Your phone as a controller (beta)
Use your phone or tablet as a controller, with nothing to install on it.
This is new in the beta. It's been tested on Android so far, not yet on an iPhone. If you try it on an iPhone, or anything doesn't work, please tell us: FEEDBACK / REQUEST at the bottom of the Plugin Player window. Say what phone and browser you have.
Connect
- Put your phone and your computer on the same network. No internet is needed: your phone's own hotspot works too.
- In Plugin Player, click ⧉ INPUT along the top, then under YOUR PHONE click USE AS A CONTROLLER (BETA). (USE AS A CAMERA is the other way round: your phone's camera feeds the scene.)
- The first time, Windows Firewall asks for permission. Tick Private and Public, then Allow.
- Point your phone's camera at the code and open the link. Your browser may ask about nearby devices: say yes.
- Plugin Player asks if this phone may connect. Click ALLOW on the computer.
- Turn your phone sideways.
Only you can let a phone in, and only from the computer. Nothing is listening until you open that box. While a phone is connected, the ⧉ INPUT button says so.
If it drops
Your phone remembers this computer and this computer remembers your phone, so there's nothing to do. The pad dims and says RECONNECTING, then comes back by itself after a Wi-Fi blip, or after Plugin Player closes and opens again. TRY NOW tries straight away.
It only ever retries that one link. After a restart the computer accepts the phones it remembers and nobody else, and for that it listens from launch. A new phone still needs the code and ALLOW.
If you change Wi-Fi, or a week has passed, scan the code again. TURN OFF disconnects every phone and forgets them all, so nothing listens at the next launch.
What's on the screen
- Faders: the four main dials of the scene that's playing. They change with the scene and follow the app.
- ◯ ✕ △ □, L1, R1 and the D-pad: the same as a controller, named in the scene's own words.
- Live picture: a small preview. It's a quick look, not a monitor: keep your eyes on your output.
- Presets: tap one to go to it. The strip scrolls.
- ◀ ▶ beside the scene name: the previous or next scene.
- The number at the top left: how fast your phone reaches the computer and back, in milliseconds. Under 50 is great.
Sending shocks
On a scene with shocks, the SHOCK STYLE box sits right beside R1. It shows which shock R1 sends next. Press its ◀ ▶ to change the style, then tap R1 to send it. Tap fast and the waves stack, up to four at once.
If it won't connect
| What you see | Try |
|---|---|
| The page won't load | Check both are on the same network. Check Windows Firewall has Plugin Player allowed on Public as well as Private. Try TRY THE NEXT ADDRESS |
| It still won't load on venue Wi-Fi | Many venues block devices from seeing each other. Use your phone's hotspot |
| SCAN THE CODE AGAIN | The link is old. Open ⧉ INPUT, USE AS A CONTROLLER, and scan the new code |
| The screen goes dark on its own | Tell us your phone and browser. For now, turn up your phone's screen timeout |