I have bought an AirPort Express in order to stream music from iTunes on my Mac to my old hi-fi system. I don't want/need to do anything else with it.
I have done the basic setup - connected the AirPort Express to the Aux input on my stereo, set up a wifi network for it and bingo, it works - music played from my iTunes comes out through the speakers of my stereo.
Now comes the bit that I am getting stuck on. When I activate the AirPort Express wifi network, my normal Internet access (which comes in via the phone line and a router supplied with Swisscom TV) is deactivated - I can have music or internet, but not both at the same time.
My question is a very simple one: how should I set the whole system up in order to be able to listen to music on the stereo while still being able to use the internet? Do I need to connect the AirPort Express to my router with an Ethernet cable?
And there's me thinking that you wanted advice on the Gatwick and Heathrow Express trains when you next visit the UK
Nah... the Apple variety is the closest you will get me to an airport
You need to setup your airport express to connect to your existing router to enable internet access while playing music
Your computer can be connected to either the airport or your existing router but not directly to both at the same time.
Setting up the airport in client mode might solve this situation
This might help http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1731
Thanks! I will have to get hold of an ethernet cable (I must have one somewhere) and will report back on progress
You don't really need an ethernet cable unless you mess up the settings and can't be bothered to reset the airport express (AE) back to defaults and try again.
If I understand it correctly, you now have two wifi networks. One - the original one - is linked to your internet provider and hence gives you internet access. The other one is your new wifi network that your AE created, and which is linked by cable to your hifi.
Your laptop can (obviously?) only connect to one wifi network and hence you need to decide internet or music streaming. The solution is to make the AE join your current wifi network instead of running its own. Then you'll only have one wifi network and you'll be able to see both the internet (via your existing router) and the hifi (via the AE).
The trick is to connect now to your AE wifi and make the settings so that the AE will connect to your old wifi network. Then you unplug it, plug it back in and ... it all works! Or not. And if not you probably need to press the reset button and try again
It's actually very easy .. if you know what you're doing and understand what you're trying to achieve. Otherwise, it can seem very confusing. Enjoy.
OK... I will have a go at this before I go out and buy a 10 metre Ethernet cable (existing router is a long way from the stereo!)
Brilliant, it worked - I am now listening to music while posting this message. I had to connect an ethernet cable to do the setup, but now it's working without one.
Thanks to both Slaphead and adrianlondon for your help