Those devices might be your MacBook streaming a document to an AirPlay-compatible printer, an iPhone streaming music to wireless speakers in your home, or your desktop Mac streaming an HD movie to your TV. Apple wants you to be able to stream movies and music on your home network, and they want you to use their proprietary system to do it. Christine Baker is a marketing consultant with experience working for a variety of clients. 4, 2011. So how do you use it? If the source you're playing from is streaming HD video, AirPlay can carry that HD quality to your Apple TV (version 2 or later). How Airplay Works. Since they're all accessible by network connections, and they can all use AirPlay, all you have to do is turn on the receivers, click to start streaming from the source and enjoy your music. AirPlay has two active components: a source and a receiver. At the tap of a button, AirPlay lets you wirelessly stream movies, music, and photos from any iDevice (iPad, iPod, iPhone, or computer) to your television with Apple TV ($99). AOL, Inc. Jan. 6, 2011. AirPlay 2 can be accessed from your iPhone's Control Center, Home app, or inside compatible apps (just look for the Airplay Symbol). Time Warner. Next, choose the popular artists whose music is most similar to your own. Stream a video. You can use AirPlay to mirror your Mac display to an Apple TV-equipped projector or TV, which is handy when you are giving presentations or training groups of employees. There continues to be an increasing number of Apple iOS apps (for iPad, iPhone and the iPod touch) that support streaming output using AirPlay. Setting up AirPlay streaming requires you to connect your iOS and AirPlay devices to the same Wi-Fi network. This app turns your Fire device into an AirPlay receiver! Without AirPort Express, you can use an existing home network setup, such as a wireless router. Android Mirror . AirPlay is a proprietary protocol stack/suite developed by Apple Inc. that allows wireless streaming between devices of audio, video, device screens, and photos, together with related metadata. 2. Next, let's consider the advantages and limitations of using AirPlay. Use AirPlay to stream or share content from your Apple devices to your Apple TV or AirPlay 2-compatible smart TV. Watch later. You can open it by swiping up from the bottom of your iPhone’s screen. 24, 2011. This is similar to the way you might connect to a streaming radio or video Web site, like Pandora or YouTube, except that everything is located on … AirPlay Mirroring has been added later and opens a range of new possibilities. AirPlay not working issue is mainly caused by the Apple devices connected to different Wi-Fi networks. Upload music and target the right listeners. "AirPlay's hidden agenda: Apple TV sets." Send video from your iPhone to AirPlay devices when connected to the same network. 2 Select the photo or video you want to share, and then tap the Share icon at the bottom left. A wide variety of Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vision (VIZIO) TVs are Airplay 2 compatible. How does it work? Stream a video. Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article: Copyright © 2021 HowStuffWorks, a division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a System1 Company. AirPlay lets you send video and music from your Apple devices to your TV and favorite speakers. The install process is very simple since you can directly install it using the Amazon App Store. Then you can connect your phone or tablet to your television using Apple Airplay. The speaker-only products offered by Bowers & Wilkins, JBL and iHome are less expensive, but not by much. Now, let's look who's partnering to offer AirPlay compatibility outside of Apple, and how AirPlay compares to other media-sharing technology. As long as they are on the same network, any of these devices can stream content from one to another and to any AirPlay-compatible devices that are also on the network. AirPort needs no additional equipment or setup in order to use AirPlay, and you can connect a stereo directly to the AirPort to use as either the source or receiver for an AirPlay audio stream. How does AirPlay work on Amazon Firestick/Fire TV? In this article, we focus on how Apple AirPlay streams music and whether its limitations and competition could potentially outweigh its advantages. Check the power: The iPad can connect to an Apple TV that's asleep but not to one that's powered off. If the listener gives you a thumbs up, he/she becomes your fan. Some devices that could be sources also have the ability to be receivers. SDI Technologies, Inc. (June 13, 2011) http://www.ihomeaudio.com/discover/airplay/, JBL. AirPlay is a service that Apple devices can use to stream audio and video between electronic devices. Press 4. This also typically means that AirPlay supported devices will cost more because of the licensing fees and technical costs. AirPlay has been developed by Apple and allows users to stream music, movies, photos and games from one Apple device to another AirPlay-enabled device. Stream forward to the next page for more useful information. Sometimes, when you are using an out-of-date firmware, you may also face the no AirPlay icon on Mac situation. | "Zeppelin Air: AirPlay." But if it doesn't, here's how to troubleshoot it. To use Siri to play and control video on a smart TV, you need an AirPlay 2-compatible smart TV that supports HomeKit. Convenient built-in controls appear on your iPhone in apps, on the Lock Screen and in Control Centre — so you can easily play, pause, fast-forward, rewind and adjust the volume on your TV. The profile provides an option where the listener can vote for your song. Part 1 So, while AirPlay is a free feature on Apple products, making full use of it can hit hard in the wallet. Then select the AirPlay symbol in the playback controls and select the TV you want to AirPlay to. Currently, your only option for streaming video to your TV with AirPlay is to have an Apple TV device connected to that TV. AirPlay and AirPlay 2 have a wider range than Bluetooth, which can have a hard time penetrating walls, meaning you usually have to be in the same room as your speaker for it to work. Using AirPlay, you can play media from a single AirPlay-compatible source, like an iPad or iPhone, and stream it to multiple AirPlay-compatible devices on the same network, including TVs and stereo systems. How does Radio Airplay work? AirPlay works over your wireless, so all of your devices must be connected via the same wireless network or over Bluetooth (though this a battery drain, and wireless is probably a better choice for most uses). First, ensure the devices you're using are connected to the same local network. AirPlay is a service that Apple devices can use to stream audio and video between electronic devices. AirPlay works in a similar way to what you would expect from a streaming service. 2. And they want you to do it wirelessly. AirPlay … Under the Control Center, tap the "AirPlay" icon and follow the procedures as illustrated in the image below. (June 12, 2011) http://www.dlna.org/about_us/about/, Denon. How Does Airplay Work? Here are some things you can do with AirPlay: Browse for something to watch on Netflix, iTunes, or another service on your iPhone and send it to your TV, using your... Show photos and videos from your iPhone on the TV, controlling the presentation on your phone. AirPlay works in different ways depending on what device you are streaming to. As of mid-2011, Apple is working with these partners to create products that can play streaming audio using Apple AirPlay: D&M Holdings (Denon and Marantz), Bowers & Wilkins, JBL and iHome. When used with Apple TV, your Apple mobile device becomes a hand-held remote control for sharing music, movies and photos on your TV. Those devices might be your MacBook streaming a document to an AirPlay-compatible printer, an iPhone streaming music to wireless speakers in your home, or your desktop Mac streaming an HD movie to your TV. This could be a hidden agenda to sell more Apple TV devices, or it could just be a revenue stream for Apple as they charge manufacturers a $4 licensing fee per AirPlay-enabled device they sell [source: Elmer-DeWitt]. Airplay-enabled apps will automatically scan your WiFi network for compatible devices. Once you have AirPlay … You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website. How to Use Apple AirPlay - YouTube. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. Click the AirPlay icon to select which devices you want to receive the signal. AirPlay is a proprietary wireless technology developed by Apple for streaming content wirelessly between compatible devices that share a network. "AirPlay." It is the listener’s choice whether to vote for your song or not. HomeKit isn't supported on Samsung smart TVs. AirPlay or AirPlay 2.0 is part of the operating systems that run all Mac computers and iOS mobile devices. (June 13, 2011) http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/iPod_and_Computer_Speakers/iPod_and_Computer_Speakers/Zeppelin_Air/airplay.html, Carnoy, David. To stream digital music over Wi-Fi, AirPlay uses the Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP). Some tech experts tout AirPlay as a revolutionary technology that will change the face of home entertainment and network data sharing. Though connecting with Bluetooth isn't the same as being on your home computer network, AirPlay detects Bluetooth devices automatically and lets you manage them alongside your other network-accessible AirPlay options. The Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air will set you back almost $600, the JBL On Air Wireless just under $350, and the iHome iW1 about $300. AirPlay by Apple is a feature that allows you to stream content wirelessly from your iOS mobile device to an Apple TV, AirPort Express, or AirPlay-enabled speakers. Miracast or Airplay issues on firmware 1.8.1.2 and up; What are the supported AirPlay features for my Base Unit? Start by uploading your songs and photos. When bigger is better, mirror it. Her expertise includes social media, web development, and graphic design. As a basic example of how you might use AirPlay, suppose you have an iPhone and you launch iTunes on it to listen to your favorite tracks. CBS Interactive. With Mirroring users can stream their desktop from a Mac or an iOS device onto the TV via the Apple TV box. When your song comes up in the playlist, your “promo unit” appears on the listener’s screen. Most of the criticism around AirPlay cites the following disadvantages: In addition to these limitations, streaming to something other than a computer requires purchasing an Apple TV or AirPort Express, each available for $99 as of this writing, or experimenting with third-party AirPlay-enabled devices. That's because the iTunes application for desktop and laptop computers already has a built-in library sharing function for other iTunes users on your network. Do you have an iPhone or iPad and an Apple TV or with Airplay 2 compatible smart TV? The receiver is an AirPlay-compatible device that can play that streaming media as well as display track information, such as the song title and artist name. They can ignore it, close it, vote on the song, or perform other actions depending on the configuration you select. Share. AirPlay is redundant for this computer-only scenario. The Apple Lossless Audio Codec is used over the UDP transport layer protocol to stream two audio channels at 44100 Hertz. Apple.com screen capture by HowStuffWorks staff. AirPlay has the following advantages that give credence to that idea: Despite these great features, AirPlay also has its limitations. You can use an Apple Airport (Apple’s wireless router), but it’s not necessary. Mar. It also supports mirroring of music, photos, and video between devices. Info. The question is, will people buy it? How Does AirPlay Work? Jamf Now Ad. Some of the member companies in the DLNA are household names like Microsoft, Sony and Sharp, as well as trusted tech industry favorites Logitech, Cisco and Nvidia. In testing some AirPlay speakers, we experienced the … 1 On your iPhone, open the Photos app. Select your Apple TV or Airplay 2 compatible smart TV. Apple AirPlay 2 offers wireless streaming of content from Apple devices including iPhone, iPad or Mac. To send and receive streaming audio and video with AirPlay, the devices you're using must first be connected to the same local network. If you're using an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, open the compatible app you want to use and find the video you want to stream. Album art can also be transmitted and displayed using AirPlay. Any wireless router will work, as long as all your devices can connect to it. D&M Holdings, Inc. (June 13, 2011) http://usa.denon.com/us/Airplayus/index.html, Elmer-DeWitt, Philip. Some third-party speakers might require a firmware update to support AirPlay 2 streaming. How AirPlay Mirroring works. First, let's zoom in on how you can enable and use AirPlay. The JPEG image format is used to send cover art. Apple TV is the only receiver that can stream HD video and photos from your device in addition to audio. For digital music, you can stream to your TV equipped with an Apple TV, share with other devices using an Airport Express, or listen with AirPlay-compatible speakers. Make sure that all your devices are connected to the same Wifi-network. Thanks to an update from Sonos, four speakers in the lineup support AirPlay 2, which means you can play music from your iPhone or iPad without needing a Wi-Fi connection and you can ask Siri to play something through your Sonos speaker. And of course, they want you to use Apple AirPlay to do it. The AirPlay feature is actually located in the Control Center on your iPhone. "Apple AirPlay: 10 things you need to know." Step 4: Start mirroring 1. Stream videos and cast images from your iPhone to your Samsung TV using AirPlay. A single source can send its stream to multiple receivers. Mark Harris is a former writer for Lifewire who wrote about the digital music scene and streaming music services in an easy to understand, no-nonsense manner. Harman International Industries, Inc. (June 13, 2011) http://www.jbl.com/EN-US/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?PID=JBL%20ON%20AIR%20WIRELESS, Marantz. AirPlay Mirroring also allows users to stream games from an iPad or iPhone onto the TV screen via the Apple TV box. "How Apple AirPlay Works" They cannot branch off to access separate content from that same source. Works with Apple AirPlay. The primary bragging point for AirPlay is that it supports streaming of both audio and video, whereas Bluetooth does not support video. Digital Living Network Alliance screen capture by HowStuffWorks staff. InfoWorld, Inc. All you need is for your TV and iPhone to be on the same Wi-fi network. Only purchase one of these if you're already in the market for a high-quality A/V component. To make sure there's no break in the music as you move from room to room, you go back to your iPhone and select the stereo and Apple TV as recipients of your iPhone's music stream. Apple AirPlay is compatible with some smart TVs, select 4K Roku streaming devices, a TV equipped with an Apple TV, a wide variety of speakers, iPhones, iPads, Mac computers, and most wireless headphones. The IDG Network. "AirPlay." 27 June 2011. "About Digital Living Network Alliance." Select the AirPlay symbol in the playback controls and select the TV you want to AirPlay to. Your music plays to listeners in … When an application detects that AirPlay is possible, the AirPlay icon will appear in the application display. As of June 2011, it's too early to know whether AirPlay will become a long-term success, or if Apple will be able to overshadow the years of successful DLNA collaboration in the home streaming arena. How to use Airplay to share to a ClickShare Base Unit from macOS; I want to share my entire screen from my iPhone or iPad; Does ClickShare support iOS devices? Apple AirPlay support allows you to effortlessly stream and share content directly from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to your supported Roku device. Using a basic version of AirPlay one can make streaming audio extremely simple on … When both devices are turned on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network, click on the AirPlay status menu in the menu bar of the Mac and select the projector or television from the drop-down menu. AirPlay started its 2011 growth spurt following the release of Apple iOS 4.2. This connection could be wireless, using WiFi or Bluetooth, or wired, using Ethernet. Radio Airplay also has an i… D&M Holdings, Inc. (June 13, 2011) http://airplayus.marantz.com/, Patel, Nilay. Check the Wi-Fi connection: Make sure both devices are connected and that they're on the same network. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. Cable News Network. If they give your song a thumbs up, they “become a fan” and can opt to share their email address and/or leave a comment. Originally implemented only in Apple's software and devices, it was called AirTunes and used for audio only. Step 1. How Does Apple AirPlay Work? AirPlay 2 is backward compatible and works the same way as the original. Audio data is scrambled by the AirPlay server device, which uses a private key-based encryption system. "iHome iW1 AirPlay wireless speaker hands-on." Stephanie Crawford As of this writing, the list of devices that could be AirPlay sources includes the iPad, second generation or later iPod Touch, iPhone 3G and 4, and the second generation Apple TV. AirPlay is a proprietary wireless technology developed by Apple for streaming content wirelessly between compatible devices that share a network. "How AirPlay and iTunes could enable the 'post-PC' office." AirPlay is a leap beyond just connecting stereo speakers to your iPad or iPhone. In the meantime, a lesser-known group known as the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) is continuing the strides it has been making since it launched in 2003. For more about setting up your home network, see our article. "JBL On Air Wireless." Despite the efforts of other manufacturers to produce AirPlay-enabled devices, it's still primarily an Apple-only feature. "Discover: AirPlay." AirPlay offers users the chance to wirelessly play content from an Apple device to their TV or speaker. Tap to unmute. You can for example stream video to an Apple TV or audio to a sound system with built-in AirPlay. The source is a device running AirPlay-enabled software, meaning that it can stream media (audio or video) using AirPlay. JBL. Also as of this writing, devices that can be AirPlay receivers are, primarily, the Apple AirPort (a proprietary wireless hub for Apple products) and Apple TV. The DLNA has certified the interoperability of digital products since 2004, allowing those products to boast the "DLNA Certified" logo. You can also enable AirPlay from your computer by running iTunes 10.2 or later. Control it all with a tap. AirPlay is Apple's proprietary answer to Bluetooth, but it actually functions in an entirely different way. Even while streaming content from it, you can keep using your Apple mobile device for other things like checking e-mail, updating your Facebook status or playing "Angry Birds.". Join your next Zoom happy hour or holiday party from the comfort of your couch. 3 Tap AirPlay, and then tap the TV you want to stream to. Conspicuously absent from the DLNA, though, is Apple. You need an Apple TV, AirPlay-compatible TV, or another AirPlay device to use it. Many smart TVs are now integrating Apple's AirPlay 2 technology. Copy link. The steps below will work regardless of what iPhone model you have with yourself. Select the video you want to play. Multiple receivers streaming from the same application all play the same content. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. Updated: Feb 11, 2021. For example, a certified digital media player (DMP) can access network attached storage (NAS) by way of a certified digital media server (DMS). AirPlay not working, how to fix AirPlay and AirPlay mirroring problems; What is AirPlay? Is AirPlay supported on CS-100 and CS-100 (Huddle)? Check out this. With AirPlay 2, it's possible to stream digital music to several rooms equipped with AirPlay-compatible speakers at the same time or directly to headphones available from most major headphone manufacturers. This action will open the control center. Shopping. When your song is played on Radio Airplay, listeners get to view the profile of you, the musician. Amazon Firestick/Fire TV users looking to stream audio and video to their Fire device using an iPhone or iPad can accomplish this by using an app called AirPlay&UPnP.