Apple iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter
So after taking a look at the Apple Component Cables, when we were given the chance to take a look at the Apple VGA Cable we thought it would be a great opportunity to do a comparison of the two.
Hit the ‘read more’ to find out what we think and see a video of it in action.
First the Good:
The dock connector to VGA cable is a neat little cable (on it’s own). It brilliantly outputs certain apps to a Monitor or projector / presentation system.
If you have Keynote installed then it handles this output brilliantly, as soon as you switch keynote to presentation mode it outputs to the display and gives you handy on screen instructions. It also allows you to use the screen as a virtual red laser pointer, by holding your finger down on the screen.
iPad Keynote Presentation (IMG via TUAW)
Next, the not so good:
I realise that it is just a cable that outputs your iPad display to a Monitor or TV, but it was my understanding (and many others) that it would output what ever was on the display of the iPad. Unfortunately it doesn’t, instead it only outputs apps that have been pre-programmed to allow this. Developers can build this in (a la Chopper 2) but it isn’t automatically enabled.
You would think that Apple’s own apps would have this built in (pages, numbers) but again it doesn’t.
The next thing we noticed is that it wont output HD DRM’d content at all – not even down-scaled to SD. So if you purchase a video in HD from the iTunes Store don’t expect to be able to view it. SD seems to work fine, but not HD.
It doesn’t work with the iPhone or iPod touch, unlike the component cables which do. This is a big miss for this product as they would have probably sold a lot more of them worldwide. It is possible that they will allow it in future releases of the iPhone but at this stage it’s a no go.
Not with iPhone
So what it outputs aside, what is the resolution like? Well again to be honest it’s not brilliant. For the iPad it is supposed to output at a resolution of 720p with the VGA connector, but I personally couldn’t see a great deal of difference between that and the component cables output of 480p. Now I know there is a difference but it didn’t really feel as if it was that noticeable.
Video of VGA cable connect to a TV:
To buy or not to buy?
So when buying this, over say the component cable, you have to ask yourself it it’s really worth it? I guess if you want to connect your iPad to your Monitor then yes of course it is.
If you were buying it as a way to connect to your iPad to your TV at a higher resolution then no it most definitely isn’t.
The VGA Cable is just a Dock connector to VGA adapter. You then have to make sure you also have another VGA cable to plug into the TV / Monitor AND you also need to have a 3.5mm to RCA cable for the audio. Plus on top of all of this you have to make sure the iPad also has enough charge to ensure the battery doesn’t die half way through whatever you are doing (although the iPad battery does last forever!).
It retails at $29.00 US (approx $40NZD plus shipping) and will be available here as soon as the iPad is available. For those of you who have an iPad and were thinking of getting one shipped in so you can connect to an external Monitor or projector / presentation system then it is worth the price tag. If you were wanting it to output as an alternative to the component cable so that you can output to a TV then I would go for the slightly more expensive component cables. At $89 it isn’t a great deal more, plus it charges your device at the same time, you don’t need to fork out for another VGA cable plus an audio cable. it will play you HD DRM’d content (albeit at 480p) and if you have an iPhone you can output from that too.
I would also check to see if your projector / presentation system can handle component cables. If it can, then don’t bother with the VGA at all.
You may have already mentioned it in the component review but just as an FYI and perhaps added incentive to go for the component cables is that they also allow Keynote presentations to be displayed with the same “laser pointer” feature.
(camtab has made 480 comments)
Component cables? I want some! I would love to be able to connect my iPhone to TV and watch videos or movies etc! I couldn’t find them though! I bought a doc which did that, but it isn’t compatible with OS 3.0 and higher…
(Yaman_NZ has made 184 comments)
@ Yaman_NZ:
Yaman please click here where you will find it on the Apple Store online
(Steve Lawrence has made 648 comments)
Great thank you!! I can get points for SmileCite too
(Yaman_NZ has made 184 comments)
OK how about this; get an iPad with a VGA output cable and dock/keyboard. Use an RDP app to connect to a terminal server when at work (or home) to run your windows work environment. No more laptop.
(myopinion has made 63 comments)
@ myopinion: Not sure how this would work?? You would need a bluetooth keyboard if you were using the VGA cable, as it plugs into the dock port so you wouldn’t be able to use the dock.
If you were going to use a dock and no VGA cable then it would be stood in portrait mode (not the best for using RDP apps).
What would the VGA cable be used for? If it is to output what is on the screen to a monitor then it won’t work unless the app developer codes it. Apps only output via the VGA cable if it is coded by the developer.
Why not just use the iPad as the screen and then if you really want a physical keyboard use a bluetooth one. Put the iPad on a horizontal stand for easier viewing and then use your RDP. No need for dock, no need for VGA cable.
I’ve asked the iTap developer if their app supports output to a screen. Basically the idea is to replace a laptop at work and this would only be usable for long periods with a larger screen and bluetooth keyboard.
(myopinion has made 63 comments)
Looks like WinAdmin outputs to an external display – click on “more” at this link:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/winadmin-ipad-edition/id364898965?mt=8#
What’s New in Version 1.0.1
- Resolves an issue with Server 2008 in which you may connect but see nothing but a black screen. Shout out to Don for his help in debugging this problem.
Features planned for upcoming versions:
- Function keys, ALT, SHIFT, CTRL, ESC.
- Output to external displays (projectors, etc.)
- Playback of remote audio.
How about a test? This could be the killer app. (Only available in US at the moment but you just need someone over there to buy it and email to you with their pass)
(myopinion has made 63 comments)
Oops that says planeed future updates…
(myopinion has made 63 comments)
Disclaimer: As an iPhone App developer, let me offer a different view.(*)
The hardware works great, it’s the software that is missing the boat.
By acquiring the VGA Adapter, you now own two monitors. The internal screen, with a resolution of either 640×480 points, or 1024×768 points on iPad ; and an external screen, with its own memory space, and a resolution you can choose from, independently from the device.
So as a developer, you now have two screens to deal with. And basically no tool to work on the second, external one (needless to say, no UI can go there because you can’t tap on your TV, but also very poor mechanisms to draw objects, move windows, etc.
And as a user, it must be confusing to connect the adapter and be left in the dark.
As you aptly pointed out, apps must make the explicit effort to draw on that new screen, which is costly (especially if the two resolutions do not match), cumbersome, and requires a lot of design and integration. Not to mention all the caveats when working with seldom used Cocoa API, poor documentation, and unpredictable failures, such as the cable detached in the middle of a presentation.
In a way, it’s rather difficult for app developers to create apps for that screen, and beyond the need of most users: all they want is to see the iPhone on TV (this was a rather abrupt generalization, just to make a point). I’m a user, and I’d love to have apps developed for dual screens.
Here are 2 examples:
- An immersive game where all of the controls are on the device, and all the action takes place on the big screen. I want the knobs, panels, buttons, widgets to stay put on the iPod, iPhone or iPad, and an immersive world on the projector.
- A web browser where the keyboard, URLs, switches, passwords, and controls stay on the small screen, and where the web page content, unadorned, is presented just like videos on the external screen. Oh wait, I just wrote that:
Web Presentation on the App Store
Having gone through the motions, both as a user and a developer, I will conclude that the discrepancies of expectations and the lack of communication doomed the Apple VGA Adapter. It was an opened gate to amazing immersive software.
(*) As a developer, may I offer this reading suggestion:
http://thegothicparty.com/en/webpresentation
[img]http://www.iphonewzealand.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/web-presentation-app.png[/img]
(Mr.X has made 1 comment)
Video mirroring is supported on iPad 2 or later and iPhone 4S of Apple iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter
(tomohuma has made 1 comment)