Network Cameras

What is it?

In situations where you need to have the camera remotely positioned from the device running Breeze Booth, you can use the Camera Controller App along with a Windows PC or Raspberry Pi to connect a Canon camera over a network.

Example: You may have a camera positioned at one end of a stadium, but need the Photo Booth controls at the other end. This allows you to connect your camera via USB to a controller (e.g. a Raspberry Pi or Windows PC close to the camera), and then use WiFi or Ethernet to connect the Controller App to your iPad running Breeze Booth.

From Breeze Booth for iPad v3.2 onwards, you can also connect a Canon camera directly via USB.

Options for external controllers:

• A Windows PC (e.g. Intel ComputeStick, mini PC) – easier setup, can also monitor/control the iPad
• A Raspberry Pi – compact, low-cost, low maintenance once set up

Raspberry Pi Camera Controller

You can use a Raspberry Pi single board computer as a controller. Requirements:

• Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (2GB+ memory)
• 8GB micro SD card
  

Setup Steps

1. Install Raspberry Pi OS 32-bit on the micro SD card with Raspberry Pi Imager: https://www.raspberrypi.org/software/
2. Connect HDMI, keyboard, mouse, and power up.
3. Follow on-screen instructions to change password and update OS.
4. Reboot, then open Raspberry Pi Configuration (Pi→Preferences→Raspberry Pi Configuration). Select: * Boot to desktop * Boot as current user * Enable SSH and VNC interfaces
5. Remove/rename the following file: /usr/lib/gvfs/gvfs-gphoto2-volume-monitor e.g. run: sudo rm /usr/lib/gvfs/gvfs-gphoto2-volume-monitor
6. Install Breeze Camera: wget https://bb4ipad.com/breeze_camera.tgz tar xvzf breeze_camera.tgz ./run_breeze_camera.bash install sudo reboot
7. Connect the Raspberry Pi to the same network as the iPad (wired or WiFi).
8. Connect the camera to the Pi via USB and turn it on.
9. On the iPad, go to Camera Settings → select External camera. Live view should appear after a few seconds.

The Pi can also be set up as an AirPrint server (via CUPS).

Windows PC Camera Controller

The Windows version will run on any desktop edition of Windows, even on low-cost Atom or Celeron mini PCs.

Setup Steps

1. Download and install the Event Editor (includes the camera controller).
2. Run Breeze Booth on iPad → Camera Settings → select External camera.
3. Connect the Windows PC to the same network as the iPad.
4. After a few seconds the iPad should connect to the camera controller.

• Connect your Canon camera to the PC via USB.
• Once detected, live view will display on the iPad.

Notes for a dedicated controller:

• Set PC to auto power-on in BIOS.
• Create a limited user account and auto-login.
• Add a shortcut to the camera controller in the Startup folder (shell:startup).
• Pause or disable Windows updates to avoid disruptions.
  

Network Setup

Both the iPad and the camera controller must be on the same network. For smooth live view:

• Use a cellular iPad as hotspot → connect the Pi/PC to it via WiFi.
• Use a MiFi/mobile hotspot → connect both devices via WiFi (Ethernet preferred if supported).
• Use a router with data SIM → connect both via Ethernet (fastest and most reliable).

Note: You may need to configure firewall rules manually. Required ports:

• UDP out: 5010
• TCP in/out: 5011
  

Troubleshooting

• Red rectangle under camera icon → iPad not connected to controller.
• Red cross under camera icon → Controller connected, but no camera detected. – Check USB connection and that the camera is powered on. – Power cycle the camera if needed.