Apple TV Airtunes vs. Apple TV streaming iTunes library

One doesn't have to turn on the monitor/HDTV just to select and play music over their 5.1 system connected to the optical audio out of the TV.

Streaming: your laptop or desktop can play music through the Apple TV setup, but not through its own speakers or speakers connected to it. And it can stream photos. Plus you have to set up each machine in advance to authorize it to stream. Most useful if you have one computer whose material is already on the ATV and another from which you occasionally like to access music and photos (in my case, my wife's laptop).

AirTunes: with no prior authorization (though you can password protect if you wish), any computer running iTunes can simultaneously play music through your ATV and its own or connected speakers in another room. But no photos. Useful if you want music in two places at once and want to use the computer to control what's playing. Easiest way to have a "guest" computer play music through your ATV.

Hope this helps,

-dan

I think of it as more of a step sideways. It just widens your options. You now can control your music play from either interface, ATV, or iTunes. I haven't worked with it yet, so I don't know how it manages change from one source to the other. But thats the gist of it.

I am not seeing album artwork on ATV when playing from Itunes. All I get is the untitled screen.

I get the artwork for tracks that are also synced.

AirTunes through Apple TV is cool because now I can pipe internet radio played through iTunes from the office to the living room!

I have artwork on mine.

I think the airtunes is great, but I'm only able to use airtunes when the unit is on (ie, white light is on, rather than standby).

I assume this is the case for everyone? Just wondering, as my aTV still appears on iTunes as available regardless of whether its on or in standby.

I think this is a missed trick, as many people such as myself have the aTV hooked up to a stereo or 5.1 system, and we all know the aTV syncs fine when in sleep mode.. If only I could play my tunes through it when its in sleep, that would just be a nice feature..

Anyways, airtunes streaming is still such a great addition, along with the streaming its complete audio integration.. well done to Apple! 🙂

Airtunes: All you have to do is open iTunes, select AppleTV as your "speaker" and click play... music is streamed to your stereo via ATV. No prep work and fully under remote control of your Mac/PC. Also, if you have Air Expressi on other stereos in the house, you can stream the same music synced to up to 3 of them. COOL for parties! Only supports Music, no movies or photos.

ATV Stream: You go to the ATV interface, select your Mac as a SOURCE, then the ATV take several seconds or minutes to download your iTunes library-list. Then you can navigate all songs/photos/movies pick what you want to view/listen to. More than music (videos & photos too). But only on the one ATV.

Jim

I think Apple is brilliant by turning this functionality on. It allows us to see how nice airtunes audio functionality can be for different rooms of our home, thus giving Apple a chance to bring in more sales of their $99 Airtunes product.

Maybe if we buy enough of those, they'll enable video playlists...

Somebody in another thread just pointed out that ATV now streams Internet Radio stations. Just put 'em in a playlist, sync it to ATV and play it.

I'm listening to Radio Paradise right now!! Very awesome.

Jim

One advantage, if you have/acquire an Airport Express, is that you can stream to the ATV, whilst also playing music on your Mac and a third set of speakers.

Somebody in another thread just pointed out that ATV now streams Internet Radio stations. Just put 'em in a playlist, sync it to ATV and play it.

I'm listening to Radio Paradise right now!! Very awesome.

Jim

Does the Apple TV stream to Airport Express units? I would like to play music with an ATV and include my Airport Express with Apple Hi-Fi located in another room.