Wanted to get some input on this idea before I pursue it. Would it be possible to plug the component cable end into a video source and use the iPhone screen as a monitor? Is there something inherent in the cable's hardware that only allows for 1-way transmission of video data? At a high level, how would I go about ascertaining the cable's protocol (any relevant specs?) and decoding image data in software on the iPhone itself. Thanks!

Sorry, but this sound like "can I change my internet upstream rate by plugging in the networkcable in the other direction?". It won't work because your iPhone has an Image Processor which gives Video OUTPUT only and isnt built to treat INPUT. It's how the chips are connected and etched, so, no chance.

Thanks for the response. I understand that not having the processing/encoding that takes place in hardware during video-out means a huge performance decrease. But let's say, for instance, that I only want to capture screenshots. I'm certain that all that processing/decoding can happen in software. The question is, is it feasible to use this relatively accessible piece of hardware to facilitate that?