AirPlayit 1.8

AirPlayit is an interesting multimedia streaming solution. It is a multi-platform application; there are versions available for Windows and Mac OS X. There are two components that comprise this application. First, there is a server app that gets installed on your Windows or Mac computer. Then, you have to install a "client" on the device that you want to stream video to. There are client apps available for the iPhone, iPad and Android devices.

On your Mac, you have to tell the application what folders you want to share. You can add as many as you want, and you can even add your iTunes Playlists if you want to. After that is done, you might want to re-start the server for the settings to take effect. The client app will then detect a running server on your home network and show you a list of all the files available within the folders that you chose to share. From your client device, you can select the file that you want to play and it will start to be streamed to you. If the file needs to be converted, AirPlayit can handle that on the server end, and then stream the converted file.

In my testing, I downloaded the iPhone client and it found the server instantly. I then proceeded to select a file that needed conversion and after a few seconds it started playing on my iPhone. I didn't experience any slow-downs or buffering. I am very satisfied with this app, and I will keep it on my Mac for those moments when I want to watch a video on my library when I am away from home.