

The video file needs to be transferred into the Apple TV cache before the video file plays and therefore you will experience some waiting time. Video streaming utilizes the H.264 mpeg format without compression (except the compression in the actual video file). Music is streamed in the Apple Lossless format at 44100 Hz in up to 2 stereo channels (no surround support so far). Let us start with music and video that is stored locally on an iOS device. Wireless streaming of music from an iPhone to AirPlay enabled speakers is streamed in the Apple Lossless format This includes internet radio and online video streaming services. Use AirPlay to stream music or video found on the internet from the iOS device.Stream music or video stored locally on an iOS device.The music and video elements are a bit more complex because we again have to distinguish between two different scenarios. The delay depends on your WiFi network and the megapixel count of the image file.

Photos are streamed without picture quality loss because the relatively small image file is sent into the cache of the Apple TV box. Here, photos are streamed from an iOS device to the TV screen via the Apple TV box. The photo element is relatively easy to understand. Therefore some things remain unknown but we know enough details to understand the system and the most other elements can be deduced.ĪirPlay (without AirPlay Mirroring) can be divided into three elements: Some elements such as the audio system have been reengineered but that is only one component. How AirPlay worksNo one has been able to fully explain the AirPlay system due to Apple’s very tight control of the technology. Throughout the article we will also refer to iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch as “iOS devices”. AirPlay receivers (Apple TV, AirPort Express and audio system with built-in AirPlay)īelow we take a look at how AirPlay and AirPlay Mirroring works.AirPlay transmitters (such as iPhone/iPad/iPod/iTunes).It is also important to understand that two different AirPlay devices exist: In order to understand the AirPlay system it is necessary to divide it into two components: The rest is quite unique and not available from any other manufacturer today and you need to understand that AirPlay is just not the same as DLNA. It is fundamentally different and only a very small portion of the AirPlay system is similar. But AirPlay bears little resemblance to DLNA. DLNA is incorporated into for example TVs, Blu-ray players, tablets, smartphones and more. Stream video, pictures and music from an Apple device over to the TV screen with AirPlayĪirPlay is often compared to DLNA but there are fundamental differences between the two streaming systemsAirPlay is often compared to DLNA, which is an open system where users can stream music, photos and movies (not games) between devices. AirPlay Mirroring allows you to clone the entire desktop on a Mac or the home screen on an iPhone & iPad to the TV screen. You can also keep the video feed on your iPad and stream only audio to your stereo system. You can for example stream video to an Apple TV or audio to a sound system with built-in AirPlay. AirPlay works in different ways depending on what device you are streaming to. Introduction to AirPlayAirPlay has been developed by Apple and allows users to stream music, movies, photos and games from one Apple device to another AirPlay-enabled device. If you are looking for how AirPlay can be used in everywhere scenarios check out our Apple TV review. In this article we examine how AirPlay works. But how exactly does AirPlay work? How good is the quality when streaming wirelessly and how does AirPlay differ from for example DLNA? FlatpanelsHD will guide you through in this in-depth article.

Later, the system has been extended to support photos and video, and recently also games. In 2004, Apple introduced AirTunes that allowed users to stream wireless music between devices.
