I'd like to add another network speaker but reluctant to pay up for another Airport
Express - market forces've pushed AX prices up due to its cancellation. Netgear range
extenders with Ethernet ports are $20, Ethernet to Audio is even less - wondering if
using a Netgear extender as front end to a powered speaker will allow Airplay.
Thanks, Tom
Thank you. I'm wondering if I can use a Netgear Extender - which does have an Ethernet port
in conjunction with an Ethernet to Audio adapter - to serve in place of an Airport Express to
deliver audio to a powered speaker.
No.......unless the powered speaker is an AirPlay enabled product in which case it will have an Ethernet port to connect to the network that way, or it will have wireless capability to connect to the WiFi network. You will also see the name "AirPlay" or "AirPlay Compatible" somewhere on the device.
As it stands now, it sounds like you have an audio cable connected to the audio output port on the AirPort Express that in turn connects to an audio input jack or port on your powered speaker. In that case, the Netgear extender.....or any other type of extender for that matter.....would not do what you want.
Thank you!
AirPlay, itself, is a set of IP protocols that allow for streaming from iTunes (or other sources) to an AirPlay-enabled speaker. That speaker could be an AirPort Express, Apple TV, or a third-party speaker that supports AirPlay directly. However, any networking hardware should be able to "pass-thru" the AirPlay protocol suite, including extenders. It's just that you cannot connect a non-AirPlay speaker to that extender and expect it to work ... or maybe I am missing your point.
I'd like to add another network speaker
Things are confusing since Apple calls the AirPort Express an AirPlay "speaker". So, when you say "speaker" are you meaning to say AirPort Express or are you asking about another 3rd party speaker which might be AirPlay compatible?
The Netgear extender(s) that you are asking about do not have any type of audio output like the AirPort Express has, so they would not work the same as an AirPort Express does on your network, is that is what you are asking.
. If you are looking for another device that would behave in a similar fashion to an AirPort Express, that would be an Apple TV. But....the Apple TV has only an HDMI output, so your amplifier or powered speaker would need to have an HDMI input jack.
Maybe you could provide some more details on what it is that you are trying to do, and what exact products would be involved?
Replacement for Airport Express?
