Learn how I capture the iPad 2′s screen to use in presentations and video podcasts. You must use the iPad 2 plus the HDMi adapter. Then bring the HDMI in to your Mac or recording device using special hardware and software.
Video Transcript (Click to Expand)
Hi this is Gary with MacMost.
Now in today’s episode I am going to show you how to record the screen of the iPad.
{Pause}
So I’ve been asked this question a lot, ‘How do I record the screen of the iPad for an episode of the show?’
Well originally with the iPad One, there was no way to record directly from the iPad into a video. You basically had to point a camera at the screen, turn off all the lights, focus the camera perfectly on the iPad, and then you can see my finger moving around on the screen as I navigated through different things on the iPad to demonstrate something.
But with the iPad Two, there is a better way and this only works with the iPad 2. You need to get this adapter cable, which is from Apple and is their digital av cable. It basically takes the dock on the one end of the iPad and gives you an HGMI output.
Now the video output from the iPad 2 shows exactly what is on the screen, it mirrors it with a couple of exceptions. One is, for instance, when you are showing a video, it will then show the video full screen and not mirror what is going on on the iPad. Same thing if you were doing a presentation in Keynote and there are probably other apps that have a presentation mode to the video output. It takes away the mirroring and replaces it with that presentation. But for most purposes you see exactly what’s on the screen.
Now typically you would then go from here to a television or projector and show what you are doing on the iPad on a large screen. But there are devices that can take HGMI as an input and you can record what is going on. So on my MacPro, I happen to have the Matrox MX02 mini card which has a breakout box, and it’s what I used to record this video right here. I have a camera going out thru HDMI into that box but instead of having a camera go into that box I can have the iPad 2 with this adapter go directly into it. Then I have to use a video recording program to record the video coming into the mac.
I’ve been using Boinx TV, seems to work better and record a better image than wire cast which is what I used to record this. Though I am sure software updates and things will change in the future and there are other programs you can use to record the video as well.
Now it’s not perfect yet. From the iPad, you can either get 720 P HDMI or 1080 P HD. Yet the Matrox card and also the black magic card only allow input up to 1080 I. So I can’t get the full 1080 P input. I have to settle for 720 P. So perhaps in the future there will be better alternatives perhaps using the thunderbolt port.
Now an alternative to the Matrox card is the black magic card and this gives you an HGMI input into your Mac, it’s a simpler solution and seems to have about the same features but I haven’t been able to try it.
Alternatively you can use any device that records HDMI so perhaps there are some tape decks and cameras out there that will take HDMI input and record it but I haven’t tested any of those out.
Now there are other adapters for the iPad 2, the output to VGA Adapter. That one will do the same as HGMI and will show exactly what’s on the screen. So if you have a way to record VGA into some device you can use that. However the component out and the standard video out adapter, those will not mirror what is on the iPad and will only show presentation and videos as they would of on the iPad 1.
So there are the basics. iPad 2 standard HDMI cable into a card like the Matrox MX02 and then record it with software on your Mac. And that’s how we record what’s going on in the iPad screen.
Till next time this is Gary with MacMost Now.
Hi this is Gary with MacMost.
Now in today’s episode I am going to show you how to record the screen of the iPad.
{Pause}
So I’ve been asked this question a lot, ‘How do I record the screen of the iPad for an episode of the show?’
Well originally with the iPad One, there was no way to record directly from the iPad into a video. You basically had to point a camera at the screen, turn off all the lights, focus the camera perfectly on the iPad, and then you can see my finger moving around on the screen as I navigated through different things on the iPad to demonstrate something.
But with the iPad Two, there is a better way and this only works with the iPad 2. You need to get this adapter cable, which is from Apple and is their digital av cable. It basically takes the dock on the one end of the iPad and gives you an HGMI output.
Now the video output from the iPad 2 shows exactly what is on the screen, it mirrors it with a couple of exceptions. One is, for instance, when you are showing a video, it will then show the video full screen and not mirror what is going on on the iPad. Same thing if you were doing a presentation in Keynote and there are probably other apps that have a presentation mode to the video output. It takes away the mirroring and replaces it with that presentation. But for most purposes you see exactly what’s on the screen.
Now typically you would then go from here to a television or projector and show what you are doing on the iPad on a large screen. But there are devices that can take HGMI as an input and you can record what is going on. So on my MacPro, I happen to have the Matrox MX02 mini card which has a breakout box, and it’s what I used to record this video right here. I have a camera going out thru HDMI into that box but instead of having a camera go into that box I can have the iPad 2 with this adapter go directly into it. Then I have to use a video recording program to record the video coming into the mac.
I’ve been using Boinx TV, seems to work better and record a better image than wire cast which is what I used to record this. Though I am sure software updates and things will change in the future and there are other programs you can use to record the video as well.
Now it’s not perfect yet. From the iPad, you can either get 720 P HDMI or 1080 P HD. Yet the Matrox card and also the black magic card only allow input up to 1080 I. So I can’t get the full 1080 P input. I have to settle for 720 P. So perhaps in the future there will be better alternatives perhaps using the thunderbolt port.
Now an alternative to the Matrox card is the black magic card and this gives you an HGMI input into your Mac, it’s a simpler solution and seems to have about the same features but I haven’t been able to try it.
Alternatively you can use any device that records HDMI so perhaps there are some tape decks and cameras out there that will take HDMI input and record it but I haven’t tested any of those out.
Now there are other adapters for the iPad 2, the output to VGA Adapter. That one will do the same as HGMI and will show exactly what’s on the screen. So if you have a way to record VGA into some device you can use that. However the component out and the standard video out adapter, those will not mirror what is on the iPad and will only show presentation and videos as they would of on the iPad 1.
So there are the basics. iPad 2 standard HDMI cable into a card like the Matrox MX02 and then record it with software on your Mac. And that’s how we record what’s going on in the iPad screen.
Till next time this is Gary with MacMost Now.
Update: This technique also now works with the iPhone 4S.
Related: New Screen Recording – Quicktime screen capture, iPad/iPhone screen recording, Recommend an Screen Video Capture, Transferring mp4 files from camera to iPad, Thunderbolt will output audio and video.
32 Responses to “MacMost Now 546: iPad Video Screen Capture”
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OR, you can simply jailbreak and use DisplayRecorder to record what’s on the display. Obviously isn’t available for the iPad 2 yet.
Two problems with that 1) I’d then be recording a jailbroken iPad. 2) Jailbreaking lags behind iOS updates. I want to always use the latest iOS for tutorials.
Hi
I spoke to a retailer in New York and he says it can’t be done.
I have a feeling he is wrong and you are right. Is there anything special you have to to get the Ipad2 screen to transmit to a Macbook pro once you have the Maxtor mini?. I create instructional videos and have Camtasia on my Macbook and would love to record the iPad screen legally.
I am right? I know I am right as you can see it in my videos.
It is the Matrox MX02 mini you need, or anything else that takes HDMI input into your Mac (Maxtor is a hard drive, not an HDMI adapter).
But whether or no Camtasia works with the MX02 mini is another matter. You may want to contact one or both companies about that. the MX02 mini input only works with some applications. BoinxTV is the one I use.
Hi Gary, does the iPad2 also have a VGA or HDMI in? So I could connect my camera onto it for a better view.
IN? No. It doesn’t have that.
Hahahahahaha
Would using the Apple Component AV Cable be just as good? I have the eyetv 250 plus, and figure maybe I can connect the iPad with the Apple Component AV Cable to the eyetv device, and that to my MacBook to capture video.
It won’t work with the “Component” cable (yellow, red, white). That one only works to present video and from special apps like Keynote. The “Composite” cable (Red, Yellow, Green, Red, White) will do it. But not sure that works with EyeTV.
Oops! My bad. I meant composite (came back here to correct, and you beat me to it!) But it looks like it won’t work for EyeTV (which uses composite). Composite is the red-yellow-white. So now I am confused.
OK… found THIS: http://www.port-ta.com/products/258.html Perhaps connecting iPad2 to this, and this converter to eyeTV, I can get things recorded on my MacBook.
It may, but you’ll end up with a pretty low-res image, I think.
Hello Gary
I work for a gaming company and we’re developing some titles on the iPad2. I have the AV adapter that you mentioned and also have a HD capture card/TV tuner card by Aver Media which supports 720p and which has a built in recording tool, but here’s my problem.
Every time i connect the iPad2 it briefly (like a flash) shows on my monitor but then the connection is lost/stopped and i get an error saying HDCP content blocked or something like that.
Do you know why this would is happening?
Is it the HD capture card that needs to be changed?
I dont quite remember the serial number but it works perfectly well with the other consoles, just not the iPad2. :(
Thanks
Paul
No, sorry, I don’t know why that would be happening. Just an incompatibility between your card and the signal the iPad is putting out. Try outputting to a standard TV with HDMI and you’ll see that the iPad works (sanity check) and then you know it must be the card or the software that comes with the card.
Note that with iOS 5 you should be able to do this same thing wirelessly to the Apple TV 2 using AirPlay.
My guess is that you are using a tv tuner card like the AverMedia AverTV and either your video card or monitor is not HDCP compliant. Either resolve that issue or use a different capture card like the Blackmagic Intensity Pro.
The reason you have the HDCP content problem is copy protection. The rings and hoops we have to face in trying to capture from the iPad2 is there to protect video copyright holders from piracy. This makes it inconvenient for those of us (in our case we are app developers) who have a legitimate need to make screen captures.
Gary – I’m trying to do the same thing with the hdmi adapter, and an MX02 mini w/max that i’ve had for a couple of years now. I’m getting a distorted pink image, and I believe that may be due to HDCP compliance issues. Are you using any kind of an HDCP stripper?
Nope. I’m not using anything like that. There are dozens of different “formats” that come out of the MX02 mini. Things like “1080p 29.97 YUV 8-bit” and such. You’ve got to try each one as only one works.
Interesting. Which worked for you? I’m on a difference platform, but that info may be helpful.
Can’t remember. I think it was one of the 720p ones. Oh, and it only worked for me using BonixTV software, not Wirecast. It worked in QuickTime Pro, but only for a few seconds each time. Weird. But I eventually just used Boinx and didn’t worry about it. WIrecast has updated a few times, and so has Matrox’s drivers, and I haven’t tried it yet.
Have you found any way to display and/or record the finger motions from the iPad? I need people to be able to see what I am touching an moving as I record.
No, sorry, I haven’t.
Can’t find anything like that either, but could be added in post production using software like Camtasia.
Gary,
I have the Matrox mini 02 and an iPad 2. Also have Boinx TV as you suggested. I can’t seem to get my iPad to display w/in Boinx. I have the HDMI cable coming from the iPad in to HDMI In on the Matrox. When I open Boinx, I choose to display camera 2, which is the Matrox. No image displays.
On a separate note, when I view the Matrox icon at the top of my MacBook Pro, I see “Matrox 02 Mini” and “I/O Device” grayed out. “Power off Card” is active in black.
Thoughts?
Have you tried all of the different Matrox settings? There are dozens of them. Only a few work with the signal. You’ve got to set it to the right one. Look in the Matrox preferences in System Preferences to get an idea. I’m not using a MacBook Pro, I’m using a Mac Pro, but I assume it is all the same.
Thanks, I’m getting it to work now, but need to find a format that best diplays. I’m noticing the preferences have to be selected the same as the format you choose in Boinx. Any suggested formats you prefer?
Rosens, it sounds like I’m nearly in the same situation as you were. I have the Macbook pro, Ipad2, Matrox mini MX02 and Boinx TV. What settings ended up working for you?
Although in my case Boinx doesn’t even give me an option for camera 2 :/
“iPad Video Screen Capture”. Hold down the Home Key and then press the Power Key. This will result in a screen capture with the file being stored on the iPad.
That will get you a still image. But it will not get you a video.
Oh my @Wing, it helps to actually view a video tutorial before giving (what you think is) relevant advice. :)
This is the MOST eloquent explanation I’ve seen. Thank you! I have an older MacBook so USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt devices won’t work for me, but I found the H.264 Pro Recorder from Black Magic Design that works with USB 2.0.
Hi, I have the need to use SketchbookPro for iPad2, Brushes, etc drawing programs from stage, wired or wireless (preferred), and have the drawings end up on a big screen for audience viewing, and have the drawings end up on the MacBook Pro for capture, broadcast, webinar on GoToMeeting or FreeConferenceCall, and for editing/burning/posting on YouTube, websites, and Internet TV. Any and all solutions are very gratefully welcomed. Either total solution, or at least MacBook Pro capture, edit/burn/post. I am good with iMovie if that is ok, otherwise recommend. Cheers, ZenFire