Forum Discussion

dryfly's avatar
dryfly
Explorer
Oct 03, 2022

Streaming with an iPhone

What would be the most cost effective way to stream video, such as Netflix, on an iPhone and mirror that content to my TV receiver in the 5th wheel?

The TV is not a smart TV but I do have both an Amazon Fire Stick and a Roku stick that could be used. I'm thinking there may be a way to interface the two using Bluetooth, or by an HDMI adapter cable. Just wondering what method is the most reliable.
  • d1h's avatar
    d1h
    Nomad III
    Oct 03, 2022
    Use the personal hotspot on your iphone and it will work just like wifi if using Roku etc.
  • SpeakEasy's avatar
    SpeakEasy
    Explorer
    Oct 03, 2022
    We use Verizon (senior plan) with unlimited data; iPhone as a hotspot and streaming to laptop; Roku screen mirroring (app) to TV.

    I'm not terribly savvy about the latest tech solutions, so this may not be the best way, but it works and I can set it up.

    -Speak
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Oct 03, 2022
    Hotspot does work, but that generally comes with a limit. I've never seen one with unlimited high-speed data.
  • 1492's avatar
    1492
    Moderator
    Oct 04, 2022
    If using your iPhone hotspot, stick with the top streaming devices you mentioned. Most of the large paid services will not support 'no name' players typically sold on Amazon.com. For instance, see Netflix approved streaming devices.
  • wanderingaimles's avatar
    wanderingaimles
    Explorer
    Oct 04, 2022
    As a test I bought a cheap phone and set up Visible. Unlimited data, the literature says it may be throttled during busy times, but it hasn't happened to me yet.
    $30 a month, and it gave us a Verizon phone to offset the ATT ones we had. Will be dropping one of the ATT lines soon and replacing it withthe visible if it keeps working this well.
  • RCMAN46's avatar
    RCMAN46
    Explorer
    Oct 04, 2022
    I purchased an apple lightning to hdmi connector. Hdmi adaptor
    Then connect to a hdmi input on the TV. It has worked very well for me. I usually have the IPhone connected to wifi.
    What you get on the TV is the same as what is on the iPhone display.
    The adaptor also has a lightning import port you can use for power from a USB charge port to keep the iPhone battery charged
  • dryfly's avatar
    dryfly
    Explorer
    Oct 04, 2022
    RCMAN46 wrote:
    I purchased an apple lightning to hdmi connector. Hdmi adaptor
    Then connect to a hdmi input on the TV. It has worked very well for me. I usually have the IPhone connected to wifi.
    What you get on the TV is the same as what is on the iPhone display.
    The adaptor also has a lightning import port you can use for power from a USB charge port to keep the iPhone battery charged


    Thanks for all the suggestions. I just ordered the Apple HDMI adapter suggested in this post. It looks like there are several ways to accomplish mirroring but the adapter cable looks like the most efficient.
  • RCMAN46's avatar
    RCMAN46
    Explorer
    Oct 04, 2022
    dryfly wrote:
    RCMAN46 wrote:
    I purchased an apple lightning to hdmi connector. Hdmi adaptor
    Then connect to a hdmi input on the TV. It has worked very well for me. I usually have the IPhone connected to wifi.
    What you get on the TV is the same as what is on the iPhone display.
    The adaptor also has a lightning import port you can use for power from a USB charge port to keep the iPhone battery charged


    Thanks for all the suggestions. I just ordered the Apple HDMI adapter suggested in this post. It looks like there are several ways to accomplish mirroring but the adapter cable looks like the most efficient.


    At my home I have spectrum for my internet and use Netflix. When I am going to take a trip I will download movies from Netflix on my Iphone and then I can stream the movie to my tv in the RV using the said adaptor.
  • SoonDockin's avatar
    SoonDockin
    Explorer II
    Oct 04, 2022
    I have used the lightning to HDMI adapter for years. Works nice with my otherwise not smart TV in my RV.
  • dryfly's avatar
    dryfly
    Explorer
    Oct 10, 2022
    The lightning to HDMI adapter is working out just fine. I found that when using the iPhone as a hotspot, Verizon will throttle down the download speed at a lower amount than if using the cell data to stream.

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