Transform Your iPad into an HDMI Monitor with iOS 17 and Orion App

The introduction of iOS 17 has unveiled a host of new possibilities for iPad owners. Now, all those models equipped with a USB port can transform into an external HDMI monitor. This feature, although slightly tricky, can provide your cherished tablet with the capability to serve as a secondary screen, saving you from various predicaments.

Orion: The App to Transform Your iPad into an HDMI Monitor

The secret lies in Orion, an application developed by the creators of the renowned photography tool Halide. Orion harnesses one of the fresh features incorporated into iOS 17, which allows the USB port to function as a digital video input. This enables the iPad to capture an image directly from an HDMI output.

However, along with the application, you’ll require an essential accessory—a HDMI to USB-C capture device—to route the image to your device. These capture devices are generally reasonably priced, with various affordable models accessible on platforms like Amazon. Here are a few options

Keep in mind that these compact capture devices, devoid of external power sources, function at a maximum resolution of 1080p. While this may not match the iPad’s impressive resolution, it remains more than sufficient for previewing content from numerous devices.

Practical Uses for Your iPad

Apart from the obvious role of using the iPad as an external monitor via HDMI (which can also be accomplished wirelessly with a MacBook using Sidecar), the truly exciting aspect is the ability to connect various devices like video cameras, cameras, or other professional equipment requiring preview support.

This feature allows you to conduct a photo session with a preview displayed on a larger screen or record videos with a more convenient perspective on how the shot will turn out. Additionally, you can use it as an external monitor for a gaming console, enabling you to set up your portable gaming station swiftly.