Best choice for iPad Pro 2018 usb-c-TO-HDMI for screen mirroring?

[MasturB]

Does Apple have anything official for me to use?

This is my first iPad purchase of any kind. I need screen mirroring for presentations at work. So I'm not sure what cables or adapters I need to purchase. Not sure if Apple had anything 1st Party or I just go the Amazon route and pick up a USB-C>>>HDMI-Male cable and it works no issues.

Sorry if this was already asked. Thanks.

 

[akash.nu]

You’ll find plenty of USB C to HDMI converter on amazon.

 

[Donka]

This is the official option but I would go on Amazon or similar and find a cheaper alternative.

https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/MJ1K2ZM/A/usb-c-digital-av-multiport-adapter?fnode=91

 

[MasturB]

This is the official option but I would go on Amazon or similar and find a cheaper alternative.

https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/MJ1K2ZM/A/usb-c-digital-av-multiport-adapter?fnode=91

I may just go with a straight braided cable.

The dongle would be hanging while I'm holding it during the presentation and drawing/writing. A durable braided cable probably would just be the better option.

 

[akash.nu]

I may just go with a straight braided cable.

The dongle would be hanging while I'm holding it during the presentation and drawing/writing. A durable braided cable probably would just be the better option.

I think depending on where you are presenting, investing in a used  Tv might be worth it. This lets you present via the tv and at the same time because it’s wireless you can move around with the iPad yourself.

 

[MasturB]

I think depending on where you are presenting, investing in a used  Tv might be worth it. This lets you present via the tv and at the same time because it’s wireless you can move around with the iPad yourself.

I know. But if the Wifi signal is weak there is a bit of lag. Also some hotel rooms the wifi isn't consistent. But I have considered that option.

What would be the used model to look at? Since I'd only be using it for traveling I dont need to get the latest and greatest obviously. I just need something that airplay will work fine over. Less space it takes up the better obviously.

 

[darkarn]

I know. But if the Wifi signal is weak there is a bit of lag. Also some hotel rooms the wifi isn't consistent. But I have considered that option.

What would be the used model to look at? Since I'd only be using it for traveling I dont need to get the latest and greatest obviously. I just need something that airplay will work fine over. Less space it takes up the better obviously.

Apple TV 4 or even an Apple TV 4K will do fine; can't vouch for older models though

Also be advised of the following when using HDMI dongles:
1. Make sure your HDMI cables are of proper quality and certified to handle higher HDMI specifications. I noticed that the Apple USB C to HDMI dongle is very picky about it; if you use bad/non-certified cables (that other things like the Lightning to HDMI dongle are ok with) either you get no sound or discolored video.
2. The HDMI dongle will get hot, and maybe your iPad too depending on what's being displayed. This is so as your iPad needs to do some computing work to create the HDMI signal
3. The HDMI dongle will use up a lot of power so be sure to have some form of USB PD power source
4. The HDMI dongle will give HDMI output regardless if any HDMI cable is connected. This means it may eat up power unnessarily if you are using the HDMI dongle for other ports like Gigabit Ethernet or USB sound card
5. Ultimately, the HDMI output of a dongle will have some kind of black bars around it that you cannot remove while the Apple TV allows you to remove those black bars from its HDMI output. These black bars are not the ones introduced by these new iPad Pros; for those bars you need to wait for app developers to update their apps.

 

[akash.nu]

I know. But if the Wifi signal is weak there is a bit of lag. Also some hotel rooms the wifi isn't consistent. But I have considered that option.

What would be the used model to look at? Since I'd only be using it for traveling I dont need to get the latest and greatest obviously. I just need something that airplay will work fine over. Less space it takes up the better obviously.

A 3rd gen should do the job fine. Although depends on what you find in the second hand market. If the difference between a 3rd and a 4th gen is negligible then go for the newer model.

 

[MasturB]

A 3rd gen should do the job fine. Although depends on what you find in the second hand market. If the difference between a 3rd and a 4th gen is negligible then go for the newer model.

Another question I have, is for when I'm staying in hotel rooms while traveling.

If I'm staying at an AirBnB it usually has WiFi so Airplay works fine usually for what I need to do. But at some hotel rooms, the WiFi-Login process can be a bit difficult sometimes (requiring browser login) so I could foresee relying on an Apple TV might be an issue.

If I had a travel router with me, I don't need to be connected to the internet to use Airplay correct? The iPad Pro or my MBP would just be sending the Airplay traffic through the router to the Apple TV? Don't actually need to be connected to the Hotel's internet via ethernet or WiFi to make Airplay work in that instance?

If so, I may just try to find a used Airport Express, or just get a used router on craigslist/facebook marketplace to travel with me in my checked-in bag.

 

[akash.nu]

@MasturB you can use one of the small travel routers from amazon.

HooToo Wireless Travel Router, USB Port, High Performance- TripMate Nano (Not a Hotspot) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00I00J8DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_GZx8Bb2TVPQN5

 

[BeatCrazy]

I have the Apple version. It works well (better than all 3rd party versions I’ve tried), and you can charge at the same time.

 

[MasturB]

@MasturB you can use one of the small travel routers from amazon.

HooToo Wireless Travel Router, USB Port, High Performance- TripMate Nano (Not a Hotspot) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00I00J8DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_GZx8Bb2TVPQN5

Thanks.

I don't need to be connected to the internet/Apple Servers to use Airplay/Screen mirroring with that Travel router correct?

The way Airplay works it's basically

Apple TV>>HDMI out to HDTV
Apple TV>>Connect to router via ethernet cable or wirelessly

iPad Pro/iPhone>>Connect to router wirelessly via screen mirroring option in iOS.

Select Airplay on Mac/iOS device and AppleTV should receive signal from Router, regardless of whether or not the router is actually connected to the internet, correct?

My main use will be for screen mirroring over Airplay. I'm a sports coach, and we travel to tournaments every week. We record and film matches and then I usually analyze them over the big screen TV in the room we're staying in. I've been doing that with my Macbook Pro via lightning to HDMI for a year while playing the video in quicktime or whatever. But since I have an iPad Pro it will allow me to play the videos from the GoPro and analyze and make notes with the Apple Pencil and draw on the screen at the same time. I've used Airplay at a friend's house before for screen mirroring so I know there's a bit of delay/lag when screen mirroring videos, but as long as the travel router can handle the data bandwidth required to play the HD video with no hiccups while I'm writing on the iPad Pro with the pencil, that's my biggest concern.

 

[MasturB]

Apple TV 4 or even an Apple TV 4K will do fine; can't vouch for older models though

Also be advised of the following when using HDMI dongles:
1. Make sure your HDMI cables are of proper quality and certified to handle higher HDMI specifications. I noticed that the Apple USB C to HDMI dongle is very picky about it; if you use bad/non-certified cables (that other things like the Lightning to HDMI dongle are ok with) either you get no sound or discolored video.
2. The HDMI dongle will get hot, and maybe your iPad too depending on what's being displayed. This is so as your iPad needs to do some computing work to create the HDMI signal
3. The HDMI dongle will use up a lot of power so be sure to have some form of USB PD power source
4. The HDMI dongle will give HDMI output regardless if any HDMI cable is connected. This means it may eat up power unnessarily if you are using the HDMI dongle for other ports like Gigabit Ethernet or USB sound card
5. Ultimately, the HDMI output of a dongle will have some kind of black bars around it that you cannot remove while the Apple TV allows you to remove those black bars from its HDMI output. These black bars are not the ones introduced by these new iPad Pros; for those bars you need to wait for app developers to update their apps.

A 3rd gen should do the job fine. Although depends on what you find in the second hand market. If the difference between a 3rd and a 4th gen is negligible then go for the newer model.

Quoting you guys in this because you've been attempting to help me.

So basically, I got an Apple TV to do Airplay... and if anything Airplay on TV OVERdelivered of what I wanted it to do.

So here is what my iPad Pro screen looks like. For multi-tasking, I want to be able to show my clients the video on the left, and I have notability on the right (it's a tennis court layout I can draw on)

However once I pressed play on the video... I wasn't expecting this to happen.

So instead of actual true screen mirroring, Airplay is actually foregoing the screen mirroring and just filling the TV up with the video I'm playing. On my iPad I can still draw on notability on the right side, but I wanted my players to see my notes I'm writing on the TV while the video is playing next to it like in Picture 1 (before I pressed play).

So if I got the USB-C to HDMI-OUT cable would it produce true screen mirroring or would it use the entire screen like Airplay does? That would defeat the purpose of me wanting to keep the iPad Pro wireless and do my analysis presentation style... my MacBook Pro lightning to HDMI is true screen mirroring obviously.

Maybe there's a 3rd party video app I can download that will keep the multi-tasking on the screen without taking up the entire screen with the video playback?

 

[Dammit Cubs]

You can buy something from amazon - since dongle life has been around for a while, there are some good choices.

 

[akash.nu]

So if I got the USB-C to HDMI-OUT cable would it produce true screen mirroring or would it use the entire screen like Airplay does? That would defeat the purpose of me wanting to keep the iPad Pro wireless and do my analysis presentation style... my MacBook Pro lightning to HDMI is true screen mirroring obviously.

When you play something back the player control takes over and iOS assumes that you want to watch the video full screen. I don’t think you can change that behaviour either on airplay or a physical cable.

This is a very specific use-case. Generally during a presentation if there’s a video embedded in the presentation slide, people just want the audience to watch that video.

 

[darkarn]

Quoting you guys in this because you've been attempting to help me.

So basically, I got an Apple TV to do Airplay... and if anything Airplay on TV OVERdelivered of what I wanted it to do.

So here is what my iPad Pro screen looks like. For multi-tasking, I want to be able to show my clients the video on the left, and I have notability on the right (it's a tennis court layout I can draw on)

However once I pressed play on the video... I wasn't expecting this to happen.

So instead of actual true screen mirroring, Airplay is actually foregoing the screen mirroring and just filling the TV up with the video I'm playing. On my iPad I can still draw on notability on the right side, but I wanted my players to see my notes I'm writing on the TV while the video is playing next to it like in Picture 1 (before I pressed play).

So if I got the USB-C to HDMI-OUT cable would it produce true screen mirroring or would it use the entire screen like Airplay does? That would defeat the purpose of me wanting to keep the iPad Pro wireless and do my analysis presentation style... my MacBook Pro lightning to HDMI is true screen mirroring obviously.

Maybe there's a 3rd party video app I can download that will keep the multi-tasking on the screen without taking up the entire screen with the video playback?

Hmm I am unsure since I don't use video apps often. I think you can try VLC and see what happens?