Multiple Apple TVs as Muilti-Room Audio System?

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Level 1

2 points

Multiple Apple TVs as Muilti-Room Audio System?

Hi - wondered if I could beg some advice.

Is it possible to have multiple Apple TV devices (say one in each room), connected to speakers, and use this as a multi-room audio system?

Principal issues I'm thinking of are:

1. How would you select which Apple TV device you want to stream audio to, either from a computer or (when Airplay arrives) from an iPod/iPhone?
2. Would different Apple TV devices be able to receive different audio content, so that each could say play music from a different iPod or iTunes library?
3. Would it be possible to access media content from a dedicated media server, say a network attached drive, and stream it to Apple TV, or does it need to come from a computer actually running iTunes or an iPod?
4. Is there any kind of dedicated controller available, which is compatible with Apple TV and which would show you your media library, or is this kind of control only possible with iPod/iPhone or from your Mac/PC?

Many thanks in advance for any help on these points. If it works, this could be a great way to setup multi-room audio relatively cheaply.

Jules

Mac Pro 12 Core, Mac OS X (10.6.4), 24GB Ram

Posted on Oct 8, 2010 4:51 AM

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Answer 1

kbhqtip

Level 1

0 points

Oct 8, 2010 11:18 PM in response to Trailerman

Trailerman, I was also wondering the same thing. I want to actually know if I have 2 Apple TVs (one in the media room, and one in the bedroom), could both of the Apple TVs stream from the same iTunes library at the same time.

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Answer 2

Trailerman Author

Level 1

2 points

Oct 9, 2010 8:50 AM in response to kbhqtip

I guess the lack of responses means nobody knows. Seems a little surprising.

Looks like a call to Apple is required, although they're usually less knowledgable than the people on this forum.

Jules

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Answer 3

Jolly Giant

Level 7

25,464 points

Oct 9, 2010 8:55 AM in response to Trailerman

Trailerman wrote:
Is it possible to have multiple Apple TV devices (say one in each room), connected to speakers, and use this as a multi-room audio system?

yes.

1. How would you select which Apple TV device you want to stream audio to, either from a computer or (when Airplay arrives) from an iPod/iPhone?

iTunes and the remote app both let you choose which speaker(s) content is streamed to.

2. Would different Apple TV devices be able to receive different audio content, so that each could say play music from a different iPod or iTunes library?

yes.

3. Would it be possible to access media content from a dedicated media server, say a network attached drive, and stream it to Apple TV, or does it need to come from a computer actually running iTunes or an iPod?

currently, an instance of iTunes needs to be running in order to feed TV with content.

4. Is there any kind of dedicated controller available, which is compatible with Apple TV and which would show you your media library, or is this kind of control only possible with iPod/iPhone or from your Mac/PC?

AFAIK, it's iPod Touch/iPhone/iPad or computer only. things may change as iOS moves forward.

J GG

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Answer 4

Trailerman Author

Level 1

2 points

Oct 11, 2010 12:45 AM in response to Trailerman

Jolly Giant - thanks so much for your helpful and detailed response. All my questions answered.

It looks to me like Apple could pretty much mop up the multi-room wireless market, were it not for the fact that NAS devices aren't supported. This is partly rebalanced by AirPlay, which would be great for multi iPhone/iPod families like ours, but I still like the idea of having all our music backed up on a dedicated server, and not having to have a PC or Mac running all the time if we want to listen to/watch content.

I'll keep my eye on this though, because the potential is huge.

Many thanks again.

Jules

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Answer 5

Nov 8, 2010 10:04 PM in response to Trailerman

Very useful info here.

Newbie to AppleTV2 - want to purchase 2 or 3 for my house and was wondering if anyone knows if I can stream individual content (music or video) from the SAME iTunes library to all 3 AppleTV2 devices simultaneously? Say I want to hear Lady Gaga in my bedroom (don't judge me), my wife wants to watch Sex and the City in the family room, and my son wants to watch Toy Story in the playroom - all at the same time via the same "family" iTunes library.

Will I need 3 individual iTunes librarys accessible on the network to pull this off? If so can you easily switch between librarys for each AppleTV2?

Also can I easily control each AppleTV2 from the same iPad/iPhone?

How is the WiFi functionality/reliability of the AppleTV2?

Thanks!

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Answer 6

Nov 9, 2010 2:00 AM in response to REDSOX0407

Yes, you can simultaneously stream to multiple Apple TV's from the same iTunes library. The example you give is easily done. There is no need for 3 individual iTunes libraries.

It is fairly easy to control each Apple TV from one remote App. You just need to go back to the device select menu to swap TV's

Personally, I have found the WiFi on my Apple TV's to be consistently superb. I've had no problem streaming video to two devices whilst other network activity (i.e. Time Machine backups) is happening. However, I believe that others have had some issues. I'm using a Time Capsule as my router.

Basically, the set up you describe is exactly where the Apple TV comes into its own. Lots of people seem a little confused as to what its purpose is, but working as a cheap multi room extension to an iTunes library, with access to content on iPhones etc, it is a perfect solution.

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Answer 7

Col Kav

Level 1

35 points

Nov 9, 2010 5:47 AM in response to KeithJenner

Is this maximum number of devices that can be tied to 1 iTunes account applicable here?

So, say if i have an iPhone, Mac Mini and a Macbook, plus 3 Apple TVs in the house, would i be exceeding the limit?

Thanks,
c

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Answer 8

Nov 9, 2010 6:22 AM in response to Col Kav

I don't believe there is a restriction for Apple TV's.

Just to clarify, the limit for an iTunes account is 5 computers. There is no limit for the numbers of iPhones, iPods or iPads that can be associated with those computers. It seems that the Apple TV's don't come into the equation either.

As an example, my iTunes account is authorised on four different Macs (2 desktops and 2 MacBooks). iTunes content is then used by 2 iPods, 2 iPhones, 3 iPads and 2 Apple TVs with no problems at all.

Message was edited by: KeithJenner

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Answer 9

g.luna

Level 1

0 points

Dec 2, 2010 7:39 AM in response to Trailerman

So I have the same question, but inverted, can i play the same songs simultaneously in separate rooms. For example itunes on my imac in one room, and ATV2 in room 2 and ATV2 in room 3.

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Answer 10

newagemac

Level 2

245 points

Dec 2, 2010 7:46 AM in response to g.luna

Yes, you can do that.

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Answer 11

g.luna

Level 1

0 points

Dec 2, 2010 7:50 AM in response to newagemac

That is good news- how do I make this happen?

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Answer 12

newagemac

Level 2

245 points

Dec 2, 2010 8:12 AM in response to g.luna

It's really very easy. Once you connect the Apple TVs to your network, they show up as available AirPlay devices in iTunes. In the bottom right corner of iTunes you select which speakers you want active and can control the master volume or control each volume independently. It works really well.

If you have an iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad, you can control everything from the palm of your hand using Apple's free Remote app which is a very nice touch (no pun intended) lol.

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Answer 13

HuDDy25k

Level 1

29 points

Dec 2, 2010 2:09 PM in response to newagemac

I have the set up bellow
Computer Room: iMac
Living Room: TV running through Samsung 40" TV with home cinema System using Toslink Cable
Dining Room: AirPort Express running through Hi-fi System
Bedroom 1: TV Trough 26" tv with Cinema Sound Bar using Toslink Cable
Bedroom 2: TV Trough 23" tv
Bedroom 3: TV Trough 23" tv
Kitchen: AirPort Express With Active 2.1 Speaker System

can use them all at the same time even with the same content

Message was edited by: HuDDy25k

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Answer 14

g.luna

Level 1

0 points

Dec 2, 2010 2:23 PM in response to HuDDy25k

Fantastic! One of those things that I knew should happen, but couldn't figure out which buttons to press.

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Answer 15

jadenic1

Level 1

0 points

Dec 5, 2010 5:41 AM in response to HuDDy25k

trying to setup 2 apple tv2's on same wireless network. configuration that works so far is video on one, whilst streaming music 2 the other apple tv2. if i try stream video to both , both loose the home sharing network connection? router is a belkin g wireless, do you think this is the issue? will upgrading to a wireless n enable multiple video stream from same itunes library?

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