How to download Apple TV purchases to iPad for HDMI playback

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How to download Apple TV purchases to iPad for HDMI playback

hi everyone

I downloaded several purchased movies to watch in our vacation apartment using my iPad and HDMI cable.

When I plugged in to the TV it said the download wasn’t suitable for playing via that cable connection and offered to either stream or download the appropriate version. I have no data/WiFi to do so.

I can find some local WiFi but not with the iPad and TV plugged in to recreate the ‘error message.’

I hoped it would be possible to re-download the movies in the appropriate setting / format but am unable to find that setting?

Any tips please?

Thanks everyone

Adam

London, UK (via Bordeaux!)

iPad mini 6

Posted on Aug 10, 2023 12:52 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

mac98aop Author

Level 1

9 points

Aug 25, 2023 1:38 PM in response to mac98aop

Now home and troubleshooting.

Turns out that if iPad's plugged in to TV when you opt to download, iPad chooses (secretly!) a format that can then mirror via cable. If you're not plugged in at the time, it doesn't give you the option and presumes you'll only want to watch on device.

Seems a bit of a daft oversight to me. And hardly practicable. Ah well... it no longer simply "just works"!

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Answer 2

Urquhart1244

Level 10

150,056 points

Aug 11, 2023 5:35 AM in response to mac98aop

If you have the proper HDMI adapter for iPad, then you should be able to connect to a TV’s HDMI port. Not sure if online authorization ping is required then.

The adapter in use should support HDCP. There might be some no-brand adapters than do not have that. Adapters as sold by Apple would be good for this.

Lightning Digital AV Adapter - Lightning to HDMI - Apple (for iPads or iPhones with Lightning connector)

Belkin USB-C to HDMI Adapter - Apple (for devices with USB-C/Thunderbolt connector)

USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter - Apple (for devices with USB-C/Thunderbolt connector)

iPad mini (6th generation) would have USB-C.

The download is fine for playback. You have options for bitrate, and included audio streams and subtitle streams, but the format is fixed. The output is not the file format; the HDMI signal is not a file transfer.

Were you able to do this back home? Have you seen it working with your gear?

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Answer 3

mac98aop Author

Level 1

9 points

Aug 11, 2023 10:24 AM in response to Urquhart1244

Thanks.

So far as I recall it worked back home when testing that App.

And the cable seems fine as it’s working for Netflix and Prime downloads, just not for Apple TV app downloads.

It’s cheap but well tested and reviewed: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Discount-Compatible-MacBook-Surface-Galaxy/dp/B07CL2RHX5/ref=m_piup_s_dr_sccl_1/258-5747230-5598568?pd_rd_w=7rvmo&content-id=amzn1.sym.f4e2121d-4070-4b9e-87a0-d671fbd2e9d9&pf_rd_p=f4e2121d-4070-4b9e-87a0-d671fbd2e9d9&pf_rd_r=0VWVS2JNQ74WGGQ3EKF7&pd_rd_wg=L3fTn&pd_rd_r=16ae5ea3-424d-4deb-859c-4dc3c7bc45a0&pd_rd_i=B07CL2RHX5&psc=1

Wasn’t sure about HDCP?

It seems peculiar that Apple saying the movie is incorrect format and offers to download it in correct format (but I have no internet) suggesting there’s format options?!

I wondered if the movies were downloaded in SD and require HD?

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Answer 4

Urquhart1244

Level 10

150,056 points

Aug 11, 2023 10:49 AM in response to mac98aop

So far as I recall it worked back home when testing that App.

The difference seems to be internet connectivity at moment of playback then …

Wasn’t sure about HDCP? The cable seems fine as it’s working for Netflix and Prime downloads, just not for Apple TV app downloads.

Then it supports HDCP. Netflix and Prime require that too.

It seems peculiar that Apple saying the movie is incorrect format and offers to download it in correct format (but I have no internet) suggesting there’s format options?!

Sorry, I have no insights on that. No such options that I can find.

I hope some of the other forum users are willing and able to jump in with their suggestions.

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Answer 5

mac98aop Author

Level 1

9 points

Aug 11, 2023 1:09 PM in response to Urquhart1244

Well thanks for helping thus far.

Internet connectivity didn’t resolve anything but triggered the re-downloading of the movie in a format so I paused due to lack of data roaming and then promptly removed the original download so I now can’t even watch it on the iPad.

Irritatingly, I can’t make the app generate the error message /option (attached) without being plugged in to the TV, so I can’t find some public WiFi and download, which begs the question of what format it chooses that it doesn’t do when the cable isn’t connected?!

Grrr, it’s very un-Apple, no? And strangely some of the movies do play as they’ve somehow magically chosen to download in the cable friendly format.

What on earth is going on!?

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How to download Apple TV purchases to iPad for HDMI playback

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