Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

karatekidk

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 30, 2008
246
69
Pacific Northwest, USA
Hello. I am wondering if anyone on this forum could help me out. So, I bought an iPad (8th gen, 128GB) mainly for taking notes with Goodnotes 5 for my work (teaching). I also would like to use the iPad in my classroom, projecting my notes on PDF documents, so my students can see what I do.

Today I walked into my classroom for the first time this year and tried to figure out what I need to connect the iPad to the projector that is attached to the computer desk. In any case, I think I need a lightening to a lightening to VGA adaptor, but I am not sure about what else. I guess I need a VGA cable or a HDMI cable?? The projector's two computer ports are already taken, that is why I am confused. Please see the pictures below. Way too many cables...

IMG_5814.JPG
IMG_5815.JPG


IMG_5816.JPG
IMG_5817.JPG


I would appreciate your help! Thank you.
 
Without seeing the inside of the connectors it could be either
lightning to vga adatper
Or
Lightning to dvi

the iPad would connect directly to the projector, not the computer. So the connection would be what is on the projector. You might be able to find a switch box (A- B switch) so both the computer and the iPad could be hooked into the projector, only one at a time would be able to play.
 
Last edited:
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Without seeing the inside of the connectors it could be either
lightning to vga adatper
Or
Lightning to dvi

the iPad would connect directly to the projector, not the computer. So the connection would be what is on the projector. You might be able to find a switch box (A- B switch) so both the computer and the iPad could be hooked into the projector, only one at a time would be able to play.

Thank you for the post. I understand that the iPad would be connected directly to the projector. What confused me was that the both "Computer 1" and "2" was already taken, and as you can see in the pictures, there are multiple cables bundled together.

I googled, and it seems that connecting the iPad via HDMI would work. I do not want to spend $50 for an adaptor (and another $10 or so for a HDMI cable), but, as long as it works, then that's ok.

If anyone has something to say, I'm all ears. Thanks!
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
easiest - taking in account the free HDMI connector on the projector - is to get Apple’s Lightning-to-Digital-AV-adapter. Connect it via an HDMI cable to your iPad and video and sound will be feed into the current set up.

EDIT: just saw the the projector isn’t hooked up to any audio equipment, so you probably have to connect the loudspeakers from the PC or e.g. a Bluetooth speaker if the sound from the projector isn’t sufficient (the VGA connections don’t transport audio).
 
easiest - taking in account the free HDMI connector on the projector - is to get Apple’s Lightning-to-Digital-AV-adapter. Connect it via an HDMI cable to your iPad and video and sound will be feed into the current set up.

EDIT: just saw the the projector isn’t hooked up to any audio equipment, so you probably have to connect the loudspeakers from the PC or e.g. a Bluetooth speaker if the sound from the projector isn’t sufficient (the VGA connections don’t transport audio).

Thank you for the suggestion. That sounds good. I already have a HDMI cable and a bluetooth portable speaker (Anker sound core II), and just ordered a used OEA lightning to digital AV adapter on Ebay. I hope it will work.
 
if there is WiFi available and assuming that you teach just in this room, you could create a more flexible installation using a cheap Amazon Fire Lite stick (if the USB-A connector on the projector does not provide power you will need any old phone power supply with a usb connector) and installing the free Airscreen app on it.

After that you start the airscreen app and you can airplay the content of your iPad - while roaming free through the classroom 🤓
Additionally you can cast from a variety of apps (or devices) using chrome cast.

nota bene: any hardware which supports installation of Android apps like e.g. a Mi Box S will allow this; of course an Apple TV will work too. 😃
 
if there is WiFi available and assuming that you teach just in this room, you could create a more flexible installation using a cheap Amazon Fire Lite stick (if the USB-A connector on the projector does not provide power you will need any old phone power supply with a usb connector) and installing the free Airscreen app on it.

After that you start the airscreen app and you can airplay the content of your iPad - while roaming free through the classroom 🤓
Additionally you can cast from a variety of apps (or devices) using chrome cast.

nota bene: any hardware which supports installation of Android apps like e.g. a Mi Box S will allow this; of course an Apple TV will work too. 😃
Thank you for the post! Wow, that set up sounds great because I work with middle school students, and not being glued to the computer desk would definitely ideal for classroom management.

I think I will go with the HDMI cable setup for now, and start looking into what you explained in the meantime. Thank you again!
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.