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Filmmakers need to pester Apple to make iPad able to be a camera monitor

posted 12 years ago by high_rollin2-1
1 reply | jump to latest

Imagine how great it would be to bring your iPad to set, check the script pages on it that you're shooting that day, use it to bring up a photo on the internet to show the DP what look you want, and then flip over to an app that let's you view the camera shot over wi-fi. And everybody else with an iPad on set can do the same.

Ever since the iPad was introduced, I've been waiting for the day that it was possible to use it as a camera monitor. I expected that I wouldn't have to wait too long, because it seemed like such an obvious use for it that it would be being used for that in no time. It's a great size, it's got a built in battery that lasts 10 hours, and the new iPad has higher than 2k resolution! Over two years later, it still hasn't happened.

The only possible reason I can see for this not happening is that monitor companies are lobbying to prevent it, since it would be a huge loss of business for them. Beyond that, I can't imagine for the life of me why it hasn't been made possible. Yet every forum thread I see discussing it ends with the same conclusion: It's not possible because the iPad doesn't allow Video In.

Apple has to be pestered until they make Video In possible. I really really really want to use my iPad as a camera monitor!

And I used to be such a nice guy.

[–] dangus 12 years ago

I don't think monitor companies have any influence on Apple. They're like ants to an elephant. Apple is just too big to care about you. Why doesn't the iPad have an expansion slot to plug accessory devices into? Does it even have USB or Firewire? (I don't think Bluetooth is fast enough.) There is some kind of wireless HDMI standard - that ought to work; if enough consumer digicams and camcorders support it, maybe Apple will take notice.