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Old 18-08-2010, 12:06
ffawkes
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Hi there

I'm about to buy an apple airport express so I can play itunes music from my laptop through my hifi.

Question: I found a website called jango that lets me stream/play free music of my choice. Could I send that music through the airport to my hifi?

If not is there any other wireless device that would let me do it?

thanks!
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Old 18-08-2010, 14:26
RobAnt
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Judging by what I've read on the Airport website, this is simply a wirelessly connected extension for a PC running Airtunes, software which can access the iTunes library on that PC.

It doesn't SEEM able to play music from Windows Media Player/Centre, for instance.

If the iTunes library can and does contain other forms of compressed music storage, such as ogg vorbis, or mp3, then you can play those too.

The best way to play music on your hifi, stored or relayed from the Internet is via a PC or laptop connected wirelessly, or via a wired, local area network. This could be a small netbook, laptop or desktop PC, by connecting the audio output directly to the aux in (or via digital audio connections) on your hifi.

The Airport appears too restrictive for my personal needs. I connect a desktop (home theatre) PC direct to both my hifi and tv, and via a wired network through to the Internet for radio, and another PC which stores my media.
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Old 18-08-2010, 16:41
S-T-E-V-E
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Take a look at http://www.rogueamoeba.com/airfoil

Lets you route your System Audio via Airport Express.
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Old 18-08-2010, 16:42
krj
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Hi there

I'm about to buy an apple airport express so I can play itunes music from my laptop through my hifi.

Question: I found a website called jango that lets me stream/play free music of my choice. Could I send that music through the airport to my hifi?

If not is there any other wireless device that would let me do it?

thanks!
I have used an Airport Express for over two years simply to play music from iTunes on my laptop to my hifi using the wifi connection. It works very well and is reliable.

However, I found it rather difficult to set up the Airport as you have to use your pc/laptop directly connected via an ethernet cable before the wireless side bursts into life. Although the setup wizards are ok, as you would expect from Apple, there are times when an error comes on the screen, which is not an error, and if you force the installation past this all works out well.

Remember it is a multifunction device and the correct installation route must be followed.

Unfortunately the Apple software and manual are not too helpful. There is also a problem with wifi network keys; Apple use the non-standard 40 character length in WEP. 128 character key must be used. Later version key security is not supported.

ITunes itself detects the Airport with no problems after the device is installed on the network. There is an icon which enables you to switch between pc and hifi sound outputs.

This may sound a bit off-putting but be assured it's a good device.

I also use a utilty called Airfoil which allows other applications like Spotify to use the hifi via the Airport. Unfortunately it's not free software, but for about £15 good value.

Last edited by krj : 18-08-2010 at 16:54. Reason: Extra info added re security key
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Old 18-08-2010, 16:54
S-T-E-V-E
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My Airport Express is connected using WPA2, no issues at my end.
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Old 18-08-2010, 16:56
krj
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My Airport Express is connected using WPA2, no issues at my end.
Interesting - is that via Mac or pc as I thought Mac only supported it?
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Old 18-08-2010, 16:59
S-T-E-V-E
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Interesting - is that via Mac or pc as I thought Mac only supported it?
2 Macs, 1 PC and my router is a Time Capsule.
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Old 18-08-2010, 17:34
krj
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2 Macs, 1 PC and my router is a Time Capsule.
Hmm - seems as if things have moved on since I installed. The website does now say WPA support requires a wifi certified pc solution.

Hopefully that should make installation easier as that is where I struggled with WEP.

I shall leave mine alone though - do not fix a working part!!
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Old 31-08-2010, 11:30
ffawkes
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Thanks all for your ideas.
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