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pjmurphy · Jul 14, 2004, 10:38 AM

Took some pix - I may be able to answer any questions..

http://homepage.mac.com/pjmurphy77/PhotoAlbum54.html

EmmEff · Jul 14, 2004, 10:57 AM

Do you have any initial comments? Have you used the AirTunes functionality yet?

pjmurphy · Jul 14, 2004, 11:07 AM

Originally posted by EmmEff:
Do you have any initial comments? Have you used the AirTunes functionality yet?

Works as advertisied! Easy to setup - I am listening to iTunes right now over the in-ceiling speakers..

HOWEVER, I noticed that I can only select my media-room OR computer. I cannot have both playing atg the same time... not sure how I like that.

badtz · Jul 14, 2004, 11:11 AM

Are you using it as your router?

How is the reception compared to the Extreme BaseStation?

EmmEff · Jul 14, 2004, 11:13 AM

Do you have an AirPort Extreme or are you using the AirPort Express in client mode?

pjmurphy · Jul 14, 2004, 11:15 AM

I have a DLink wireless network so I am using AirExp as a client..

EmmEff · Jul 14, 2004, 11:18 AM

Is AirTunes a plug-in or add-on for iTunes or is it a new version of iTunes?

Chris Grande · Jul 14, 2004, 11:25 AM

Originally posted by EmmEff:
Is AirTunes a plug-in or add-on for iTunes or is it a new version of iTunes?

It was added as part of iTunes 4.6

tekno_geek911 · Jul 14, 2004, 11:28 AM

Thanks for the pics! Looks nice!

Spheric Harlot · Jul 14, 2004, 11:57 AM

iTunes is the only audio you can route to the AE, right?

Or does it show up as an audio device in, say Audio/MIDI configuration, GarageBand, VLC, etc.?

If not, I can't justify buying one.

I need to be able to stream Logic Audio output to it for monitoring on the living room stereo.

-s*

tooki · Jul 14, 2004, 12:34 PM

Originally posted by pjmurphy:
[B]Took some pix - I may be able to answer any questions.../B]

Macro mode is your friend.

tooki

Krypton · Jul 14, 2004, 12:36 PM

Originally posted by tooki:
Macro mode is your friend.

tooki

Haha

The packaging is quite spiffy, that age old Apple clich�

Tim Kosch · 12:43 PM

Like usual I like everything about it even though mine hasn't shipped yet. I like the look of airport express itself. I like the look of inside of the box. I like the look of the outside of the box. I like the graphics on the outside of the box. Okay, enough.

Thanks for the pictures.

I think it said on the website that only iTunes streaming works right now. It would be nice to run stuff through my stereo versus the HR824s to see what it sounds like.

Tim

(still checking my e-mail for my shipping confirmation...)

awaspaas · Jul 14, 2004, 12:48 PM

Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
iTunes is the only audio you can route to the AE, right?

Or does it show up as an audio device in, say Audio/MIDI configuration, GarageBand, VLC, etc.?

If not, I can't justify buying one.

I need to be able to stream Logic Audio output to it for monitoring on the living room stereo.

-s*

No. It's strictly a function of iTunes. Even if it were system-wide it wouldn't be worth it since it's not quite real-time - there's a .5-sec delay or so (as it connects and compresses and decompresses, I believe)

Socially Awkward Solo · Jul 14, 2004, 12:50 PM

What version airport software?

pjmurphy · Jul 14, 2004, 01:27 PM

Originally posted by Socially Awkward Solo:
What version airport software?

Airport Admin Utility = 4.0

romanesq · Jul 14, 2004, 01:40 PM

till mine comes on the 16th via Fedex. This is pretty exciting.
Questions:
Anyone test the range yet of the unit direct?
Any good to excellent stereos out there testing? Results

I'm curious how good AIFFs, Apple Lossless or other formats are sounding compared to a direct link. Please share!

I'm going to test first with a netgear base but I want to run this through the audiophile grade stereo before anything. I am dying to see results with Apple's encoding.

SafariX · Jul 14, 2004, 01:54 PM

Thanks for the pics.

Spheric Harlot · Jul 14, 2004, 03:21 PM

Originally posted by awaspaas:
No. It's strictly a function of iTunes. Even if it were system-wide it wouldn't be worth it since it's not quite real-time - there's a .5-sec delay or so (as it connects and compresses and decompresses, I believe)

Well, you can shift latency compensation in software like VLC, and for, say DVD Player, it should be trivial for Apple to compensate - provided they create a CoreAudio driver for the AE (which again shouldn't be too hard).

I obviously wouldn't use it for latency-critical applications like *recording* with Logic, but to monitor mixdowns on alternative playback equipment outside the studio without having to bounce and import them into iTunes would be nice.

Is there any mention anywhere of how high the latency actually is under real-world conditions? I haven't read anything.

-s*

awaspaas · Jul 14, 2004, 03:38 PM

Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
Well, you can shift latency compensation in software like VLC, and for, say DVD Player, it should be trivial for Apple to compensate - provided they create a CoreAudio driver for the AE (which again shouldn't be too hard).

I obviously wouldn't use it for latency-critical applications like *recording* with Logic, but to monitor mixdowns on alternative playback equipment outside the studio without having to bounce and import them into iTunes would be nice.

Is there any mention anywhere of how high the latency actually is under real-world conditions? I haven't read anything.

-s*

The best I can say is that you push play in iTunes, you hear the music ~3 seconds later. (It says "Connecting to 'Living Room'..." in the iTunes status bar). When I pause iTunes, the music stops playing around .5-.7 seconds later, by my best estimation. If I immediately press play again, it starts playing about 1.3-1.5 seconds later. (Quicker since there's no need to reconnect)

These are for going from the iBook to the router to the Airport Express. It would probably be quicker if I was plugged into the router by ethernet, or going directly to the Express wirelessly.

Nodnarb · Jul 14, 2004, 03:41 PM

I just got mine today! It works fine for extending my network, but what kind of cable to I need to use airTunes? Do I need to go to radio shack to get one?

Stradlater · Jul 14, 2004, 03:51 PM

Originally posted by pjmurphy:
I have a DLink wireless network so I am using AirExp as a client..

AirExp can extend a DLink network? Also, can you stream iTunes radio stations to speakers?

Socially Awkward Solo · Jul 14, 2004, 03:52 PM

Originally posted by brandon420506:
I just got mine today! It works fine for extending my network, but what kind of cable to I need to use airTunes? Do I need to go to radio shack to get one?

Depends what your Stereo has, if it has an optical port then ya get an optical cable.

ericwass · Jul 14, 2004, 04:16 PM

I take it the latency issue would preclude running it on multiple stereos at once. It would be great to pipe it through many speakers throughout the house if possible. Latency aside, does iTunes support this?

awaspaas · Jul 14, 2004, 04:24 PM

You're only allowed to stream to one stereo at a time. And I had no luck enabling the "extend the range" feature on my D-link network.

eScrib · Jul 14, 2004, 04:30 PM

I'm seriously considering one of these for my garage and my deck.

However, I'll probably go the powered speaker route.

Any good recommendations?

Socially Awkward Solo · Jul 14, 2004, 04:34 PM

Originally posted by awaspaas:
You're only allowed to stream to one stereo at a time. And I had no luck enabling the "extend the range" feature on my D-link network.

You can't. It will only work with an Apple Airport Extreme base station.

Stradlater · Jul 14, 2004, 04:37 PM

...so...can you play iTunes radio streams through Airport Express?

ericwass · Jul 14, 2004, 04:38 PM

Originally posted by Socially Awkward Solo:
You can't. It will only work with an Apple Airport Extreme base station.

So, does this mean Airport Express will only work as a bridge for Airport base stations? Is that what you mean by "extend the range". I have a Linksys WAP11. I thought Airport Express would make a handy bridge in my new (larger) home. Not so?

awaspaas · Jul 14, 2004, 04:46 PM

Originally posted by Stradlater:
...so...can you play iTunes radio streams through Airport Express?

Yes!

awaspaas · Jul 14, 2004, 04:48 PM

Originally posted by Socially Awkward Solo:
You can't. It will only work with an Apple Airport Extreme base station.

That's what I thought, I was just responding to the comment above from someone who seems to think they got range-extending to work with their D-link. I have my doubts.

badtz · Jul 14, 2004, 04:53 PM

Does anyone who already it can verify the rough 'range' the AIrport Express is capable of versus the Airport Extreme [when used as a wireless router]?

Stradlater · Jul 14, 2004, 04:54 PM

Originally posted by awaspaas:
Yes!

Nice

dbenjami · Jul 14, 2004, 05:31 PM

I received mine today also... I purchased it mostly for the air tunes functionality, and I am extremely pleased. I do not consider myself an audiophile, however, I enjoy music and it's accurate reproduction. I tested the airport express against plugging the stereo directly into my computer (12" powerbook). The test material was several of my favorite songs in AIFF format. Other than the slight lag which was discussed earlier in this thread, the sound quality is indistinguishable between the two. System used: Krell Kav-300iL, Paradigm Signature S2's, Monster Cables.
Test System
Airport Express
Regards

craigthomas · Jul 14, 2004, 05:32 PM

I sure wish it could extend the range of my Graphite ABS. Guess I'm out-o-luck there. Trying to avoid buying an Extreme and Express, but that's what I'll probably have to do.

I'm aslo disappointed that AirTunes wont play on multiple Express units. Hopefully that will come with a software upgrade in iTunes 4.7. Then there will be a very compelling reason to get multiple Express units. Apple could clean up on these things.

Nephron · Jul 14, 2004, 05:56 PM

Originally posted by awaspaas:
That's what I thought, I was just responding to the comment above from someone who seems to think they got range-extending to work with their D-link. I have my doubts.

My understanding was that you could use the Airport Express to extend the range of your Airport network, but only if you used either no encryption or WEP encryption. In other words, if you are using the more secure WPA encryption then it won't work.

Maybe someone who has an Airport Express (I'm still waiting

) can confirm.
Cheers!

craigthomas · Jul 14, 2004, 06:05 PM

Anyone know if AirPort Express units are available at the Apple Stores?

starman · Jul 14, 2004, 06:42 PM

Got mine.

My only gripe is that it won't allow you to set up an AE if your computer doesn't have an Airport card. You might say "duh", but isn't that what Rendezvous is all about? I mean, my wired G5 finds the AE after I set it up using the Powerbook, so why not before?

Oh, one other gripe - the assistant won't allow you to connect to a wireless base station that's hiding its SSID. Why? Stupid. You can type it in manually with the Airport software.

Mike

Socially Awkward Solo · Jul 14, 2004, 07:00 PM

Originally posted by starman:
Oh, one other gripe - the assistant won't allow you to connect to a wireless base station that's hiding its SSID. Why? Stupid. You can type it in manually with the Airport software.

Isn't that the point of HIDING?

You don't want someone to sniff out your network just by running the set up assistant.

Nodnarb · Jul 14, 2004, 07:06 PM

Originally posted by Nephron:
My understanding was that you could use the Airport Express to extend the range of your Airport network, but only if you used either no encryption or WEP encryption. In other words, if you are using the more secure WPA encryption then it won't work.

Maybe someone who has an Airport Express (I'm still waiting ) can confirm.
Cheers!

On my network, I don't have WPA, I use WEP. However, when I was setting up the Express, it asked if I used WEP or WPA and explained about both, so I assume you can.

awaspaas · Jul 14, 2004, 07:15 PM

Originally posted by Socially Awkward Solo:
Isn't that the point of HIDING? You don't want someone to sniff out your network just by running the set up assistant.

I think he means you should be able to type in the name. It only gives you a list of choices with no "Other..."

Leo the 3rd · Jul 14, 2004, 08:03 PM

Well so far so good. I was successful in streaming audio from upstairs to my basement home theater. I have both an optical-mini connector (from my old minidisc days) and a mini-rca cable. Works great. Network setup was fairly easy too after installing the Airport Express software (configuration).

aaanorton · Jul 14, 2004, 09:03 PM

Originally posted by craigthomas:
I sure wish it could extend the range of my Graphite ABS. Guess I'm out-o-luck there. Trying to avoid buying an Extreme and Express, but that's what I'll probably have to do.

You could also get 2 AXPs. This would be cheaper than an AXP and an AXT.

starman · 12:49 AM

Originally posted by Socially Awkward Solo:
Isn't that the point of HIDING? You don't want someone to sniff out your network just by running the set up assistant.

Um, the whole POINT is that YOU know the SSID and YOU type it in MANUALLY. You think someone's actually going to sit there and type:

a
aa
aaa
aaaa
aaaaa
..
b
bb
bbb
bbbb
bbbbb
bbbbbb
...

etc.

Even MS put out a patch to do just that with their 802.11g adapter for the Xbox.

Even you can't be that dense.

OS9 pics, and OS X works the same:

Mike

Leo the 3rd · Jul 15, 2004, 08:55 AM

And actually Netstumbler, KisMac and other such apps can find out what your SSID is even if you're not broadcasting it. I highly recommend using the MAC access list on wireless devices to restrict access to your home network. There are plenty of good info sites on protecting your network (and don't think just enabling WEP that you're safe).

starman · Jul 15, 2004, 09:28 AM

Originally posted by Leo the 3rd:
And actually Netstumbler, KisMac and other such apps can find out what your SSID is even if you're not broadcasting it. I highly recommend using the MAC access list on wireless devices to restrict access to your home network. There are plenty of good info sites on protecting your network (and don't think just enabling WEP that you're safe).

It takes a LOOOONG time to do that.

I already have MAC access set.

Mike

legacyb4 · Jul 15, 2004, 09:39 AM

So what happens if you have two computers in the network?

Laptop <- wireless -> Airport Express

Desktop <- Ethernet -> router <- Ethernet -> Airport Express

How is play "priority" decided? I assume that if someone is connected and playing, the option to play for the other party is greyed out?

Cheers.

Originally posted by awaspaas:
You're only allowed to stream to one stereo at a time. And I had no luck enabling the "extend the range" feature on my D-link network.

DaedalusDX · Jul 15, 2004, 10:15 AM

What kind of network usage are you guys seeing when you use the AirTunes feature? Since it is proported to use Apple Lossless encoding, i would assume that it would be more demanding than iTunes Rendezvous sharing.

starman · Jul 15, 2004, 10:34 AM

Originally posted by legacyb4:
So what happens if you have two computers in the network?

Laptop <- wireless -> Airport Express

Desktop <- Ethernet -> router <- Ethernet -> Airport Express

How is play "priority" decided? I assume that if someone is connected and playing, the option to play for the other party is greyed out?

Cheers.

Good question. If someone doesn't respond, I'll try it when I get home.

Mike

awaspaas · Jul 15, 2004, 10:55 AM

Originally posted by legacyb4:
So what happens if you have two computers in the network?

Laptop <- wireless -> Airport Express

Desktop <- Ethernet -> router <- Ethernet -> Airport Express

How is play "priority" decided? I assume that if someone is connected and playing, the option to play for the other party is greyed out?

Cheers.

It says something like Those speakers are already in use by another person. Try again later.