Q: I have downloaded the new Lion OS X but the AirPlay icon wont appear in my menu bar.  The option of AirPlay mirroring is turned on in the Display settings. No issues Air playing through iTunes. Need help. Thanks

AirPlay

AirPlay Mirroring requires a second-generation Apple TV or later, and is supported on the following Mac models: iMac (Mid 2011 or newer), Mac mini (Mid 2011 or newer), MacBook Air (Mid 2011 or newer), and MacBook Pro (Early 2011 or newer).

Several Apple Articles Regarding AirPlay

Apple TV (2nd and 3rd gen)- How to use AirPlay Mirroring

How to set up and configure AirPort Express for AirPlay and iTunes

Troubleshooting AirPlay and AirPlay Mirroring

Using AirPlay

Is your MacBook Pro Early 2011 or newer?

Supported MacsAirPlay Mirroring in OS X Mountain Lion takes advantage of the hardware video encoding capabilities of 2nd and 3rd Generation Intel Core processors. Hardware video encoding allows AirPlay Mirroring to efficiently deliver high frame rates while maintaining optimal system performance. The following Mac models have processors that support AirPlay Mirroring:

• iMac (Mid 2011 or newer)
• Mac mini (Mid 2011 or newer)
• MacBook Air (Mid 2011 or newer)
• MacBook Pro (Early 2011 or newer)

Same problem - obvious solutions (see above) do not apply. There has to be a setting or a limitation that  could be tweaked, but nobody actually knows what is wrong. Apple...??! You are joking!