AirPlay from iPad Logistics

[TrackZ]

Consider the following activity:

1. Use Videos app on iPad to access an iTunes Library on a local computer via Home Sharing.
2. Start playback.
3. Airplay to Apple TV 3.

Assume that the video has both AAC 2 ch and AC3 5.1 audio tracks. Also assume that ATV also has home sharing access on the same computer.

Once playback begins:

1. Will the ATV output the AC3 audio track?
2. Will the video/audio stream actually go from computer->iPad->ATV or will it circumvent the iPad and stream directly from computer->ATV?

Thanks!

 

[thejadedmonkey]

I'm not sure about 1, but I know 2 for certain: It'll go from iTunes on the computer right to the Apple TV. You can even turn the iPad off once you start your music, and it will keep playing. The only problem is that since it's being "pushed" from the PC to the TV, the remote won't work.

 

[waw74]

in some quick testing.

• laptop and aTV hardwired to network
• ipad on wireless N.
• video file has both 5.1 DD, and 2.0 ac3 track
• I can monitor bandwidth being used on each link (wired or wireless)

on ipad, via shared library, to aTV3
-only works with mirroring enabled (otherwise you get sound only) so no go from iPhone 4 (without the S) or first iPad.
-you can power off the screen or lock the device, but if you go to home screen, it stops playback.
-stereo track played.
-minimal wireless activity, small bumps going out to iPad, probably keeping the playback display in sync. so streaming directly from laptop.

on ipad in internal library to aTV3.
you can start playback and go on to do other things, in much the same way as if you're playing music, you can go to safari with music in the background.
-5.1 track played.

from iTunes (you could use the remote.app to do this)
5.1 track played.