac.com/2013/02/11/apple-airporttime-capsule-7-6-3-update-breaks-ipv6 -tunneling-fix-is-downgrading/

  • AirTunes dropping out & External HD Questions

    Two questions:
    1) Whenever I play my iTunes music over my airport express, my music drops out every once a while and then usually comes back on. Why is that? I am not using the express as my primary base station, just to use airtunes and wirelessly network a printer. I have a Netgear wireless base station.
    2) Can I connect an external hard drive to my Airport Express or is it not equipped to do that?
    Thanks in advance!

    Jump365
    1) I had the same problem with my PowerBook never had a problem till the 10.4.9 update. Just the other day I installed the newest version of iTunes (7.1.1 ) so far haven't had any more problems.
    2) No you can not connect a HD to the Express
    Powerbook G4, MacBook Pro, Mac G5, Mac G4, Mac Mini   Mac OS X (10.4.8)  

  • Intel iMac won't talk to airport via airtunes when ethernet connection's on

    i have noticed with my new intel iMac that I cannot surf the internet via Ethernet cable AND send music from iTunes via airTunes to my airport express right next to my stereo. in order to be able to connect to the external loudspeakers i have disactivate ethernet connection in the systems preferences.
    on my old TiBook this works perfectly fine...!!
    anyone have some help?

    I would suggest you goto your network preferences and from the location drop down menu choose edit locations. Then click the + sign and add a new network location.
    Then connect via ethernet and using dhcp do you get an IP address from the router?

  • Airport Extreme n drop outs

    hello to everyone...
    i have read on this forum about airport drop outs and seem to be a victim too. have tried a few solutions but nothing seems to work and i am very disappointed since my new wireless setup wont work.
    The setup:
    iMac intel 2.16 in office room.
    macbook air in the living room
    apple tv in the bedroom
    airport express connected to an adsl modem and an airport express in the living room to extend the signal and airtune to the hi-fi.
    both the airports are brand new with the latest firmware. Macs and atv all run the latest OS.
    but i keep having drop outs from the extreme. ahhh, on the extreme i have a usb disk connected not that it makes any difference.
    so i tried the network without any security but i still have drop outs.
    i have another 4 networks which i see with istumbler but all on different channels.
    the drop outs are random and they seem to be worse when my wife is on the computer which makes things even worse (if u know what i mean....)
    any solutions and ideas will be much appreciated.
    my next move will be to switch off the express and have the extreme only to see if it makes any difference.
    thanx.

    Same problem here.
    My configuration is 1 Time Capsule, 2 Airport Express (n) (connected to 2 pairs of speakers in the house) and 1 MacBook Pro and 1 PC, everything is using N speed. (However, I suppose that when my iPhone connects to our wireless network, too, that it would reduce the entire network speed down from N to G? Is that right? Anyway, the drop-outs occur with or without iPhone.)
    I tried having the two Airport Express on the network only as clients, and now set up as a WDS, but it does not seem to make any difference.
    I also have now switched off the Time Machine backups to the TC, because that increases the number of AirTunes music drop outs.
    I noticed in the Airport Utility that you can monitor the signal strength, see this PNG file:
    http://www.vrolik.net/wifi.png
    The brown line is my MacBook Pro streaming music to the network, and the peaks in that line occur exactly when I experience music drop outs. Can anyone tell me what this means?

  • Toslink Signal Dropping Out Occasionally

    Hi
    I have my Mac Pro (Early 2009 with OS 10.8.2) connected to a DAC using the toslink connection however when listening to music with iTunes the music drops out approximately every ten minutes or so. This happens just for a very tiny moment, but it is rather annoying.
    Using my MacBook Pro (Early 2011 with OS 10.8.2) connected to the same DAC with toslink does not have this problem.
    I have tried using a couple of different toslink cables with my Mac Pro but the problem is still there.
    All the music files I listen to in iTunes are Apple Lossless is burned from CDs I've purchased so they are 16 bit / 44 kHz resolution. It is not high resolution.
    I've tried shutting down all the applications on the Mac and using only iTunes, but the problem persists.
    It occured to me that maybe there is disc fragmentation, however the hard drive is 1.36 TB free on the 2 TB disc, so I think that it would be unlikely to be fragmented.
    I wonder if anyone has any suggestions?
    Thank you.

    ayam,
    Your PC may be passively listening on a particular channel for the signal different than what your iMac may be listening to. You may want to consider testing various channels using the steps noted in knowledge base article http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=AirPortUtility/5.0/en/ap2085.html
    Regards,
    Chris

  • HELP.....Audio drops out as slides change

    Can anyone help?
    I have imported an audio file and have modified the position of the slide markers in the edit window so that it plays accross several slides as background music. Each time a slide changes the music drops out for a split second and then resumes.........pants!
    Cheers
    Sam

    Thanks for your quick response
    ...I've run the patch (up to vs 7.05) however the problem is still there, the audio drops out as each slide changes (chops out and back very quickly) Any more ideas welcome!
    Ta
    Sam

  • Adding AE to network via Ethernet...trying to fix airtunes drop outs....

    I have a older Time Capsule (not simultaneous dual band) in my home office, and two older AE's (not N) that I use to wirelessly extend my network. Overall it works OK, though maybe not as speedy as it could be.
    Lately, my airtunes streaming has been a bit erratic. Sometimes it works fine, other times it has a lot of drop outs. I use airtunes on both my AE's. On my "living room" AE, I use a digital connection to a high end DAC/preamp. On my "garage" AE I use an analog connection to a boombox. Both these setups experience intermittent dropouts.
    I could use ethernet to connect my living room AE to my LAN, since I have a wired connection at that location. I can not do that on my garage AE.
    First question is would a wired connection be more stable for airtunes? Since this problem may be associated with the Snow Leopard upgrade....I wonder if I'm wasting my time on the specifics of the network.
    Second question: when I tried to set up the AE for a wired connection, It doesn't give me the "extend the network via ethernet" option in Airport utility. It only gives me the "extend network wirelessly" option. I moved the AE to the office and connected it directly to the time capsule (to make sure the wired network wasn't the issue) and I still am not given the option to do that.
    Thoughts?
    Thanks
    Fabian

    Inkjet....
    Thanks for that tidbit. I'll try to remove my wireless AE from the loop and see if the wired AE works any better.
    I'm getting the feeling though that this is an iTunes/OS issue, not a network issue. Reading the other threads on this topic seem all involve the upgrade to SL and/or iTunes 9.
    As an aside, since my original post on this, I've replaced both the older AE's with the new n versions. I still use the older TC.
    Also, I've used AirRadar to examine the "interference" issue. It shows very low levels of interference (though I'm not sure what is acceptable). No other local networks show up which are on the channel I'm using. Again, I just don't think its the network.
    Finally, I don't think I'll go to the powerline transmission route. If wired were the answer, I'll find a way to get ethernet to the second AE. However, it needs to be the answer before going through the exercise.
    Fabian

  • AirTunes with AirportExpress cut or drop out problems - my solution...

    I buyed 2 of the Airport Extreme one month ago (Firmware 6.3, Itunes 7.1.1), never got them working fine, till yesterday...
    I have A Zyxel ADSL WLAN Router Switch. WPA-PSK as I wanted a secure Network. Both of the AX were connected with static IPs. WLAN was always working fine, but I had many cut outs with airtunes. I wanted a solution with lossles streaming audio with the possibility to connect my Receiver digitally. That's why I bought my first Apple hardware, as I was always told, Apple=Plug'n play. Very frustrating!
    I tried other switches, Routers, WLAN adapters and cards, nothing worked. Airfoil does not support multiple speakers yet, so it's useless for me.
    In the FAQ of the Airtunes, Apple mentioned to use lower security, as some Computers probably do not have enough power to stream music flawlessly. But my Computers really do have enough power! I think the AX does not have enough power to do that. So I created another wireless network with one of my AX. I set the security to WEP-40bit key and joined this new Network with my other AX. Not the best solution, as I'm now connected to the Internet or to the AX to use Airtunes. Cables could fix that problem, but then I could use a wired system instead...
    I use Channel 11 for the AX WLAN (the only clean channel in my area), Multicast to 11, only G mode for Wireless and a 5 characters WEP-40 key and no WDS. Seems to work at the moment.
    I hope this will help others with the cut or drop out problem. If you have a working AirTunes system, please post your setup. Mostly I'm interested in a Setup with working WPA...

    Thanks, I hope I can help others with this annoying problem...
    Sorry, I forgot to write about the RF Interference. Belive me, I spent hours and hours searching for a solution in the Internet and every checkbox the Admin utility offered me to try out... I'm working as a system engineer, and supporting computer systems since the early 90ties, so I'd say I have a bit knowledge about all the networking, WLAN, Audio... In school we had the Apple Mac I with the 12" monochrome monitor and appletalk for networking quite funny!
    But back to the RF interference: At the moment I activated it on both AX I own. I have a microwave, wireless phone and I'm living in a Area with many WLAN access points. I can choose between 6 networks!
    I'm the only one with a network higher than channel 6, so this area is clean at least.
    As my AirTunes do work at the moment, I'm not going to try if I could also deactivate it.
    Next step is to try if I can connect the AX Router to the internet. A connection to my ADSL router should do that, but up to now I had very strange behavior when plugging in a ethernet cable to the AX. If this will work, it will be my final solution, at the moment I only see it as a workaround...

Maybe you are looking for