Interesting new $45 music streaming box with DLNA & Airplay (and Wifi Extender!)

[Kaido]

Veetop HiFi AirMusic Box:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MBPOHYW/

Simple and Easy To Use:

* iOS devices can simply use the exisiting AirPlay feature on the devices, No Apps downloads required! also able to stream audio from internet based Apps (Spotify etc).
* Android devices need Free Apps - AirShare (Recommended), BubbleUPnP etc
* Easy to set internet WiFi hotspot, it will connect automatically once set.

* Support most of media play Apps with DLNA or Apple AirPlay protocols, such as iOS Music Airplay,BubbleUPnP, iMediaShare,AirShare,Allshare and more. Support Multi-room streaming with Whaale App.

* Compatible with iOS (All iPhones 5S,5C,5,4S,3GS,3G,iPads,iPad minis, iPod Touch,Mac), Android (Smartphones & Tablets), Windows(Phones/Laptop/PC). (Your devices must be with WiFi and music Apps Apple Airplay/DLNA Supported)

* As WiFi extender/bridge, extend your WiFi signal. The HiFi AirMusic Box is easily connected to your existing WiFi home network. Once connected to your router, it will extend the WiFi signal wherever it is placed, and is also accessible by any device connected to your whole home WiFi network, meaning any device, anywhere in your home, can stream audio to it. Once connected your existing WiFi network, you are also able to browse the internet at the same time as streaming audio to the receiver.

Pros:

* Cheap (half the price of an Airport Express)
* Acts as Wifi extender
* Has both minijack (headphone) & SPDIF optical output (Monoprice has Coaxial Digital Optical converters if needed)
* Includes USB cable for power, as well as a minijack cable and a minijack-to-RCA (red/white phono) cable
* Available in white or black

Cons:

* No Ethernet input
* A/C adapter not included (BYO USB wallplug)
* Make sure you enable WPA Wifi Protection after installation so that the repeater portion is also password-protected (reviewer pointed that out)
* Apparently you have to use a QR code in the instructions to load the app (doesn't show up in a store search according to a reviewer)

Reviews are excellent; I'll throw one of these in my Christmas stocking this year & see how it pans out. I've been looking for an inexpensive Airplay receiver and this looks like the ticket - everything else I've looked at is pretty much garbage outside of the $99 Airport Express. I would have preferred that it have Ethernet input (so if you change your Wifi password, you don't have to reconnect multiple devices), and also that it had Bluetooth input, but one can only wish. And of course, check out Airfoil for PC/Mac/iOS for lots of cool Airplay stuff:

https://www.rogueamoeba.com/airfoil/

 

[harobikes333]

I just read through it on Amazon. I'll pass for now. An Ethernet input would make it an actual "bridge" IMO Also, no power supply?... come on now guys... geesh

I don't have anything that uses Airplay so I'll have to wait for your review!

 

[Kaido]

I just read through it on Amazon. I'll pass for now. An Ethernet input would make it an actual "bridge" IMO Also, no power supply?... come on now guys... geesh

I don't have anything that uses Airplay so I'll have to wait for your review!

I've been mulling it over - it's a good deal, but I'm not sure I'm gonna bite. I'm doing the final piece of my whole-house audio test setup over the Christmas break (DIY in-ceiling subwoofer); my overall goal is to have a 2.1 setup in every room with Airplay control using Airfoil, but I think I'd rather have a dedicated Ethernet port on the Airplay receivers so that I don't have to reprogram the wireless ones every time I change my wifi password.