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Video: Belkin's Soundform Connect Adds AirPlay 2 to Your Existing Speakers
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The Belkin app has a button you can push for syncing speakers, if you have an issue. I have mine in a headphone setup, so I haven’t tested that feature. May need to try it, though.
AirPlay (and airplay 2) devices are supposed to report latency information back to the broadcaster, and the broadcaster is supposed to adjust all the streams to match up the audio. It works for me, but both devices are in the same room so their latency numbers are probably equivalent.
But you made a great aligned point. Which is that Airplay 2 is a spec which encompasses HD bitrates. So if Belkin makes a device that purports to be Airplay 2 then it would necessarily need to have the hardware to handle the full length of the spec. Not Airplay 2 Lite or something that doesnt exist. Same way that CarPlay LCD screens must be of a certain resolution and pixel density for licensees to even touch the CarPlay name.
Not even remotely the same product segment.
Well, maybe, I don’t know though
. Mainly because I’m happy with red book over airplay, and I use a DAC in my main system for hi-res.Yes but there are Raspberry Pi's with HiFiBerry DACs that offer high resolution.
I use a £29 Chromecast Audio connected via mini-TOSlink to an iPod Hi-Fi and I can initiate stream from Spotify with my voice via a Google Home mini. Orherwise I can stream Qobuz in 24-bit/96kHz using Google Cast.
Looks like a much better deal to me than this overpriced dongle. As others said, a used Airport Express is way cheaper if you’re really into Airplay and its low-latency / 16-bit 48kHz compromise.
Looks like a much better deal to me than this overpriced dongle. As others said, a used Airport Express is way cheaper if you’re really into Airplay and its low-latency / 16-bit 48kHz compromise.
I do Airplay 2 at home to a 2012 Apple Airport Express that I bought on eBay years ago. Works great but it’s part of my home network and has to be configured as a bridge etc. This solution seems much simpler and more portable.
I‘m a skater for instance so I’m always plugging into ancient PA systems at hockey rinks to play music from my phone. Some rinks probably haven’t updated their audio systems since the 70’s and never will. I have never ever seen a rink with Bluetooth capabilities, even at brand new 4 pad arenas. I’ve been worried about how I’ll plug in if Apple ever completely removes all ports from the iPhone. This seems like it would be a simple, lightweight, portable solution without any networking configuration needed. It does need a power outlet but those are always available in the time keeper boxes where their ancient audio systems are located. Not as handy as just carrying a cord but it would work.
I‘m a skater for instance so I’m always plugging into ancient PA systems at hockey rinks to play music from my phone. Some rinks probably haven’t updated their audio systems since the 70’s and never will. I have never ever seen a rink with Bluetooth capabilities, even at brand new 4 pad arenas. I’ve been worried about how I’ll plug in if Apple ever completely removes all ports from the iPhone. This seems like it would be a simple, lightweight, portable solution without any networking configuration needed. It does need a power outlet but those are always available in the time keeper boxes where their ancient audio systems are located. Not as handy as just carrying a cord but it would work.
The setup of the Belkin couldn’t be easier. You simply hold your phone over it and it pops up like the AirPods and allows you to add it to Home. As you mentioned, it is also much smaller than the Airport Express that works with AirPlay 2. Not sure how it would work on the road, though.
That being said, if I needed a portable solution without WiFi headaches, I would probably go with a plug n play Bluetooth device that has analog or optical out.
I think those that are comparing it to the price of a used Airport Express is a little unfair, though. It is like guys at the audio forums saying you got ripped off because they got something better at Goodwill at a quarter of the price. When the AE was new, it was more expensive than the Belkin. As I said, the AE currently works properly and the Belkin doesn’t…. so it may make more sense for those needing independent voice control to look on eBay since we don’t know if Belkin will fix the issue.
Also, Chromecast Audio doesn’t work with Apple Music on iOS, so you need to use a different service. Many are paying for Apple Music via a plan that combines their services or want the convenience of how it works with their other tech, so CA isn’t an option. Also, you also have to get CA used because Google killed it off.
Am I being daft, or would this Device allow me to connect a Vinyl Player to a set of HomePods?
Basically, I want to have a HomePod stereo setup but due to it’s lack of ports and Apple choosing to make the HomePod not support Bluetooth via thirdparties, I’m at a loss.
Hopefully, this Will do the trick!
If any one can confirm that would be amazing!
Basically, I want to have a HomePod stereo setup but due to it’s lack of ports and Apple choosing to make the HomePod not support Bluetooth via thirdparties, I’m at a loss.
Hopefully, this Will do the trick!
If any one can confirm that would be amazing!
JustDacs what is redbook? I presume a streaming protocol similar to Airplay?Well, maybe, I don’t know though
Interesting, albeit costly, IMO.
Does anybody know if something similar can be done for the sound + video? I am thinking along the lines of mirroring the video played on my iPhone or iPad on a big non AirPlay compatible TV. Many thanks for any suggestions.
Does anybody know if something similar can be done for the sound + video? I am thinking along the lines of mirroring the video played on my iPhone or iPad on a big non AirPlay compatible TV. Many thanks for any suggestions.
Guessing they mean an audio CD. (Red Book is the book that defined the CD-DA standard.)
You missed the point. This device has airplay 2 built in. Airport express does not.
Airplay 2 is about Siri and HomeKit integration. You can use Siri to send commands to it, and set up custom automations in the home app.
Incorrect. The last model of the AirPort Express that looks like a white Apple TV for updated to suppprt AirPlay 2.
that said, I have one as well as this Belkin device and the Belkin works way way better. The AE’s AirPlay 2 support is flakey and often has trouble connecting.