Need Tablet Device for LCD projector

[brassburnz]

I bought a used LCD projector to use with my iPad to project movies in the backyard this summer. When looking to purchase a Lightning to VGA adapter, many reviews said they didn't work with certain protected movie sites. When I tried using my 1st gen iPad, sure enough, Netflix and Amazon won't project an image, although Hulu Plus would.

Does anyone have experience with non-Apple tablets like Windows Surface and and LCD projector? At first I thought it was the age of the projector, but reviews on Amazon for the Lightning to VGA said there are problems with newer projectors as well.

Thanks.

[gorn5150]

Your 1st gen iPad is running a real old version of IOS. Do you have a newer model iPod touch or iPhone that you can try to run the streaming from?

The only streaming I've done with my surface pro is to stream the screen to my plasma TV. It works great.

[Peter.Steele]

Your problem is HDCP. Copy protection, in other words.

Lightning (like HDMI) supports HDCP. VGA does not.

In order to connect an HDCP protected stream to a non-HDCP capable display, you need to strip out the copy protection, which is technically a federal crime.

If your projector only has VGA input, you'd probably be best off just getting an old laptop with VGA output and connecting that to it. If you have HDMI input, then use that.

A Windows tablet will probably have HDMI - mine does, and it's a cheap ASUS Atom-powered tablet. It works pretty well, doesn't seem to have any real trouble connecting to devices.

Your 1st gen iPad is running a real old version of IOS. Do you have a newer model iPod touch or iPhone that you can try to run the streaming from?

The only streaming I've done with my surface pro is to stream the screen to my plasma TV. It works great.

1st gen iPad doesn't have Lightning on it.

[soul]

All Surface tablets work fine, even Surface RT

[brassburnz]

My 1st Gen iPad has the older connector. My iPad Mini has the lightning connector, but reviews on Amazon said the connector blocks certain movies as well, so I haven't picked one up. I'd hate to spend $30-50 and still not be able to do what I want to do.

The projector works great with my wife's Windows 7 machine, but it's not as portable as a tablet. If I have to upgrade to a new machine, I'd rather get a tablet over another laptop. I'm thinking about spending $150 or so. I hope I can find something used but not abused for that price point.

Thanks for everyone's input!

Your problem is HDCP. Copy protection, in other words.

Lightning (like HDMI) supports HDCP. VGA does not.

In order to connect an HDCP protected stream to a non-HDCP capable display, you need to strip out the copy protection, which is technically a federal crime.

If your projector only has VGA input, you'd probably be best off just getting an old laptop with VGA output and connecting that to it. If you have HDMI input, then use that.

A Windows tablet will probably have HDMI - mine does, and it's a cheap ASUS Atom-powered tablet. It works pretty well, doesn't seem to have any real trouble connecting to devices.






1st gen iPad doesn't have Lightning on it.

[Peter.Steele]

My 1st Gen iPad has the older connector. My iPad Mini has the lightning connector, but reviews on Amazon said the connector blocks certain movies as well, so I haven't picked one up. I'd hate to spend $30-50 and still not be able to do what I want to do.

The projector works great with my wife's Windows 7 machine, but it's not as portable as a tablet. If I have to upgrade to a new machine, I'd rather get a tablet over another laptop. I'm thinking about spending $150 or so. I hope I can find something used but not abused for that price point.

Thanks for everyone's input!

If you're already humping around a projector, the extra couple pounds for a laptop aren't going to break you, seriously.

A tablet isn't likely to do what you want it to do, and CERTAINLY not a $150 one.

You MIGHT be able to get away with a USB to VGA adapter on a Windows tablet. Notice that I said MIGHT. That's pretty important.

[brassburnz]

I leave the projector outside. It's under a covered patio. I'll make some sort of semi-permanent enclosure later. It's an old Sharp XG-P20XU that weighs 25 pounds with a 3200 lumen output. I picked it up for 95 bucks shipped, so when the lamp goes out that's it. It looks like this one. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sharp-Notevi...item3f4ebd15ff

I'm using a rear-projection screen that is 4 X 6 feet. An image with a 16:9 aspect ratio (most movies) fits better than a 4:3 (most TV shows). http://www.ebay.com/itm/PORTABLE-PRO...item4189f0bb7d

It's been so nice outside lately, I decided to experiment with an outdoor theater. For sound, I'm using a bluetooth speaker I can place close to the viewers. Sound is pretty good. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aduro-BeeBop...item56761cb193

I spent about $170 on my project just to see how it works not including the computer or tablet. The big question mark was the screen. Wasn't really sure what the picture would look like, but it actually looks pretty good. Because I'm only using it at night, I think I could have gotten away with 1,800 to 2, 200 lumens, maybe less.

My older iPad actually works with the projector, but the only thing I can watch is Hulu and mlb.tv.com

If you're already humping around a projector, the extra couple pounds for a laptop aren't going to break you, seriously.

A tablet isn't likely to do what you want it to do, and CERTAINLY not a $150 one.

You MIGHT be able to get away with a USB to VGA adapter on a Windows tablet. Notice that I said MIGHT. That's pretty important.

[brassburnz]

I ordered a refurbished Microsoft Surface 2 for $130 shipped. I should receive it on 7/1. It looks like the mini-display port is the same as my Macbook Pro. I already have a mini-display to VGA adapter so I'll hold off ordering the Surface adapter until I get to try it out.

My current set-up of an iPad, Beebop bluetooth speaker, really old 3200 lumen projector and rear projection screen work fine for watching Hulu and MLB tv, I just want to be able to watch Netflix and Amazon Prime as well.

[gorn5150]

1st gen iPad doesn't have Lightning on it.

I know that. I was responding to the OP saying he tried a 1st gen iPad.

[steelrain82]

Nexus 9 or Sony Z experia tablet is what you should pick up. Those are both great media machines. Especially the Sony line.

[brassburnz]

Nexus 9 or Sony Z experia tablet is what you should pick up. Those are both great media machines. Especially the Sony line.

They both look good and have good reviews on Amazon. They are also a little more than I want to spend right now, but if the Surface 2 doesn't work out, I just might have to go that route.

[brassburnz]

mini ebay rant

My refurbished Surface 2 arrived yesterday. I ordered it on Ebay for $129 delivered. The Ebay listing indicated moderate wear, a keyboard, and a charger. Well, the charger was missing so I called to complain. They said they were sorry, but they ran out of chargers. The girl on the phone went to Ebay and found a charger and refunded me the amount of the charger. If I want a charger, but it on ebay with the refund.

So not only can I not use the Surface 2, but I can't even check to see if it works until the charger arrives. The girl on the phone came up with a solution, but I'm still giving this company negative feedback. If I knew the Surface would come without a charger, I could have ordered one to arrive when the Surface arrived. Now I have to wait a week.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/381280380508?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&var=650516554745&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[Peter.Steele]

Office Depot has 7" HP Stream tablets with Windows 8 on them right now, brand new, for $99.

It's full Windows 8, incidentally, not RT.

[nbirnbaum2]

DEAR OP, you can bypass this. Use an apple TV and use the airplay feature to mirror the screen IF your ipad 1 is capable of doing this. I had the same issue. Your tablet/phone will become the remote when projector workin

[brassburnz]

DEAR OP, you can bypass this. Use an apple TV and use the airplay feature to mirror the screen IF your ipad 1 is capable of doing this. I had the same issue. Your tablet/phone will become the remote when projector workin

I have AppleTV but my LCD projector is very old and doesn't have an HDMI port. If I upgrade my projector, I'll make sure it has an HDMI port so I can use AppleTV. I have good WIFI coverage in my backyard so it would be nice to use the iPad as the remote.