Apple TV

You could get an Apple TV 4K and a nice smallish ~32inch 4K tv for $500. Or a new iPad for well under $500. Or spend $500 on a computer. Or a little more gets you a bigger iPad Pro. Many options at that price point.

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--Chris

Apple TV 4K (Even with a non 4K TV, it's the one to go with)

Here's my take on the whole Zwift on Apple TV 4K experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KVkjmeW6AM

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Shane Miller - GPLama
YouTube | Web | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Strava

If you don't anticipate ever using (or simply wanting to test) any other training apps (ie: Road Grand Tours, VirtuGO, TrainerRoad, etc.), then the Apple TV 4K is definitely the best bang-for-the-buck. Otherwise, a small Windows gaming PC (maybe a used Alienware Alpha) will offer a bit more versatility. If you go the PC route, I definitely recommend keeping the system as "clean" as possible. Seems like a lot of the issues folks have with applications like Zwift are self-induced by having other (conflicting) stuff installed. That's another advantage of the Apple TV (less interaction between installed applications.) Good luck.

Why not just a Lightning to HDMI cable and a TV?
Is there any advantage to Apple TV vs just using your iphone and cable to a TV?

Lots of options and workarounds, but the Apple TV is just more convenient. Works all the time, doesn't need recharging or connecting/disconnecting cables. Which is especially nice if you have a dedicated bike and trainer setup that never moves.

If money is not an issue, then a PC is probably the best option, but it does come with the requirement of a little more technical knowledge on the users part.

Can you or anyone elaborate on the "workarounds" needed when using an iphone w/ lightning to HDMI cable?
Reason I ask is I just replace my 20 year old Cyclops Fluid 2 with an Elite Direto so I'm in the same boat as planning on using Zwift. I was just planning on going the iphone route to my TV, but if this setup requires some "workarounds" that are a PITA, I'm ok going the Apple TV route if it's just going to be that much easier.

Lightning to HDMI isn't a straight mirroring, there's some kind of compression/upscale happening. The cable itself has an ARM processor with 256MB of RAM inside of it... and is why it's so damn expensive. Things that look nice on a small phone screen rarely look as nice upscaled on an external screen. It works, it's just not as you'd expect.

Also as pointed out above - charging, not being able to use your phone at the time, etc.

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Shane Miller - GPLama
YouTube | Web | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Strava

I find the Apple branded cable works best. I have one hooked up to an iPad that I use on my treadmill and I haven’t had any problems. More importantly, the wife hasn’t had any problems.

You are right that the cable is doing some sort of processing. I’m not sure it’s upscaling though as the phones generally have higher resolution that the tv or monitor it’s plugged into.

I do agree with you that the quality isn’t fantastic but it’s definitely good enough for Zwift.

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--Chris

fyi if you wanted to go with a small form factor computer i posted an alienware for sale a few days ago.

https://forum.slowtwitch.com/forum/Slowtwitch_Forums_C1/Classifieds_F2/FS%3A_Alienware_Alpha_R2_(small_form_factor_PC)_P6696977/?page=unread#unread

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80/20 Endurance Ambassador