How to connect your iPhone, iPad or iPod to your TV

Would you like to know how to connect your iPhone, iPad or iPod to your smart TV..? Before you go out and buy whatever cable is compatible with your iOS device, take heed. Some solutions will surprise you with unexpected quirks worth knowing first. With the right hookups, you can connect your iOS device to the big screen and play videos, music, and sometimes even games. Apple provides simple and convenient ways to get the content from select iPad, iPod touch and iPhone 4 devices onto your smart TV. Using a digital A/V adapter and an HDMI cable, you can make a wired connection to your smart TV. Using an Apple TV set-top box and AirPlay functionality, you can create a wireless connection. Both setups will allow you to view a variety of movies, videos and photo slideshows, stream music and more on your smart TV. AirPlay via Apple TV For those of you with an Apple TV set-top box (2nd generation), you can use the AirPlay functionality built into your iPad, iPod touch and iPhone (these are devices that have an iOS, Apple's mobile operating system). Simply connect your Apple TV and iOS device to the same network device, connect your Apple TV to your HDTV via HDMI cable, enable AirPlay on your iOS device's screen, and everything you do on your iPad, iPod touch and iPhone will be mirrored on your HDTV.

Wirelessly play movies and home videos, view photos and video-enabled apps on your HDTV screen. Wirelessly stream your music collection, as well as music services like Pandora, over your HDTV speakers, speakers connected to an AirPort Express, or any AirPlay-enabled speakers.

Please remember to have the latest firmware and software when using AirPlay for the best possible experience. This includes the latest iOS for your iPad, iPod touch and iPhone, as well as the latest firmware for your Apple TV or Apple AirPort Express.

Using a digital A/V adapter

For a more portable, less-expensive solution, Apple offers a digital A/V adapter that works with products like the 4th-generation iPod touch, iPhone 4, iPad and iPad 2 (these are devices that have an iOS, Apple's mobile operating system).

The digital A/V adapter basically gives you an HDMI port on your iOS device and allows you to connect to an HDTV using an HDMI cable. Once the connection is made, your content will be mirrored between your iOS device and your HDTV, while you maintain full control using your iOS device.

For the iPad 2, whatever you can display on it will appear on your HDTV with a resolution up to 1080p, except for movie playback, which can display up to 720p. You can even play video games quite successfully with this setup, as you use the iPad2 as your controller, while you watch on the HDTV.

For the original iPad, iPod touch and iPhone, only slideshows or video-enabled apps like Netflix (subscription required), YouTube or your stored videos can be displayed. These devices support movie playback and any streaming content up to 720p.

Using a composite AV cable

For older TV, Apple Composite AV Cable will route video-enabled apps, photos, and music to your older TV. It's compatible with just about every device that uses the old dock connector, but don't expect HD resolution -- video maxes out at 480i.

Connect an iPod, iPhone or iPad to your television with the Apple Composite AV Cable, gather up your friends and watch videos or slideshows together on the big screen. You can also connect the Composite AV Cable to your stereo or powered speakers for a room-filling audio experience.

The Composite AV Cable connects to your device or Universal Dock via the 30-pin dock connector and to your TV, home cinema receiver or stereo receiver via the composite video and red/white analog audio ports. The cable also features a USB connector that you can plug in to a power source.

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