Wi-Fi base stations: How to set up and configure AirPort Express for AirPlay and iTunes

Wi-Fi base stations: How to set up and configure AirPort Express for AirPlay and iTunesLearn how to set up and configure AirPort Express for AirPlay and iTunes.

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Learn how to set up and configure AirPort Express for AirPlay and iTunes.

Products Affected

AirPort Express 802.11n (1st Generation), AirPort Express Base Station, AirPort Extreme 802.11n (2nd Generation), iTunes

This article explains how to stream music from iTunes on your Mac or PC, or from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch (iOS 5.1 or later) to your stereo or speakers using AirPort Express as a standalone Wi-Fi base station or as one of several Wi-Fi base stations.

Note: If you would also like to stream movies and photos to your television, consider adding an Apple TV to your existing Wi-Fi network.

Note: Music streaming from iTunes, iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch is done via AirPlay. For an overview of AirPlay features, see the iTunes AirPlay page. For more details about AirPort Express and music sharing, see the AirPort Express Music Sharing page.

Some things you should know about AirPort Express with AirPlay

Use powered speakers with a stereo mini-jack connector. Do not connect USB speakers to AirPort Express. Do not connect AirPort Express to the phono jack on your stereo. You can stream iTunes music to more than one AirPort Express at a time by choosing Multiple Speakers from the speakers pop-up menu. Only one computer at a time can stream music to AirPort Express. You can connect your AirPort Express to your home stereo or powered speakers using a digital fiber optic cable, analog mini-stereo-to-dual-RCA cable, or mini-stereo to mini-stereo cable (depending on what type of connectors your stereo uses) connected to the Line Out port. Wireless computers within range of AirPort Express can wirelessly stream music to it using iTunes 4.6 or later. You may connect an optional power cord if you are setting up your AirPort Express away from a power outlet.

Things to consider before you begin

Start with a plan for the physical layout. Depending on whether you have an existing Wi-Fi network, or if you are using your AirPort Express as a standalone Wi-Fi device, there are several options available for you to choose from. When using Ethernet, Cat6 cable is recommended. The layout you choose should take into account environmental factors such as physical access, location, range, radio frequency interference, etc. You will need to consider what AirPort Utility settings to adopt. You will need to know whether you are using an AirPort Express (802.11b/g) or an AirPort Express (802.11a/b/g/n).

If you will be using more than one Wi-Fi base station, it may be helpful to read the article Extending the range of your wireless network by adding additional Wi-Fi base stations.

Different usage scenarios for the AirPort Express, and how to set them up
 

AirPort Express as a standalone simultaneous Wi-Fi base station, and iTunes music device

The AirPort Express is the only Wi-Fi base station. It provides simultaneous Wi-Fi access and AirPlay streaming.

This configuration requires that the AirPort Express is in physical cable range of both the audio device and the DSL/Cable router at the same time.

How to Set It Up

Connect your DSL or cable modem to your AirPort Express using the WAN Ethernet port. Connect your AirPort Express to your home stereo or powered speakers. Plug AirPort Express into the power outlet. There is no "on" switch. Use AirPort Utility to create a new network. Ensure that "Enable AirPlay/AirTunes" is checked in the Music tab. Open iTunes on your computer and choose the AirPort Express(es) you wish to stream music through from the speakers pop-up menu in the lower right-hand corner of the iTunes window.

 

Connecting to an existing Wi-Fi network as part of a roaming network

The AirPort Express is connected to the primary Wi-Fi base station with Ethernet. It extends the range of an existing Roaming Wi-Fi network and provides AirPlay streaming.

How to Set It Up

AirPort Utility 6.1

Ensure that the AirPort base station Ethernet cables are connected as above Launch AirPort Utility 6.1. The Assistant will automatically configure the Roaming network

AirPort Utility 5.6.1

Connect your AirPort Express to your home stereo or powered speakers. Plug AirPort Express into the power outlet. There is no "on" switch. Connect an Ethernet cable (Cat6) from a LAN port of the primary Wi-Fi base station to the Ethernet port of the AirPort Express. Use AirPort Utility to configure the AirPort Express as part of a Roaming network. For steps to configure a Roaming network, read Setting up and configuring a roaming network (802.11 a/b/g/n). Ensure that "Enable AirPlay/AirTunes" is checked in the AirPort Utility Music tab. Open iTunes on your computer and choose the AirPort Express(es) you wish to stream music through from the speakers pop-up menu in the lower right-hand corner of the iTunes window.

 

Connecting to an existing Wi-Fi network, exclusively for iTunes music

AirPort Express used exclusively for AirPlay by setting it up in Client Mode.

Choose this configuration if the computer containing your iTunes library may be out of direct range of the AirPort Express, but is within range of the Wi-Fi network.

How to Set It Up

Connect your AirPort Express to your home stereo or powered speakers. From your computer, join the wireless network. Use the AirPort status menu in the menu bar on a Mac. On a Windows-based computer, hold the pointer over the wireless connection icon until you see your AirPort network name (SSID), and choose it from the list if there are multiple networks available. Enter the network password, if necessary. Open iTunes on your computer and choose the AirPort Express(es) you wish to stream music through from the speakers pop-up menu in the lower-right corner of the iTunes window.

 

Connecting to an existing Wi-Fi network as part of a legacy WDS or Extended Network

AirPort Express extends Wi-Fi network range and streams iTunes music simultaneously using Extended Network for AirPort Express with 802.11n, or legacy WDS with AirPort Express 802.11g from another Wi-Fi base station.

Due to the overhead required for this configuration, you may expect AirPlay drop-outs such as intermittent loss of audio.

How to Set It Up

Connect your AirPort Express to your home stereo or powered speakers. Plug AirPort Express into the power outlet. There is no "on" switch. If you are setting up an AirPort Express (802.11a/b/g/n) with other 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi base stations, read Setting up and configuring an extended wireless network (802.11n) OR, if you are setting up an AirPort Express (802.11b/g) with other 802.11b/g Wi-Fi base stations, read Setting up and configuring a Wireless Distribution System (802.11b/g). Ensure that "Enable AirPlay/AirTunes" is checked in the AirPort Utility Music tab. Open iTunes on your computer and choose the AirPort Express(es) you wish to stream music through from the speakers pop-up menu in the lower right-hand corner of the iTunes window.
Note: Apple doesn’t recommend combining 802.11 b/g and 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi base stations in the same network.

 

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Belkin ships Thunderbolt Express Dock

Belkin ships Thunderbolt Express Dock | iMore.com Skip to main content Android BlackBerry iPhone / iPad Windows Phone webOS SIGN UP|LOG IN iMore Forums Apps Games Accessories Reviews How-To Podcasts Contests iPhone iPad mini iPad iPod touch Apple TV iOS iCloud iTunes Mac Hot: iPhone 5S Guides: iPhone buyers | iPad buyers | iOS users Free: Wallpaper | iPhone apps, games | iPad apps, games Shop Online Cases Chargers Screen protectors Headsets & More Free shipping on orders over $50 Belkin ships Thunderbolt Express Dock By Peter Cohen, Tuesday, Apr 30, 2013 a 10:47 am 10

Belkin announced Tuesday that it's shipping its Thunderbolt Express Dock, an expansion chassis for Thunderbolt-equipped Macs that provides a Gigabit Ethernet connection, FireWire 800 port, two Thunderbolt ports, three USB 3.0 ports and separate headphone and mic jacks.

Belkin's aiming the device at MacBook Air and Pro users with Thunderbolt-equipped systems who want to be able to quickly connect to and disconnect from peripherals at their desk.

Belkin isn't the first out of the gate with one of these gadgets and they won't be the last. Do you have a Thunderbolt-equipped Mac? If so, do these sorts of gadgets appeal to you?

$299.99 - Belkin

Peter Cohen

Senior Editor of iMore, Mac and gaming specialist, co-founder of The Loop, co-host of Angry Mac Bastards, and all-around technologist. Follow him on Twitter @flargh

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12 3 66 0 More of: Accessories, Featured Video
More of: Macintosh, Mac, Thunderbolt, expansion, Belkin ? PreviouslyDeal of the Day: 33% off Seidio OBEX Waterproof Combo for iPhone 5 Next up ?How to disable location reporting in Google Search for iPhone and iPad There are 10 comments. Add yours. Rene Ritchie says: Apr 30, 2013 at 12:30 pm - 16 hours ago

We should do a piece on the best docking solutions for Mac. I have a Thunderbolt display, so I probably don't need this, but I'm curious as to the pros/cons of the different docks at this point.

Peter, help! :)

Reply dthreatt says: Apr 30, 2013 at 8:15 pm - 9 hours ago

the thunderbolt display does not have usb 3.0 ports...WTH was apple thinking...so you will need one if you do want to plugin stuff to the macbook

Reply wormeyman says: Apr 30, 2013 at 1:14 pm - 16 hours ago

Does anyone know if these thunderbolt docks support full Ethernet such as packet capture? I know that the usb to Ethernet usually doesn't.

Reply jstrickland69 says: Apr 30, 2013 at 2:27 pm - 14 hours ago

This is good news, indeed! I know Matrox already has a Thunderbolt hub out, but I like this one, since it does not make you choose specifically between a certain type of monitor connection. I can't wait to order it.

Reply emjayess says: Apr 30, 2013 at 2:50 pm - 14 hours ago

I have a desktop iMac (late 2011). What is the best solution for multiple inputs and top speed? I have my Thunderbolt input hooked up to a external hard drive at the moment.

Reply cjohnsonla says: Apr 30, 2013 at 3:49 pm - 13 hours ago

Notice that there is still only ONE Thunderbolt port available for a peripheral. I need two as a video editor with a 2012 MacBook Pro, non-Retina. One for a large Display Port monitor and another for a capture card enclosure (I run media off of USB-3 drive). Only one capture card in the world has Thunderbolt pass-through daisy-chain capability and that's the AJA IO XT at $1500. All of the less expensive alternatives cannot. I finally bit the bullet for the AJA, but it would have been nice to see some kind of hub with TWO actual TB ports available. Why is this so difficult for the market to produce?

Reply Gregz0r says: Apr 30, 2013 at 6:10 pm - 11 hours ago

At that price and no HDMI? No sale.

Reply asuperstarr says: Apr 30, 2013 at 6:30 pm - 10 hours ago

Great review. This appears to be a cool device, not sure I would use that much. Good to be aware it's out there.

Reply boomps says: Apr 30, 2013 at 7:54 pm - 9 hours ago

This gizmo feels seriously overpriced to me. I'm right in their target demographic, with a 15" retina macbook and a 2nd monitor. Sometimes work at home and sometimes at the office. But 300 bucks for this thing? Not for me. For one thing, you lose one thunderbolt port in order to gain one thunderbolt port. And as someone else mentioned, no HDMI? I'll keep plugging and unplugging my monitor and external hard drive for now - ok, ok, and speakers, and printer on occasion - until someone makes something a bit more robust at about half this price.

Reply j_benj says: Apr 30, 2013 at 8:03 pm - 9 hours ago

I agree with some of the others here. Too expensive for what it is. If it was half the price I'd probably order it immediately.

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