Question about AirPlay

Discaciate said:

Sorry for my ignorance, but I would like to know one thing about the Airplay feature:

How does the connection actually works? Does it uses my Wi-Fi network or does it make a direct connection between devices?

Click to expand...

AirPlay uses your WiFi network. Hence, the name: AirPlay. Naturally, WiFi signal strength and reliability is an important factor.

GGJstudios said:

AirPlay uses your WiFi network. Hence, the name: AirPlay. Naturally, WiFi signal strength and reliability is an important factor.

Click to expand...

I think he meant does it make a direct WiFi connection to the Apple TV or does it go through the router.

The answer is it does go through the router since the Apple TV is not a repeater itself, just a wireless client.

you already have a signal repeater - your mac.

just share your mac's internet connection over wifi and have the aTV join that..
It will probably be a better and faster signal than what you would get from a wireless repeater somewhere in the middle of your house anyway.
or get a network switch and hard wire the aTV also, which would give you the most reliable signal. (you could get something with wireless built in, if you don't want to run a cable to your TV)

As David said it all goes through the main wireless base. wireless uses the "hub and spoke" layout of a wired network, but each branch is wireless.

GGJstudios said:

AirPlay uses your WiFi network. Hence, the name: AirPlay. Naturally, WiFi signal strength and reliability is an important factor.

Click to expand...

airplay will also work over wired ethernet, so maybe they should have called it Copperplay?
Bluetooth also goes over air, so by your definition that would fall under the same name.

waw74 said:

airplay will also work over wired ethernet, so maybe they should have called it Copperplay?

Click to expand...

While it may work over ethernet, the name indicates the intended advantage of using WiFi:

With AirPlay, you can wirelessly stream videos, music, and photos from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to Apple TV (2nd generation) and stream music to AirPlay speakers or receivers, including AirPort Express. You can also wirelessly stream videos and music from your computer to Apple TV (2nd generation) and stream music to AirPlay speakers or receivers, including AirPort Express.

Click to expand...

waw74 said:

Bluetooth also goes over air, so by your definition that would fall under the same name.

Click to expand...

AirPlay doesn't work over Bluetooth.

DavidLeblond said:

I think he meant does it make a direct WiFi connection to the Apple TV or does it go through the router.

The answer is it does go through the router since the Apple TV is not a repeater itself, just a wireless client.

Click to expand...

His question:

Discaciate said:

Does it uses my Wi-Fi network or does it make a direct connection between devices?

Click to expand...

Thus, my answer that it uses the WiFi network, which is accurate.

Discaciate said:

I ask because my room is a bit far away from my router and my Wi-Fi signal here is not that great. In that room I have a mac, and it's wired to that far away router.

Click to expand...

If you are using ethernet to connect your mac - just buy a cheap 4 port hub and plug in your AppleTV too.

another question.

Is Mirroring available now, or do we have to wait for Mountain Lion?

Mikey86uk said:

another question.

Is Mirroring available now, or do we have to wait for Mountain Lion?

Click to expand...

You'll have to wait.

Mikey86uk said:

another question.

Is Mirroring available now, or do we have to wait for Mountain Lion?

Click to expand...

Yes mirroring is available for both the iPad 2/3 and iPhone 4S. It's not available on the Mac until Mountain Lion

DavidLeblond said:

I think he meant does it make a direct WiFi connection to the Apple TV or does it go through the router.

The answer is it does go through the router since the Apple TV is not a repeater itself, just a wireless client.

Click to expand...

Sorry if this is slightly OT, but this is something I've been very curious about. If two Wifi devices are communicating, does all communication go through the router, or - once the connection is established - do the two devices talk directly?

If everything goes through the router, it accounts for some of the lag when using Airplay in games. Instead of data being sent from iPad/iPhone to the ATV directly, it has an additional hop to the router as well, adding some latency.

Someone suggested creating an iPhone Wifi hotspot, and connecting the ATV to that. I wonder if that might result in less latency, since there is no router?

Discaciate said:

Not possible. The room is big and the TV is on a wall that only has an energy plug. So I would have to run the cable across the run, and thats a big no go.

I guess I will just have to work harder in order to improve my Wi-Fi on that room. Not much of a hassle to be honest.

Click to expand...

Another alternative that hasn't been mentioned. You could use a powerline ethernet device. All you need are electrical outlets at your router and your TV. It's basically an "ethernet" cable that run along your electrical lines.

It is kinda pricey, and the speeds aren't up to Gigabit ethernet speeds, but then again, the aTV is only capable of 100 Mbps over ethernet.

whooleytoo said:

Sorry if this is slightly OT, but this is something I've been very curious about. If two Wifi devices are communicating, does all communication go through the router, or - once the connection is established - do the two devices talk directly?

If everything goes through the router, it accounts for some of the lag when using Airplay in games. Instead of data being sent from iPad/iPhone to the ATV directly, it has an additional hop to the router as well, adding some latency.

Someone suggested creating an iPhone Wifi hotspot, and connecting the ATV to that. I wonder if that might result in less latency, since there is no router?

Click to expand...

I'm not sure. I know I've used a spare Airport Express to do Airtunes before while using a Time Capsule as my router though. Not sure if that helps.

whooleytoo said:

Sorry if this is slightly OT, but this is something I've been very curious about. If two Wifi devices are communicating, does all communication go through the router, or - once the connection is established - do the two devices talk directly?

If everything goes through the router, it accounts for some of the lag when using Airplay in games. Instead of data being sent from iPad/iPhone to the ATV directly, it has an additional hop to the router as well, adding some latency.

Someone suggested creating an iPhone Wifi hotspot, and connecting the ATV to that. I wonder if that might result in less latency, since there is no router?

Click to expand...

Everything should be going through the router.

Interesting, thanks. Unfortunately, I only have an iPad 2 and iPhone 3G, so can't try setting up a hotspot to test their theory.