Connecting Airport Express to Apple TV?

The speakers are Bang & Olufsen, part of a "Beosystem 3000" circa 2001, so they are old-school analog, not airplay friendly.

Nice! I still use my old Klipsch reference monitors, from the late 70's. They just don't make them like they used to. I drive them with the SPEC-1/SPEC-2 Pioneers. Ah, memories.

Sorry, getting back to topic. Your B&O will require analog line-in ports to work with the Express. The base station's audio port is a dual-functioning in that it supports both analog and optical digital output. You would need either a 3.5 mini analog plug to split analog RCA-type plugs or a mini-to-mini cable for the connection depending on what your B&O accepts.

I just looked up homeplugs and that sounds like a solution, if I plug the airport express into the second one in the bedroom and the speakers into the express. Right?

That is correct. You would place a homeplug at each location to create a pseudo Ethernet connection between them using your home's electrical circuit. The key is that they work best when they are used on the same circuit. In your case, one would be connected to an electrical outlet near the Wi-Fi router. You would then connect an Ethernet cable between it and the router. The other homeplug would be connected to an electrical outlet where the Express will be located. Similarly, you would connect an Ethernet cable between it and the Express. Finally, using the appropriate audio cable, you would connect that cable between the Express and the B&O.

I have a wifi network, an Apple TV (physically connected to network with ethernet cable), and one airport express base station.

What is the make & model of the wireless router that is providing this "wifi network?"

Is there a way I can play music on my non-wifi bedroom speakers from my iphone/mac via the airport express if the airport express isn't physically connected to the network via an ethernet cable? Basically, can my Apple TV act as the primary base station or is there some other option that doesn't involve purchasing a second airport base station or running a 30 foot ethernet cable to my bedroom?

First, the Apple TV cannot perform as a base station as it is a network client, like a computer or printer. It has no routing nor wireless radios to create a Wi-Fi network.

What is the make & model of these speakers? If they do not have network connectivity (wired or wireless), then do they only receive audio via dedicated audio ports?

What is the main modem router? Make and model please.

Is this your main wireless access point?

What is the Express configuration now in the network?

Is the Apple TV plugged into the main router or the express?

Are your non-wifi speakers actually airplay capable? Or do you need an airport in front of it to pickup airplay.. this is crucial point. Please test the speakers now.. plug them into the main router.. run iTunes and see if the speakers are recognised as airplay device.. if not you MUST use an Express.

The Apple TV cannot act as a base station. But if you don't need the express for the connection then you can reuse it in the bedroom.

There are a couple of alternatives.. but none are without paying out some money. In fact more than buying another airport more than likely.

1. Get ethernet cable properly installed in the wall.. hugely superior to any other solution.. and the most expensive.

2. Powerline adapters .. these are called homeplug in US. A set of cheap ones might be $40-60. Connect one end at your main router.. and other end in your bedroom.. but it might still need an airport to work. You also might do better buying a third unit and plug that next to the Apple TV so everything is ethernet.. the Express can be used as needed then for wifi or airplay.

3. Buy a second hand airport extreme gen5. Plenty around and cheap.. hugely superior wireless to a brand new express.. albeit they will be 5-7 years old already and lifespan is over.. in terms of if it gives trouble.

Plug that into the apple TV as long as it connects to the main router by ethernet NOT wireless which only the express can manage.

EDIT..

🙂 Tesserax.. you son of a gun.. 😉

You're very welcome! Enjoy your B&O system.