It's all About the Music II

David Shamah, The Jerusalem Post August 30, 2005

Until you see an Airport Stereo running, you ain't seen cool. You're a high tech DJ running a home radio station from your laptop – and all those who come to witness your mastery of high tech ooh and aah (they really do!).

And you really do deserve those accolades, because if you've got AirPort Express set up properly, you probably had to put some work into it. As I mentioned, for Mac houses – folks who strictly use Apple equipment – setting up AirPort Express is a no-brainer. Ditto if you are planning to use it as your default router, which you can do if you are not planning on using it for a LAN (i.e., with wires), since AirPort Express on its own is strictly for wireless connections.

As I mentioned, having an iMac, I could easily have taken the easy route – but since I thrive on hi-tech challenge, so I decided I would try to integrate my AirPort Express into my existing network. The technique to accomplish this is not listed in the manuals that come with the product – neither print or on the help files on the CD. The reason for this is that the music part of the package – called AirTunes – is an implementation of a WDS (Wireless Distribution System), which allows it to work with iTunes to play music remotely. Apple officially says that AirPort Express will only work with an Apple router, but rumor says different.

And it's not just a rumor. Many others have tried something similar, and the Net is full of instructions on how to add AirPort Express into existing networks. Basically, what's entailed is skipping over the automatic setup utility for the manual administration that gets installed when you set up the program. The key is to hook up the device to your LAN. Although AirPort Express is designed to work with a wireless network, and indeed will only work with wireless connections if you use the automatic tool, manual installation entails “registering” it on your network and assigning it an internal network IP address. At that point the AirPort Express becomes just another device on your network, albeit one you can control your stereo with. Some good tips on the process are available at http://arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware/airportexpress.ars/1.

Once set up properly, the next step is to connect the AirPort Express to a stereo or just a set of speakers. For this you need at least one mini stereo-to-RCA cable (a single connection on one side and two on the other). Why the AirPort Express package couldn't include this cable I can't imagine, but it doesn't, so if you are buying your AirPort Express from an Apple Store or local dealer, make sure you get the “optional” stereo connection kit, or better (and cheaper) yet, pick one up from a computer store or other place where they sell cables.

Location: If you're going wireless, this is definitely an issue. Of course you need an outlet into which you can plug your device. AirPort Express is internally dual voltage, so there's no need for a converter if you buy yours in the States (although of course you need to get an attachment to make it fit local three pronged plugs).

However, if you want to ensure you have clear transmission on a wireless connection, you'll want to make sure your AirPort Express is not too far from your wireless router. Officially, the device has a range of 150 feet from your base station, but that number must assume a straight path with few obstructions on the same floor. Connecting in a typical “block” type house where my router was upstairs and my AirPort Express is downstairs, I experienced a number of network timeouts, where songs stopped for a few seconds before starting up again - an annoying phenomenon familiar to those who listen to Internet radio when the network is not in an ideal state. The range of the AirPort Express was definitely not as good as the range I get with my notebook. At first I thought it was my own fault; I was trying to stream music from a wired server to a wireless device (the AirPort Express) using another wireless device (the laptop), but I had the same problem using a wired LAN computer to stream the music. Same thing. Moving the setup to another location helped a little, but it was obviously still too far from the wireless router (in this case, a Netgear) to function properly.

So, I was left with two alternatives; change the location of the router (maybe move it downstairs) or move the stereo again. In the end, I tried a third alternative which worked out just fine – connecting the AirPort Express to a physical Ethernet connection, an option that specifically is not supposed to exist with the device (although it clearly does). As it happens, I have a bunch of Ethernet ports scattered around the house, which I had installed a few years ago in strategic places with the idea that one day an Internet stereo system, suitable for use in the living room would be available. And while AirPort Express isn't exactly what I envisioned, it's close enough!

The system streams its music through iTunes, which, once the AirPort Express is on the network, displays the option to play back music on your computer speakers – or on the new AirPort Express connection you've made. Itunes plays not only your own local MP3s, but also has streaming Internet radio as well, so you can hear your favorite music and radio stations in glorious full stereo. Which makes AirPort Express worth every penny, as well as worth the work that goes into setting it up; hearing those MP3s in real high quality stereo instead of through tinny computer speakers or headphones (with an iPod or similar MP3 device) is an experience that is not to be missed.

Ds@newzgeek.com