 Thu, 10 Jan 2008
Airfoil 3 lets you transmit any audio to multiple AirPort Express units, providing perfect synchronization between units. You can now play audio locally too, in sync with remote playback. But that's not all - now you can turn any Macintosh into a virtual AirPort Express, with the complimentary Airfoil Speakers app! Run Airfoil Speakers on any local mac, and it will appear in Airfoil as a standard output. With one click, you can transmit your audio to that machine and other Macs, all in sync and with no AirPort Express required. You can of course sync this with local playback and playback to AirPort Express units as well. It's your audio, everywhere! As if Airfoil Speakers wasn't enough, Airfoil 3 offers a second huge feature - video playback! If you've ever wanted to watch video while using Airfoil, you know that the AirPort Express buffers audio playback by several seconds, resulting in video that's out of sync with the audio. No more! With the included Airfoil Video Player, however, this is no matter. Airfoil Video Player handles playing video locally in sync with remote audio, for the perfect viewing experience. Airfoil Video Player supports all of the most popular video formats, and even features preliminary DVD support! Airfoil 3 also has many smaller updates, including full Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) support, interface improvements, and simplified preferences. You don't need to take our word for it - head over to the Airfoil for Mac page and see what the buzz is about, then download Airfoil 3. New users can purchase for the low price of $25, while Airfoil 2 users can upgrade for just $10. Users who've purchased since July 16th, 2007, automatically receive this upgrade free of charge. Last but not least, if you'll be at Macworld next week, be sure to stop by our booth, #2738 in the South Hall. We'd love to say hi!
Posted by Paul | Permalink
| View/Post Comments (23)
Comments
John Muir
Thu Jan 10 12:36:17 2008 Does Airfoil Video Player support the Perian codec pack? I forever find it to be a (video) lifesaver.  Quentin (Rogue Amoeba Staff)
Thu Jan 10 13:50:54 2008 John - AVP actually has Perian built in, we too found it to be a lifesaver. But in the more general sense, it should work with any QuickTime-based video source as well. We may do a UTM post with more details later.
Dave
Thu Jan 10 14:24:30 2008 Will we be seeing a version of Airport Speakers for Linux? I believe this was strongly hinted at in the past..
jrk
Thu Jan 10 16:26:05 2008 I would hugely support AirFoil Speakers for Linux. All my fixed/wired machines at home and work are PCs and Linux servers, but my life has been on Mac laptops for 4 years now. With AirFoil Speakers for Linux, I'd buy this in a second. Without it -- not owning more Macs or an AirPort Express -- I can't really do much with AirFoil, much as I'd love to...
chubi
Thu Jan 10 17:14:51 2008 I use Airfoil only for 3 days. I was so happy to find it but a bit disappointed that it was not suitable for video playback. It is so great that the update came with a videoplayer!!! Thanx for that. However, since you can find almost every music video on YouTube, I watch a lot of video stuff online. And I cannot download them to watch it with the Air Foil video player. If it would be possible, somehow, to synch audio and video for videos embedded in a webpage I would like to put that on the wishlist for the next Airfoil update.
James Webster
Thu Jan 10 17:33:19 2008 Cool stuff guys, I thought you might end up doing this a few years ago :-) http://www.thenewsbeforethenews.com/2006/01/16/airfoil-n-airport-express-pda-poor-mans-sonos/ Am sure you have thought of this, but Airfoil 3 now really needs a built in webserver to provide an iPhone-optimised interface to control iTunes + other audio players. Then who needs a Sonos?!?! Paul (Rogue Amoeba Staff)
Thu Jan 10 18:13:30 2008 Dave, Reda, jrk: We've definitely never "strongly hinted at" anything for Linux. We've never made Linux software (except our merchandise, which is fully Linux compatible - https://www.rogueamoeba.com/store/merchandise/), nor do we have any plans for it now. This isn't something that's out of the realm of possibility though, particularly as Airfoil Speakers for Windows is something we hope to make in the future. chubi: You mention YouTube, and you certainly can download video from there for local playback. As far as web video in general, this just isn't feasible. Airfoil Video Player works by controlling the video, and that's just not possible with web content. James Webster: Thanks for the praise. Airfoil, Airfoil Speakers, and AirPort Express units definitely make for a nice alternative to the Sonos and other more expensive systems. As far as the iPhone goes, we'll see what happens. Airfoil controlling other players is a pretty huge step. More basic control of both Airfoil and media players via iPhone remote app may make much more sense.
Dave
Thu Jan 10 21:49:17 2008 Paul - perhaps I misspoke, but since the forums have been done away with I can't dig up the posts about it anyway. As an existing Airfoil (2.x) customer I would strongly encourage you to either write a Linux version of Airfoil Speakers, or if you want to make it easy on yourself, release some protocol specs and see if the community will do it for you. MythTV is an extremely popular PVR application in the Linux world and it's starting to make inroads in the Mac world as well. Being able to stream from airfoil to MythTV would be killer.
Zach Marshall
Thu Jan 10 23:19:09 2008 James Webster: You might want to check out Salling Clicker. I use it in conjunction with Airfoil (you can use it to select sources via applescript) and iTunes for the ultimate in control. It works on many mobile devices, though I'm not sure if they have a web only interface for control (I use it on my Windows Mobile phone - gasp!).
Dan Bruno
Thu Jan 10 23:29:35 2008 James Webster: Have you seen Remote Buddy?* It already supports using the iPhone/iPod touch as a multi-function remote control for dozens of Mac apps -- Airfoil Video Player sounds like it would be a natural fit. Here's hoping... * http://www.iospirit.com/remotebuddy/
Tyson Rosage
Thu Jan 10 23:38:41 2008 I'm not sure if there already is an app for linux that does what airfoil does in terms of just audio streaming but there is a hack that could achieve audio syncing with video using VLC player. There is a method in which you can offset the audio so it syncs up with the buffer delay that occurs with an airport express or other audio streaming device. To do this go to the VLC preferences>Input/Codecs>access modules>file. Make sure the advanced checkbox is checked so you can see the "caching value in ms" field. Set this in all modules to something larger than the delay you want (3000 should be ok). After making that adjustment, save your preferences. Now choose a film out of your library and just hit the "F" key during playback until the delay is set to -2650 (beware: this is a MINUS). For some people -2400 will be better, but you should just get to a dialogue scene and watch the lipsync becoming better. SAVE the settings. The adjustment is now all synched up! This of corse is not ideal which would be why the new version thankfully has their own player that does this by default but you the linux people this could be an option.
owen-b
Fri Jan 11 06:24:27 2008 If that video thingy works as advertised, you guys ROCK. That's the reason I always really wanted AirTunes in the first place! :D
TwitterJoe
Fri Jan 11 18:43:19 2008 I would gladly pay for a Linux version of Airfoil 3. Let me know, I'll be first in line.
MrBe
Sat Jan 12 11:40:10 2008 Why don't you publish the communication protocol for Airfoil speakers so that anybody could develop versions for Linux, Windows, VST plugins, ... ?
Resipsa
Sun Jan 13 04:12:38 2008 Fantastic product. I don't have an airport express; however, I do have 2 macs with sound systems attached. Now, I can stream through my whole house.
clee
Sun Jan 13 05:53:17 2008 Just want to throw in my support for a Linux version of Airfoil Speakers - I would love it! I'm buying a copy of Airfoil right now because of this feature - if you guys released a Linux version of Airfoil Speakers, too, that would make me an even more satisfied customer.
Favomodo
Tue Jan 15 04:50:38 2008 Sounds great! Does the videoplayer support subtitles (.srt files)? That would totally make my day...
amber
Tue Jan 15 14:26:14 2008 Yes - any way to play subtitles would be fantastic! (I haven't found it if there is...). Otherwise a superb program - thanks. We've been waiting for this for years
FM76
Wed Jan 16 08:20:30 2008 Just wanted to voice my support for a Windows Version of Airfoil Speakers!!!!!!! And maybe a Web Interface (for us Music Server users). That would make Airfoil the perfect companion to PlayerPal(http://www.playerpal.com/) for remote controlling my music and sending it to all PC's in the house in sync!!!!!!! Looking forward to being a happy paying customer. Keep up the good work!!
C to th L
Wed Jan 30 22:08:16 2008 Thanks for a great great product. I hope you guys have good luck working on airfoil speakers for windows. My question is: will you offer it free of charge as an upgrade to people who have bought airfoil 3 for Mac? I'm not even sure if they could be made cross platform compatible, but I wouldn't think a little speed-bump like that could stop monster truck developers like yourselves. I know a lot of users are in cross platform households and would love that added value. Thanks again.
C to th L
Wed Jan 30 22:08:16 2008 Thanks for a great great product. I hope you guys have good luck working on airfoil speakers for windows. My question is: will you offer it free of charge as an upgrade to people who have bought airfoil 3 for Mac? I'm not even sure if they could be made cross platform compatible, but I wouldn't think a little speed-bump like that could stop monster truck developers like yourselves. I know a lot of users are in cross platform households and would love that added value. Thanks again. This post is archived, and commenting has been closed. |
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We first started work on the newest version of our AirPort Express extender Airfoil over one year ago. Today, we're thrilled to announce that Airfoil 3 is now shipping. Airfoil has always allowed you to send any audio to your AirPort Express, but this update brings with it some major feature updates. They may just knock your socks off, so watch out.
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