Multiple receivers streaming from the same application all play the same content.Next, let's consider the advantages and limitations of using AirPlay. For more information on streaming, check out our article on How Streaming Video and Audio Works. AirPlay is redundant for this computer-only scenario. That's because the iTunes application for desktop and laptop computers already has a built-in library sharing function for other iTunes users on your network. Note that if you wish to share your media between two computers on your network, the AirPlay icon will not appear. Once you access the AirPlay menu, you can select individual devices you want to receive the streaming audio or video from that application. When an application detects that AirPlay is possible, the AirPlay icon will appear in the application display. So how do you use it? Airplay-enabled apps will automatically scan your WiFi network for compatible devices.
HOW TO TURN ON MACBOOK AIR PLAY DISPLAY TV
For example, if you add your iPad to the network, the iTunes app on your iPad will automatically detect that the Apple TV in your living room and the AirPlay-enabled speakers in your bedroom are possible remote output devices. For more about setting up your home network, see our article How Home Networking Works.Īfter you've added your AirPlay-enabled devices to the same network, each AirPlay source can automatically detect all its potential receivers. If you already use a router to share a single Internet service among multiple computers in your home, then all you need to do is connect each AirPlay-enabled device to that same network. Without AirPort Express, you can use an existing home network setup, such as a wireless router.AirPort needs no additional equipment or setup in order to use AirPlay, and you can connect a stereo directly to the AirPort to use as either the source or receiver for an AirPlay audio stream.
HOW TO TURN ON MACBOOK AIR PLAY DISPLAY PORTABLE
You can use an Apple AirPort Express, a small portable wireless router designed to interconnect all your Apple devices whether or not you have an Internet connection.First, let's zoom in on how you can enable and use AirPlay. In this article, we focus on how Apple AirPlay streams music and whether its limitations and competition could potentially outweigh its advantages. Since they're all accessible by network connections, and they can all use AirPlay, all you have to do is turn on the receivers, click to start streaming from the source and enjoy your music. To make sure there's no break in the music as you move from room to room, you go back to your iPhone and select the stereo and Apple TV as recipients of your iPhone's music stream. Since you'll be walking around the house a lot during the day, you decide to turn on an AirPlay-enabled stereo in your bedroom and your WiFi-connected Apple TV in your living room. Later, we'll look at some third-party manufacturers that have partnered with Apple to produce stereo equipment with AirPlay compatibility.Īs a basic example of how you might use AirPlay, suppose you have an iPhone and you launch iTunes on it to listen to your favorite tracks. Apple TV is the only receiver that can stream HD video and photos from your device in addition to audio. Some devices that could be sources also have the ability to be receivers. You can also enable AirPlay from your computer by running iTunes 10.2 or later.Īlso as of this writing, devices that can be AirPlay receivers are, primarily, the Apple AirPort (a proprietary wireless hub for Apple products) and Apple TV.
These devices must be running Apple iOS 4.2 or later, and any application you want to stream from must have the option to enable AirPlay streaming for that app. A single source can send its stream to multiple receivers.Īs of this writing, the list of devices that could be AirPlay sources includes the iPad, second generation or later iPod Touch, iPhone 3G and 4, and the second generation Apple TV. The receiver is an AirPlay-compatible device that can play that streaming media as well as display track information, such as the song title and artist name. The source is a device running AirPlay-enabled software, meaning that it can stream media (audio or video) using AirPlay. AirPlay has two active components: a source and a receiver. AirPlay is a leap beyond just connecting stereo speakers to your iPad or iPhone.