Air Tunes Express: How does it work?

[AlBDamned]

I know this sounds a slightly dumb question, but I'm looking at Air Tunes thinking; 'That would be cool'.

The thing is, I'm really not sure how it works. I run a wireless router at home already. So, if I got air tunes, would I need to:

A: get an ethernet cable from the router into the air tunes and also plug my stereo cable (the speaker output in this case) into the air tunes. Or,

B: Do I just plug the speaker cable into the air tunes (and power cable obviously) and then my laptop communicates wirelessly?

I'm slightly confused, because if the air tunes requires an ethernet cable, power cable, and speaker output cable, then there is no way in hell it's going to work in my house, without buying metres of wire which somewhat defeats the point. The stereo is in the lounge, as is usually my laptop. The router is in the hallway, by the phone.

Am I getting mixed up here? I've read the apple page on Air Tunes but I'm really not any clearer.

 

[Applespider]

The answer is C. You should be able to make the Express a client on the existing wireless network. This is v easy on Airport based systems and there are many people doing it with non-Airport systems; you might just have to Google for your particular model and check it's possible.

The Express lives in the power socket nearest your stereo and a single wire goes from it to the appropriate port on your stereo. iTunes should now find the Express and speakers.

If you try B, then you'll find that while Airtunes is on, you'll not be online and vice versa

 

[AlBDamned]

The answer is C. You should be able to make the Express a client on the existing wireless network. This is v easy on Airport based systems and there are many people doing it with non-Airport systems; you might just have to Google for your particular model and check it's possible.

The Express lives in the power socket nearest your stereo and a single wire goes from it to the appropriate port on your stereo. iTunes should now find the Express and speakers.

Thanks A. Spider.

So I just basically plug it into the stereo and the wall? No ethernet to the Air Tunes module? The other two wi-fi laptops in the flat can see my iTunes no problem so this does make sense. I did a search on here and everyone has said it's easy to set up, I just couldn't get my head round having to link the router, stereo and power all in the same place.

Router is a D-Link 624 (works superb for anyone wanting to know).

 

[Applespider]

So I just basically plug it into the stereo and the wall? No ethernet to the Air Tunes module?

Yeah... then you'll need to run the Express set-up software to tell it to join the existing wireless network rather than running as its own separate network. And give it a name so that your iTunes can see it and stream to it.

The Express is really useful - it's handy when you're in hotels with free wired internet access at the desk so that you can get wifi lying on the bed.

 

[AlBDamned]

Yeah... then you'll need to run the Express set-up software to tell it to join the existing wireless network rather than running as its own separate network. And give it a name so that your iTunes can see it and stream to it.

The Express is really useful - it's handy when you're in hotels with free wired internet access at the desk so that you can get wifi lying on the bed.

So it acts as a portable router too then? Quality. It could well be a choice between a shuffle or AT for the next purchas.

 

[GimmeSlack12]

I'm getting ready to setup the AirTunes in my parents house. We will plug the AirTunes into the living room stereo. I'm trying to get an old G3 to run OS X so that we can setup a good music server in the living room too. A digital Juke-Box if you will.

But yeah the AirTunes is a wireless base in its own. Just plug in the wall and wire the AirTunes to a Stereo and voila, iTunes will do the rest.