Using brand new AirPort Express without ethernet connection when wifi is available

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Matt19283746 Author

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Using brand new AirPort Express without ethernet connection when wifi is available

I have a stereo system with speakers attached to it in my home. For years I have used the auxillary port to play music from an iPod. I purchased AirPort to allow me to play music from my iPhone5 wirelessly. The location where my stereo is does not have an ethernet cable to connect to my AT&T U-Verse supplied internet. I am able to connect AirPlay and play it just fine, but without ethernet it puts my phone into a sort of WiFi mode that I can play music but can't send email, access the internet, etc.

I was able to set it up through my WiFi supplied via AT&T U-Verse but there were connection issues with the music. Too frequently the connection for the music would cut out.

Is there a way to connect to the AirPort such that my iPhone plays music directly to the AirPort device and also streams my WiFi connection from my AT&T U-Verse through my AirPort device?

My guess is that I would need to have a second AirPort device located where my AT&T U-Verse box is but I am hoping to resolve this without additional hardware.

AirPort Express-OTHER

Posted on Jan 14, 2013 8:52 PM

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Answer 1

Tesserax

Level 10

148,727 points

Jan 14, 2013 10:49 PM in response to Matt19283746

Is there a way to connect to the AirPort such that my iPhone plays music directly to the AirPort device and also streams my WiFi connection from my AT&T U-Verse through my AirPort device?

Unfortunately, no. With a single AirPort Express, you could stream from the iPhone directly to it only if the AirPort is broadcasting its own wireless network. Otherwise, if it is configured to join the AT&T U-Verse, the stream would have to go to the U-Verse first before it gets to the Express.

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Answer 2

Matt19283746 Author

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Jan 15, 2013 9:01 AM in response to Tesserax

Thank you. Based on your response it would appear that adding a AirPort Express at my Router via Ethernet would allow me to connect via WiFi the one at my stereo in such a way that when I play music it goes direclty to my stereo connected AirPort Express but at the same time it would allow me to pass through that to my DSL router via the second AirPort Express, correct?

And as a follow up question, I do have Ethernet connected to my TV. Could I achieve the same result as above via an Apple TV box as well? Price is the same so that may be more desirable. The only concern I have from that standpoint is if I can still connect to the TV via Ethernet through the Apple TV device as it appears that it does not have an Ethernet out port on the Apple TV box. I could always just put in a router at the TV but wanted to check on this first.

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Answer 3

edex67

Level 4

3,255 points

Jan 15, 2013 10:36 AM in response to Matt19283746

Adding an AirPort by Ethernet would use your current WiFi network. You could add a second AirPort instead of the U-Verse router but as I know nothing about U-Verse you might not be able to get an ADSL modem.

You could achieve the same result via Apple TV, also Apple TV can connect over WiFi (if you need that). However the price isn't the same.

EDIT: Just checked and apparently the price is the same in the US 😕

Message was edited by: edex67

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Answer 4

Tesserax

Level 10

148,727 points

Jan 15, 2013 10:48 AM in response to Matt19283746

Based on your response it would appear that adding a AirPort Express at my Router via Ethernet would allow me to connect via WiFi the one at my stereo in such a way that when I play music it goes direclty to my stereo connected AirPort Express but at the same time it would allow me to pass through that to my DSL router via the second AirPort Express, correct?

Basically that is correct. Adding an additional AirPort Express, the two base stations can be configured for a extended network. This would allow both streaming and Internet access at the same time. The Express connected directly to the U-Verse router should also be configured as a bridge to allow the U-Verse to provide both NAT & DHCP services for all network clients regardless of which router they are connected to.

The other thing to take into consideration, is that you will want to disable the U-Verse's wireless as this would be a potential cause of Wi-Fi interference with the extended network.

And as a follow up question, I do have Ethernet connected to my TV. Could I achieve the same result as above via an Apple TV box as well? Price is the same so that may be more desirable. The only concern I have from that standpoint is if I can still connect to the TV via Ethernet through the Apple TV device as it appears that it does not have an Ethernet out port on the Apple TV box.

Both generations of the 802.11n AirPort Express base stations have Ethernet ports, as well as, the Apple TVs. The advantage of the 2nd generation AirPort Express is that it has two Ethernet ports. Configured as the extending base station in an extended network, these Ethernet ports will be enabled ... and either or both the Apple TV and your TV can be connected to them via an Ethernet cable.

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Answer 5

Matt19283746 Author

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Jan 15, 2013 5:56 PM in response to Tesserax

So I understand that I can hang either an Airport Express or Apple TV off of my Ethernet and connect to the stereo via the second Airport Express from my iPhone or other device and also be able to access the internet.

However, it appears that the Apple TV product only has an Ethernet In cable. It does not allow me to keep my TV connected to internet access (Amazon Prime is the key concern here). Do I need to hang an additional router prior to the Apple TV box to continue to give my TV access to this Ethernet port?

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