iPad screen onto TV.

the_rover

Quick question about transferring my iPad screen into a tv and using different VR systems, i.e zwift and fulgaz.

Currently I use a bkool pro with an iPad 3 with an ant+ thingy plugged into it. It works great but as it's the iPad 3 I'm limited to bkool however I've got a new iPad 2017 coming so I want to try different VR systems.

As far as I can see I'll still need the ant thingy plugged in for the bkool to pick up the iPad but to do this I'll need a 30pin lightening connector but that doesn't seem to have any way of plugging an hdmi cable into it to transfer the screen onto my TV
Lots of prattling on for a simple question which is, do I need an Apple TV box for this to work?

Hopefully that makes sense!

Cheers Stuart.

navrig2

Research Chromecast. It works for some apps on Ipads (Netflix, Google music, Youtube). I am not sure of it can cast the Ipad screen or not. Just remember that if it does then you will need the IPad to have sufficient charge for the whole session as it's screen will have to stay on and display the VR app.

You will also need a wifi connection to connect the IPAD to the Chromecast which will be connected to your TV HDMI port.

A Chromecast will cost about £35 from Currys or on line.

timothyw

Fairly certain iPads can't mirror onto Chromecast - you need an Apple TV, although it can be an old one - a new Apple TV would be overkill (and can run zwift directly I believe).

the_rover

Thanks for the replies, I thought Apple TV was the answer but wanted to confirm. Nice to know an earlier model will work as even used prices seem high!

Cheers.

bendertherobot

I'm looking into the Apple Tv and screen solution. You need an Apple TV that can do apps and has the newer remote? So I read yesterday, anyone confirm? Limited to 2 connections too, so HRM + trainer?

StillGoing

bendertherobot wrote:

I'm looking into the Apple Tv and screen solution. You need an Apple TV that can do apps and has the newer remote? So I read yesterday, anyone confirm? Limited to 2 connections too, so HRM + trainer?

You only need the new Apple TV (or one with the useless black remote) if you want the Zwift app. I use an old Apple TV to connect the iPad when using any of Zwift, TrainerRoad or My E Training. For Sufferfest you need an ANT+ connection so I do that through a PC linked to the big screen via a HDMI cable or with an ANT+ dongle in the iPad. That way, I can connect as much as I like via ANT+.

bendertherobot

Yes, I meant Zwift. So you need at least the new Apple TV (or 4k if that's what you want).

I might invest in this as the Apple TV has an ethernet port, it will be next to power point in garage, so can use homeplugs)

grahamcp

If you haven't seen them, Shane Miller has got one or two vids about the different Apple TV versions

e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KVkjmeW6AM

the_rover

Grahamcp wrote:

If you haven't seen them, Shane Miller has got one or two vids about the different Apple TV versions

e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KVkjmeW6AM

Thanks Graham, I've watched a few of his vids which I really like. One of my doubts was that he wasn't using a bkool trainer and I need to use the ant+ dongle with my iPad.
In any case I've ordered the lightening adapter and I'm in the process of buying an Apple TV box.
Hopefully I'll be zwifting or using fulgaz later in the week.

Cheers.

EBEB

You don’t need to spend the £ on an Apple TV. There are cheaper android boxes with airplay mirroring and I use an app called ‘reflector’ from the Play Store on my android TV. I think it was £3. They don’t do the complex AirPlay well and there are copyright issues with TV stuff, but for simple mirroring it is perfect. Particularly cheap if you know Chinese and can use an operating system only in simplified Chinese. Also at least the current Apple TV doesn’t have a USB port.

As regards the ANT+ dongle - it depends if you care about occasional brief dropouts. I use a 4iiii viiiiva ANT+ to BT bridge and it is adequate for most rides other than FTP tests (and even then you can remove the 0s and reaverage). It doesn’t do reverse bridging with F-EC control, although lots of trainers are BT controllable too.

the_rover

Thanks for the post EBEB.

The update so far -
New iPad works much better than the iPad 3 which it’s replaced, admittedly it was at its full capacity but everything just works better. The videos on Bkool are very clear which bodes well for fulgaz which I’m going to try later this week.
I bought a new genuine lightning 30pin adapter from eBay which was cheap and my wahoo ant + connector works fine with it, a used Apple TV box also arrived today.
Times been against me to try the Apple TV fully but it connected to my WiFi and then mirrored to the iPad just as easily and I was able to get a decent picture on the TV.

The next stage is how I’m going to mount the tv. I was going to buy a tripod due to how I’ve got the garage set up but I can see it getting knocked over by a clumsy 5yr old! Plus I’ve got to put my fan somewhere and have the tablet close so I think I’m going to make a wooden frame and hang it from the wood beams and then attach the TV using a bracket I’ve bought. I’ll then use a small tv table underneath for the fan and tablet.

Boring update but it may help someone else in a similar position.

Cheers.

bendertherobot

When you say the Apple TV mirrored the iPad to your TV.......if you're Zwifting, just connect the Apple TV with App, to your TV.

Or is it older than an ATV4?

the_rover

bendertherobot wrote:

When you say the Apple TV mirrored the iPad to your TV.......if you're Zwifting, just connect the Apple TV with App, to your TV.

Or is it older than an ATV4?

I haven’t got your money, it’s an old 3rd generation.

I’m going to give Zwift and fulgaz a go over the next couple of weeks and work out which to go with as I already have a subscription for bkool. I think all 3 might be a bit daft.

bendertherobot

Ah, right, I went the CEX route again, getting a 4 for £85. Which is nice!

bendertherobot

Just to say that, mirroring is definitely superior to the HDMI option on some things.

So, Fulgaz, for example, goes wide screen if you mirror but stays 4.3 if you don't. Also shifts some of the graphics round.

And, obviously, the Zwift app natively on the ATV4 is widescreen, and rather good.

the_rover

bendertherobot wrote:

Just to say that, mirroring is definitely superior to the HDMI option on some things.

So, Fulgaz, for example, goes wide screen if you mirror but stays 4.3 if you don't. Also shifts some of the graphics round.

And, obviously, the Zwift app natively on the ATV4 is widescreen, and rather good.

I’ve only used HDMI once with a borrowed laptop just to try Zwift and it was fine.
Fulgaz via mirroring using a 3rd gen Apple TV on a 32in tv is great and that’s why I’m looking to buy another smart trainer as the Bkool just won’t work well with FG but that’s another story.

I did a lap of Richmond Park on Bkool via mirroring and had to switch it to the 3D version as it was making me feel dizzy! Of course that’s mainly due to the filming but it was awful on the big screen.

Lastly, sufferest is also very good via mirroring. I really like this program but Im very aware that whilst I’m not 100% at the moment it could be counter productive to use given that I struggle to take things easy!