We’re reminded again of just how amazing the Airport Express is after setting one up last night. from the setup to using it could not be simpler. naming the network was a longer discussion then actually configuring it including turning on internet, music and printing features.
after it was working with the internet we plugged the printer into the USB port on the Express. and about a minute later it was printing from two Macs after adding the printer from the Bonjour list. printing to it appeared no different in performance then when it was directly connected. allowing a Windows machine needed Bonjour for Windows to work. printing commenced after installing it. here’s the directions for adding a printer to XP for an Airport Express.
last we plugged a long cable running to the main stereo into the 3.5mm jack. the demo for that was this:
Open iTunes on your computer.
Okay.
Down on the lower right side there’s a thing that says “computer” click on that.
It’s says “Lily” and “Computer”
Right. That’s your network. Select “Lily” and then play something.
[music plays from main stereo]
DUDE! that’s my music!
ROCK!
ROCK indeed…
one thing that I hadn’t noticed before is a feature called “Global Bonjour” which allows to anyone print to your printer anywhere on the internet if they know the address. must learn more about this potentially way awesome feature.
Shash on June 28th, 2008 at 1:33 am says:
The Airport Expres is indeed, cool. In fact, for those of us who don’t need the power of an airport extreme but just want to fling the internet into the airwaves for wi-fi, it works great. However, the USB printer support is not so great, as despite having an Epson printer (epson is well known for having good Bonjour support) the airport express acts like there’s not even a device plugged in, i don’t know if its just an issue with the Epson DX7400, but i can’t get it to work….
The wireless music feature, also cool, and very few other routers i know have that feature.
Brad on August 17th, 2008 at 6:21 am says:
This installment was released on June 25, and both the RSS and iTunes feed still haven’t been updated. The MP3 file isn’t linked in the post, where can we listeners get the file?
Kewp up the great work, love all of the other Macbreak Tech’s,
–Brad
Peet on October 18th, 2008 at 1:55 am says:
Hi Guys, although the iTunes speaker sharing is awesome, Rogue Amoeba’s AirFoil takes that and runs with it by extending the source from just iTunes to all sound producing applications. I have AirportExpresses installed all over my house and really like listening to the live (Flash) stream of Leo Laporte … AirFoil makes it happen …
Loving the shows, Awesome work!
GazHay on November 3rd, 2008 at 2:59 am says:
re: Epson Stylus DX7400
I got this to work fine for printing over an airport express with the latest gutenprint drivers. The epson ones only worked for direct USB not with the express.
Gutenberg vs epson drivers on May 21st, 2009 at 8:29 pm says:
In my experience the Gutenberg drivers print out slightly faded. The “gimp” ones seem to work better with my Epson 1400. That said, it’s still a far cry from the quality and control I get with the authentic Epson Drivers. Personally, I find it offensive that Apple claims this will work with “any usb printer” on their sales page, but happily passes your problems along to the printer manufacturers on their support page. I wouldn’t be upset if they said it “may not work with all printers” and gave a me a list of printers it will work with…. but…. they don’t. The seem to intentionally mislead us.
I’m beginning to hate apple.