Apple TV HDMI to VGA

[Simcfc73]

Hi,

 

We are looking at buying apple TV for the classrooms but 3 of the rooms don't have HDMI connectors. I usually buy the Kanex connectors which I got for a bargain on Amazon recently but they have gone back up in price alas. As an alternative to having to run extra cables I was thinking of a VGA switch.. and one of the projectors only has 1 VGA input.

 

How about this

 

2 Port HDMI & VGA to VGA + Audio Switch | LINDY UK

 

 

Theoretically a VGA and HDMI can be inputted and a single VGA going out. Bit pricey and I am not sure how good the output will be.

 

Anyone used something like this on theirs?

[jayemm]

Jigsaw sell the Kanex connectors for abot £30

[speckytecky]

We started down the Apple TV route but for the reason you are encountering amongst others stopped and went with the Superb AirServer - Most advanced AirPlay receiver for Mac and PC which gave us a one off Educational site licence for something like £50. Easy to set up and it works a dream.

[TechieWils]

Just a heads up before you buy a load, Apple tv going through a vga converter only half works. When you try to air play a video you will often get a hdcp error. This is because the encryption used in hdmi communications is stripped out during the conversion.

 

I did read that some vga converters can pass the encryption through but I can't guarantee it. Hopefully this made sense.

[free780]

Do apple tvs only work on the same subnet as well?

[TechieWils]

I only have one subnet so it's not a problem for me but I remember someone saying the Apple tv's and ipads need to be on the same subnet unless you perform some networking voodoo

[jamesreedersmith]

What do you want apple tv for - is it to display ipads? if so look at Airserver (app that runs on your PC/Mac) and shows the ipad on the screen - much easier and cheaper

[Simcfc73]

I tried airserver and it was laggy for me, I know I know it works perfectly for you but I didn't like it.

[mactechie]

we use these: HD2VGAA - STARTECH - ADAPTER, HDMI-VGA WITH AUDIO, | CPC

[jon_nais]

unfortunately AppleTV's were updated halfway through the life cycle and now have to be connected to a HDCP compliant device.

This means both the Lindy device (we used them and now have a load spare!) and the startech device will not work.

Kanex is your only option unfortunately though it does work great.

Air server is only good if PC's are on wireless too, but that is not always a good thing depending on the size of school and what media teachers are showing in class. We tried it and it failed quite drastically, but each to their own.