Outputting iPhone Apps to a TV: Moto Chaser Demo
Last week, Ars Technica had reported that the latest iPhone 2.2 SDK included an new undocumented framework that allows iPhone/iPod touch applications to output to a television rather than to the native screen.
Outputting to video-out resulted in a performance hit, so the TV version of the game can only reach approximately 20 frames per second. The game normally runs at 26 fps on the native screen. Freeverse notes that this was all thrown together in a few hours, so there is room for improvement. It's not clear if and when Apple might allow developers to officially release Apps using this new functionality.
The MPTVOutWindow class allows your iPhone to send its video to a connected TV rather than to the built-in screen. Intended to be used with movies, the unpublished class creates a live video feed that is sent out through the iPhone's connector port. End-users will need to buy a video adapter or cable to use this functionality.
While a couple of interesting demos had been thrown together, Ars then asked Freeverse about adding the functionality to a version of their Moto Chaser [App Store] game. The result is an impressive (though unsupported) demo:Outputting to video-out resulted in a performance hit, so the TV version of the game can only reach approximately 20 frames per second. The game normally runs at 26 fps on the native screen. Freeverse notes that this was all thrown together in a few hours, so there is room for improvement. It's not clear if and when Apple might allow developers to officially release Apps using this new functionality.
Top Rated Comments
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41 months ago
Apple should absolutely pursue making this an option for app developers. Since they're pushing the iPhone and iPod Touch as a gaming platform and games are clearly a major chunk of the App Store, the idea of being able to basically take a TV gaming platform with you in your pocket would be excellent. Add in wifi for multiplayer controls and this could be the new Wii (i.e. innovative gameplay and controls over just raw performance and graphics). Here's hoping by the holidays in 2009 we'll be playing iPhone games on TV while visiting family. :)
41 months ago
that is great, I would love to be able to play my iPod Touch games on a TV. I wonder how good the picture quality really is.
41 months ago
Cool. There was also a simpler demo presented on ArsTechica.com the other day that shows you how you can draw to both the tv out and internal screens simultaneously (with different content).
41 months ago
wow! this is going to be awesome! now we can call the ipod touch a true wii killer!
41 months ago
This would be neat if they somehow linked it with Apple TV - no wires running from your iPod/iPhone to your TV, but you have access to all of your apps on the "big screen." If this happens, the Apple TV could become a business mainstay - link it up to a projector, the possibilities would be endless.
41 months ago
Whoa, this is great... :)
This will open the door to new apps and games which will be good for developers and users alike. I think it's a big step forward ;):apple:
This will open the door to new apps and games which will be good for developers and users alike. I think it's a big step forward ;):apple:
41 months ago
Well, Jobs did it when he first introduced the iPhone. He was transmiting his interface directly to the huge screen.
41 months ago
Is it me, or is the tickdown clock going much slower than a second each time? Does it do that when displayed on the phone or is that caused by being hooked up to the TV. Im curious....
41 months ago
iPhone as a game controller. The argument that Apple should get into gaming just got a lot stronger. Apple should really get behind this.
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