[cdgatti]

Was considering purchasing an old airport express and converting the power source to allow car use for airplay in the car, but then found this thing. Looks like a nano TP Link router that someone modified for the operating mode that is needed for car use. Good reviews on Amazon. Could see this fitting in the center console very nicely hooked to a cig lighter/usb power and 3.5mm aux.

http://www.amazon.com/AirEnabler-Ada...owViewpoints=1

[woobiedmd]

Wouldn't you need Wi-Fi for this to work?

[AMG KLR]

Originally Posted by woobiedmd

Wouldn't you need Wi-Fi for this to work?

You connect to the wifi network it makes. Mine is coming on monday

[woobiedmd]

Sounds cool! Does it sound better than Bluetooth streaming or is it about the same because you interface via the 1/8" audio cabe? $50 is def a bargain!

[cdgatti]

Apple's airplay protocol allows higher quality audio than Bluetooth, that is the whole attraction.

[alexwhittemore]

I'd be wary of this if you don't have a ton of technical skill - it looks like they're trying to sell a package as ready-to-go as possible, but there's a good chance that future iOS updates will break functionality, since this isn't (at all) an apple-supported device. If that happens, it'll probably be no time at all before it's supported again, but it'll require an airenabler update.

That said, if you ARE at all technical, the TP-Link pocket router hardware is SUPER cool and flexible, I have two. One was originally slated for use in the car, though I'm no longer going to follow through on those plans.

[mact3333]

I see some are saying they had this thing installed in 5 minutes yet many are saying this isn't the product for the non-technically inclined.

So does anyone have very specific DIY instructions for this unit???. I am tired of using my USB stick to get decent sound. Would like to stream lossless from Spotify using iPhone.

So who has actually hooked this thing up??

Lastly, I know some are modifying their airport express and using it as wifi base but can the same thing be done with an apple tv unit???

[kaigoss69]

Yes you can also use an ATV, just the setup is a bit different since you need a tv hooked up to adjust the settings.

[cdgatti]

wouldn't you also have the same power conversion issues with the ATV? If so, Airport Express makes more sense to me.

[mact3333]

I only asked cause I have an extra Apple TV laying around I am not using but if its more complicated to use when compared to airport express, then I would prob go with AE or TP Link Router.

[AMG KLR]

Originally Posted by mact3333

I only asked cause I have an extra Apple TV laying around I am not using but if its more complicated to use when compared to airport express, then I would prob go with AE or TP Link Router.

It will plug and play right out of the box. Customizing the wifi network name and airplay name requires command line

[Tashii_CakezZ]

So I found this thread and this product looks interesting, I just have 2 questions for those who have this installed.

1. Will I be able to see the song info on my screen (non nav setup)

2. Will we be able to utilize the steering wheel functions?

Thanks in advance guys :-)

-Tia

[alexwhittemore]

Originally Posted by SryOffcr25

So I found this thread and this product looks interesting, I just have 2 questions for those who have this installed.

1. Will I be able to see the song info on my screen (non nav setup)

2. Will we be able to utilize the steering wheel functions?

Thanks in advance guys :-)

-Tia

No and no, sadly. If you want those things, I can't recommend the Tune2air WMA-1000 enough.

[Tashii_CakezZ]

Originally Posted by alexwhittemore

No and no, sadly. If you want those things, I can't recommend the Tune2air WMA-1000 enough.

Darn, Ok thanks!

Do you know if the Tune2air compresses the music files? Or would the quality be like using the airplay device?

[tman]

So anyone tried it in your car and how does it sound?

[dwells]

One major issue I see with this - since you're connected to the device's wifi network, you're now unable to get data on your phone. It'll try to do everything through the wifi connection which won't actually be connected to the internet and won't utilize your cellular data connection. That means no receiving iMessages, email, no streaming radio apps, etc.

[alexwhittemore]

Originally Posted by SryOffcr25

Darn, Ok thanks!

Do you know if the Tune2air compresses the music files? Or would the quality be like using the airplay device?

Even airplay uses compression, it's just lossless. If you mean "does the Tune2Air use lossy compression," the answer is yes. But the quality is satisfactory, better than virtually any other A2DP device I've ever used.

Originally Posted by dwells

One major issue I see with this - since you're connected to the device's wifi network, you're now unable to get data on your phone. It'll try to do everything through the wifi connection which won't actually be connected to the internet and won't utilize your cellular data connection. That means no receiving iMessages, email, no streaming radio apps, etc.

If you're using an up-to-date iPhone (which you must be, if you're using AirPlay, after all), it's smart enough to recognize that there is no WAN routability on the wifi connection, and it'll use cell data.

[rogersmj]

Originally Posted by dwells

One major issue I see with this - since you're connected to the device's wifi network, you're now unable to get data on your phone. It'll try to do everything through the wifi connection which won't actually be connected to the internet and won't utilize your cellular data connection. That means no receiving iMessages, email, no streaming radio apps, etc.

+1 I was just about to post the same thing. Not having a data connection on the phone would kind of suck. While I love the quality of Airplay, probably better to use a Bluetooth device to support wireless streaming for this reason.

[alexwhittemore]

Originally Posted by rogersmj

+1 I was just about to post the same thing. Not having a data connection on the phone would kind of suck. While I love the quality of Airplay, probably better to use a Bluetooth device to support wireless streaming for this reason.

See above. Not a problem.

[Tashii_CakezZ]

Thanks for the help!

[dwells]

Originally Posted by alexwhittemore

If you're using an up-to-date iPhone (which you must be, if you're using AirPlay, after all), it's smart enough to recognize that there is no WAN routability on the wifi connection, and it'll use cell data.

I'll be damned, I had no idea it did that.

How's the boot time with this setup? I'd thought about doing the same with a RaspberryPi and Shairport, but didn't like the 15+ second boot time.

[rogersmj]

Originally Posted by alexwhittemore

See above. Not a problem.

Cool, didn't know it worked like that now...guess I haven't been in that situation for awhile, I just remember that at one point iOS wasn't that smart.