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Apple Lossless Wirelessly

I've been experimenting with serving music stored on my iMac G4 in the study to iTunes running on a laptop (experimenting with a Dell, but eventually will get an iBook to handle this function) in the living room to an Airport Express that is cabled to my living room stereo system. I've been moving the music from iMac to laptop to Airport Express over my 802.11b wireless network.

So far, I've found that my 802.11b network can't adequately handle sending song files in Apple Lossless format from my iMac to iTunes on my laptop. There are breaks in the playback, especially when there is other traffic over the wireless connection. If the AL song files are on the laptop, there is no problem.

Since convenience is a big reason for this setup, I'd like to stick with a laptop as the control center and stay wireless if possible. I figure my two alternatives are: (1) upgrading my wireless network to 802.11g, and (2) buying Apple Remote Desktop so I can run iTunes on my iMac, where the song files are, while controlling it from the laptop.

Any comments on these options (and am I right about being able to use ARD this way)? Thanks!
jayboard
davidfrench401f
1 posts
 
I've been grappling with interference on my 802.11b/g network; it's been a problem for a while, but Airtunes exposes problems in a very obvious manner. After fiddling with all sorts of parameters, I've found for best results I've switched off 802.11b and only use 802.11g. Airtunes seems to be running fairly faultlessly now.

I live fairly near a major microwave transmitter, and I wonder if that explains my problems with 802.11b.

I'd be interested to know how devices decide whether to use B or G. If mine had stuck with G, I don't think I'd have had a problem.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Anyone use an AirPort Express with a PC?

If so, how did you get it to work?
jayboard OP
301 posts
 
Have used with Mac and PC. You could try this roundabout way. Use Airport Admin Utility to do the setup, if Airport Express Assistant is not doing the job for you. Connect the Airport Express by ethernet cable to your DSL or cable modem or router (don't have to connect to stereo at this point). Configure the AE to be a base station, i.e., to "Create a wireless network," not "join existing network." After that, disconnect the AE, connect it with stereo, and go wireless. Start up Airport Admin Utility again. Your PC should recognize the AE; this time configure AE to "join an existing network".

Does this help?
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Go the AirPort Express working now. Even with Toslink, the iTunes sound is not shabby at all. Sounds a tad hollow and focus could be a bit better, but very dynamic and extended. I will be comparing it to my modded USB->S/PDIF coax Transit doing iTunes.
edesilva
768 posts
 
Audioengr, how did you mod the transit? I've heard of people effectively wiring a coax connector in lieu of the LED (or whatever the light source is), but I gather the "real" way of doing it involves some 5V transformer or something? Any pointers for those who have some competence with a soldering iron?
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