Scott Hanselman

Awesome. Nice work and writeup.

I purchased a pi as an experimental replacement for the video player on my 360 (original 360 with the loudest fan on the planet inside it). I installed raspbmc on it with the plex server plugin but did not have much joy with it to be honest (music worked, video bombed out all the time). Hopefully the latest version is an improvement but I guess it's still early days! iOS xbmc remote works ok.

David - try the RC4, it's light years ahead of RC3 for video.

Raspbmc RC 4 also now supports HDMI-CEC (thanks to contributions from . What's that? Its a standard supported by most HDMI gear (although generally labeled under a vendor-specific name, e.g. Panasonic Viera Link) that allows components to send _some_ control signals to each other (start/stop playing, change input/channel). So, in theory, Raspbmc could ask your TV/receiver to change to the Raspbmc's input when an AirPlay stream starts.

If the HDMI-CEC option doesn't work out, if your receiver has RS232 or IP control, Raspbmc could implement a 'run this script on stream start' integration point where you ask the receiver to change input yourself.

Well this is timely. I've been looking at AirPlay-enabled receivers not realising that XBMC already supports it. I already have a small ASUS ION PC running XBMC on Ubuntu. So now I just need to enable AirPlay on it. My wife is already familiar with XBMC so no WAF issues too! Thanks!

Shane

Cool. I've been looking for a neat way to play Pluralsight videos in my cinema room. This might do the job.

The only reason for the ethernet is so you can perform updates. So if it works for AirPlay then there isn't really a need for the ethernet right?

Antony - The Ethernet is required for ANY network connectivity (assuming you're not going to use an USB WiFi adapter, which isn't really recommended as it tends to be buggy and suck power) so you'll use Ethernet for everything...it's where updates come from and where the video is streamed through.

Of course, what an idiot I am! I guess xbmc publishes the fact it can accept airplay via bonjour and the iDevice just sends the video to that address.

I only have a single ethernet connection in my cinema room, so I might have to get a port splitter or a switch in there. I'd only be using the AirPlay or the HTPC, never at the same time so a splitter would be okay in this case.

Before you ask, I don't use XBMC on my HTPC.

You've just inspired me to pick up a Raspberry PI.

Kind of disappointed that it's a three week wait though...

You can also try Aerodrom (http://funkyfactory.eu). Aerodrom brings Airplay to Windows.
It lets you seamlessly stream audio, video, pictures and slideshows from your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to your Windows PC using AirPlay technology. No configuration hazzels - it just works!

I was really excited to read this, especially the part where you said "Because any video app within the iOS ecosystem gets AirPlay support".

I was envisioning using the new Amazon instant video app with my Amazon prime account and streaming it to my HDTV via my iPad. Unfortunately, some apps are restricted from using AirPlay, including Amazon's. See this ars post: http://arstechnica.com/apple/2012/08/hands-on-amazon-instant-video-on-ipad-sorely-lacks-airplay-support/

Still, this is very cool and I think I might get on the waiting list for a taste of pi :)

Very nice post--I want one!

Quick question: is there a way to get netflix and/or hulu running, or any of the other content providers out there? I know I'd need an account, but I'd love to get rid of the mac mini hooked up to my television in favor of something like this.

Have you tried using spotify streaming to your rasmbc airplay device? It's still beta.

Nice. I've got a receiver that supports AirPlay and it works well, but only for audio. I've been considering an Apple TV but this sounds better since I think I'd enjoy tinkering with the PI for other things.

@Jim Great to know it supports HDMI-CEC

Scott - Just received my Pi on Monday. Your article was very timely. Loaded up Raspbmc last night and had loads of laugh out load fun with my son playing around with this thing. Absolutely love the Android remote control app; even my wife was impressed.

I suggest NNAF (Non-Nerd Acceptance Factor) in lieu of WAF. In some homes, it's the husband that needs the hand-holding experience!

It is probably cool to control Raspi from an iPad or Android remote app; The TV remote worked perfectly with XBMC

Awesome stuff!

two question though:
1) Is it possible to play back music/video stored on the SD card?
2) I don't have any network where I'm planning on using this setup (Raspi + stereo amp). Is it possible to use the XBMC Remote app if I just buy a usb-wifi adapter? or does it require an already established network?

/Bill

Another option, even cheaper for me, was to install AirBubble on an old Android phone and connect it to my receiver. I was going to recycle the phone anyway, so why not make use of that computing power?

30 minutes after reading this post I was watching video streams from Internet, controlling it from my cell phone!

Kudos to Raspberry Pi foundation, XBMC and Raspmc!

Streaming video is running fine. Can you confirm the music app also works? I see XMBC starting something, but after a few secs nothing will play. iPhone does seem to think it is playing.

A great article. I will be reading your Ethernet wiring series next, as I have a partial closet myself. As for RPi using Raspbmc and iOS 6...I initially had AirPlay working, along with the XMBC remote. I am using an iPhone 4 and RPi Series B.

Suddenly, my iPhone dropped the AirPlay option and I am no longer able to choose AirPlay as an option. The XBMC remote works just fine and my login/password is configured. The RPi is also configured and my iPhone 4 iOS 6 thinks AirPlay is executed...alas, there is nothing.

Anyone else run into this issue? I am on the hunt for Internet input.

Thanks for the article! My workplace has "Raspberry Pi Jams" weekly during the lunch hour where we discuss projects, successes, failures, etc...and XBMC was one of the first, along with PBX and Google Voice accounts.

Hi. Do you have any experience with PPTV app in iPad, and Airplay with Raspberry Pi? When I use PPTV to try watching videos on my TV by way of the Raspberry Pi the screen goes black after the "working" text shows up. Thank you.

Any word on latency between AirPlay video stream via RasPi? Voice sync issues?

I haven't had any issues.

Hey Scott - mine's hanging at "Sending Discover" on first bootup. Wondering if the Pi has to connect via wireless usb dongle or if a wired connection is fine?

It appears as though yours was wired?

Thanks!

Tom - Yes, mine is wired. Can you SSH into your pi? or visit http://raspbmc?

Scott,

I enjoyed your excellent article.

For a while, while reading this, I thought I could use what you describe with my (pre-2008) MacBook Pro. After poking around some more, it appears that AirPlay Mirroring, even for audio-only content (I am thinking iTunes-accessible radio stations here), works only with 2011 and newer Macs.

Is this your understanding?

Thanks,

Michael

I've been thinking about this recently, and a Pi seems like a great idea (for projector use in an education environment - so would be wanting to output on the composite connector).
For network security reasons, I'd want to have wifi running adhoc from the Pi, using a usb wireless adaptor. Has anyone tried this?

What does the interface look like when playing music from your iPhone or iPad music app?

Never seen or used airplay but always been curious about it. Potentially shopping for a new receiver and finding one with it built it can be pricey. Can't say i care ALL that much about the video (although cool) but an affordable wireless way to get my playlists to the receiver is very tempting.

I'm assuming this receiver would support this type of airplay support??

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008CXTX5U

Hi Scott, which version of the iPad do you use?
I´ve got the first iPad and the apple support webpage says you need an iPad 2 to use video via airplay.
Could you tell me more about your experiences and experiences other people around you ?
thanks a lot

Martin - I use an iPad2 and iPad3.

Any support for Netflix? <grin> I had to ask!

Hi Scott,
Great write up. I was at a community dev talk last week that covered the use of mono on a Pi so I've decided to get one. I was also hoping to try something similar to yourself as I too have a similar setup with CAT6 in the house running back to patch panels in a cupboard where my NAS is located.

I was actually thinking of going a step further and locating the Pi right next to the patch panel. The idea of this is in the hope that I could then use some HDMI/CAT6 balun devices or matrix to allow the RaspBMC to be used via any TV in the house.

Hi,
is it possible to use the stereo jack output of the Raspberry Pi for audio and to use hdmi only for video, because my audio system has only a jack and not a hdmi input.
thanks
Linard

@Abhijeet Netflix, Hulu, etc... yes, airplay right from your iDevice!

I love my Pi but it's not enough "wife friendly" and... not nice looking enough... and if I have to buy a nice case... add the power source... the gap between this solution and apple tv is smaller and smaller. The Pi is for me ... apple tv for my wife :p. I wish only to find a good solution use the airplay from my windows computers (airparot it's not bad but... the sound is not in sync)

I installed raspbmc. Things are CLOSE to working, but not quite.

The pi boots to raspbmc... is there a way to stop the launch so I can get to the command line? I need to do so to try some suggested fixes to the other problems

The keyboard and mouse don't work once raspbmc is launched. I can use the iPhone app or the web interface to control things until...

...after a few minutes of using the iPhone-based or web-based remove, it seems like the pi loses it's network connection. It's gone from the list of devices on the router. Pings don't work. Sometimes it seems like it slows down first (ping time gets long and sporadic before going away completely

After just 2 seconds of streaming music over AirPlay the network connection goes

ssh and telnet don't seem to work (even before the network connection goes away)

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Dave, are you running latest version of raspbmc? I don't see any problems you mention here on my setup.

* I can ssh into pi using pi/raspberry as username/pwd.
* My Apple USB keyboard and mouse works fine with XBMC.

I also had some of the problems that people have listed here when I was running an earlier version of RaspBMC. Most problems have gone away since I started over with a newer version. I would suggest starting over rather than letting RaspBMC try to update itself. That worked best for me.

A couple answers to posted questions.

Yes you can play songs and video off the SD card but to keep things simple I have some video and songs on a USB stick that I attach to an open USB port on the Pi.

In the RaspBMC options you can select audio to go out over HDMI or the audio port. This will allow you to connect to a receiver that doesn't have HDMI inputs and send video out to HDMI that is connected to one of your TV's extra HDMI ports

Works great!
Only Q is does anyone know why I can stream video from YouTube but not TV shows I have purchased from iTunes?

Thanks for the write up Scott, it's always great to see people taking these kinds of solutions into their own hands and from what I've discovered - the Pi is the right kind of device for the job!
I wish there was a similar solution for old PowerPC Macs. I have a bunch of "Jobs era" classics around my apartment - A 600 MHz G3 iMac, G4 Cube and a latest-gen iMac G4. Also not too long ago I got a hold of some beautiful receivers and loudspeakers from the 70's - all in very good condition and sound better than anything modern I could buy for the kind of price I got those. After that the next logical conclusion was to hook up the receivers to these Macs so I can play music no matter which room I'm in. Of course this idea wasn't complete as I soon realised that I will have to figure out a way to stream audio to all machines at once. I've looked around the internet to find an AirPlay/AirTunes server app that would run on Mac OS X Tiger (10.4) - a perfect OS for all of these machines. At the time of my research (about two years ago) I found AirServer which had support for Tiger at that time. I went ahead and purchased the app excited that it would be the perfect solution for my setup, but alas the whole thing was a joke. It had terrible audio sync issues, it crashed and had a lot of other issues that were never addressed even though I patiently and naively reported all issues and glitches to the developer hoping he would one day get it right. He never did... Another solution I tried was Rouge Amoebas Airfoil + Airfoil speakers. While that worked mostly well - it still had sync issues, plus it required a host app to send audio to the receiving computers. Again, less than an ideal solution considering it costs money and doesn't really work the way I intended to use it. Important to note that it wasn't a network issue - everything is hard wired and has been quadruple-checked and reconfigured countless times to achieve maximum efficiency. Both of the developers later released updates to their apps - AirServer supposedly fixed the sync issues and Rouge Amoeba also implemented iTunes compatible AirTunes streaming to their Airfoil Speakers app (which I tested on some intel machines and it works flawlessly), but I was enraged to find that both developers dropped support for PowerPC just as they made their apps actually useful! It made me scratch my head and wonder - why would these developers make an app which sole purpose in it's philosophy is to run on hardware that's not actively used and cut support for machines that are ideal for this kind of task. What makes a device like Airport Express or Apple TV great for the job is the fact that it's a passive device that can perform on-demand tasks you would like to take away from your computer - because humans usually divide their habitats in to purpose functional areas. We don't sleep where we work out, we don't eat where we poop, etc, etc. Out comes the only possible and inevitable dimension - the use case for this kind of app is where you have a computer that is either not doing anything or already performing passive (server) functions. All this leaves me wonder as to why these developers choose to unquestionably cut support for these machines that perfectly fit in this scenario - using the potential of an existing device that is no longer the primary machine yet is fully capable of doing something that you would otherwise have to purchase a new device for. I don't know what's wrong with Rouge Amoeba or AirServer but they completely missed out on this one and earn bad karma points for not pointing out and cultivating the usefulness of retired computers. Of course not all is lost and not all is bad and there are those who still think, care and craft for like-minded ones who are occupied thinking, crafting and caring to solve other problems and would like to live a nice life while doing that and help to stop producing more useless stuff along the way.


What's the lesson to learn from this? Geeks, programmes, coders, designers, artists - communicate. A working computer is still a working computer and don't let the big corporations tell you otherwise. Please, give birth to products not by following where the industry is headed or fancy new trends on dribbble, but which instead serve peoples needs in a logical way and ooooh boy, those needs are sooooo not even close to running the latest OSs. The trends set by the industry are blatant consumerism hidden behind words like innovation and revolutionary bearing huge responsibility. It's not as bad as it sounds, but sometimes I feel like some people get too carried away and actually convince themselves of things they don't honestly believe in. Just seen 22 years of the world, but already very very tired.

Thanks for the useful post. This inspired me to buy Raspberry PI and use it as an Air Play Device.

Success so far:
1. Installed Raspbmc via sd card and raspbmc is working fine
2. Air Play is working fine for videos, photos, youtube from my ipad.

Trying to make the below work:
1. My Mac Air is detecting raspbmc device but when i select from itunes dropdown, it doesnt work. Video/Music doesnt play
2. I saw in some videos that i need not be on Itunes to mirror my mac on tv. There was a airplay icon on the menu bar, when clicked used to mirror the mac screen. Somehow that doesnt work for me. Same with Ipad too. Only the Videos, photos, youtube works and not my entire screen.

If anybody has any hints or solutions, please suggest.

Based on further (re)search, i turned off IPV6 on my mac and it worked. Am able to play songs from itunes.

Regd mirroring, looks like raspbmc doesnt support it yet.

Airplay mirroring finally works on raspberry pi, software available soon:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2359972