EPR Creations LLC

Doctor’s Office Entertainment System using Apple Products

I recently had the opportunity to set up the entertainment system at a new gynecology doctor’s office in the Atlanta area. The entertainment system includes the following:

• TV in the waiting room
• Music in each of the exam rooms
• Conference room TV setup

I decided to develop a system that could be controlled from an iMac at the receptionist’s desk at the front of the office. From this iMac computer, all videos shown on the TVs and all music playing in the exam rooms will be centrally controlled. And I did this all utilizing Apple products.

Here is a full list of the items purchased for this setup:

• 55″ flat screen monitor for waiting room
• 46″ flat screen monitor for conference room
• Two Bose 3-speaker stereo systems to be connected to these flat screens
• Two Apple TV devices to connect to the two flat screen monitors
• Two Bose wave radios for the two exam rooms
• Two Apple Airport Express devices to connect to the wave radios
• One Apple 22″ iMac computer
• One Apple Time Capsule to be used as a router and automatic backup

The idea here is that all content is stored on the iMac. There are videos and music that the head surgeon wanted available to play on any of the TVs or stereos in the office. Therefore, all music and videos were added to the iMac and added to the iTunes library. From this library, videos and music can be sent to the flat screen monitors using the Apple TVs and music can be sent to the exam rooms. The same song can be played on both TVs and both wave radios so that the same music is playing simultaneously throughout the office. Fun videos like Disney & Pixar movies can also be added to quickly show in the waiting room if children are present.

The first item I installed was the Apple Time Capsule. The Time Capsule functions as a wireless internet router as well as an automatic backup device for the iMac. This is the backbone of the entire system as all Apple TVs and AirPort Express devices will connect to this wireless connection. A Time Capsule is not required, but makes connection a lot easier. Plus, the Time Capsule could also be used as a shared storage device between multiple office computers.

The second item I installed was the Apple iMac computer. I went with the base iMac model for a few reasons. First, the iMac just looks incredible and sets the tone for the office as it is one of the first things a patient will see at the receptionist’s desk. When I installed the iMac, one of the other contractors working in the space just stood there in awe looking at the computer wondering where the hard drive was. Also, the iMac is fast and has the required storage space I needed for all music and videos to be added to the computer for playback throughout the office.

Then, all TVs were mounted with the Bose stereos connected to the TVs and connected to Apple TV. Also, I installed the Bose wave radios in the exam rooms and connected those devices to the AirPort Express devices. AirPort Express allows you to do a couple of things. One, the AirPort Express can actually act as a wireless connection repeater, which will strengthen the wireless signal throughout the office. It also acts as a receptor that the iMac can connect to and dictate the songs being played on the wave radio. The AirPort Express and Bose wave radio are connected using a simple stereo cord.

Next, I opened AirPort Utility on the iMac and set up each of the AirPort Express devices. I named them so that the receptionist would know the exact room where the music was being sent. I named the Apple TVs as “Waiting Room TV” and “Conference Room TV” through the actual Apple TV setup process. I then turned on Home Sharing on the Apple TVs and the iMac so that content could be pulled right from the TV using the Apple remote (instead of pushing all content from the iMac).

The beauty of this system is that everything is integrated. The head surgeon can even bypass the iMac and use an iPhone or iPad to push videos and music to specific devices. The conference room also contains an HDMI & VGA connection so that people can plug their computers directly into the flat screen to show specific presentations or items from their computers. In most other office setups, each TV would be a separate entity and the music system would be completely different. With this solution, everything works together and can easily be controlled from one location (or many if so desired).

Uses of Apple’s AirPort Express

Apple’s AirPort Express serves a number of purposes for its low price of $99. I recently used two AirPort Expresses when a client asked me to add entertainment systems throughout her house. I was able to use the AirPort Express devices to repeat the main WiFi signal in the house as well as to connect a stereo system, allowing the client

You can check out the AirPort Express at the Apple Store.

Here is a list of uses for the AirPort Express:

Router

The AirPort Express’ most basic use is that of a WiFi router. You can pull a signal from a cable- or phone-based system and send a 802.11n WiFi signal through the AirPort Express.

WiFi Repeater / Extender

The AirPort Express can act as a WiFi receiving or a WiFi repeating device. As a receiver, you can control music playlists or send documents to a printer. But as a repeater, you can repeat or extend your existing WiFi signal within your house or building. For example, if the WiFi connection in your house is located in the basement and the signal in the upstairs rooms is weak, you could use an AirPort Express to repeat and extend that WiFi signal, strengthening it for the upstairs rooms.

Remote Stereo Control

The AirPort Express has a audio minijack input allowing you to connect your AirPort Express to your stereo. Once the AirPort Express is set up, you will then see an AirPlay option on any of your Mac-based products or software. You could then play music from any device without wires from any room in your house. If you have multiple AirPort Express devices and/or Apple TV devices around your house, you could play the same or different music on each and every connected device. And you can control all of this from something as small as an iPod Touch.

Remote Printing Device

The AirPort Express also has a USB connection, allowing you to connect a printer to the device. You can then print wirelessly from any device connected to WiFi. You can also print directly from your phone.

Hotel WiFi Router

What happens when you go to a hotel with your iPad and all they have in the room is an ethernet line with no WiFi? Since the AirPort Express is so portable, you can now take the device on your travels and set up your own WiFi connection. Just plug the ethernet cord into AirPort Express and you will be able to access the Internet via WiFi with the same credentials you use at home. You could also open this up to your entire family or other friends traveling along with you.

If you travel a lot or need some of the capabilities listed above, the AirPort Express is a great device at a great price that provides a number of wonderful features.