An experimental setup transformed the iPad Pro into a portable command center for Apple TV, expanding the idea of a compact home cinema into a mobile format. The project explored how a tablet could host and run a full TV experience, delivering a surprising degree of capability without relying on traditional hardware footprints.
The core modification involved tailoring a 3rd generation Apple TV 4K with a USB-C Modkit for AppleTV (2022). This modification enables replacing the power port of the streaming box with USB-C, turning the device into a signal receiver that can be fed through a tablet-enabled workflow. The intent was to create a single, cohesive device that can function both as a processor hub and as the orchestrator of visual media input, all while maintaining a compact, travel-friendly footprint.
To achieve a seamless signal path, a USB-C hub was used to split a single USB-C port from the 11-inch iPad Pro into multiple connections. The resulting arrangement allowed the tablet to supply power and act as the central orchestrator for the system. An HDMI splitter was introduced to the chain to preserve signal integrity and prevent degradation of digital content, followed by a high-quality video capture solution to ensure smooth, lag-free viewing and capture of high-resolution output. The entire chain was designed to work in harmony with the iPad Pro, ensuring consistent performance without overheating or intermittent drops in signal quality.
With the entire setup aligned, the iPad Pro served as the primary display and control surface, presenting the full Apple TV interface through its screen. This configuration effectively reimagines the tablet as a complete set-top box, capable of delivering streaming content, app navigation, and media playback with the added benefit of portability. The integration with a popular keyboard accessory further enhances usability, enabling quick text entry, improved navigation, and a more comfortable viewing experience when on the go. The result is a self-contained, mobile cinema experience that users can bring along for travel, outdoor viewing, or any setting that benefits from a compact yet capable media hub.
In this exploration, the emphasis was on preserving the quality of the viewing experience while maintaining a simple, repeatable setup. The approach demonstrates how modern hardware ecosystems can be interconnected in novel ways, leveraging USB-C power delivery, video capture technology, and a modular accessory stack to unlock new forms of media consumption. The outcome suggests that a tablet can extend beyond a mere display, acting as the nerve center for a flexible home entertainment architecture that travels as easily as a laptop does. This approach invites broader experimentation with mobile media rigs, encouraging users to contemplate how compact devices might replace larger, purpose-built solutions in everyday life.