Apple Airport Express | Totally Cool

Apple Airport Express | Did what I wanted it to do

electronics:

Apple Airport Express

	Apple Airport Express Apple Computer Apple Computer average customer review:based on 46 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Now with blazing 802.11n, the affordable AirPort Express is powerful enough to run a home Wi-Fi network, yet small enough to take on the road. Share your wireless network with up to 10 users, print documents, photos, and more from any room in the house to one central printer, play iTunes music through your stereo or powered speakers using AirTunes, and more.

Totally Cool

This product is a marvel in a small case. It works like a charm right out of the box (especially if you have a mac). I had previously acquired a different wireless router that couldn't function with some complicated DHCP servers. This one didn't even blink. And to top it all, I can carry it around when I travel.

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Did what I wanted it to do

I needed to extend my WIRED network via a wireless method. Basically, I extended an XBOX 360 onto my network with only this device. I have Mac and pc's and the 360. All work smoothly and flawlessly, an added benefit is the extension of my I tunes into the room, this too was very easy and works flawlessly. I could not get a clear answer if the 360 would work this way, but using the set-up software and plugging the 360 directly into the device works and it is as fast and clean as when it was plugged into the router directly. I got mine for $59 on macmall so it was cheaper than the wireless adapter for the 360.

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Excellent device

This gadget is amazing, started only as a router, then it extended to being a music transmitter and a wireless printing router. I own an Imac and what's good for most people is that it works with Windows. Listen to your itunes music in any Home theater or Stereo in the house/office.
The instructions are not that clear for people without some experience on setting up wireless routers, but still is an excellent device and it has a great range.

Great for Airtunes, even better as a wireless-N access point!

Most of us have a number of different AV components in their entertainment center, and getting content from the computer to their AV receiver is a challenge. This little device turned out to be the missing link for me.

Just a little background--I use iTunes for almost all of my audio and video content. Between my TiVo HD and Xbox 360, I can easily stream video to my TV, but music content has been a hassle. First, neither work with iTunes. Second, neither can play protected AAC content. Third, you have to have your TV on to pick your music or select a playlist. Its a big hassle.

I remember reading about this device back in 2004, when it was just wireless-G, and considered buying it back then but held off because I would still need to be at my computer to select music/playlists, and there was no (at that time) remote control for the Airport Express. But now with the advant of iPhone/iPod touch (and the Apple app "Remote" which allows you to use your device to select and play music off iTunes on any computer in your house), I finally saw a solution to my troubles.

UNBOXING:
The Airport Express (AE) came neatly packaged in a very small box that's typical for Apple. As expected, it did not have any cables. I fortunately bought a 3.5mm-RCA cable and had a spare ethernet cable lying around.

SETUP:
I decided from the start that I would use the AE with combination with my existing wireless network, but not as an extender, but as a separate wireless-N based access point that could eventually be used a dedicated access point for future N-based devices. I was planning to convert my existing PCs to wireless-N which would connect to this AP with the highest throughput. Since I have existing G-based devices (two TiVos and an Xbox 360), they could continue to use my old G-based wireless AP without interfering with the N.

It appears the AE is quite versatile, although I haven't tried the other possible configurations. It can act as an access point, it can extend an existing wireless network, or it can connect to your wireless network and just act as a node for a print server/Airtunes.

After sticking the installation CD in my computer, the Airport Utility stepped me through the setup. It was able to see my AE without any problem. The wording of some of the options and questions were a bit confusing, but in less than 5 minutes, I had the AE setup as an N-based access point in "bridge mode" so any N-based devices could still use my existing Netgear router for DHCP. After completing the setup, I was easily able to go back and modify some of the settings manually to fit my needs.

AIRTUNES:
This is the sweetest part of the deal, and the whole reason I dropped $100 on this little device. I opened iTunes and it immediately recognized that there was an Airtunes device on the network and allowed me to select it as my preferred speaker (a drop down menu appeared in the lower-left hand corner of iTunes). I picked up my iPod touch, tapped on "Remote", and was picking songs from all over my house. It worked exactly as I expected.

CONCLUSION:
A bit pricey solution for getting music on your AV system without wires or need for an "iPod dock" (or a complete upgrade of your receiver). Hidden gift was the fact that it also acts as a wireless-N access point for future wireless expansion at much higher throughputs (without having to buy a new router).

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Ideal for Slingbox

The setup directions are almost useless, not unusual for consumer networking devices no matter who makes them. The most important thing to keep in mind is it takes time for the unit to connect to your router, just restarting after being powered off is slow. So don't get impatient.
The instructions included in the review by S. Monroe "gadgethead" are very helpful and will get the job done just follow them and allow time for the device to connect.
I use it to connect a Slingbox as well as the Air Tunes feature. It's perfect for both and is easily the most stable wireless access point I've used.

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