Reviews for Apple 30-pin to VGA Adapter

Once again I get suckered into buying an overpriced iPhone or iPad AV connector because Apple cleverly omits the fact that it only works with certain apps. Don't they realize that people buy these accessories mostly to do demos of apps, or to mirror whatever's on their device's screen? This basic scenario does not work with this adapter. I found that it only works when playing video, or if you're a developer and you write special code in your app to support an external screen. So buyer beware...

Seriously, what was Apple thinking in creating a VGA adapter that doesn’t act like any other VGA adapter that’s been on the market for 15 years! This is not an adapter. This is a “VGA Filter”, and it filters out all WYSIWYG operations, the dock screen, all applications except YouTube and KeyNote, and the video player (does not output HD DRM movies). You guys need to learn how to properly label this stuff. I am definitely returning this useless item. How hard is it to split the internal VGA signal and mirror the screen? I’m an App developer who was about to demonstrate this great and wonderful program I made to for my company, but I couldn’t get the dang thing to connect to my projector or screens! Come on guys! There is no way your “magical and revolutionary device” can be used in a normal business and productivity setting if you are going to peddle over-priced, crummy accessories like this.

It only works with pictures, movies and very very few apps. The education apps don't support VGA. EXTREMELY disappointing as a teacher. Steve Jobs projects the screen when he reveals the product, but the device isn't available to the public for purchase. I'm not happy.

To pay $29 for this cord is a bad joke. I prepared an entire presentation around being able to show how we use the Ipad in our business. Can't show that. Only thing I can show are slideshows of the kiddies, a youtube video, and keynote (which I find no use for) Can we look at docs2go to bring up a spreadsheet from excel? No. GoodReader for PDFs. No. What about flipping through some photo albums and casually discussing how they relate to our business. No, slideshow only, completely worthless in a business environment. Any particular reason why in the world a tablet computer is selective about what it displays to an extended viewing platform like a projector or monitor. I assumed this would be a useful business tool to me and it has been if I'm presenting to someone one on one. But if I need to address a larger audience then I have to get out the clunky laptop. Nice. Thanks Steve!

This device is useless. I bought it so I can use it with Keynote for my school presentations and it doesn't do anything. I tried using it with my tv and same result. The only thing I can see with this device is my photos. Apple is limiting the use of a device that I paid money for, I believe that is against the law and they should stop making useless devices.

I am like the rest of users here. I thought if I get this VGA cable I can have my entire iPad showing on the external scree. But NO NO NO

only some videos.
APPLE should be ashame of themeslves... I paid like $1000 between all extra adds to ipad and
then I figure it's worthless.

I normally love Mac products but this one is the lowest of the low. Packaging doesn't contain any explanation so one would expect the same thing you would expect out of the VGA outlet on your laptop. NOPE. You can't see anything but movies, and it seems that I can't even play the movies because a VGA connector is DRM compliant anymore.....

Shame on you Apple. Are you taking notes from Microsoft? Actually you are one-upping them. This is BS.

As an electrical engineer trained in both hardware and software development, I find it interesting that Apple chose to activate video output only in Keynote and Videos (I have not found other apps that output video, but there may be). This limits the utility for me; I tend to not only give canned briefings, but demonstrate, in real time, image and signal processing algorithms, as well as display photos. I wish that Apple provided, out-of-the-box, the ability to mirror the display.

Having said that, I have seen an iPad that was "jailbroken" only for the purpose of adding a 28kB patch that does just that...mirrors the video. Apparently, in a matter of minutes, it's possible to "fix" the Apple-imposed limitation. This tells me that it's not some hardware or software difficultly, but apparently something political limiting that function(if you can believe that)....

The cable is well-built, and certainly outputs the video signal (when its present) clearly. But be aware that, unless you give Keynote briefings only, you may find that it's not a useful option.

Very disappointing Apple.
Anyone would assume a VGA output would display everything on the user's screen.

Don't buy this. It only works for slide-shows. I am returning mine.