MacMost Now 393: iPad Camera Connection Kit

You can use the iPad Camera Connection Kit to import photos directly from your camera or an SD card. You can also connect USB headsets and some keyboards.

Comments: 29 Responses to “MacMost Now 393: iPad Camera Connection Kit”

    Russell
    14 years ago

    Hi Gary I was just curious as to if the iPad connection kit worked with the iPhone? Keep up the great work.

      14 years ago

      It is possible. Not now, though. But the iPad is running iPhone OS 3.2, while the iPhone is still at 3.1. It is likely that the next OS for both will be 4.0. WHen that comes out, we'll see if the iPhone supports this new hardware.

    Connor
    14 years ago

    If my photos are on a USB thumb drive/external hard drive will the copy to the iPad? Thanks

      14 years ago

      No. Putting them on an SD card would be the way to do that, but you'd have to format the card like a camera would format the card. The images would have to be in the right place. Easier just to sync.

        Connor
        14 years ago

        Thanks and another question: If you have the iPad in the iPad dock and plug in the SD card reader in the back of the Dock will it transfer photos?

          14 years ago

          I don't understand the question. That's what I show in the video.

            Connor
            14 years ago

            If you have the iPad in the optional iPad Dock and plug the camera connection kit in the 30-pin connector at the back of the iPad dock will it transfer photos

    Bazilione
    14 years ago

    Gary, Will a USB web-camera work with the kit?

      14 years ago

      No, because there is no camera app. Theoretically, if someone built an app to access camera through the USB connector, then it could work. But such a camera would have to be very low power, and I'm not sure if such a low power camera exists. Maybe someone can come out with a battery-powered USB camera. But even then, Apple would have to approve the use of the USB connector access through their developer APIs, and then approve the app itself.

    Loi
    14 years ago

    Hi Gary

    Amazing site. I'm hooked.
    Could the USB kit be used to connect to an external hard drive for the purpose of file transfer.
    I am aware of the method via iTunes.
    Thanks again.

      14 years ago

      No, it can't do that. The iPad doesn't have an accessible file system, like the Finder. So there is no interface for moving around files. Instead, each app handles its own files. So plugging in a hard drive would be meaningless unless you had an app that could read it and give you an interface for moving files. Then those files would only be accessible to that app. So it is possible, but probably not what you are thinking.

      Chris Solario
      12 years ago

      It is possible if you jailbreak your ipad and download an app called ifile, I currently have a 250gb external drive hooked up to my ipad. Its pretty sweet.

    Gary Langley
    14 years ago

    In your video you said you were able to attach your FLIP camera to an iPad via the USB adapter. When I attempt that, I get "this devices uses too much power" error messages.

    Could you, perhaps, make a video demonstrating how to get video off of a FLIP camera onto your iPad? If, so, I can make a trip to Honduras without taking my MacBook Pro!

      14 years ago

      I didn't do anything special. I just connected it. But perhaps your Flip works differently. There are many different models. I'm using the Flip MIno.

    Ruth
    14 years ago

    I have all my photos stored on external hard drive. My iTunes and music is on the same drive. Yet, while I have no problem syncing the iPad for music, apps etc. with my iTunes, I can't seem to sync my photos. Why is that? How do I solve it?

    Tim
    14 years ago

    Hi Gary another great video - I finally have got my hands on the camera kit and used it as you suggested to get videos off my kodak playsport video while on holidays so I didn't have to drag around a laptop. You mention having to convert the movie files so thay can be played on the iPad - do you have any more info on the best way to do this? I think the format I have them in are MOV they so they show up on the iPad but obviously can't be played. Thanks and keep up the great work.

      14 years ago

      You should be able to convert them with either iTunes or QuickTime X. See if they play in iTunes on your Mac. If so, then you should be able to right+click on them and select "convert for iPad" or something similar.

        Tim
        14 years ago

        Thanks for the suggestion - they play in iTunes no problems but I when I right click there is no option to "convert for iPad" however looks like the option is under the "advanced" window in iTunes - thanks again you are a legend.

        Cheers
        Tim

    nazareno
    14 years ago

    Hi Gary a good work on camera connection kit;
    my question is if i convert my videos taken with canon sx1 is (full hd mov files)in a mp4 hd format right for ipad.
    I could with camera connection kit import (from sd) this videos diveded in folders (for exemplas berlino trip; parigi trip; wildlife etc) and where are put this folders on ipad?
    can i see the preview of the videos?

    Thanks in advances

    Nazareno

    Italy

      14 years ago

      You should be able to import your videos if they are on an SD card or can be imported via USB. But you most likely won't be able to view them on your iPad until you take them into your Mac, convert them, and then sync them back to your iPad. You won't be able to organize them either.
      So, basically, your iPad would just be a storage device. If you were on a trip and al you had was your camera and your iPad, you could offload videos on to your iPad temporarily to clear off space on your camera's card. In that case, you are probably better off getting extra SD cards for your camera instead.

        nazareno
        14 years ago

        Many thanks for your advices

        have a nice day

        Nazareno

    LienNT
    13 years ago

    Hi,

    I have a question about iPad camera connection kit.
    Does iPad camera connection kit support API functions for developers?
    I want to develop an iPad application to browse and read all files( not only image, video but also .pdf...) in the SD card which connects to iPad by iPad camera connection kit.

    Many thanks

      13 years ago

      I don't think it does. But the place to ask would be in the Apple iOS developer forums.

    Jane
    13 years ago

    Hi there Gary,

    Can the iPad camera connection kit be used to connect other items?
    I am interested in finding out if i could connect my mobile broadband dongle.

    thanks

    Jane

      13 years ago

      You can use it to connect keyboards. And some have been able to use it to connect storage devices if they are formatted and used like camera SD cards. But in order for something like a Broadband USB device to be connected you'd need an app on your iPad that knew what to do with it. So the answer is definitely no, unless the maker of that device has an app specifically designed for that purpose (I've never heard of one).

    Bazilione
    12 years ago

    Hi Gary,
    I was searching on the web, but could not find an answer. I have a Canon DSLR with Compact Flash (400D). I want to make a shot and see the result within 5 seconds on the iPad 2 to check how it turn out. While connected to the iPad via the connection kit, camera trigger button doesn't do anything. (As I know Eye-Fi doesn't work well with compact flash adapters.) The transfer could be done via a USB cable - I don't mind, since I don't move in the studio too much. Though I don't want to do through a computer as DSLR Camera Remote HD app does for $50.
    With this, I was wondering if you could suggest anything.

      12 years ago

      Sounds like when the camera is connected via USB it goes into a mode where it can't take pictures. So I'm not sure there is anything more you can do.

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