Tablets and Streaming

[Kurt Hulst]

I am new to the use of tablets. I still do not have one but do have a Samsung Stratoshpere 4g capable with wifi hotspot. I was wondering if tablets were capable of streaming to CTV or Severe Studios? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Brandon Jenkins]

As far as I am aware there is no way to stream via tablet on the conventional chaser stream sites (ctv, ss). I know that Ustream has an app for iDevices that allows streaming but I can only imagine the quality is terrible and the stream difficult to manage. I would suggest sticking to a laptop with a high end webcam or camcorder for streaming.

This year will be the first year I go with a tablet only setup. I've removed the laptop desk and the power inverter in favor of a more scaled down setup, can't wait to test it out.

 

[Kurt Hulst]

Brandon, that is what I would like to do, lessen the bulk this year and slim down. Do you stream, and is there a way to stream without a laptop? I usually stick to what I know but I am looking to branch out in my techie knowledge base.

 

[Brandon Jenkins]

I do not stream, and if I did I would just leave my laptop in the car. IMO tablets are best suited for replacing radar and web functionality and we are probably a ways out from any kind of quality streaming given the lack of options for connecting external devices (cameras and webcams) to a tablet, not to mention the lack of any universal encoding software.

 

[Skip Talbot]

You could use both a laptop and a tablet. While this doesn't slim down your gear requirements, you could at least dock or stow the laptop someplace out of the way. Then you could use a remote desktop connection to access the laptop from the tablet if you need to check or reconfigure your stream.

 

[Jeremy Den Hartog]

Actually you can use a tablet. Of course, people always immediately think of an iPad or Android tablet. However, there are 'Windows' tablets out there (though typically they are more expensive) that will allow you to stream and do the same things you could do on any other PC (of course with some limitations - I wouldn't use one for video editing for example). In fact, this is what I'm doing this year. I purchased an Acer W500 for $350 online which should work perfect for chasing (and I put the developers preview of Windows 8 on it as it works better for tablet use - and is pretty stable considering its not even beta yet).

I plan on purchasing one of these also: http://www.arkon.com/tablet-accessories/universal-tablet-car-mount.html
...and if your a dork like me I set things up so I can 'remotely control' the tablet using the touch screen on my phone - so I don't have to be even sitting next to the thing to use it ...and I'll probably setup a 'remote access' app on my phone so I can visually see what is on my PC on my phone (that way I can have GRLevel3 outside of my vehicle without actually taking the tablet outside of my vehicle).

 

[Brandon Jenkins]

I didn't really consider windows based tablets, mostly due to tablet designed radar software only being available for ipad/android. Just out of curiosity, what radar software are you using on your acer and how exactly are you controlling it?

I snagged a touchpad and loaded android (cm7 alpha 2.1) and use radarscope with a bluetooth gps puck. I used the Ram ipad floor mount since the touchpad has the same dimensions and it works perfectly. I setup remote access to the PC but wan't a huge fan of the android apps and the method used to control the PC, I'm sure I would get used to it over time but didn't see the need yet.

 

[Skip Talbot]

I just bought a multi-touch LCD monitor. Zooming and panning Grlevel3 by pinching and dragging your fingers works out of the box with Windows 7. A Windows tablet might be a pretty good option.

 

[rdale]

My local EM is using an Acer Windows table and running GR3 just fine. He loves it, mounted in the car with a detachable keybord.

 

[Brandon Jenkins]

Not sure why I thought GR3 would be difficult to operate on a windows tablet, in hindsight this is certainly a very viable option for replacing a laptop. Will have to consider using one in place of an android tablet for chasing.

 

[Jeremy Den Hartog]

Yep, I use GRLevel3 on mine also and pinch to zoom, panning, etc all work as expected (like on a phone) using the touch screen right out of the box like Skip said - which is nice. I control the software using the touch screen on the PC. However, I can also control the PC/tablet using the touch screen on my phone (basically like using a wireless mouse). One of the few draw backs I have found (which is part of the reason I use my phone as a mouse) is the fact some websites are not 'touch screen friendly'. For example, the SPC Mesoscale Analysis page has multiple pull down menus. Using the touch screen on the computer its difficult to get the pull down menus to actually work properly. Instead, I can use my phone to control the mouse cursor (again, like a mouse) so the pull down menus are no problem. I can also use the keyboard on my phone to type on the PC (and press the space bar/arrow keys to navigate through radar animation, etc). I will simply be putting GRLevel3 in 'full screen' mode on my tablet and using my phone to navigate - if that all makes sense .

BTW, I will be bringing my Acer W500 to the Minnesota Chasing Convention if anyone wants to check it out and see how it works, etc

 

[Brandon Jenkins]

I had the same issue with the SPC drop down menus on all android browsers as well, they just don't function properly. They do however have a mobile site linked in the top right corner that completely eliminates the drop downs.

Maybe we'll cross paths sometime this spring, I would love to see that setup in action. I am crossing my fingers for allisonhouse integration in radarscope (for android) before spring.