Phone camera controls

The streaming phone has a small set of controls: zoom, the mic and the scorebug. That's on purpose. Whoever is filming can run it without training, and there's little to get wrong in the middle of a game. This guide covers each control and how to set up the shot.

Hold the phone in landscape

The app streams in landscape, the same shape as a TV picture. Turn the phone sideways before you frame the shot, and mount it that way on the tripod.

For a steady picture:

• Use a tripod or a mount. A handheld phone shakes, and that shows on a big screen.
• Film from high up and near the middle of the field or court if you can, so the action stays in frame.
• Keep the sun behind you, not behind the action.

Zoom

You can zoom from 0.5x to 3x.

• 0.5x gives the widest view. Use it close to the action, for example courtside in a gym.
• 1x is the phone's normal view.
• Up to 3x brings far action closer, for example from the top of the bleachers.

Pick a zoom that keeps the whole play in view, and change it as little as you can during play. Constant zooming is hard to watch. If you need to change it, do it between plays.

Mic level and mute

The streaming phone's microphone is the stream's sound. You can set the mic level and mute it.

• Mic level: turn it down if the crowd or a band near you is too loud, up if the stream sounds quiet. Check it on your platform during your test stream.
• Mute: use it when you don't want the sound going out, for example a private conversation next to the phone. Remember to unmute.

The scorebug switch

The streaming phone puts the real ScoreCastr scorebug on the video, in the match's template and colors. The scorebug switch turns it off and on.

• Turn it off for a clean shot, such as the anthem, a ceremony or a shot of the crowd at halftime.
• Turn it back on before play restarts.

To change how the scorebug looks, use the website: the template, colors, names and logos come from the match's settings. See Switch graphics templates and The scorebug.

The screen stays awake

While you're streaming, the app keeps the screen awake, so the phone won't lock and cut the stream. Keeping the screen on uses battery, so plug the streaming phone into power for a full game. See Phone streaming troubleshooting for heat and battery tips.

Before the game

1. Pair the phone and mount it. See Pair the streaming phone.
2. Frame the shot and set the zoom.
3. Do a short test stream and listen to the sound on your platform. Adjust the mic level.
4. Check the scorebug is on and readable.

Checklist

• Phone in landscape on a tripod or mount
• Zoom set so the whole play stays in frame
• Mic level checked on a test stream, and mic not muted
• Scorebug switch on
• Streaming phone plugged in