Hello My Visually Vaulting VideoPhiles,

Since purchasing my iPhone 3GS Smartphone on Friday, June 19th, in the year of our Lord, 2009 at approximately 7:12am, I have enjoyed downloading free video podcasts from iTunes for playback on the device. 

One of my favorite video podcasts is the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric (Hubba-Hubba).

To be honest, it’s kind of fun lying on my tummy (yes, I am a grown man who uses this word), in bed, with my own private handheld cinema, complete with full stereo sound) mere inches from my eyes, watching a professionally produced show.  For some reason, watching videos in this manner makes me feel young and fresh again.  (Hmmm!  Somehow that doesn’t sound quite right.)

Anyway, unfortunately for me, I am not young and fresh but rather old and fatigued.  Yep, you guessed it.  Within moments of starting the video playback, I fall soundly asleep.  (Perhaps I need to eat more fiber.  Wait!  That doesn’t make any sense.  But I digress; sorry.) (Smile)

Today, I decided to take my commercial free video podcast of the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric (Hubba-Hubba) back to where it belongs; my beloved letterbox-shaped, standard-definition television set.  That’s right.  I watched my video podcast, already downloaded to my iPhone 3GS, on my TV.

How To Accomplish This

1.
From either your local Apple store or Apple approved accessory provider, purchase the following item:
Apple Composite A /V Cable
Part Number:  MB129LL/B.
Approximate Price:  49 USD.

NOTE 1:
Those who want to playback iPhone videos on a high-definition device will need to purchase a different Apple or Apple approved accessory.

NOTE 2:
Cable Description:  Included inside the box for this item you will find  one 5-way high quality cable and one USB to A/C adapter.  The cable has three major sections as follows: 

Section 1:
Consists of one branch that connects to the docking port, located at the bottom of the iPhone 3GS. 

Section 2: 
Consists of three branches that connect to the Video-In, Left Audio-In, and Right Audio-In jacks of the playback device (in this case, a standard-definition television).

Section 3:
Consists of one branch that connects to a USB or A/C power source (USB to A/C adaptor included).

2.
Turn on the playback device and select its correct input source.

3.
With iPhone 3GS powered on, connect the cable to both the phone and the playback device as described above. 

NOTE 3:
It may be necessary to first connect the cable to iPhone before powering it on.

NOTE 4:
Upon successful connection of iPhone 3GS to the television via the 5-Way A V cable, all iPhone audio will be routed to the television including the VoiceOver screen reading synthesizer.

NOTE 5:
Video output will not be displayed on the television until the file is launched from iPhone 3GS from within the iPod application.

NOTE 6:
While Video playback is being displayed on the television, it will not be displayed on iPhone 3GS.  That is, only Album Art is displayed on the phone during video playback to the television.

4.
From the iPhone 3GS Home/Springboard Display, select iPod.

5.
Select Podcasts.

NOTE 7:
It may be necessary to first select the [More] Button located near the bottom right corner of the iPod application in order to see the Podcasts Item.

6.
Navigate to the Video Podcast you wish to view and select it.  Playback will begin. 

NOTE 8:
Standard video playback controls are available. 

NOTE 9:
Though highly unlikely, It may be necessary to select the type of video signal iPhone should send to the television.  To do this: 
A.
From the iPhone 3GS Home/Springboard Display, select Settings.

B.
Select iPod.

C.
Select the [TV Signal] Button.

D.
Select either NTSC or PAL.

NOTE 10:
If living in the United States, select NTSC.

E.
Save your settings by tapping the Home Button located just beneath the iPhone 3GS Display screen.

That’s all there is to it. 

Enjoy,

Mark