How can I play music in multiple rooms using airplay?

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Level 1

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How can I play music in multiple rooms using airplay?

I have a mac mini running ML downstairs connected to my TV through my stereo receiver, i have a LG networked soundbar connected to my TV on the middle floor. And i have multiple IOS devices around the house (my iphone 5, GF's iphone 4, and two iPad 2's). I'd like to play music throughout the house with airplay. How can this be done with this set up, without having to spend a ton of money with Sonos? Can i just pick up an apple TV, hook it up to my LG via HDMI, and stream music to any of my speakers? What do i need? Am i correct in thinking i need an apple TV and an airport express? Or can i get away with just one apple TV that can stream from my iphone or ipad, and out put to either my soundbar, or my mac mini downstairs?

Posted on Oct 25, 2012 8:23 AM

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Answer 1

Rudegar

Level 10

180,318 points

Oct 25, 2012 9:53 AM in response to Bigt79

in itunes on my computer can use use several atv's and airport express's as speakers to play the audio I start on the computer

with atv's they access a shared lib and like other computers accessing a shared lib many can access the same lib as long as the network speed is up for it

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Answer 2

Bigt79 Author

Level 1

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Oct 25, 2012 11:10 AM in response to Rudegar

Found this article today:

http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-20049405-285/apple-airplay-10-things-you-nee d-to-know/

"

Using your iOS handheld as a music source has limitations.When you stream music stored locally on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, you can only stream it to one device (such as a speaker or Apple TV) at a time. You connect to that device using an AirPlay-compatible app and it becomes a monogamous streaming relationship.
To stream to multiple devices, you have to use your computer-based iTunes music collection as the audio source.For whatever reason, running iTunes on a Mac or Windows PC provides more flexibility for AirPlay. Using iTunes on your computer, you can stream music to multiple AirPlay receivers or speakers throughout your network (say, an Apple TV in the living room and aZeppelin Air in the bedroom), and control their volume levels independently as well.

"

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Answer 3

Bigt79 Author

Level 1

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Oct 26, 2012 10:34 AM in response to Bigt79

Was talking to an Apple rep at the Apple Store this afternoon and he said that you can't sent music to airplay enabled speakers, that is wasn't able to transmit, just accept. However, came across this today as well:

Apple TV Can Send Audio To AirPlay-Enabled SpeakersRead more at http://www.cultofmac.com/179743/apple-tv-can-send-audio-to-airplay-enabled-speak ers-in-ios-6-beta-3/#P1gyqP6mPgHYfLxw.99

"Apple TV will detect AirPlay-enabled speaker systems connected to the same wireless network, and then allow you to choose them for audio output. So you can watch a movie or TV show on your HDTV, while having its audio blasted out of your AirPlay enabled speaker system (or one connected to an AirPort Express)."

However, doesn't seem to be able to transmit to more than one airplay enabled device, at least not yet.

So, seems my best option for mutliple room set up would be to get and Apple Tv for main floor TV, and control iTunes downstairs on my Mac Mini and select multiple sources throughout the house.

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