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AeroCaster: How to Stream with WiFi or a Hotspot

  • Updated

There are two ways to stream with AeroCaster Live:

  • 1: Connect all devices to a Wi-Fi network that is connected to the Internet.
    • A "mesh" router is easy to set up and will give you excellent results.
      • They are available as a "2-pack" or "3-pack" to increase coverage.
  • 2: Connect all devices to a hotspot for tethering, using either:
    • A personal hotspot on an iPad with a cellular data plan.
    • A personal hotspot on a phone with a cellular data plan.
    • A dedicated mobile hotspot device with a data plan.

The easiest and way is to use a Wi-Fi network:

  • For the Wi-Fi router, make sure it supports wireless "AC" (aka Wi-Fi 5) or "Wi-Fi 6".
  • If you experience performance issues, disconnect any unused devices from the network.
  • Keep your devices as close to the router's antenna as possible.
  • Keep your devices away from large speaker systems, microwaves, two-way radios, and other equipment that may impact Wi-Fi signals.
  • Avoid placing equipment on the opposite side of brick and concrete walls. 

The more reliable way is to use a USB-C adapter with Ethernet:

  • You will still need a Wi-Fi router to connect everything.
    • Wire the iPad to the Wi-Fi router using a compatible USB-C multiport adapter with Ethernet.
    • The phones will connect to the iPad wirelessly, using the Wi-Fi router.

If you use an iPad or phone as a personal hotspot, or use a dedicated hotspot device:

  • All devices need to be connected to the hotspot.
  • A 4G/LTE connection is required, but 5G is recommended.
    • You will need a strong signal to stream reliably.
  • If using a phone as the hotspot, your fastest device should host it.
    • Hosting on an iPad with a cellular plan may offer better performance than a phone.
    • You can also run AeroCaster Camera on a host phone, but performance may be affected.
  • Using an iPad or iPhone as a host will use more battery power, charging is recommended.

When you connect to a hotspot, the host device acts as a Wi-Fi router:

  • AeroCaster Live will use mobile data for the stream.
    • The bit-rate of your stream in AeroCaster Live is measured in kilobits, and your monthly or prepaid data plan is likely measured in gigabytes.
      • There are 8 bits to a byte, 1 Gigabyte is 1000 Megabytes, and 1 Megabyte is 1000 Kilobytes.
    • Example: If your stream averages to 4000 Kbps for 1 hour, that's approximately 1.8 Gigabytes.
  • AeroCaster Camera devices will use the local Wi-Fi created by the host device.
  • Google Chrome sources will use a small amount of mobile data (<1 MB) to establish the connection, and then transmit video over the local Wi-Fi created by the host device.

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