Lightning to HDMI not 1080p, just a converted airplay stream

[bearxor]

I thought this was a pretty big deal to discuss.

http://www.panic.com/blog/2013/03/the-lightning-digital-av-adapter-surprise

The article is short but detailed enough to let you know what's going on. Basically, the Lightning connector can't output 1080p, but instead captures and converts an airplay stream to HDMI. Craziness.

It's not bad enough for me to worry about it, as I don't do anything but airplay to watch stuff on my big TV and its always crap like YouTube videos and never anything important, but it is very interesting and disappointing. I wonder if this means that any device with the lightning connector will never be able to output true 1080p.

 

[runawayprisoner]

I wonder if this means that any device with the lightning connector will never be able to output true 1080p.

With a cable you mean?

Because I'm quite sure I'm streaming 1080p directly from my phone to my Apple TV3...

 

[Tegeril]

I'm curious if it's the iPad Mini that can't output 1080p and what happens if that connector is used on a more powerful iPad.

 

[KeithP]

I'm curious if it's the iPad Mini that can't output 1080p and what happens if that connector is used on a more powerful iPad.

I would also be curious if they tried more than one display. It wouldn't be the first time a particular display and source don't get along and limit resolution choice.

The article is interesting but far from complete.

-KeithP

 

[Rakehellion]

Sounds like you want a mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter instead. This adapter looks like it's doing the same thing it would with a USB port.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Sounds like you want a mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter instead. This adapter looks like it's doing the same thing it would with a USB port.

That's because Lightning is a USB port.

Maybe you're thinking of Thunderbolt? The iPad just has the Lightning (fancy USB + Audio) connector.

 

[Rakehellion]

That's because Lightning is a USB port.

Maybe you're thinking of Thunderbolt? The iPad just has the Lightning (fancy USB + Audio) connector.

I was. Oh, those fancy meteorological connectors!

Yeah, you can't expect much video from a USB stream.

 

[gevorg]

Meanwhile, Android used a pencil.

 

[TheStu]

Meanwhile, Android used a pencil.

I know the apocryphal story that you are referencing, but what's your point here? MHL? MiniHDMI?

 

[runawayprisoner]

...The iPad just has the Lightning (fancy USB + Audio) connector.

It's not even audio. It's pure USB... or the equivalence (digital-only connector).

That's why the 30-pin dock adapter has to include a built-in DAC in order to output audio to 30-pin compatible docks.

 

[bearxor]

With a cable you mean?

Because I'm quite sure I'm streaming 1080p directly from my phone to my Apple TV3...

Yes, just over a cable, but airplay through the network has some other issues, like lag time as opposed to a direct video out.

I'm curious if it's the iPad Mini that can't output 1080p and what happens if that connector is used on a more powerful iPad.

Well, if this anonymous comment can be taken with the authority that it seems to be written with:
https://www.panic.com/blog/2013/03/the-lightning-digital-av-adapter-surprise/#comment-16841

Then it seems to be a lightning adapter limitation in general, not a device specific issue. The comment also mentions the airplay protocol isn't involved at all. It also explains what was already kind of known about the lightning connector, that its purpose is to move the actual processing of whatever you want to the adapter instead of having the phone support it which makes more sense in the Apple world.

If we can accept this comment at face value, then the quality over the adapter will be improved and, possibly, 1080p output will be possible in the future with some more efficient software routines.