This guide walks you through different ways to connect AeroCaster to a network for camera connections and streaming.

For best results, use a fast Wi-Fi router in the same room as your AeroCaster setup.

• AeroCaster Camera connections to the iPad use local bandwidth, not internet bandwidth.
• Your internet speed only impacts the stream itself, not the camera connections.

 

LAN vs. WAN

LAN is your local network.

• AeroCaster Camera uses this to send video and audio to AeroCaster Live.
  • In AeroCaster Live, there is a setting called "Target Receive Bit-rate". This determines how much bandwidth camera connections use.
• A typical AC router may support 250 Mbps of traffic.
  • 4 cameras at the default 5 Mbps receive rate requires roughly 32 Mbps (5 x 4 + 30%).
  • This is far less than 250 Mbps. If you have camera quality issues, this guide has tips to improve them.

WAN is your internet network.

• AeroCaster Live uses this to stream your Program feed to a platform.
  • In AeroCaster Live, there is a stream setting called "Bit-Rate". This sets the quality of your stream.
• When you do a speed test online, your upload speed only matters to the stream, not the camera connections.
  • A typical cable internet plan may support 20 Mbps of upload speed.
  • A typical fiber internet plan may support 400 Mbps of of upload speed.
• A 5 Mbps stream requires roughly 6.5 Mbps upload speed (5 + 30%).
  • This is far less than 20 or 400 Mbps.

 

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.

 

Easiest Way: 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. 
  • More tips on network setup in the article at the bottom of this support page.

 

Reliable Way: 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.

 

Personal or Dedicated Hotspot

• 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.

 

Hotspot Host Device 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.