iPod/iPhone Interface With UA's IFE
 

Does anyone know if this feature still works? I have never used it, but traveling to China next week and would love the ability to connect my iPhone 5S or iPad 3rd Generation to the inflight monitor.

Flying on a B777 from EWR to HKG and PVG to EWR.

It still works but it might not work well w/ newer products (with lightning connector). There's no Panasonic Export cable with lightening yet (atleast not that i'm aware of) and using an adapter will probably cause issues (or not work at all).

The newer generation IFEs now have composite input for this reason (i.e. AA's IFE on their B773).

It still works, but you will need a Lightening adaptor with video output (the cheap ones only have audio), along with the cable that they sell from the duty free cart. Don't forget that Platinum, 1K, and GS members get 10% off from duty free.

I have used my ancient iPod w/video (using the cable I purchased from UA) on both PMUA and PMCO 767's with businessfirst (and PS 757's) and as recently as this past Friday on a PMCO 767*.


*got quite a few chuckles from the F/a's looking at my screen showing The Three Stooges and confused looks from pax looking at my screen and trying to figure out where The Stooges were located on their IFE ;)

I have been unable to get my iPhone 5s to work when using the Apple brand lightning adaptor and the special cable. The system recognizes that its connected (green checkmark) but I never get video or photos to come up (the audio usually works). I've gotten videos to play on other devices using the adaptor (hotel gym treadmills). On longer flights I've been bringing an old iPod touch with me with the old style connector. As a side note, the system has never worked with iPads.

I wrote UA in late 2012 when my iPhone 5 didn't work and they said they were no longer making improvements to that part of the system since, they said, no one used it. I've, frankly, never seen anyone else use it before so they might be right.

I wish they would either install composite/HDMI (doubtful) or figure out some way to allow use of the USB connector. After several international fights the movie selection gets old and I'd rather just bring my own. I've resorted to watching directly off my iPhone or iPad but it would be nice to take advantage of the bigger built-in screen.

Nobody uses it because they haven't kept it up to date. It should work with the iphone, not just a legacy ipod. But your right, HDMI/composite or something more universal is the way to go.

As of 1 Feb on a pmUA 767 it was a no-go with an iPhone 5, an Apple brand lightning adapter, and the cable from Duty Free. Old iPod touch worked fine.

Stupid question time but did you change the setting on the iPhone/iPad to "tv video out". The reason I ask is that the first time I connected my iPod, it took me forever to figure out why it wouldn't work until I found out that I needed to change that setting.

Ya, I checked that. I use it frequently with other video devices (such as treadmills at the gym). IIRC, when they first introduced the connector there was some sort logic that decided if an actual iPod/iPhone was connected or not. I am guessing this could be the problem. I'm back on a 747 next week and will try again.

I have an extensive library of digital video that I have made from my own DVD and Blu-ray collection, and purchased an iPod 3G specifically for use with these plugs (it's the only bit of Apple tech I own). After the 3rd and 4th gen iPods and iPhones, the connector will plug in and charge but won't transmit video back to the screen.

I make frequent use of it when seated in BF; you can find similar plugs on many other carriers' business and first products these days (SQ, OZ, etc.), so the technology is not limited to UA. I hope that the next generation of IFE goes for simple HDMI inputs or something, but for now these are what we have to work with, and they do the job pretty well.

Based on my experiences, I can share some things I've learned:

- You can only stream video from the native "Videos" app in iOS. In other words, stuff that you buy from the iTunes store or things you can import via iTunes from your personal collection. I have a WD Live network drive that I use as a media server, and videos downloaded within that app will not stream through the IFE. If I use iTunes to directly load the same video on to my iPod, it works fine.
- Videos have to be in an iPod format. MPEG4s are okay, but they have to be .m4v, not .mp4. The slightly different codec makes a difference.
- FA announcements will override the audio, but not pause the video. This you must do manually to avoid missing whatever it is you are watching.
- Sometimes it takes a little work to get the system to recognize that your device is plugged in. Only once have I encountered a plug that absolutely refused to work; I frequently have to wiggle the connectors at either end to get the system to notice my device. The iPod or iPhone must be on and unlocked for the system to "discover" it.

Most people don't take advantage of the technology, most likely because their iPhone or iPod wasn't compatible with it by the time it was widely available.

I really wish they'd come up with an HDMI or other universal solution. I could use my Xbox ;-)

You'll be surprised at the amount of people who travel with their entire gaming system.

I do on many trips. I am not sure what I'd do at night in the middle of BFE without it. I have a pelican case, a wad of adapters, and two controllers. A lot of places I can tether it to my phone and play on Xbox Live.

I won't even ask where you find a second person in the middle of the night to use the second controller! :)

About 2 years ago I sat across the aisle from a man watching hard porn via his iPod.