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Level 2

161 points

Anyone able to play Amazon Instant Video using Apple Digital AV Adapter

Amazon just released the Amazon Instant Video app for the iPad July 31, 2012. Version is 1.0

It's not a great app yet. I can get it to play on the iPad (by itself). When I hook up the iPad to the TV using the Digital AV Adapter, the app gets very unstable, crashes at times, doesn't load shows....basically doesn't work. Virtually everything else on the iPad displays fine on the TV using the adapter. I've tried Safari, Netflix, and a couple of games just to see if the problem was with the iPad or the app. The problem is with the app.

I emailed Amazon support via feedback within the app, and got responses back similar to this:

"I'm so sorry for the trouble you facing with the Instant videos which you want to play on TV.

I understand now a days all the TV's are HDMI connected but I assure you that we are working for the improvements required on this field.

The Amazon Instant Video app for iPad does not support playback on HDMI-connected TVs.

Customer feedback like yours helps us continue to improve the service we provide. I've forwarded your feedback to our Amazon Instant Video team for consideration as we make future improvements."

I find it hard to believe they designed it to not work that way-I replied and asked them if it was...have not heard back yet.

Has anyone been able to view Amazon Instant Video on their TV from an iPad ? If yes, how did you do it.?

iMac (21.5-inch Mid 2010), Mac OS X (10.7.4), iPad2, 60GB iPod Photo, Hp j6480

Posted on Aug 9, 2012 3:17 PM

38 replies

Skydiver119

Level 9

53,405 points

Aug 14, 2012 10:28 AM in response to Cwant

I doubt it is Amazon that is restricting Airplay and Digital AV playback. It is more likely it is Apple that is restricting it. Apple offeres movies and TV shows for both rent and purchase through iTunes, so it is not surprising that they would not want a direct competitor competing with iTunes through the Apple TV. The result is no Airplay, and no playback over Digital AV cable.

They very well could be. If their contract with the studios is for streaming content only and not on television content, then they could be locking out. We don't know, only their lawyers know for sure.

deggie

Level 10

167,183 points

Aug 14, 2012 10:30 AM in response to Skydiver119

No, read the posts with the letters from Amazon. It is an Amazon limitation in their app. If Apple was so concerned about this why would they allow the Kindle app or even this app?

Skydiver119

Level 9

53,405 points

Aug 14, 2012 10:34 AM in response to deggie

That's what I mean, AMAZON limits their app. And they're probably contracturally obligated to do so.

deggie

Level 10

167,183 points

Aug 14, 2012 10:35 AM in response to Skydiver119

Except the quote you cited, and said "They very well could be", said that it was Apple and not Amazon limiting it.

Skydiver119

Level 9

53,405 points

Aug 14, 2012 10:38 AM in response to deggie

Sorry I wasn't specific with my 'they', the They referred to amazon.

Apple doesn't really care what anyone does with their app - long as it's not breaking the law.

pgoodwin Author

Level 2

161 points

Aug 14, 2012 3:42 PM in response to Cwant

All of the other apps I ran on the iPad connect and play on the TV, only the Amazon one didn't cooperate, plus they said that it wouldn't. So Apple isn't preventing this thing from working. And Retropolitan above posted that they plan on upgrading it so it will display on an HDMI connected TV.

Apple couldn't single out this app and make them design it to not compete with them without opening up themselves to a big lawsuit. It's just an immature app right now unfortunately (version 1.0). I'm not sure why they waited so long to come out with one. If they'd released it a year ago it would be a lot farther along.

Sep 26, 2012 12:50 PM in response to pgoodwin

The app was updated September 12. I was hopeful the problem was fixed. No such luck. Here's the email I received from Amazon today.

"Hello,

At this time, Amazon Instant Video app for iPad does not support playback from your device to your TV using HDMI or A/V composite cable connections.

To learn more about watching Amazon Instant Videos directly from your TV or a compatible device, please visit our Help pages:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/?nodeId=200238920#internet

I understand that it's disappointing to know that this feature is not available for Amazon Instant Video. Although currently, this feature is not available, I've forwarded your feedback to the concerned department for consideration.

We'll consider this feature as we are constantly working towards future improvements and we hope to include the feature you'd like to see. But, unfortunately I was not able to confirm any time frame for this. I'm sorry about this. When we're ready to announce new features, we'll announce them on our website."

pgoodwin Author

Level 2

161 points

Sep 26, 2012 2:12 PM in response to retropolitan

Too bad. You'd think they'd put some priority on this considering how many iPad users there are that would be going to their website. It's pretty much got to be a licensing issue at Amazon. It surely isn't a technical issue, as virtually every other app I have will display on the TV with the adapter.

Sep 26, 2012 2:39 PM in response to pgoodwin

I told them in my email that I will gladly drop Netflix for Amazon Prime when this is fixed. Maybe the next version will have it.

pgoodwin Author

Level 2

161 points

Sep 26, 2012 4:09 PM in response to retropolitan

I love complaining. I think I'll go to their site and complain again. I'll give them a real thrashing for not having that in their upgrade, since there's a hundred million or whatever and if only 0.01% hook their iPad to the TV and go to AIV, then that's 10,000 more people on their site

Sep 28, 2012 7:44 PM in response to pgoodwin

I guess my reply was not well recieve. Still does not change the fact you are a dumb butt pgoodwin.

Sep 29, 2012 4:54 PM in response to pgoodwin

I agree with you on that, pg. Good point.

Sep 29, 2012 4:57 PM in response to tummytree

to tummytree:

PG is dumb butt? Want to elaborate on that melliflous diatribe since you're obviously such a genius?

pgoodwin Author

Level 2

161 points

Sep 29, 2012 7:32 PM in response to dianafrommarietta

Haha

TimFH

Level 1

0 points

Nov 6, 2012 9:56 AM in response to pgoodwin

This does seem to be a conflict or an agreement between Apple and Amazon. I've even discussed it with an unnamed Apple IT person. Amazon video will play on the TV with the HDMI connection through Roku, through Sony Blu-ray, and through my PC but not through the iPad even with the recent Amazon video app. Skyfire used to work for this but no longer. I normally use the iPad for video when I travel since most hotel TVs have an HDMI port and I'd like to totally ditch my PC once Apple lets me. Same comments apply to HBOGO. It's interesting that even when I have downloaded Amazon videos on my iPad, they won't play through the TV. Netflix works fine and, of course, Apple video works.

Anyone able to play Amazon Instant Video using Apple Digital AV Adapter