Connecting iPad to a projector

I understand that the VGA connector works with only some apps, not all. In particular, it doesn't work with the iWork suite, so Keynote presentations cannot, in fact, be presented.

n particular, it doesn't work with the iWork suite, so Keynote presentations cannot, in fact, be presented.

Incorrect (at least by Apple's claims; I haven't tried it with my iPad yet). Apple explicitly states Keynote support:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4108

It is true that only some apps and features can be output; it's not a blanket mirror or extended desktop such as you'd find on a laptop computer.

Incorrect. I've been using my iPad (with the adapter) to project Keynote presentations without difficulty. You can easily import PC PowerPoint files into Keynote, edit them and project them.

The problems, from my perspective, are two: you can't then EXPORT the updated Keynote file back to PowerPoint, and when you project you don't see the slides on your screen. It is basically a big clicker to advance the slides. I've suggested that Apple add these features in future updates.

Otherwise, very cool.

Doug Kamerow

"when you project you don't see the slides on your screen.", so how can I select previous or next slide?

"when you project you don't see the slides on your screen", so how do I select previous or next slide while projecting externally to projector?

The iPad will show the appropriate controls on its screen. It just doesn't mirror the slide, nor show notes as Keynote would on a full computer.

Hey guys,

If you need to show a web page during your presentations you should give Expedition-The VGA out browser for iPad a try. It lets you show a web browser on the projector screen and can even play HTML5 video on a page on the projector. Also has a laser pointer feature just like keynote.

Here's a video of it in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUn4ryLUZFA

Here's a link to it in the appstore
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/expedition-the-vga-out-web/id369305234?mt=8

MightyMeeting for iPad can be used to project PowerPoint presentations via iPad's VGA output. Unlike Keynote it shows the slides both on the device and via the projector. You can also share slides remotely. Try iDemoWeb if you need to project web pages via iPad's VGA. Hope this helps.

There actually is a small button in the top left of the slide advancement box that appears in the middle of the screen when you're doing a presentation connected to a projector. When you touch it, keynote then shows all of your slides with thumbnails down the left side of the screen. This only shows up when the iPad is connected to a projector, and not when the iPad is being used on it's own for a presentation.

And like others have said, keynote works fine with a vga adapter, I use it to present on two projectors simultaneously every week through a video amplifier. It works fine. Although, a remote update for the iphone would be nice.

Is there a way to project photographs through a projector? Either using the iPad vanilla photos program or preferably a more sophisticated third party program. I cannot find anything that talks about how to project photos. I find Keynote and documents, but not photos.

AtlantaPhotog wrote:
Is there a way to project photographs through a projector?

The standard Photos app projects slideshows (but not single photos).

Hi Hotsouma,

With the iPad 2 out I figured I'd bump this thread. The HDMI cable now allows you to connect to pretty much any modern projector. Microvision provide a great pico projector that is portable can display HD images up to 100". It's pretty impressive. More info on that here - http://www.microvision.com and here - http://www.ipadprojector.org.

Last night I downloaded an update to Keynote that says it will now allow one to view slides or notes on the iPad while projecting. I haven't tried it yet.

Lance@Erie wrote:
Last night I downloaded an update to Keynote that says it will now allow one to view slides or notes on the iPad while projecting. I haven't tried it yet.

That was actually added a while ago, in version 1.3 (and it works just fine - used it in a presentation yesterday). Last night's update (1.3.2) only added "better compatibility" with some monitors (or words to that effect).