Astropad setup pro#
Astropad setup tv#

I admit, an Anker Powerhouse, Goal Zero Yeti 400, or even a Vagabond Lithium Extreme (VLX) would be a much more elegant solution with the proper mounting rig, but since I only have to use this setup a few times per year, I get by with what I already have available. They only support 120W continuous whereas the monitor and laptop together can pull as much as 170W, so though it adds additional bulk, I use two batteries to power the monitor and computer separately. To make it a truly wireless setup, I usually power the whole rig off of my Paul C. And since the monitor itself is still wired to a computer, this setup also allows for more accurate color management. The great thing about screen sharing is that you also have the option to control the capture computer remotely, just like you would with a wired setup. It’s best to use a 5G network in open spaces, but if your WiFi signal needs to travel through walls, a 2.4G network might be more stable. Make sure both computers are connected to your dedicated WiFi network. Typically, I will mount the laptop vertically in clamshell mode and connect an external mouse and keyboard to keep a lower profile.

Astropad setup tv#

I see a lot of techs using an Apple TV to facilitate the screen sharing, but I’ve found AirPlay to be far less reliable and significantly more laggy than a laptop solution.įor my setup, I use a Super Clamp with a snap in baby pin and an Inovativ Digiplate Lite to mount the laptop to the rolling monitor stand.

Astropad setup pro#

I use a 15” MacBook Pro Retina and an Airport Extreme, but really any Mac laptop (or even a Mac Mini) and quality WiFi router will work great for this setup (though I would stay away from the latest 12” MacBooks due to their single USB-C port and underpowered integrated graphics). For this setup, you will need a quality computer monitor (ideally one that matches the resolution of your main display), an additional laptop, and a decent wireless router. I’ve found it to be by far the most reliable and flexible solution in my arsenal.

Solution #1 - Screen Sharingįor the most critical wireless applications, I like to use use the Mac's built in screen sharing functionality. As a result, I’ve come up with a number of reliable wireless monitoring solutions using equipment I already have on hand and a few specialty items that will cost you a few hundred dolls rather than a few thousand. As a result, there’s almost never room in the budget to shell out hundreds of dollars on a Teradek rental, nor does it make financial sense for most techs to spend thousands to buy their own. While wireless monitoring has become an essential tool in the film industry, it’s still a rarity in the stills world. Whether I’m dealing with a client video village far from set or a fast paced run and gun shoot where bulky cables can quickly become a nuisance, wireless monitor solutions can be a lifesaver. However, sometimes the constraints of location work can make it impractical or virtually impossible to have a traditional wired secondary monitor set up. A dedicated client monitor can be one of the most helpful tools that any photographer can have on set. Making sure that a photographer and their client can see images in real time is probably the second most important part of my job as a digital tech (after ensuring data integrity).