14 DAY TRIAL // The "Apple Digital AV Adapter", a $39 accessory specifically targeting the iPad and iPad 2, is soon to become available from Apple’s online store and for in-store pickup, according to the company's listings on store.apple.com.
Announced in tandem with the iPad 2 earlier this week, the mainly advertised use of the accessory is to mirror whatever’s on your iPad’s screen — apps, presentations, websites etc. — on an HDTV or HDMI-compatible display in up to 1080p HD.
Movies play at up to 720p. No other hardware (such as the Apple TV set-top-box) is required to have stuff projected onto a TV set using the adapter.
As Apple itself puts it, “The Apple Digital AV Adapter routes digital audio to screens that support it.”
“Put your slides, movies, photos, and everything else that fills your iPad 2 screen on an even bigger screen — your HDTV,” Apple says.
“The Apple Digital AV Adapter mirrors exactly what you see on iPad 2 so that everyone in the room can enjoy it on your widescreen TV, video projection screen, or other HDMI-compatible display,” the Mac maker explains.
According to the product’s fact sheet, the Apple Digital AV Adapter also supports the iPhone 4 and iPod touch (4th generation) for video out.
“Watch slideshows and movies on the big screen in up to 720p by connecting your iPad, iPhone 4, or iPod touch (4th generation) to an HDTV or HDMI-compatible display,” reads Apple’s description.
To hook your iDevice up with a HDMI-compatible display, users can connect the Apple Digital AV Adapter to their iPad, iPhone 4, or iPod touch via the 30-pin dock connector, then connect an HDMI cable, which Apple sells separately.
Finally, according to Apple’s overview of the new product, users can also charge and sync their device while it’s connected to the HDMI-compatible display, as the adapter features its own built-in 30-pin connector.