How do I get ipad and unsmart TV talking, for ondemand TV?

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NadjatheVampire

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#272505 28-Jun-2020 13:22

Hope I’m posting on the right forum.

We have an unsmart but HDMI TV which we’d like to use with an ipad pro 2nd gen (2018) We have an amazon firestick we use for certain services but can’t get all of the ones we like to use.

I bought a non-Apple HDMI-lightning dongle, no luck there. Can get sound but no picture. The ads work fine! Have tried TVNZ app, All4/ITV apps (with VPN). Can’t stream from Safari to the TV with it either it would seem. Nor can I with Firefox. Assume HDCP is the issue.

So I think my next set of options is to shell out for the $99 real Apple HDMI-lightning dongle for which I don’t see many great reviews, or try Apple TV, which has the advantage of fewer wires. I don’t think we’d need the latest version and I see plenty on trademe.

Has anyone had much luck with either option please? I see Apple TV as mostly a wireless link between the ipad and the box, with the ipad providing the content, as I can get the apps I want to work on the small screen so just want to beam them to the big. My concern would be delay/buffering... speed basically!

Plan C, or maybe it’s D, is to plug the HDMI into a windows laptop....

Thanks in advance.

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1879 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2513897 28-Jun-2020 13:49

Recently bought the genuine lighting HDMI adaptor for video calls at work - also lacks sound to the TV but haven't investigated this properly yet. Apple TV probably safer

3puttssuck

638 posts

Ultimate Geek

Subscriber

#2513905 28-Jun-2020 14:15

I recently did just this with my parents dumb tv and iPad. Chrome cast. Plug & play. Worked 100% perfect first time with TVNZ On Demand app on iPad.

FineWine

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Nurse (R)

Lifetime subscriber

#2513955 28-Jun-2020 15:34

There are a few avenues here:

1. Purchase a ChromeCast (approx $70) plug that into a spare HDMI port on the back of the TV. Download the Google Home app for iPad set it up. In all apps that support Casting there will appear the Google Casting symbol (TVNZ OnDemand, Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video etc) BUT NOT TV+.

2. For TV+, on the cheap, download and install the Google Chrome Browser for PC or mac, log into TV+ start watching it within the Chrome Browser and follow these instructions. Awkward and clumsy. Though marginally better if you are casting from a laptop as opposed to a desktop.

3. Purchase an TV box (4k=$299 or HD=$249) and that will do 99% of what you want to do. Download the TV+ app to your iPad if it is not already there. If you buy an Apple hardware product at the moment you get 12 months FREE TV+ subscription. After that it costs NZ$8.99/mth.

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davidcole

4894 posts

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#2514070 28-Jun-2020 17:15

Chromecast is the cheapest option. Most iPad apps worth their salt will support that. Certainly most of the NZ ones do.

Or she’ll out for an Apple TV, and mostly ignore the iPad for tv content as there are native apps for most things.

But if there wasn’t an Apple TV app, then you can air play. I think an Apple tv is a much better long term option as you get a remote.

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BlakJak

765 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#2514086 28-Jun-2020 18:41

Another vote for Chromecast. Have just done this at home, pretty useful.

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scuwp

3303 posts

Uber Geek

#2514123 28-Jun-2020 20:16

Vote here for an Apple TV. I didn't think I needed one, until I brought one, then wondered how on earth I have done without it for so long. Got rid of all my other devices now. Have a chromecast in one of my kids rooms, but find it's incredibly flakey and fiddly to get/keep going. Re-starts are commonly needed to get it to connect to an iPad or iPhone. PITA. Apple TV...just works.

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PhantomNVD

2610 posts

Uber Geek

#2514135 28-Jun-2020 20:34

My old appletv2 still works fine still also, so basically ANY AppleTV will do if you get one from trademe 👍

NadjatheVampire

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2514145 28-Jun-2020 21:00

Thanks everyone for the helpful replies, I hadn’t even considered Chromecast, so now I have a few options to consider. Sounds like there is a solution!

davidcole

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#2514149 28-Jun-2020 21:04

NadjatheVampire:

Thanks everyone for the helpful replies, I hadn’t even considered Chromecast, so now I have a few options to consider. Sounds like there is a solution!

they are cheap. But as mentioned, they’re not the most seamless of experiences.

davidcole

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#2514150 28-Jun-2020 21:04

NadjatheVampire:

Thanks everyone for the helpful replies, I hadn’t even considered Chromecast, so now I have a few options to consider. Sounds like there is a solution!

they are cheap. But as mentioned, they’re not the most seamless of experiences.

geekiegeek

2436 posts

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#2514205 29-Jun-2020 07:44

Another vote for Apple TV. It has all the services you mention and with a DNS service like DNS4ME you wouldn't need to use a VPN either, they will all just work. It will basically turn your TV into a smart TV with all the services you could ever want and then you can use your iPad for other stuff at the same time.

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GSManiac

212 posts

Master Geek

#2514208 29-Jun-2020 08:22

Another vote for Apple TV. I have a dumb TV and use my Apple TV daily for all my smart needs. Plus if you buy new, you get a year of Apple TV+, apple’s own streaming service, for free.

I have always found using chromecast annoying and buggy with audio and visuals out of sync.

Handsomedan

2849 posts

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#2514210 29-Jun-2020 08:28

My smart TV is now dumb as its brain expired a while ago.

Apple TV rendered the TV's smarts redundant anyway.

But if you're looking for the cheap option, go with Chromecast as suggested above.

Works most of the time and plays nice with most apps.

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davidcole

4894 posts

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#2514212 29-Jun-2020 08:33

As most people have said, the apple tv is probably the best solution, but understand it's pricy. If you just want to dip your toes in, a chromecast is a good option as it has a real low barrier to entry (price and functionality).

FineWine

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Nurse (R)

Lifetime subscriber

#2514288 29-Jun-2020 10:47

Also note with TV, code has been found in the TVos of an updated TV. Now whether this will be released at the next WWDC in Sept only Apple knows but it pays to just keep that in the back of your mind.

The TV however is well overdue for an update

I for one are hanging out for it.

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