I put together a brief slideshow to compare the amount of screen real estate being used on a LCD or HD monitor when streaming the iPad to AirServer or Apple TV. Caution: your mileage may vary but I still endorse AirServer as the way to go.
Using an LCD projector with 1024×768 resolution:
- Slide 1: MacBook Pro with VGA output connected to LCD projector, Area in blue not covered by projector
- Slide 2: iPad Mini streaming to AirServer on MacBook Pro – No Change in viewing area
- Slide 3: iPad Mini streaming to AirServer on MacBook Pro – No Change in viewing area
- Slide 4: iPad Mini streaming to Apple TV. HDMI to VGA with Audio converter (KanexPro) – Significant reduction in viewing are
- Slide 5: Horizontal squeezing is obvious
Using an HD Monitor with 1080P resolution:
- Slide 6: MacBook Pro connected to HD monitor with HDMI cable – resolution set to Best for External Display – No loss of screen area
- Slide 7: MacBook Pro connected to HD monitor with HDMI cable – resolution set to Best for Retina Display – Some loss of screen area
- Slide 8: iPad Mini streaming to AirServer on MacBook Pro and connected to HD monitor – Either Display option – Definite loss of screen area
- Slide 9: Apple TV connected to HD monitor with HDMI – No loss of screen area
- Slide 10: iPad Mini streaming to Apple TV connected to HD monitor – Significant loss of screen area