I set up the base station next to the HiFi in the lounge, everthing set up nicely with no glitches and was working properly. it works upstairs fine, but wont work in the kitchen! as soon as I bring it around the corner and into the lounge the music kicks in again. the wall between the kitchen and the lounge isnt structural and is not thick at all. What could be causing this?
MacBook Pro
Anything thicker than a vacuum between wireless devices will attenuate their radio signals to varying extents.
AirPort and Bluetooth: Potential sources of wireless interference
I can pick up my wireless broadband from the same spot, but not the airport? the internet hub is located further away than the airport express!
I am wondering if your Express is configured properly. Ideally, it should be a client on the same wireless network you normally use.
Check that: Open Airport Utility, select your Express, click Manual Setup, select the AirPort pane, and in "Wireless Mode:" select "Join a wireless network". Select your wireless network name in the dropdown list and provide its password.
Does that pretty much describe the way yours is configured?
If you don't have AirPort Utility downoad it:
If you are running OS X 10.7.2 then you will be able to use AirPort Utility 5.6.
Leopard, Snow Leopard: AirPort Utility 5.5.3.
I had a need to create a brand new network with an Airport Express so my situation was not the same as yours. However...
Be aware that the Auto-channel selector doesn't work all that well. Upon power-up, it apparently starts from channel #1 and goes up until it finds a channel (#1 in my case) that meets some undefined minimum standard. It does not choose the best channel. I was able to double my data rate at the 30-foot distance by manually testing each channel. In my case, Channel #6 worked best.
Thanks for your replies.
I created a network like you said and changed it to channel 6 and it worked, however I now cant get my internet hub to connect to the airport?
Its looking like this; It wont work in just Airtunes mode, Im having to create a network which then means im having to connect my router to it with a cable. I dont want to do this as my router is in a different part of the room and is connected to my sky/xbox. I cant move the Airport Express as the HiFi is in another part of the room.
is there a way to create a network, pick up my internet router's connection wirelessly and then transmit it through the network ive just created or am i stuck with hard wiring it in?
I created a network like you said
Not quite... "join" a wireless network. Big difference:
Open Airport Utility, select your Express, click Manual Setup, select the AirPort pane, and in "Wireless Mode:" select "Join a wireless network".
Do that.
Walkzinho wrote:
is there a way to create a network, pick up my internet router's connection wirelessly and then transmit it through the network ive just created or am i stuck with hard wiring it in?
That's asking too much. Your AirPort can create a new network, extend an existing network (Apple Base Stations only), or join an existing network (any kind).
In your case, the latter choice is the appropriate one.
From the AirPort Express FAQ:
Question: I have a third-party 802.11b/g/n wireless access point. I want to put AirPort Express next to my home theater and stream iTunes to it. Can AirPort Express join the third-party network?
Answer: Yes. AirPort Express can join a third-party network in client mode, or if it is connected via Ethernet to a LAN port on the non-Apple wireless access point.
This KB article describes how it works: AirPort Express: What is client mode
Thanks John, I was referring to Philly_Phan's post when creating a new network. Ive done it both ways now and this is how it stands:
1) When joined to an existing network I have signal issues as described in my first post but I have the internet.
2) When I create a network using the airport as a hub the airtunes function work brilliantly, even from outside, BUT, I cant use my internet with this setting for the reasons described above.
Is there a way to change the channels like in Philly_Phans suggestion whilst in "join exisitng network" mode.
The whole reason for me buying this thing was to listen to itunes through my hifi when working in the kitchen.
Just to expand a little. Im sat here in the kitchen, i just clicked to play the song in itunes, it then played about half a second of the song then cut off. I then picked up the laptop, moved it with a clear line of sight to the base station (whilst still in the kitchen) and hey presto, it begins to work again. Same happens when I go upstairs, it works until i get to the top of the stairs. This is all while connected to my BT homehub.
I experimented early this morning and created a new network, the airplay function worked flawlessly as i was able to mess about with the channels, although I had no internet I could still test its functionality in this mode. I dont however have that option now im back connected to the router.
In further developments, I made a video to show what i mean..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-luPKggkJrQ
I may also add at this point that my iphone 4 works perfectly with it, sat here in the kitchen with it now.
Let's back a bit. You and John had been discussing using an Express to "join" a network. Why do you want to join? What benefit are you looking for?
The reason I'm probing here is that joining provides a benefit ONLY if you intend to connect something to the Express' audio, Ethernet or USB port. You receive no additional WiFi coverage. In fact, there is NO benefit if you're joining a WiFi that was created by another Airport device. A network extender gives you additional coverage (and it appears that that's what you need) AND still allows you to use the ports on the extender Express unit.
Joining is a benefit only if you want to use those ports and you're joining a non-Apple network.
More on extending...
I purchased two Apple Express units to completely replace the WiFi provided by my Westell router. The Westell did a really great job inside the house but nothing would reach my back porch because of metal-jacketed insulation on the exterior walls. I created a brand new WiFi with one Express and put the extender unit just inside the house near the wall where the porch is located so that the full power of the Express would blast through the wall. Works like a champ (after experimenting with different channels).
Im lost a bit. I dont need to boost my WiFi signal, its excellent throughout the house. All i want to do is to be able to play my music through my hifi that is in the lounge from the kitchen. As you can see from the video that isnt possible with my MBP or iPad. it is however possible with my iPhone, which confuses matters even more. Ive turned Wireless off as not to add any ionterference and it still does the same as in the video.
Could I have a faulty unit? Its funny it works with my iphone and not the MBP or iPad.
Walkzinho wrote:
Im lost a bit. I dont need to boost my WiFi signal, its excellent throughout the house. All i want to do is to be able to play my music through my hifi that is in the lounge from the kitchen. As you can see from the video that isnt possible with my MBP or iPad.
OK, now I'm lost a bit. IF everything worked the way that you want it to work, what is connected to what and how? Walk me through wherever the music originates to wherever the sound will come out.
Walkzinho wrote:
ICould I have a faulty unit? Its funny it works with my iphone and not the MBP or iPad.
That's always a possibility. 800-275-2273 in the U.S. and I think Canada. Have your S/N handy before you make the call.
The music in the video is being played through my laptop and later my iPad, both connected to the airport express via airplay. The airport express has a 3.5mm to phono cable going into my amplifier which is under the table in video.
Ive called apple for a refund, but if i can get it to work tonight before the courier comes i'll keep it (preferred option).
Is there an uninstall program so I can completely wipe everything and do a fresh install?
The music starts where? How does it get to the laptop? Does the music come FROM the Express TO the laptop or vice versa? Again, walk me through the entire connection sequence. I'm not promising a darned thing but I'd like to attempt to offer an alternative solution but I don't understand your configuration.
Airport Express not working in certain part of the house
