Mac tech I have never seen/used: AirTunes

[AAA]

I have seen the device, but never seen it in action, and not sure I understand the whole package completely.

From what I have gathered, I can plug in the Airport Express, and connect speakers to it. But, how does one mange the source?

Does iTunes have to be running on a Mac continuously?
If it's remotely located, how can one change the song? (Apple or 3rd party options?)
Does it require a wireless router? ANY brand? Is 802.11b good enough? Or does one need a newer one? Or, do you have to use the Apple Base Station thing?

Is the AirTunes functionality built-in to any speakers, or just the AirPort Express device?

Is AirTunes 'alive'? I mean is it fully-supported, coming out with updates/enhancements? Or is it being left to whither on the vine, like some other Apple Tech devices (hi fi) do?

Any other reason you can suggest to getting an AirPort Express?

Have there been quality issues with this device?

[mattkime]

>>But, how does one mange the source?

iTunes.

>>Does iTunes have to be running on a Mac continuously?

Yes.

>>If it's remotely located, how can one change the song?

How remote??

>>Does it require a wireless router?

Anything that supports wireless repeaters (WDS) should work. I believe the ever-popular buffalo wouters would work.

>>just the AirPort Express device?

just the device

>>Is AirTunes 'alive'?

Yes, but it hasn't been upgraded because its "just worked" from day one.

[ztirffritz]

KeySpan makes a remote that will connect to the USB port of Airport Express and it allows you to have some rudimentary control over the music selection. I've never used it, and can't vouch for how it works. Just another option for ya.

Ok, I just went to their website. They actually have a few devices for what you're looking for:

Tune-view remote:
http://keyspan.com/products/tvu200c/
Has an LCD screen that shows the current playing selection and upcoming tracks. Allows you to control what comes next, play, pause, FF, RW, etc. Looks interesting, but I'd be worried that a future update to iTunes would break it.

Express Remote:
http://www.keyspan.com/products/urm17a/homepage.spml
When used with AirPort Express the Express Remote provides a powerful way to locally control music being streamed from iTunes on a remote Mac or PC.

[Forrest]

If you've got a bluetooth phone or wifi phone, then you can install Salling Clicker ($23.95) on your Mac to control iTunes thru your phone http://www.salling.com/Clicker/mac/

You don't need wifi to use the Airport Express - you can also connect an ethernet cable directly to the Airport Express to access AirTunes.

[AAA]

None of my three cell phones are bluetooth or wifi.

[Gilbert]

We have three Airport Express (AEX) units that we use for a 'whole house' stereo system. One is connected to our main AV receiver, one to a smaller AV receiver and one upstairs connected to a JBL Onstage iPod dock/speaker unit via the 1/8" AUX input. Our main AV receiver also has some outside speakers connected to it so we can also play music in our backyard if we turn that zone on. They all play in sync which is great so as you move from on part of the house, the transition is nice.

We have the AEX units also working in WDS to extend our home wireless network. I have a Windows Mobile phone with Wifi that has Salling Clicker installed for remote control but my wife just prefers to just use the computer.

You can decide which AEX units are used via iTunes - there is a drop-down on the lower right which allows you select which ones you want to use or not. You can broadcast to up to 3 AEX units at once plus have the music play on your computer's speakers. We just leave them all selected and just turn on or off the AV receivers accordingly to decide where we want music played.

Like mattkime has said, they just work. Apple has come out with some firmware updates but we have never had any issues with ours.

We use an Airport Extreme Base Station (b/g version) as our main router so can't speak to other routers.

[AAA]

great. thanks. that added some info to my knowledge.

[Gilbert]

Would also add that the last two AEX units we bought were refurbs - saves you ~$20/unit.

[Article Accelerator]

how does one mange the source?

An alternative for managing the source (iTunes library on the host computer) is to use a wireless notebook running iTunes. Just set the host's iTunes to share its library and set the notebook's iTunes as the AirTunes source and you'll have full access and control from the notebook.

Anything that supports wireless repeaters (WDS) should work

Actually, in AirTunes mode, the AE is just an ordinary wireless client in the same manner as a wireless computer.

Is the AirTunes functionality built-in to any speakers, or just the AirPort Express device?

Just the AE. The AE outputs either an analog audio signal or a digital optical signal. Just use the appropriate cable and plug it into your radio, powered speakers, stereo, or home theater system.

I mean is it fully-supported

Fully supported and fully baked. I've had it working flawlessly here for several years.

Any other reason you can suggest to getting an AirPort Express?

It's a very compact, versatile device. In addition to AirTunes service, it can act as a base station, wireless repeater, wireless bridge, and wireless print server.

When I travel, it comes with me so I can use it to create a wireless network in hotel rooms that provide only a wired connection. Dead simple and perfectly reliable.

The AE is a great device.