Entertainment For Lively Minds
Tech Help Please - Apple TV and Spotify
Posted by PT on 25 October 2010 - 7:45pm.
I stream Spotify from my iMac over Airtunes units, using Airfoil, plugged into various speaker systems around the house.
The question is… if I add Apple TV to my wireless network will Airfoil recognise it, and permit me to stream audio to the hi-fi system via the digital audio cable linking Apple TV to the amp?
Thanks
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Maybe
I have the first generation Apple Tv and can stream to it with Airfoil.
However, the new ATV may be different, and anyhow I think there are some changes to streaming audio in Apple's universe?
Have just tried it PT
still works via Airfoil to the TV, I don't have my ATV connected via a digital cable though so can help you with that one am afraid!
*can't*
oops!
I think...
...Airfoil should be fine. Since the new version of iTunes came out with the updated wireless streaming built-in, streaming to my Airport Express still works just as it did before. I'm hopeful.
I'm going to get a new ATV when the next iPad software release comes out. Really looking forward to streaming video and music direct from the iPad and iPhone to the tv and stereo.
A luddite writes ...
I'm new to apple products, so a couple of additional questions from me:
1. In very simple terms, what does Airfoil do and how does it work? How do I play iTunes and Spotify through my stereo?
2. Anyone know of a good signal booster for wireless that will work with an Airport Extreme base station and both Macs and PCs?
Airfoil and AirPort Express
1. Airfoil will hijack the audio from the computer (Mac and Windows versions are available) and stream it to AirPort Express units over your wifi network. The Audio may come from Spotify or another app., I often stream from Safari, e.g. BBC iPlayer, NPR. The Airport Express unit is plugged into the mains and has RCA audio outputs that go into a hifi. Airfoil detects its presence and the audio can be sent to that unit. Follow the link for more details:
http://www.rogueamoeba.com/airfoil/
iTunes will simply detect remote speakers which are connected to the wifi network, and you decide whether you want to connect to them or not. See Airplay (iTunes at Home):
http://www.apple.com/uk/itunes/features/#itunesathome
2. Signal booster: again AirPort Express will do the trick read:
http://www.apple.com/uk/airportexpress/features/sharing.html
And finally, thanks to those contributors above for your help on the Apple TV and Spotify question. All I need to do now is convince the FPO we NEED one!
Airfoil...
...simply takes the audio from any application which you choose, and pipes it to any wireless audio device.
In my case, I have an Airport Express connected to my hi-fi. Under normal circumstances, I would only be able to send iTunes audio to the Express. Airfoil lets me send any application's audio to it. I often use it with Logic to hear my recordings through my hi-fi while I'm mixing them.
As for the signal booster: I'm surprised you need one, actually. My Airport Extreme works from the other end of my street. But no, sorry, I don't know of one.
Apple TV
Well it certainly works with the older Apple TV's as that is what I am using in the bedroom and use Airport Express units elsewhere. The Apple TV simply appears as one of the speakers in iTunes / Airfoil etc.
Should work with the new AppleTV but they are moving to this Airplay system for the new AppleTV's so to link up with iPhones / iPad's etc - not sure how Airfoil works with that.
PT and Idiotbear
PT and Idiotbear (isn't that the name of a John Grant song?) - thanks very much for your help!