PCV V1 - Airport Express

[v23]

Hello all,

I'm thinking about getting an Apple Airport Express thingy so that I can play iTunes through the stereo in my lounge.

The PCV V1 isn't wifi compliant, do I just need an 802.11g pcmcia wifi card and the Airport Express doofer or do I need some other magic wifi stuff (access point, router, flux-capacitor etc) and an already existing wifi network?

Thanks in advance

v

[robpaxton]

Yes you just need the Express and an 802.11g PCMCIA card. One thing to remember about the airport express is that the control is via the PC/itunes and not a remote.

I thought about getting an Airport Express but changed my mind - there are better options available that are more user friendly. There is a good review site at http://reviews.designtechnica.com/reviews_subcat-115.html which should help you decide.

[kee-lo_]

There are some nice media recievers available now.

[vaiodon]

I "just happened to be" in the Apple Store in Scottsdale, Arizona last Monday & talked about Airport Exrpress with an assistant in the store (coulda saved about £20 on one). Kinda agree with Rob - Airport Express is a bit limited - I wouldn't buy it just for the music: music, plus network printing or extending a existing 802.11g network - yes.

The fact that it's a "push" configuration from the iTunes PC out via the AirportExpress means you've got to run back to the PC to change music, etc (s'pose you could just run it on shuffle all the time). I think there'll be an Airport Express MkII along soon.

The Roku Labs Soundbridge units are really nice looking - they'll talk to iTunes too (but not DRM protected tracks purchased & downloaded from iTunes music store). Rob's link isn't that praising of the Roku HD1000 but the Soundbridges are audio only so they may be better sounding.

[kee-lo_]

The fact that it's a "push" configuration from the iTunes PC out via the AirportExpress means you've got to run back to the PC to change music, etc (s'pose you could just run it on shuffle all the time). I think there'll be an Airport Express MkII along soon.

I know, makes me laugh - they should have made a remote to change music.

[robpaxton]

I think wireless media players still have a long way to go. The ideal one would IMHO be remotely controlled by a wireless pocket PC or palm device that displayed the track info on it's screen. Mine displays the info on a TV but it's a pain to have to turn the TV on to choose music for the stereo.

The Airport Express is a very well priced print server though.

[v23]

Guys, you're the best. You've helped me no end. And very nice to new people too. Thank you all very much indeed. Don't know what I'm going to get yet but at least I now know I don't need an existing wifi network.

Cheers

v

[vaiodon]

It's wouldn't say wireless media players are the problem, per se. We're used to & stuck with MPEG2/MP3/AAC/etc but the wireless network is the issue. No guarantee of data delivery in time across the LAN while someone else might be playing X-Box and another surfing the Nemo 2 (?) preview website - bit like IP telephony unless the network is capable of assuring quality of service and differentiating class of service. That's a whole other ball game.

[kee-lo_]

I think wireless media players still have a long way to go.  The ideal one would IMHO be remotely controlled by a wireless pocket PC or palm device that displayed the track info on it's screen.  Mine displays the info on a TV but it's a pain to have to turn the TV on to choose music for the stereo.

The Airport Express is a very well priced print server though.

Now that would be the best option.
No problem, glad we could advise.