AirPlay versus HDMI

[pike908]

I have an Iphone 5, Ipad Mini, and Macbook Air 11"

I want to stream 1080 video (non Apple TV content nor video files stored on device) from my devices to my TV

It is my understanding that I can stream via airplay (wireless) or I can go HDMI out with my Macbook Air. I don't believe any of my devices are 1080 resolution.

If my streaming content is 1080 (non Apple TV content nor video files stored on device), but my Apple devices are not 1080, will they appear as 1080 on my TV via HDMI or Airplay even though my streaming device (Iphone, Ipad Mini, or Macbook Air) aren't 1080 devices?

Example: I want to stream the upcoming superbowl. Let's say NBC provides a 1080 stream and it isn't available on Apple TV. So I use my IOS device or my Mac Book Air to stream from the internet and then output to my 1080 TV.

Thanks!

 

[priitv8]

If you get the 1080p stream in from somewhere and AirPlay this to aTV, it will just be a stream copy operation and your Mac's or iPhone's screen resolution is irrelevant.
Obviously not so with screen mirroring, whereby the stream is rendered on your device's screen first and then encoded and streamed further to aTV.

HDMI-connected display appears to MacBook as external monitor and you can set it's resolution to 1080p, provided your connected screen can handle 1080p. Again - resolution of the built-in display is irrelevant.

 

[26139]

Yep

You're good either way (provided you're not mirroring the default resolution).

The output resolution of any iPad or Mac is at least 1080p.

I used my 2012 11" MBA and iPhone to do this all the time, usually via AirPlay because it was easier.

 

[brand]

The output resolution of any iPad or Mac is easily beyond 1080p.

While any modern Mac is capable of higher than a 1080P output resolution the iPad is only capable of outputting at a maximum of 1080P.

 

[26139]

Whoops

While any modern Mac is capable of higher than a 1080P output resolution the iPad is only capable of outputting at a maximum of 1080P.

Whoops.

At least 1080p is what I should have written.

 

[pike908]

thanks for the information.