What Does The Apple iPad Mean For Video?

The long awaited Apple tablet (with the unfortunate name of iPad) has finally been revealed and my prediction is that this device will have a big impact on both video producers and video consumers.

Although it's not quite displaying 720p high definition video it's fairly close - 720p video is sized at 1280x720 while Apple's tablet does a little less: 1024x768. Also, it's not what we video pro's call a 16x9 aspect ratio - which means we are very likely going to see letterboxing when viewing 720p video on the device. All that aside, I predict the video playback quality is still going to be quite excellent.

I can't wait to present my demo reel on the tablet and then handing it to a potential customer to hold. I also foresee that this device will spur video production customers, particularly in the corporate world, to think more creatively about their online brochures and marketing materials - imagine an online "print ad" coming to life with video and links to supporting Web sites? How about user manuals that use video to actually show you how to do something step by step.

To get good sound it's probably going to be necessary to use headphones with the tablet although in theory external speakers could be used as well.

Lastly, Apple's latest device, enables an even easier way to get video podcasts like this one viewable in the average living room, or in any room for that matter. The built-in Wifi and Apple iTunes application makes it a snap to search for, subscribe to and then view a huge variety of these online "TV" shows covering just about any topic you can think of. For that matter you could then connect the IPad to your family's high definition TV set and watch it there.