Phone + laptop setup
What this setup is best for
Use your phone as the camera (mounted and steady), and use a laptop for bigger-screen control of your scoreboard and stream settings. It’s ideal when you’re a one-person crew and want fewer mis-taps during fast play.
You’ll need
- 1 phone with the app (this is your Camera device)
- 1 laptop (Mac/Windows/Chromebook) with a modern browser (Chrome, Edge, Safari)
- A stable phone mount (tripod or fence mount)
- A reliable internet connection for both devices (same Wi‑Fi is best when available)
Quick overview: who does what
- Phone (camera): starts the stream, captures video/audio, stays mounted
- Laptop (controller): runs the scoreboard and makes stream setting changes on a bigger screen
Set it up (phone + laptop)
Open the app on your phone and set it up as your Camera:
- Place your phone in the mount and frame the action.
- From the main screen, choose Go Live (or Start Stream).
- Confirm your stream is previewing correctly (video + audio meter if shown).
Keep the phone on this screen (or whatever “live/preview” screen the app uses for filming).
In the app, open the control pairing screen. Look for a label like:
- Connect a controller
- Remote control
- Pair a device
When you open it, you’ll see a pairing code (and sometimes a short link or QR code).
On your laptop, open your browser and go to the app’s Control page (the link shown in the app, if provided). Then:
- Enter the pairing code from your phone
- Select the stream to control (if asked)
- Confirm you can see a live control dashboard
Once paired, the laptop should show controls like Scoreboard, Graphics, and Stream Settings (names may vary slightly).
Before the first whistle/pitch, do a quick test:
- On the laptop, add +1 to either team, then undo/reset if needed.
- Toggle the Scoreboard On/Off to confirm it appears on the stream.
- If your laptop shows a preview, confirm the scoreboard is placed correctly and readable.
Game-day workflow (simple)
Once you’re live, keep your tasks split:
- Phone: don’t touch it unless you must (keep the shot steady)
- Laptop: update the scoreboard and adjust stream settings as needed
Scoreboard control on laptop
- Keep the Scoreboard panel open during play.
- Use big buttons for Score + / Score − and Period/Inning/Quarter (if your sport uses it).
- If you make a mistake, use Undo (if available) or adjust the score back immediately.
Stream settings on laptop (when you need them)
Use the laptop for quick, confident adjustments without crowding the phone screen. Common mid-game changes include:
- Mute/unmute (if wind gets loud or you need privacy for a moment)
- Quality / connection mode (if your connection changes)
- Graphics toggles (turn a graphic on/off without interrupting filming)
Tips that make this feel “easy” in real life
- Put the laptop somewhere safe: a small table, folding chair, or tailgate—away from balls and foot traffic.
- Maximize your control page: full-screen the browser so buttons are large and easy to hit.
- Use a simple rhythm: watch play → quick score tap → eyes back to the field/court.
- Keep the phone locked in: once framed, avoid zooming or re-centering unless the action truly moved.
FAQ
It depends on your location and connection, but same Wi‑Fi is usually best when you have it—it tends to pair faster and stay stable. If you don’t have Wi‑Fi at the field, you can often still use a laptop as long as both devices have internet access.
Yes. If the laptop disconnects, your camera phone can continue streaming. You can keep filming and manage the essentials from the phone until you reconnect.
Some setups show a preview on the laptop and some focus on controls only. Either way, your phone remains the camera—your laptop is there to make scoreboard + settings easy and readable.
Using the camera phone for scoreboard updates during play. It usually leads to shaky video and missed moments. If you have the laptop, let the laptop do the tapping.