Will the iPad ever be useable as a monitor?

The one thing that would tip me over into buying an iPad is if there was a way I could use it as a field monitor in my filmmaking endeavours. If there was a way to have an "HDMI in" port on the iPad, or some sort of converter plug in for it, so that I could tap my camera into the iPad and use it as a real time, no lag field monitor would be amazing.

Is there a reason why they don't include the ability to plug in live feed video into the iPad? I was hoping the new version would allow this, but nope. Anyone know why?

 

The iPad 3 will be unveiled soon, there have been some rumours of it having more connection options (physical ports) than the previous two, keep an eye on that for now and see what new features it might have for that.

 

They've already announced it this afternoon, and it doesn't look like any kind of connectivity has changed.

 

I'd only heard it was "early March", but that's disappointing.

 

Same 30-pin input as before.

 

You'd be amazed what those thirty pins can do, if you have the muscle to back it up.

Remember, we still only have basic specifications on iPad 3. We wont see everything until its jailbroken.

 

Sure, right after they add an SD card slot.

 

Call me when they make an iPad with a 5.25" floppy bay.

 

I don't care for tablets.

Now give me the next model Macbook Pro with a retina display and I'll be interested.

 

I seriously doubt Apple will ever include any connectors except the power supply as it runs counter to what they envision the iPad to be.. a totally wireless tool where, if you need to, you can upload/download everything wirelessly.

However you are screwed if you want to display something by a device that is not compatible with an iPad or doesn't have WiFi included.

My tip.. look at the competitors and see if you can find something there. Not everybody wants to dictate how you use a product by deliberately leaving out standard features.

 

Is this meant to imply people are asking for outdated/antiquated features? If so, I disagree.

If it was a joke, well, try harder next time.

 

I think he may not have read the original post and thought I meant as a computer monitor. That was my read of it, anyway.

 

I'd wait and see what the new Windows 8 tablets are capable of over the next few months, I'm an Apple user myself but their toys don't play well with others.

 

Nah, I was just being random. I read the OP, get what you're saying. But, honestly, asking for a 5.25" floppy on an iPad is about as lofty a goal given Apple's track-record on these things.

 

Yeah, as long as they don't remove an express port or firewire 400 port I'll be dandy.

 

Buy a real monitor.

 

Ah, I see. Sorry about that. And I think you're probably right.

 

You can use it as a monitor if you also use it as a video camera.