With this set up, you can now keep the Mac running as an available AirPlay device that you can play music through to your heart's content. With AirFoil installed and running iTunes on another system will recognize it as an AirPlay device. This can be done by selecting the active account in the Users & Groups system preferences, then dragging the program to the list in the Log-in Item tab.
#AIRFOIL FOR MAC ON AND OFF WITH AIRPLAY SPEAKER INSTALL#
Install the software by dragging it to your Applications folder from the installation disk image, then be sure to add it to the Log-in Items for the account that is set to automatically log in. With your Mac set up, next install the AirFoil tool from RogueAmoeba ($25 purchase), which will turn it into an AirPlay receiver. This option will allow the system to log in and launch the software needed to turn the system into an AirPlay device. By doing so in the Sharing system preferences, you can access it through another Mac or with a VNC client on a Windows or Linux machine, and be able to configure it over the network.Īnother detail you might consider is to enable automatic log-in, which can be enabled in the Users & Groups system preferences in the "Log-in Options" section at the bottom of the accounts list. While you might attach the Mac to a television to have some sort of display for it, this is optional if you enable Screen Sharing on the Mac. To do this, simply connect the Mac to an audio system or a set of external speakers. AirFoil running will wait for iTunes or another program to use it as an audio device. However, if you are not willing to shell out about $100 or more for a new AirPlay and you have an old Mac lying around (especially a Mac Mini), then one option is to turn it into an AirPlay hub. In general, AirPlay devices are hardware accessories like routers such as Apple's AirPort, or media appliances like the AppleTV.
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If you are on the same wireless network as the device then it will be available to your Mac, iPhone, or iPad to play music via iTunes, or even be used as a general audio appliance for system sounds. Apple's AirPlay feature is a convenient technology for sending audio to various devices.