Racing Cow
Level 1 (19 points)
Wireless

Q: Does anyone else have Apple Airplay skipping and drop outs when streaming music?  WiFi is not the problem and there is nothing around the Airplay units to cause interference.  Impossible to listen to music.  Thanks for any advice.

I've recently upgraded several Airplays in my house from V1 to V2 hoping to solve a constant skipping and drop-out problem I've always had when playing music using Airplay.  I have an Airplay unit plugged directly into my stereo receiver which feeds music throughout my house.  My WiFi connection is not the problem and there is nothing causing interference.  The Airplay modules are no more than 15 feet away from the modem or range extenders.  Does anyone else have this problem and, hopefully, a solution?   I'm getting tired of doing factory resets all the time.  Thanks a lot for any advice.

iMac G5, Mac OS X (10.3.8)

Posted on Aug 26, 2016 3:36 PM

by Tesserax,Apple recommended
Tesserax Tesserax
Level 9 (53,872 points)
Wireless
A:

I've recently upgraded several Airplays in my house from V1 to V2 hoping to solve a constant skipping and drop-out problem I've always had when playing music using Airplay.

By "Airplays" what are you actually referring to ... AirPort Express base station, Apple TV, or something else?

 

... and by "V1 to V2" do you mean you replaced a 1st generation 802.11n AirPort Express with a 2nd generation model?

The Airplay modules are no more than 15 feet away from the modem or range extenders.

When steaming audio with AirPlay, the stream first goes from the iTunes host device to the Wi-Fi router that device is connected to. From there it will travel to the AirPlay "speaker." A speaker could be an AirPort Express, Apple TV, or another manufacturer's AirPlay-Ready device. If you use range extenders, the stream would have to traverse those as well ... so there are potential bottlenecks between the host and the speaker. Any of these could be the cause of the issue you are getting.

Posted on Aug 26, 2016 3:49 PM

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Q: Does anyone else have Apple Airplay skipping and drop outs when streaming music?  WiFi is not the problem and there is nothin ... more

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  • by Tesserax,Apple recommended

    Tesserax Tesserax Aug 26, 2016 3:49 PM in response to Racing Cow
    Level 9 (53,872 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 26, 2016 3:49 PM in response to Racing Cow

    I've recently upgraded several Airplays in my house from V1 to V2 hoping to solve a constant skipping and drop-out problem I've always had when playing music using Airplay.

    By "Airplays" what are you actually referring to ... AirPort Express base station, Apple TV, or something else?

     

    ... and by "V1 to V2" do you mean you replaced a 1st generation 802.11n AirPort Express with a 2nd generation model?

    The Airplay modules are no more than 15 feet away from the modem or range extenders.

    When steaming audio with AirPlay, the stream first goes from the iTunes host device to the Wi-Fi router that device is connected to. From there it will travel to the AirPlay "speaker." A speaker could be an AirPort Express, Apple TV, or another manufacturer's AirPlay-Ready device. If you use range extenders, the stream would have to traverse those as well ... so there are potential bottlenecks between the host and the speaker. Any of these could be the cause of the issue you are getting.

  • by Racing Cow,

    Racing Cow Racing Cow Aug 26, 2016 3:51 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (19 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 26, 2016 3:51 PM in response to Tesserax

    Thank you.  This is helpful and I'll play around with my setup based on your advice.  And yes, I did mean 2nd generation model.  Thanks again for your quick response. 

  • by Sir_Miky III,Helpful

    Sir_Miky III Sir_Miky III Sep 6, 2016 8:00 AM in response to Racing Cow
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Sep 6, 2016 8:00 AM in response to Racing Cow

    Hey Racing Cow,

     

    I'm experiencing the same problems. Were you able to resolved it?

     

    Thanks.

  • by Racing Cow,

    Racing Cow Racing Cow Sep 6, 2016 8:08 AM in response to Sir_Miky III
    Level 1 (19 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 6, 2016 8:08 AM in response to Sir_Miky III

    Hi,

     

    No, I'm still having problems.  I use Airport Express V2 to stream music throughout my house via a main computer in another room with my music (Pandora, Tidal, iTunes with Amarra, etc...).  The Airport Express is wired to a stereo receiver which drives speakers throughout the house.  Direct connection of my laptop, iPhone, or iPad to the stereo receiver works fine but Airport Express continues to skip incessantly.  I've removed my range extenders to see if it's possible interference with the Airport but no luck with that.  Have brand new routers/modems installed so WiFi connectivity is strong.  I do have two WiFi systems in the house which might be a problem but not sure why.  Will continue to play around with it and let you know if I have success.  Thanks.