Turn Your iPad into a Budget Camera Monitor + Recorder

I want to use my iPad Pro as a camera monitor and be able to record the camera LCD screen. You have the option to use an iPad as an external monitor beginning with iPadOS 17 if your iPad has a USB-C port. Can I do this from my Fujifilm X-S20 on a $25 budget with the free CamX IOS app and HDMI cable I already own? While it won’t record in 4k, it will do 1080 60p and that will work for my purposes.
I also found a nice tripod mount for the iPad. Short review here: • The Ultimate Budget Tr...
If you have any issues with the CamX app, please share them in the comments. One thing I found is to set the Format to 420f not 420v. Resolution appears to work best at 1980x1080 and FPS at 30 vs 60. Unable to connect to the camera with the CamX app? I've had to reboot my iPad to successfully connect to the camera a few times. That always fixes the problem, but I am not sure what the cause is. Please remember, that this is a budget solution, so there will be compromises.
I'll discuss what other options I've tried and the one option I'd still like to try, the Viltrox DC-550 camera monitor. Viltrox has been really stepping up with their lens line-up and I recently bought the Viltrox 13mm f/1.4.
What new wireless mic am I using?
This video was recorded on the Fujifilm X-S20 with the 23mm 1.4 LM WR lens using the DJI wireless mic with a Shure MVL Lav mic. I'd do a video about that soon.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 The problem
01:07 What other options I have tried and why
02:38 Cheap Capture Card
04:05 Recording test and Playback
07:25 Was it a success?
08:20 Another option?
GEAR DISCUSSED:
HDMI to USB Capture Card geni.us/9y6mrjB
KobraTech TabMount 360 geni.us/JEDE9uh
Assorted Threaded Screw Adapters (always handy) geni.us/a5yUee
SmallRig Clamp for attaching TabMount to Tripod center column geni.us/BuBbKIo
Accsoon SeeMo iOS/HDMI Smartphone Adapter geni.us/VHyp
Viltrox DC-550 Pro Camera Monitor geni.us/OODnw
Duttek Micro HDMI to Standard HDMI Cable | Coiled Cable geni.us/TQ8Vc
CAMERA GEAR:
Viltrox 1.4 13mm lens geni.us/dAijA
DJI Wireless Mic geni.us/XWU7
Shure MVL Lav Mic geni.us/7kwj
Rode Videomic Go II geni.us/i73C
SmallRig Cage for my X-S20 geni.us/LsGz
Fujifilm X-S20 geni.us/vM9Mkg
Fujifilm 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR lens geni.us/QnKfGj
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NOTE: All my reviews and videos are solely my own opinion. This video was not sponsored. Some of my links have an affiliate code, and if you use those links to make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting this channel in this way.
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[@JackieDElia]

If you have any issues with the CamX app, please share them in the comments. One thing I found is to set the Format to 420f not 420v. Resolution appears to work best at 1980x1080 and FPS at 30 vs 60. Unable to connect to the camera with the CamX app? I've had to reboot my iPad to successfully connect to the camera a few times. That always fixes the problem, but I am not sure what the cause is. Please remember, that this is a budget solution, so there will be compromises.

[@scottievee7467]

Not overly produced and very genuine. You should have a nice audience coming.

[@JackieDElia]

Thank you!

[@CuriousDerek]

I was just looking for something like this and your video popped up! This is super well done! Thank you for sharing this tip.

[@JackieDElia]

Glad it was helpful!

[@HonJazzz]

Great overview and presentation. Thanks for sharing Jackie.

[@JackieDElia]

Thank you for watching.

[@JackieDElia]

I'm not a professional videographer. There are a lot of options for beginners to monitor your video while recording. What's yours? Do you want the ability to record or only monitor? Is HD enough for quick recordings as I mentioned in the video? Please feel free to leave a comment below to share your thoughts. I know there are more expensive options, but I wanted to see what I could accomplish with a $25 Capture card and the iPad and HDMI cable I already owned. One additional item to note is there is no way to charge the iPad while using it as a monitor. Thanks for watching!

[@1ladylane]

Thanks for this! I’ve had a capture card for over a year now….never had any use for it until NOW! So glad I already had it and the needed cables. Thanks for your clear explanation. I’ll be setting up my 12.9” iPad Pro as my external monitor TODAY!! Thanks again!! New subbie here! ❤

[@JackieDElia]

Thank you so much for sharing and watching. Hope it works well for you.

[@ToddyIvon]

thats, awesome, keep doing this channel. I'm professional filmmaker and I love to see people like changing the logic of this plataform

[@blakecamp5848]

Fantastic video No flash just honest down to earth info. I’m using xs10

[@JackieDElia]

Thanks for watching!

[@markexploringnewstuff]

Jackie - super info - I learned of the CamX app and how to use/record to my IPad Pro. Well done. Thank you

[@JackieDElia]

Thank you! Glad it helped.

[@markexploringnewstuff]

Just tried this out on my IPad Pro and Canon EOS R - works perfect!!!! This is so cool.

[@BillBooz]

Thank you, Jackie. I just started the same search but with a different use case in mind. I am using similar setup. Although I do record videos I’m also a photographer and have been looking for a way to use my 12.9 iPad Pro as my tethering monitor rather than my MBP. I’m using an Olympus OM-D E-M5 II to shoot portraits but those tethering softwares that do work with iPads don’t work with Olympus or are overly expensive. I want to use my 12.9 iPad Pro on a stand so both I and the subjects I’m photographing can see the images. I, too, got an under $20 capture card and connect it to my iPad via an HDMI cable for my Olympus camera. I tried Orion but think CamX is much better. However, I’m not crazy about the image not filling the screen. I haven’t yet tried it out with subjects but I think it will be workable. Since this is still a relatively “new” capability for the iPad I’m hoping some clever developers will come out with apps that improve on those currently available.

[@JackieDElia]

Thanks for sharing your.experience with it and thanks for watching. It’s not a peffect solution but for the price, it is workable for me right now. 😀

[@pacificdash]

Jackie, you rock!

[@JackieDElia]

Thanks for watching.

[@GlenReed]

I think it’s great to use what you already have. The iPad is a fantastic screen and better than most budget field monitors. Often I’ll just plug into my 48” OLED rather than setup any of my other monitors. Keep up the good work!

[@JackieDElia]

Thank you. So far this is working for me.

[@rdtstudios]

Good insight, I don't need the extra features either. For monitoring my video I just connect the camera tu my PC monitor with a micro hdmi to hdmi cable

[@JackieDElia]

Thanks for watching. Are you on a Mac or PC?

[@rdtstudios]

MAC but I use external monitor for my MacBook@@JackieDElia

[@TungstenOvergaard]

Happy New Year Jackie! All the best for you and the channels in 2024!

[@JackieDElia]

Happy new year!!

[@luenicluke]

thank you Jackie, this video was recommended to me by youtube and this is exactly what i needed. thank you

[@JackieDElia]

glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching!

[@luenicluke]

@@JackieDElia you got a sub from me. happy new year from London

[@Stone1108]

Genuine presentation, thanks Jackie, i’m going to try this. I too have been looking for similar solutions, very helpful.

[@JackieDElia]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ChristyCub]

This was exactly what I was looking for!

[@JackieDElia]

Thank you for watching! Glad it was helpful.

[@javisilesconejo131]

Thanks a lot for take a camera and give us your real experience

[@JackieDElia]

My pleasure. Thank you for watching!

[@turbotambourine]

Very helpful! Thanks so much! I was wondering about this!

[@JackieDElia]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching,

[@seanhuang929]

hi, have you considered installing magic lantern firmware into your camera? it will provide false coloring and a lot of other small features you may need,and it’s free.

[@JackieDElia]

Thanks for suggesting that. I’ll check it out.

[@f1remandg]

Very good and certainly well explained, a little doesn’t add up, that you dumped the Assos as money didn’t look a problem with the gear you have, but that aside I was pleased to see how you did it as most others, go all round the houses and then you see that it will only work on Sony or ?, for your 12.9” pad the ulanzi holder seems to be the go to with a ball rig to allow tilt! I have looked at many video monitors and actually ordered the Viltrox, however Amazon failed to deliver here in U.K. so I cancelled on two points, the Osse Lilimon 5 is as old and better build! It’s cheaper in USA than here in U.K. due to import and delivery!

[@JackieDElia]

I ended up with the Viltrox DC-550 Pro but still do attach that to my iPad to record. I did a video on that as well. I made this video to show that it can be done if you already have an iPad with the USB-C port with just a capture card. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts.

[@f1remandg]

@@JackieDElia how do find the Viltrox in practical usage, as I’m wanting to use for my video and photography, as I’m giving my son my 11” pro and have bought a iPad mini 5 to tide me over, I think that there will be a new one out soon and possibly a super improved one later in the year! Hence why I’m looking for the dual aspect!

[@JackieDElia]

@f1remandg very happy with the Viltrox DC-550 Pro and use it whenever I am recording with my Fujifilm X-T5. It has nice functions (false color, zebras, etc) and a very well designed sunshade.

[@Creative.visionzz]

Your quality is great🔥🔥

[@JackieDElia]

Thanks for watching,

[@kissyy29]

Great video!!! I bought the exact same one , but the cam x did not work.Unfortunately.Keeps asking to plug the camera

[@JackieDElia]

I had the same issue on my iPad and the only way I could get it to work was to power off the iPad and reboot it and then plug it in and it worked. That was the 2019 iPad Pro. I’ve since upgraded my iPad and I’ve had no problems with the CamX app at all.

[@kissyy29]

@@JackieDElia thanks for the reply , I will try that

[@CatherinCooper]

Thanks for this video

[@XxmattitudexX]

can you use an iphone with cam x it works on my ipad but will not show up any external usb on iphone ?

[@JackieDElia]

i don’t believe you can use CamX with the iPhone. I don’t have a way to test that as my iPhone 13 Pro does not have a USB port. I can hook up my iPhone to my iPad and use the CamX on the iPad to Capture video from the iPhone. I have a Lightning to HDMI adapter that I plug into the iPhone.

[@SapphireTarot-Marie]

So, i just got a digital camera to make videos with better quality as my phone camera is not that good. Will a capture card allow me to use my laptop as a monitor when my digital camera is connected through a capture card? Thank you for the video

[@JackieDElia]

I am able to connect my camera to my computer via the capture card and I used QuickTime to View and record the feed. I’m on a Mac. I have no idea if that would work on PC. Thanks for watching.

[@SapphireTarot-Marie]

@@JackieDElia thank you for replying so fast 😊 I think I will have to use OBS as I use Windows. Thank you for clarifying this to me. I'm glad I found your video as you explained it simple but I'm new to all this and I was a bit confused. Keep up the good work!

[@alexrobinson3487]

Would this work with an iPhone 14 to an older iPad?! Thanks ☺️

[@JackieDElia]

Thanks for watching. Answer is no. It requires an iPad with USB-C port. The iPhone 15 Pro has USB-C, so I am wondering if that would work? If anyone has one, please chime in.

[@ishanagarwalphotography]

thank you i am planning a iPad for my canon R5C for commercial video. i have dji ronin RS2 Pro combo and will be using the Raveneye Hdmi for monitoring on iPad . but which iPad should i get its been ages since i visited apple site what size is good

[@JackieDElia]

Thank you. As far as I know any iPad that has USB-C port would work I’ve only tried it with my iPad Pro 12.9 inch 3rd generation. That is the only one I was able to test.

[@anupammahato1]

can i use the same setup for sony a5000? your insights would be helpful thank you

[@JackieDElia]

Sorry, I don’t know the answer to that question. Maybe someone in the comments who has a Sony can respond?

[@anupammahato1]

@@JackieDElia thank you ☺️

[@nopriors]

Has anyone had success with a Nikon d810, capture card connector and CamX. CamX keeps telling me to connect a device. Thanks, Greg

[@JackieDElia]

One thing I used to troubleshoot was to connect my camera to the Capture card into my computer to see if I was able to receive the HDMI signal. I’m on a Mac so I used QuickTime. That will at least let you know if the HDMI output is working on your camera.

[@nopriors]

@@JackieDElia Thank you for taking the time to respond Jackie. I have my Nikon D810 connected to the capture card and the USBc port on my iMac running Sonoma 14.5. When I open quick time player The only recording I can do is with the iMac camera. When I connect to my iPad Air I will see a little cable icon on the top right part of the screen but it shuts off after about 3 seconds Thanks for any ideas, Greg

[@JackieDElia]

@@nopriors it sounds like either the Capture card is defective or your camera is not outputting an HDMI signal. I don’t have an icon camera, so I’m not sure what settings are required to enable the output. I do know when I was troubleshooting my issues with the iPad when I did connect it to the computer instead, I was able to select the input from the camera with the capture card attached. That way I knew the Capture card was working properly. I don’t have any other suggestions, but hopefully someone else will be able to answer here in the comments.

[@nopriors]

@@JackieDElia Thank you Jackie. I have tethered the camera to my MacBook Pro with HDMI using Lightroom. The fact that the little icon on the upper right screen in CamX app shows up but then goes away may mean the capture card is suspect. What's really weird is the camera will just take a photo for no reason at all. Oh well I love trying to figure this stuff out. I didn't buy the same brand capture card you did so maybe I'll do that and see if it helps. If it does I'll send the one I got back . Take care

[@JackieDElia]

@@nopriors hope it works out.

[@gxvault4166]

I wanna do this but with an android phone that I use for 4k recording.

[@JackieDElia]

I know it is not possible with iPhone, only iPad. I don’t know if it is possible with Android. Thanks for watching.

[@user-ps6ed3dv3e]

Great video. Can you record to external media as well?

[@JackieDElia]

Thanks. I do not think so. The app does the recording and it is on the iPad. You’d need an external recorder like Atmos and then it gets expensive.

[@user-ps6ed3dv3e]

@@JackieDElia Either way, thank you for the video. This is exactly what i was looking for as I have an ipad mini and am charging the Pocket 3 for the first time now. Thanks again!

[@zuryrz]

Is there a lag? Or is it realtime

[@JackieDElia]

I don’t notice a lag.

[@sujauddindarbar3640]

Does this work on iPhone 15 Pro? Any idea?

[@JackieDElia]

Sorry, I do not know - iPhone 15 Pro has the USB-C connection. I wish I had one to test.. if someone does know, please share.

[@sujauddindarbar3640]

I forgot to add..your video quality, composition, & colours are too good. @@JackieDElia

[@JackieDElia]

Thank you!

[@UriValdez]

Complete failure, did everything you did, same app and all and nothing! My guess is the settings on my camera are the issue

[@JackieDElia]

Sorry to hear that. The app can be finicky. I’ve had to either reboot my iPad, or close the app and start it again, including disconnecting the card and reconnecting it. But if you want to eliminate the camera as the issue, what I did was, I plugged the Capture card into my Mac and opened up QuickTime I chose start recording and chose the input and was able to see the camera HDMI output on the screen. I did this completely bypassing the iPad. In fact, my last video that I posted about focusing in the studio, all of the recordings from the camera were done in QuickTime. Hope that’s helpful. Good luck.

[@brunoshoes864]

Well, having an iPad Pro it's not "budget"

[@JackieDElia]

I agree. But since I already owned one for years, it was a budget option for me to just get the Capture card.

[@brunoshoes864]

@@JackieDEliaFair point :P

[@deanle604]

Everyone had an I …..

[@DessieTots]

FFS you waffle for half the video before getting into the meat of it. You should have warned viewers by titling your video “I rant for over four minutes before using iPad as monitor”. Then viewers could just fast forward.

[@JackieDElia]

Thanks for your feedback.