Mirroring resolution (appleTV(v3) 1080 vs HD TV 1080)

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Level 1

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Mirroring resolution (appleTV(v3) 1080 vs HD TV 1080)

Hi, i bought an Apple TV (version 3) couple days back

Went home connected to my Sony Bravia HD TV and activated the mirroring function on my Ipad 2.

However the image is only projected as 3/4 covered in the centre of my TV screen. So i will see my Ipad standby screen on the TV which is

only covered 3/4 in the centre with all the black spaces surrounding it.

But when i activated a game, the game is able to covered my TV screen fully.

I am puzzled why the image projected as 3/4 when my Ipad is at the standby screen and when i activate to a game, it is able to project fully on my TV screen,

Since the apple TV is sold on the basis of 1080 in their packaging, i would assume that every image projected on TV should be able to fully covered

under the 1080 resolution.

Can any technical specialist pls advise.

Posted on Aug 29, 2012 1:49 AM

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Answer 1

Aug 29, 2012 2:02 AM in response to dfnl

An iPad has a screen aspect ratio of 4:3 and could never be expected to fill a 16:9 TV screen, it's simply not possible when mirroring. However when the iPad streams the original content (rather than a mirror of the screen), it can do so at the original contents aspect ratio, which can be 16:9.

For what it's worth, mirroring (because it's live, so to speak) is streamed at 720p whereas basic airplay can be streamed up to 1080p.

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Answer 2

Alley_Cat

Level 7

20,560 points

Aug 29, 2012 2:33 AM in response to Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill wrote:

For what it's worth, mirroring (because it's live, so to speak) is streamed at 720p whereas basic airplay can be streamed up to 1080p.

I wasn't aware of that but it wouldn't surprise me - how can you tell - does TV resolution change?

AC

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Answer 3

Aug 29, 2012 3:12 AM in response to Alley_Cat

Alley_Cat wrote:

I wasn't aware of that but it wouldn't surprise me - how can you tell - does TV resolution change?

AC

It said it somewhere on one of the Apple website pages.

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Answer 4

dfnl Author

Level 1

14 points

Aug 29, 2012 3:17 AM in response to Alley_Cat

so can i conclude that " mirroring" and "airplay" isnt referring to the same content?

When Mirroring an Ipad 2 standby screen - you will notice the black bars by the side of the TV

Airplay would enable the projection of image that can fill the TV entirely (of cos provided the content is of higher aspect ratio.

Somehow i spoke to the appleTV technical guys and conclude that connecting to a smaller inch TV. (eg 30 inch) instead of mine at 42 inches, the image projected would be fuller as compared to a wider TV

If it wasnt through this calls made to apple, i wouldnt have known that. Wasnt even communicated to me by the EPIC Centre sales personels (S'pore authorised apple distributor). Glad i found out at this stage having only brought the apple TV for 5 days. Would be requesting for a full refund.

Product knowledge not extensive and in depth for those who are selling. sad to say

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Answer 5

Aug 29, 2012 5:03 AM in response to dfnl

dfnl wrote:

so can i conclude that " mirroring" and "airplay" isnt referring to the same content?

When Mirroring an Ipad 2 standby screen - you will notice the black bars by the side of the TV

Airplay would enable the projection of image that can fill the TV entirely (of cos provided the content is of higher aspect ratio.

Yes and no, the difference occurs between Basic AirPlay and Mirroring. For example if you mirror the iPad while viewing a web page with a video in it, that's exactly what you will see on the Apple TV - A web page with a movie in it and black bands at each side, because you are mirroring a screen which doesn't fit your TV screen.

If however you choose just to AirPlay the movie from that page, the movie itself will fill your screen because it is the same aspect ration as your TV screen (assuming it is of course)

Somehow i spoke to the appleTV technical guys and conclude that connecting to a smaller inch TV. (eg 30 inch) instead of mine at 42 inches, the image projected would be fuller as compared to a wider TV

Sorry, whoever you were talking to is talking nonsense, or you misunderstood them. The physical size of your TV will make no difference whatsoever.

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Answer 6

dfnl Author

Level 1

14 points

Aug 30, 2012 2:54 AM in response to Winston Churchill

oh yes it does. i tried on a 30 inch TV and the Ipad standby screen seems to cover more of the TV screen. there might be some black bars by the side but they are almost non existence. proven to work on a smaller screen TV.

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Answer 7

Alley_Cat

Level 7

20,560 points

Aug 30, 2012 9:31 AM in response to dfnl

dfnl wrote:

oh yes it does. i tried on a 30 inch TV and the Ipad standby screen seems to cover more of the TV screen. there might be some black bars by the side but they are almost non existence. proven to work on a smaller screen TV.

I agree with Winston - this sounds very dubious that TV size should make any difference.

I don't disagree with what you are seeing, just that I suspect other factors are at play such as overscan, or on TV zoom settings.

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Answer 8

Aug 30, 2012 10:49 AM in response to dfnl

Since I don't appear to know what you do, you are probably best placed to resolve your problems yourself.

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