Streaming Iphone to your Car TV Wirelessly?!?!

Question

Streaming Iphone to your Car TV Wirelessly?!?!

Hello,

New to all this. Not new to programming or DIY electronics.

Backstory: I was given a challenge from someone that has kids that she wants to distract in her vehicle. (Books or talking just isn't cool anymore, I guess) She wants to Live stream from her phone to her TV's inside her car. Stream YouTube, Audio, Netflix, or stored content. Car has AUX inputs including Yellow Video. Car Model- 2015 Nissan Armada (That really doesn't matter)

Question: 1. Is there a way to connect Apple TV or another DLNA (chromecast) device that will support streaming without connecting to an external WIFI source? 2.Can you connect to Airplay without joining the same WIFI network? i.e. Once Apple TV has power can you connect your phone to it without Apple TV having Wifi? 3. Is there something you can use as a WIFI signal medium, data from phone sent to receiver then moved to Apple TV, for connection?

Research and Knowledge: Power supply - * I have a Voltage regulator and power adapter to power Apple TV. (Not too hard to figure that part out.)

* Apple TV has a HDMI output- I ordered a cord that will be able to convert that to AUX.( loss in resolution, but it's a 8in screen :/) * I've heard about having two phones, one as a WIFI HotSpot and supporting the other devices. But that's too much hassle. * I've seen WIFI Adapters but I don't know too much about them. * GMC has Wifi in all their vehicles so that's a fix for that problem. But what about all the others? * Everything from online is dated 2013- it's hard to find research to support live streaming in vehicles. * I haven't been able to run alot of tests yet but I will when i'm around an Apple TV.

Thanks for your help guys and gals.

Apple TV (3rd generation), iOS 8.4, Iphone 5s, Iphone 6, Wifi Hotspot,

Posted on Jul 17, 2015 11:50 AM

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Answer 1

nathanial

Level 2

344 points

Jul 17, 2015 12:27 PM in response to AdventureBuddy

Id hard line it to an idevice.

Any Airplay is going to require a wifi signal, same as a chromecast. I'm not sure why having a "wireless" solution is needed. If they want to control the content instead of their kids in the back thats just a bad idea with driving. Are you really going to be controlling the content and driving at the same time?

But if don't want to hard line moms phone you can always have a second device that is wifi only, like an iPod touch or old deactivated iPhone, connected to the TV and then use moms phone for internet through a hotspot. It seems most cell companies are starting to include hotspots as a standard service. But anything that isn't loaded onto a device is going to need internet, so id go with the two idevice solution, otherwise you're going to need a network which requires a router. And you'd still be using the phones internet for streaming content. Hope they have a good data package.

Ideally what I'd do is just load a bunch of movies, tv shows onto a cheaper/older device and bypass the internet needs all together.

Or she can just directly connect her phone to the tv and let them man handle her device. It's honestly what most parents do because they don't want to buy another device, but then the kids ruin their phones and then they kick themselves in the pants for not having a designated "distraction" device for their kids.

At a certain point though you have to wonder if using the tvs is even worth it if you're using so many tablets, phones, screened devices to deliver content. The different kids are justing going to want their own content at some point. Car tvs were a nice idea when people were playing DVDs, but if its a new car that still uses composite video Id say the company is a little behind the times. HDMI to any device should be standard at this point.

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Answer 2

anypats

Level 7

21,357 points

Jul 17, 2015 1:36 PM in response to AdventureBuddy

I bought this device for our trip to California just last month and it worked great:

http://www.kingston.com/us/wireless/wireless_readers#mlwg2

We bought a 32GB flash drive and loaded 20 movies onto it. You can also plug in a hard drive if you want even more. This device has its own wi-fi that can stream the content to multiple devices at once. All it requires is an app on the device to watch the content. It also supports more than just video. The only drawback is that you have to pre-load the content rather than just having an internet connection to do things like YouTube, Hulu, or Netflix.

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Answer 3

Jul 17, 2015 2:38 PM in response to nathanial

-I completely agree about hard-lining the device. I'm noticing a lot of easy cords that make the situation so much easier. Even when casting the entire phone.

-I also agree that operating the phone while driving is not a good idea, in any case. However I believe her children will the conductors of video.

- I thought it was awkward that a 2015 device didn't have HDMI inputs. So for reference don't get a Nissan and expect to be above the curve...

- Lastly, The Conclusion, Thank you for giving me that description of using another device, I'm going to tell her to get another line on her phone plan for the car and use her "Ipad mini" which I know she has and make that the hub for her WIFI connection. THEN!! I'm going to switch out the TV ( if there is one) In the top console with the IPAD Mini. So she can still use Apple TV, Connect wirelessly when she enters.( No Wires) and have a multiple TVs in the vehicle. Ill post the Layout and Connections when I am Finish.

Thanks for the Help Guys

P.S.!!!! Thanks for the Referral for the media storage device I'm going to pick one of those up for my own personal use! Thanks!

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