Set Up Home Sharing on Apple Devices - Guide
Apple's Home Sharing: Streaming iTunes Content
After a considerable wait, Apple has integrated the ability to stream content from your iTunes library to your devices. This functionality is now available on Macs and PCs, and compatible with the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, 4th generation iPod touch, and both iterations of the iPad.
Previously, users relied on third-party applications to achieve this. SimplifyMedia was a pioneer in iTunes music sharing, but the release of iOS 4.3 introduced Home Sharing.
How Home Sharing Works
Home Sharing allows you to stream your iTunes library wirelessly through your home WiFi network. This provides a convenient way to access your music, movies, and TV shows on multiple devices.
The implementation of Home Sharing streamlines the process, eliminating the need for external software for local network streaming.
Limitations of Home Sharing
Despite its convenience, Home Sharing has a key limitation. Currently, it does not support sharing your iTunes library beyond your local network.
If you require access to your library remotely, an alternative solution is necessary.
Zumocast: Remote Access to Your iTunes Library
For users who need to share their iTunes library outside of their home network, Zumocast provides the required functionality.
This application enables remote access to your iTunes content, extending the reach of your digital media collection beyond the confines of your WiFi network.
Therefore, while Home Sharing offers a streamlined experience for local streaming, Zumocast remains a valuable tool for broader accessibility.
Configuring Home Sharing for Apple Devices
To utilize the Home Sharing feature, ensure you have the newest iteration of iTunes 10.2 installed on either your Mac or Windows PC. Additionally, your iOS device must be running iOS 4.3 or later. Note that the iPhone 3G is not compatible with this latest iOS version.
Within iTunes, navigate to Preferences > Sharing and activate the "Home Sharing over Local Network" option. For users with extensive iTunes libraries, consider limiting the shared content to improve access speed on remote devices.
A password can also be required for enhanced security of your connection. Sharing your library is also possible with iTunes running on other Mac or Windows computers on your network.
On your iOS device running iOS 4.3 or newer, launch the Settings application and select iPod from the Settings menu. You will then be prompted to enter your Apple ID and password to enable Home Sharing on the device.
With iTunes running on your networked computer, open the iPod application on your iOS device and choose Library. Your iTunes library will then be selectable from the top of the left-hand column.
When streaming to an iPad or iPod touch, the Videos app may be necessary to view movies, TV shows, music videos, and video podcasts originating from your computer.
Within your streamed iTunes library, you can organize and browse content by Songs, Artists, Albums, Genres, and Composer. The menu bar at the bottom of the streaming library provides these navigation options.
Any ratings assigned to streaming music on your iOS device will be synchronized and reflected in the library on your primary computer. This ensures consistency across all your devices.
To ensure access to your networked iTunes library even when your computer is in sleep mode, open System Preferences > Energy Saver. Enable the "Wake for Ethernet network access" setting to maintain availability of your library.
Areas for Improvement in iTunes Home Sharing
The introduction of Home Sharing for iTunes and iOS devices represents a significant, though belated, advancement. Nevertheless, the current implementation falls short of its potential and lacks several features that would substantially enhance its usability.
Currently, Home Sharing facilitates the streaming of your entire iTunes library, encompassing playlists, podcasts, audiobooks, and iTunes U content. However, a key limitation exists: the inability to download individual songs or episodes wirelessly to your iOS device.
Consider a scenario where you wish to enjoy a few podcast episodes during your commute, without relying on a WiFi connection. In this instance, you are compelled to either perform a wired synchronization with iTunes to acquire the desired downloads, or navigate the iTunes app on your device and manually download each episode individually.
This process is unnecessarily cumbersome. A logical extension of the streaming functionality would be the ability to select and download content directly to your device.
Despite these existing shortcomings, we are interested in hearing about your experiences with Home Sharing. Please share your feedback and let us know how the feature is functioning for you.
