iTunes and Home Network

[Kasalic]

Not sure if this is the right place, so if a Mod needs to move it feel free.

I have a Mac Mini Server, which I am using to study for the Server exams, and also eventually to run my business.

Now at the moment I want to store all my Music and Videos on the Server and be able to access them from my iMac or MacBook whilst at home.

The ideal solution would be for iTunes on my clients to act as an Airplay Speaker system as this would allow me to use my iPhone as a remote, but this does not seem possible. The AirPlayer program currently only stream video. I can use Airfoil and Airfoil Speakers to make it work, but I then can't remotely switch on/off certain speakers. As an example I want to put an Airport Express unit in the Kitchen, which then means I can play music in any of the three main rooms in the house.

I have spent the last week or so trying different solutions, so this is my last throw of the dice to see if I have missed anything.


TIA.

 

[Lumpy05]

I'm not certain I completely understand what you are trying to do.

However, I use the Apple Remote App on my Ipad, and Ipod touch to control playback of music on the host Itunes computer, Apple TV, and two Airport Expresses.

Have you tried the Remote app?

http://www.apple.com/itunes/remote/

My setup is Itunes library/database on server, PC on at all times running itunes connnected to server library location. I can then use the remote app or the Itunes window to control songs/volumes/ and which speakers are turned on.

 

[Omne666]

Shouldnt be an issue as I have a mac mini serving up to 4 AE's with speakers, using the iPad with the Remote software. Works a treat.

 

[Kasalic]

I'm not certain I completely understand what you are trying to do.

However, I use the Apple Remote App on my Ipad, and Ipod touch to control playback of music on the host Itunes computer, Apple TV, and two Airport Expresses.

Have you tried the Remote app?

http://www.apple.com/itunes/remote/

My setup is Itunes library/database on server, PC on at all times running itunes connnected to server library location. I can then use the remote app or the Itunes window to control songs/volumes/ and which speakers are turned on.

Sorry, reading back I realised I hadn't made it very clear, will teach me to post in haste

I have a Mac Mini Server sitting in the living room, it isn't at the moment permanently connected to the TV, but I can do so if I wish. It is connected to the AV amplifier for music playback. I have an iMac in my office, which is a separate building just outside the back door (a converted shed in fact). I also have a Powerbook that I use when surfing/working in the evenings in the living room.

What I want to do is to run as little as possible on the iMac itself, so the iTunes library is on the Server in a shared folder, so access to it is not an issue.

The problems arise from the fact that I would ideally like to play music when working in the Office, which I can do provided I have iTunes closed on the Server. This however means should I move to the living room I could not use the Apple Remote app to switch speakers on in the living room as iTunes is not running on the Server.

Now I know I can solve the problem by putting an Airport Express box in the Office, but to me this seems ridiculous as I already have the Mac in there. If I could get the iMac to be seen as an Airplay device, then I could have iTunes running on the Server all the time, and use the Remote App to control the music and switch speakers on and off when I move about.

The other option would be to have a duplicate iTunes library on each machine and use rsync to keep them all in sync, which is not my preferred option, but given iTunes inability to work as a network music server may be the only way to go.

The eventual aim is to move the Server into the Office, where it will be plugged into a second, business, broadband router, and put an Apple TV in the living room to stream music, videos and photos to the new TV we install once we have decorated. I will also put an Airport Express box in the Kitchen and run some speakers to there, although I may choose to go the route of an Airplay dock unit as we may have more than one person wanting to listen to different tracks.

Hope this makes it clearer.

 

[Lumpy05]

Very clear now

One option after reading what you want to do is to setup two itunes libraries on each of the mac server and the macbook. You can then setup home sharing with auto transfer options of new files to basically mirror the library. On the remote app you would then have to switch back and forth between which library/mac you want to control.

 

[davids8477]

Sorry, reading back I realised I hadn't made it very clear, will teach me to post in haste

I have a Mac Mini Server sitting in the living room, it isn't at the moment permanently connected to the TV, but I can do so if I wish. It is connected to the AV amplifier for music playback. I have an iMac in my office, which is a separate building just outside the back door (a converted shed in fact). I also have a Powerbook that I use when surfing/working in the evenings in the living room.

What I want to do is to run as little as possible on the iMac itself, so the iTunes library is on the Server in a shared folder, so access to it is not an issue.

The problems arise from the fact that I would ideally like to play music when working in the Office, which I can do provided I have iTunes closed on the Server. This however means should I move to the living room I could not use the Apple Remote app to switch speakers on in the living room as iTunes is not running on the Server.

Now I know I can solve the problem by putting an Airport Express box in the Office, but to me this seems ridiculous as I already have the Mac in there. If I could get the iMac to be seen as an Airplay device, then I could have iTunes running on the Server all the time, and use the Remote App to control the music and switch speakers on and off when I move about.

The other option would be to have a duplicate iTunes library on each machine and use rsync to keep them all in sync, which is not my preferred option, but given iTunes inability to work as a network music server may be the only way to go.

The eventual aim is to move the Server into the Office, where it will be plugged into a second, business, broadband router, and put an Apple TV in the living room to stream music, videos and photos to the new TV we install once we have decorated. I will also put an Airport Express box in the Kitchen and run some speakers to there, although I may choose to go the route of an Airplay dock unit as we may have more than one person wanting to listen to different tracks.

Hope this makes it clearer.

Why not just enable Sharing of your Server based Itunes Library?

 

[RWinOR]

I use Airfoil on my IOS devices, and Airfoil speakers on my Mac PC's. (Works with a Windows machine as well). To control the volume, or which speakers are on, I use reemote ((Spelling is correct) to control airfoil. Remote (the apple ap) will only control airplay.

Install Airfoil and airfoil speakers, then install reemote for airfoil on your IOS device and mini server. You can also use Prowl and Growl to send a text string to your devices so you know which song is playing if desired.

Hope this helps.