Air Video Is Now Equipped With AirPlay Support: Ready To Serve Up Videos To The Big Screen
March 8, 2011
As the public release of iOS 4.3 approaches, we will begin to see video-related iOS apps being updated with AirPlay support. Originally intended to be included in IOS 4.2, third-party access to AirPlay APIs was pushed back until iOS 4.3. With less than a week until 4.3 is available for public download, the team over at InMethod is ahead of schedule and have Air Video ready to go the moment your iDevice reboots following the application of the upcoming iOS update.
For those who may be having a bit of déjà vu, this isn't the hack demonstrated last year. Today's update is the real deal, and is a free update via the App Store for current Air Video owners.
Apple has announced that iOS 4.3 will be available for iDevice owners this Friday. The OS update will add enhanced AirPlay support, third-party app AirPlay support, Nitro JavaScript, and iTunes Home Sharing for iOS.
AirPlay already allows a user to stream content from their personal computer with iTunes to an Apple TV. The upcoming iTunes Home Sharing for iOS will even provide iTunes music and movies to iDevice streaming. So, what is the point of needing an app like Air Video once 4.3 is released?
When using iTunes, you must convert all videos to an iDevice-friendly format and then add them to your iTunes Library. Neither one of those steps is impossible or even extraneously difficult nowadays, however, why do it if you don't need to? The Air Video Server software can convert most video formats on-the-fly.
Even if you're like me and use software like Handbrake, making DVD to iDevice and Apple TV conversion a single step, Air Video has the advantage of supporting multiple source locations. I keep a dozen or two top movies and videos in my iTunes Library and the rest on my external hard drive. I do this because I don't want to clutter up my computer's internal drive with infrequently used content, which is also not life changing if lost. In my case, I can choose both locations and have them easily accessible via the Air Video iOS app.
AirPlay support in Air Video v2.4.5 turns an iDevice into a wireless video relay. Come Friday, it will be possible to stream nearly any video from any folder on your Windows and Mac OS X computers to your Apple TV.
Air Video does support external network access, although, it isn't as automatic as something like the temporarily unavailable ZumoCast. While ZumoCast and a few other apps have automatic remote resolution and connectivity, Air Video needs some manual configuration. The configuration may only need to be done once, making it nothing of a huge problem.
Air Video is a universal app compatible with iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch running iOS 3.0 or later. Seeking requires iOS 3.1 or later and AirPlay is supported when running iOS 4.3 or later. Get your copy of Air Video in the App Store for $2.99. The Air Video Server software is a free download for Windows and Mac OS X.
