CPMaverick

Some of the very first IFE systems I remember (when I started flying a lot in the mid 2000s) had this ability. I believe there was a cable for an iPod. You could play your own music, or view photos from your iPod. When the iPod video came out, you could watch video. It looked similar to an S-video connector, so maybe that's what you've seen.

You had to ask for a special cable from the FA. I remember seeing the plugs for it on the IFE. I never had an iPod so never tried it, and I never saw anyone else use it either.

Once the iPhone (and iPod) lost it's big connector that had analog video out, the system became obsolete.

EDIT: Found some info:
https://www.ubergizmo.com/2009/10/gr...t-video-cable/
Do I need special cable for ipod connection to IFE?

This doesn't helping the OP just something I remembered.

doubleA

Your disdain is antiquated:
Your questions answered: Can I stream video while on Gogo? - Gogo Concourse Blog

jamesteroh

I wish they would allow you to access your Amazon Prime or Netflix on the seatback screen the way I can on the cardio equipment at my gym but their wifi probably couldn't handle it.

The Situation

Agreed. I had a video call last week at work in which one of the participant was in-flight...I rolled my eyes every time he mentioned how terrible the in flight wifi was because he couldn't consistently hear the conversation, see all of us, or speak without it coming out garbled. He came across as an entitled, arrogant, DYKWIA. I don't know what airline he was on, and I don't usually advocate for tattling on people, but man I wish his seatmates tattled on him!!

jdrtravel

That's also a great idea. I bet we will get there, inflight internet keeps getting better. The other snag would be the licensing issues, which are quite complex and vary widely between countries, but it is a problem that can be solved.

ijgordon

You can download some Netflix content to your own device. Probably most if not all of their original programming, which is the direction in which they're heading anyway. You can also download some Amazon Prime Video stuff. Not sure about Hulu. And maybe your cable company lets you as well? (E.g., I think the Verizon Fios TV app). I can download the majority of programs saved on my TiVo. So there is plenty of ways to get "streaming" content onto your device without having to stream over the actual connected Wifi, you just have to plan in advance.

Also, I'm pretty sure that some international business class seats have video connections to the IFE, but not sure about which airlines or what kind of cable/device you need.

But I think these are separate questions. Seems OP didn't want to have to carry his own IFE device.

flyerCO

Some airlines even have onboard cell service. Unless he was on a US airline, there was nothing wrong with what he was doing. (Morals of doing it is something else)

jamesteroh

I do download Amazon and Netflix stuff to my IPAD. But if I'm on a long flight I don't want to deal with my Ipad running out of power or plugging in it, especially on international in J and the IFE screen is a lot easier to watch during a meal service as well since it doesn't require the tray table to watch like an IPAD or laptop.

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Hipplewm

The very old screens that have a round plug that looks similar to a PS2 port but with more pins was the old way to hook up an iPod (this the old click wheel) using a 30 pin to that round port adapter).

AFAIK, Apple never ended up selling the cable so you had to make your own and it didn't work very well at all.

https://www.reddit.com/r/aviation/co...or_on_a_plane/

I am sure once it is reintroduced it will have a much more elegant user interface

paperwastage

Some existing IFE have USB ports for charging, and support loading video files from usb (but you run into the crapshoot of codec/container support)

Ana newest plane (new 212) have HDMI inputs in F and J , and very large HD screens too (HDMI currently inop for some reason)

43" 4k for F, 24" 4k for J

https://www.ana.co.jp/en/us/servicei...300er_new.html

https://www.ana.co.jp/en/us/servicei...300er_new.html

rickg523

Saw this capability on a recent AF flight (777-300), but, as you cautioned, couldn't get it to work.

Jon_R

I could go either way on it. Never fails a few times a year I get someone playing a game on it. So basically they tap the back of my head for hours. I would gladly give up the screens to get rid of the games but my flight is all I use the screen for. I bring my own ipad.

lakers6902

I was recently on a premium bus in Korea, which offers angled flat seats and in seat screens similiar to an airplane. They allowed you to cast/mirror your phones screen. I was able to watch my downloaded movies for the ride. This is what airlines need...

breathesrain

A couple of the bigger carriers have this in business class, though I think it's more intended for business travellers - they have an HDMI in port so you can plug your laptop into the IFE screen. Pretty sure ANA has this in their new configuration.

ijgordon

Hmmm well that makes literally zero sense. 🤔