While the picture resolution is getting better and better on iPhones and iPads, nothing beats watching movies or videos on a larger screen. With the earlier iDevices that was easy, you just needed to connect it to your television set with a cable. Now with the new Lightning Connecter port, it is not that easy anymore.

There is, however, an adapter available that can connect the new Lightning Connecter to the older 30-pin (that the earlier iPhones had), which can then be connected to the HDMI port of your TV. Just check the back of your television set, or its manual, to find out if HDMI is supported on your TV. Apple and other third-party hardware manufacturers sell such adapters.

Apple introduced the Lightning Connecter to encourage people to stream videos directly to their TVs using WiFi and Apple TV, instead of using cables and adapters. Apple’s own video app, or in fact any web video, will show an AirPlay icon when there’s an Apple TV connected to your local wireless network. Pressing the AirPlay icon and selecting your Apple TV will start wirelessly streaming what is on your iPhone or iPad screen. While Apple TV is rich in content, it is not necessary to buy one just to stream videos from your phone to TV.

A less expensive option is Apple's Airport Express. This too mirrors the content of your iOS device on to your WiFi-enabled computer -- but not your TV if it doesn't have WiFi -- as long as you are on the same network. Airport Express is a wireless router. Just connect your modem to it and you are up and running. To set it up download Airport Utility for your PC or Mac and follow the wizard. It will automatically detect your Internet connection and set it up for you. After that you will find an AirPlay icon on your tablet or phone whenever you are watching a movie or slideshow. Just select your computer from the AirPlay icon.

A much cheaper option is to connect your laptop to your TV. Chances are that you have figured out how to do it. Most laptops nowadays come with HDMI ports, as do most new TVs. This makes connecting your computer to your TV easier. If you have already connected your computer to your TV, you could simply project your iOS device’s screen to your computer with a cable and get the same results. This saves you from unnecessarily buying new hardware.

Windows 8 problem

A problem that many Windows 8 users is facing is that it will not play your DVDs or Blu-Ray discs. The reason is that Microsoft is not paying for the right to use the patented software technology needed to play DVDs anymore because most devices in the market nowadays do not even have optical drives. If you are a movie buff you will have to find third-party software that can play your disks such as VLC.

If you want to enhance Windows 8 you will have to pay Microsoft extra money to download the Media Centre software. This will enable DVD and Blue-Ray support. If you are using plain vanilla Windows 8 you will need to upgrade to the Pro pack, which comes with Media Center and some other unrelated features. Microsoft itself advises people to buy third-party DVD software instead of doing this. This is because upgrading will cost you more than Rs 5,000. It is best to avoid it.

If you are already using Windows 8 Pro you can download the Media Center pack for around Rs 550. Just open Control Panel, and click “Add Features to Windows 8”. You will be shown the upgrade available, depending on which version of Windows 8 you are using.

Those who have bought the Enterprise edition of Windows 8 will not be able to download the Media Center pack. It is best for them to download or buy additional software.

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