Lux has introduced a new app called ‘Orion,’ which lets users turn their iPad screen into an HDMI monitor to technically connect anything—be it a gaming console, a laptop, or even something like VHS. Notably, Lux is also the developer behind the Halide camera app for the iPhone.
Lux says that they made Orion to “scratch a few itches.” The app lets you connect a camera and use an iPad to better see what you are shooting—acting as a viewfinder. Moreover, the app also lets you connect gaming consoles such as the Nintendo Switch to play on a bigger display while on the go. And, because it takes an HDMI output, you can connect other gaming devices like the PS5 and the Xbox Series X/S and other older gaming consoles as well.
However, to get the video output on an iPad, you will need to attach a video capture card—between your iPad and the output device, which can normally be found for quite cheap
In addition, the Orion app also uses AI-based upscaling to sharpen 1080P videos, and because consoles like the Nintendo Switch output in 1080P, the visual quality can take a hit while watching on a better resolution screen such as retina iPads.
With that said, if you think about it, having your iPad turn into a portable display of sorts is an ideal way to have a mix of both portability and immersion. In theory, you could connect anything that outputs via HDMI—such as an old DVD player.
How Much Does It Cost?
Typically, camera monitoring apps cost a lot of money—but with Orion—Lux has decided to make it available for free of cost. However, if you want other features like AI upscaling, CRT emulation for retro games, and image adjustments, you can choose to buy Orion Pro. It is a one-time upgrade for $5 and has no subscriptions.
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