[Madkitty]

Can anyone tell me what cables I need to play a. videos through my TV and b. music through my surround system - ideally any movies/videos I would want the sound from that to come through the surround also. Both TV and Surround system have composite (or is it component LOL)

[StevieBuck]

The cable(s) you need for audio will depend on the surround sound unit. Since you haven't said what audio inputs it has or given us a model number it's impossible to say what you need exactly.

If the sound system has a 3.5mm input jack then a straight 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable will work, connected directly to the iPhone headphone socket. If the sound system has a standard phono input, then you'd need a 3.5mm to stereo phono cable instead.

As the iPhone isn't supplied with an A/V calbe you'll need one if you want to connect to your TV. Any one should work as long as you have the corresponding input connection on your TV. I guess most video cables come with audio connectors as well, so you may not need a separate audio cable like I suggested already.

[williamus]

Apple do a couple of bits to help you do the AV trick but this is a pricey route. As Steve says it depends what TV/Amplifier you have. They do a Component lead (five plugs to Red x2, Blue, Yellow, White) and a Composite lead (three plugs Red, White, Yellow).

Both leads are £35 in store but come with a usb/charger (I think). As far as I can see both should give you full AV through your system for vids and songs but unfortuately I don't think they will transfer Apps onto the big screen like you can with the equivalent PSP leads (now that would have been cool). The Universal Dock is another £35 and not essential though it does have a 3.5mm socket as well leaving the iPhone free. It also comes with a basic remote control.

In theory the Component leads should produce a better picture but either way don't expect HD!
I'm still debating which way to go. The simpler Composite lead is more universally available and offers the opportunity to play back through, for example, a hotel TV and should even work with a scart adapter.

I've not tried any of this myself yet (maybe this weekend ) so check it out first. IMHO this an area where the usually competent Apple staff are a bit sketchy - care required.

[jamesraby]

it's a 3.5mm out audio on the ipod/iphone system

You will NOT get true surround sound, it will be like connecting your tv to the surround system and watching a film, you'll have to manually select the option you want from the surround system

Hope this helps

I expect arguments on what I've just said, but it's 2 channel audio - it will NEVER be true surround on ANY unit in existence!!

[arris666]

Hi,

I have just recently bought a cheap composite cable ( 3 wires ) which I connect to the Iphone at one end then into the 3 coloured plugs on my tv (AV3 input).

For some reason when i switch my TV to AV3 I don't get any picture on my tv screen at all.

I have also downloaded an app called TVOut which, when opened, lists all the apps currently on my phone. I have made sure all apps are activated, and also tried various apps just in case that particular app wasn't supported but no matter what app i use i still get a blank tv screen.

After searching all over the net, a few other people have said they have had the same problem however the leads they bought to try this out said not tested on firmware 3.0 onwards.

Would a later firmware prevent my lead from working or are all composite cables exactly the same and im missing something else???

Thanks in advance .....

[jerryjal]

Originally Posted by arris666

Hi,

I have just recently bought a cheap composite cable ( 3 wires ) which I connect to the Iphone at one end then into the 3 coloured plugs on my tv (AV3 input).

For some reason when i switch my TV to AV3 I don't get any picture on my tv screen at all.

I have also downloaded an app called TVOut which, when opened, lists all the apps currently on my phone. I have made sure all apps are activated, and also tried various apps just in case that particular app wasn't supported but no matter what app i use i still get a blank tv screen.

After searching all over the net, a few other people have said they have had the same problem however the leads they bought to try this out said not tested on firmware 3.0 onwards.

Would a later firmware prevent my lead from working or are all composite cables exactly the same and im missing something else???

Thanks in advance .....

I have bought the composite leads directly from apple, not cheap at £35 but using tvout on cydia i am getting a picture on my sling mobile but its at 90 degrees, i need some way of turning the pic!

[RobM]

Originally Posted by jerryjal

I have bought the composite leads directly from apple, not cheap at £35 but using tvout on cydia i am getting a picture on my sling mobile but its at 90 degrees, i need some way of turning the pic!

Try turning the iPhone...

[jerryjal]

Originally Posted by RobM83

Try turning the iPhone...

Thanks for those pearls of wisdom Rob, tried that!!

Now solved though, it turned out that the apps tvout and screensplitr were conflicting with each other. I deleted tvout and now all is ok although the frame rate on both sling and sky apps are terrible.

The frame rate on tvcatchup though is perfect, shame it's not the other way around though as I'll not be needing to put bbc1 up on a big screen!