Apple Airport Express for audio distribution

Post by **Vullisbak** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 12:05 pm

The Airport Express looks like an excellent way to distribute audio and WiFi connectivity around the house. Anyone using one (preferably two or more) of these devices?

I'm specially interested in how it copes with audio lag caused by stream buffering. I plan on installing modules in the living room, kitchen and the shed. Do the modules synchronize the playback, or is there a noticeable delay?

I don't fancy hearing the same song coming from eg the kitchen with a delay.

Are there any alternatives, without requiring additional wiring, to distribute audio without delay?

Post by **MindBender** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 1:13 pm

I don't think the Airport Express features multiple playback synchronisation. You could consider the Sonos system:
http://www.wifimedia.eu/catalog/sonosdi ... -c-45.html
But it's a bit more expensive...

Post by **AshaiRey** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 9:17 am

Select on the server your music source (Windows media player, output to the soundcard) and connect this to your audio sytem in the house. I use a wired system but i have some remote rooms that i try to reach with Audio over homeplug (devolo) and i use wireless speakers to the garden

Post by **Vullisbak** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 4:50 pm

@AshaiRey currently there's no central audio system around the house, and wiring all the rooms unfortunately isn't an option. So I'll have to stick to wireless or ugly wires along the wall...
I'll have a look at wireless speakers. I haven't looked at the price, but if they cover a distance of appr 10 meters through several reinforced concrete walls, they might be an excellent solution.

The Sonos system is way out of my budget. Using Airfoil, playback through multiple Airport Express units can be synchronized.

Post by **AshaiRey** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 5:10 pm

Another option.
The poormans solution
Connect a FM transmitter to the output of your soundcard (About 10Euro to make one yourself) and place all around the house transistor radios on the right freq.

Post by **AshaiRey** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 5:12 pm

Also.
My wife wanted a audio system that gave her the same music in every room and the music has to follow her throughout the house and play on there where she was.
I gave her an ipod on a string on her neck :0)

Post by **Snelvuur** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 5:12 pm

squeezebox can also sync for sounds and such.. a bit cheaper..

and i really looked into streaming the music in every room and follow you around. but when i could not buy a ESS8 anymore, and my electricien screwed up everything i would no longer be able to do it easily.

// Erik (binkey.nl)

Post by **Alexander** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 7:46 pm

Can we combine? : http://domoticaforum.eu/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3285

Alexander