Ask Dave Taylor
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • YouTube Videos
  • Top Categories
  • Subscribe via Email
  • Ask A Question
  • Meet Dave
  • Home
  • Apple iPad Help
  • Use AirPlay to play music from my laptop on my AppleTV?

Use AirPlay to play music from my laptop on my AppleTV?

December 8, 2010 / Dave Taylor / Apple iPad Help, iPod & MP3 Player Help, Mac & MacOS Help / No Comments

I read about the addition of a new feature called AirPlay with the latest update to iOS, the operating system on my AppleTV unit (and my iPad, if I’m correct), but for the life of me, I can’t find it nor can I figure out how to use it. Supposedly I can push audio directly from my computer or iPad to my AppleTV, but I’m lost. Can you help?

As much as I love Apple and its product line, I have to say that it’s not uncommon for the company to release a new feature or capability then leave us all to figure out how to get to it and make it work properly. I think that’s one of the main jobs of us Mac bloggers, actually, to experiment (think “mad scientist”) with new releases and figure out all the tips and secrets that are hidden within.
AirPlay is no different, even as it’s way cool once you get it all working. The necessary precursor is to update the operating system on all of your devices: not only do you need the latest version of iOS 4.2 running on your AppleTV to have it work as the receiver, but you’ll also want to update the iPad if you want to use that too. iTunes on your Mac system will need to also be at version 10.1 or later: simply go to Apple –> “Software Update…” and it’ll make any changes necessary.
Once you’ve got everything set up properly, you’ll need to make a tweak to the preferences in iTunes before it’ll let you access the AirPlay capability.
To get there, choose “Preferences…” from the iTunes menu and click on “Devices”:

itunes enable airplay 1

The key is at the bottom: “Look for remote speakers connected with AirPlay”. Here, I’ll highlight that question:
itunes enable airplay 2

Make sure this is selected and close the window. Now if you’re paying attention to details on the main iTunes window, a new icon has shown up on the lower right, as I have highlighted here:
itunes enable airplay 3

Click on it and a menu pops up with all the AirPlay accessible speakers / devices that iTunes can find on the local network:
itunes enable airplay 4

There’s what we want: “Living Room Apple TV”. Select it and now the iTunes window frame has yet more information displayed:
itunes enable airplay 5

This is useful, though, because it shows you at a glance that your audio out from iTunes is being fed through AirPlay to the remote speaker system.
Now, want to have some fun? Pick a video while you’ve got this hooked up and you’ll find that the audio and video is pushed out to the remote device. On the Apple TV you’re suddenly watching the video streaming from your Mac on your TV, possibly in high def!
On the Mac, you’ll see iTunes has the following display:
itunes enable airplay 6

Extremely cool in my opinion, and when I tested this out, it worked without a glitch, making it a no-brainer to have video on my TV from iTunes even while I controlled it all from my computer screen. Now when you can feed any video out through AirPlay (think VLC) we’ll have something even more terrific, but still, a slick feature for sure.
Oh, and remember in the earlier AirPlay menu it had the option of “Multiple Speakers…”? Here’s what you’ll see if you select it:
itunes enable airplay 7

iTunes can feed its audio signal to more than one remote device simultaneously. Instant multi-room audio, and if you pick up a few Airport Express devices, you’ll find they’ll show up and let you have wireless speakers in other rooms for a fraction of the “home theater” wireless solutions.
The final step is integrating an airplay ready, multi room audio system to enjoy great tunes throughout the house, and there are many options on the market today. Just search for “airplay” next time you’re shopping online.

Let’s Stay In Touch!

Never miss a single article, review or tutorial here on AskDaveTaylor, sign up for my fun weekly newsletter!
Name: 
Your email address:*
Please enter all required fields
Correct invalid entries
No spam, ever. Promise. Powered by FeedBlitz
Please choose a color:
Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!
airplay, apple itunes, appletv, ios, wi-di, wireless music, wireless video

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Recent Posts

  • How to Identify Plants and Flowers with Google Lens on Android?
  • Windows Security Wants Me to Enable “App & Browser Control”?
  • Can I Change the Theme & Layout on Comcast Web Mail?
  • Easy Way to Install Ubuntu Linux on an M1 Mac System?
  • How Can I Check for Firmware Updates on my Vizio TV?

On Our YouTube Channel

1More ComfoBuds Mini ANC Earbuds -- REVIEW

Andobil Windshield Sun Shade Umbrella -- DEMO & REVIEW

Categories

  • AdSense, AdWords, and PPC Help (106)
  • Amazon, eBay, and Online Shopping Help, (161)
  • Android Help (197)
  • Apple iPad Help (144)
  • Apple Watch Help (52)
  • Articles, Tutorials, and Reviews (344)
  • Auto Tech Help (11)
  • Business Advice (199)
  • Chrome OS Help (23)
  • Computer & Internet Basics (761)
  • d) None of the Above (165)
  • Facebook Help (383)
  • Google, Chrome & Gmail Help (177)
  • HTML & Web Page Design (245)
  • Instagram Help (47)
  • iPhone & iOS Help (604)
  • iPod & MP3 Player Help (173)
  • Kindle & Nook Help (92)
  • LinkedIn Help (85)
  • Linux Help (164)
  • Linux Shell Script Programming (86)
  • Mac & MacOS Help (890)
  • Most Popular (16)
  • Outlook & Office 365 Help (24)
  • PayPal Help (69)
  • Pinterest Help (53)
  • Reddit Help (17)
  • SEO & Marketing (81)
  • Spam, Scams & Security (92)
  • Trade Show News & Updates (23)
  • Twitter Help (217)
  • Video Game Tips (66)
  • Web Site Traffic Tips (62)
  • Windows PC Help (915)
  • Wordpress Help (204)
  • Writing and Publishing (72)
  • YouTube Help (46)
  • YouTube Video Reviews (159)
  • Zoom, Skype & Video Chat Help (56)

Archives

Social Connections:

Ask Dave Taylor


Follow Me on Pinterest
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on LinkedIn
Follow me on Instagram


AskDaveTaylor on Facebook



microsoft insider mvp


This web site is for the purpose of disseminating information for educational purposes, free of charge, for the benefit of all visitors. We take great care to provide quality information. However, we do not guarantee, and accept no legal liability whatsoever arising from or connected to, the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any material contained on this site or on any linked site. Further, please note that by submitting a question or comment you're agreeing to our terms of service, which are: you relinquish any subsequent rights of ownership to your material by submitting it on this site. Our lawyer says "Thanks for your cooperation."
© 2022 by Dave Taylor. "Ask Dave Taylor®" is a registered trademark of Intuitive Systems, LLC.
Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions - Accessibility Policy