AirTunes on Apple TV?

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Level 1

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AirTunes on Apple TV?

I use the AirTunes function in iTunes to send music from my computer to Airport Express units around my house. Why can I stream to Apple TV as well with AirTunes? Apple TV does not show up as a remote speaker option, only as a separate device, which means I can only listen to music on Apple TV independently. Why?

If I can use AirTunes to send music to AP Express units, why can't I also send to Apple TV so all speakers on the network run music concurrently? For $299, I assumed Apple TV would work with AirTunes. Hope I didn't assume wrong.

PC, Windows XP

Posted on Jan 4, 2008 10:13 PM

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Answer 1

Alley_Cat

Level 7

20,560 points

Jan 5, 2008 1:12 AM in response to GCG26055

AppleTV was not designed to work like an Airport Express with AirTunes.

You'r not the only one who would like the functionality, but it simply wasn't designed to do it, and I'm sure it doesn't purport to do so on the box.

I think we've all made some kind of assumptions about a device that have turned out to be incorrect at some time or another - I sympathise but as I said it doesn't say it will do so on the box or the website.

Send an enhancement request here:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/appletv.html

I suspect Apple engineers thought "it'll only be used by people sat in front of the connected TV" so it didn't occur to them that multi-room users or people with slightly different requirement would have a use for remote control of the device.

I wouldn't use the functionality myself, but you're not the only one who would.

AC

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Answer 2

GCG26055 Author

Level 1

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Jan 5, 2008 8:44 AM in response to Alley_Cat

Thanks. The Airport Extreme doesn't purport it on the box either, but it works with AirTunes. I think the info on the box is intended as a summary.

In any case, it might be a good idea for the geniuses at Apple to identify some functionalities that their target market finds popular and just include it as a standard item in new products. For example, the auto industry figured this out years ago by including power steering and air conditioning in virtually every new car.

In fact, the cost of producing is about the same either way, so why not lean towards enhancement to keep people that think "outside the box" happy.

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Answer 3

Jan 17, 2008 4:35 AM in response to GCG26055

Hi,

You said 'Airport Extreme ......works with AirTunes'. Is that correct?? I thought it didn't work with Airtunes as there is no audio out - only the Airport Express has that feature. But it'd be great if it did.

Jim.

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Answer 4

Jan 17, 2008 12:07 PM in response to GCG26055

Apparently, when the software update drops, AirTunes will be supported... so stay tuned!

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