Hello all, so I wanted to ask anyone who is using a TV as their battlemap, what kinds of software are you using to display the battlemap on your TV? I'm going to start looking at possibly having this type of setup in the future but wanted to get a head start on ideas. Thanks for your time.
I run a Mac laptop behind the screen and run a TV as a second screen from that that lays on it's back on the table with a sheet of perspex stuck over it to protect the screen (we still use minis). The maps I just open full screen using Preview and I zoom it up to where it's about right. Scrolling it around when the players move to a new area. It's not as slick as other things out there, but it's free and easy.
I’m using Dynamic Dungeons (you can find them through patron). They have an editor where you can create you iwn battlemaps and iimport them. They also have features such as props and effects, fog of war etc, all controlled from a laptop with the tv acting as second screen. You can also add props that are invisible to players, allowing you to create secret doors, pits, traps etc. really good. Either buy the editor fo 30 euro or you can become a patron to get access to their library of animated battlemaps with light, miving ibjects, sound e t c.
Hardware setup is a macbook air from 2015 (important thing is it supports 4k output) and a 50" samsung TV (supporting 4K aswell). This gives me a screen size of 215 feet (43 5 feet squares) x 120 feet (24 5 feet squares) at a resolution of 88 pixels per inch (5feet square). 5 feet being the standard for dungeon grids.
I run a Mac laptop behind the screen and run a TV as a second screen from that that lays on it's back on the table with a sheet of perspex stuck over it to protect the screen (we still use minis). The maps I just open full screen using Preview and I zoom it up to where it's about right. Scrolling it around when the players move to a new area. It's not as slick as other things out there, but it's free and easy.
Do you use any type of monitor with your Macbook? Cause that's what I have currently as well.
I run from a computer and cast to a chromecast. The program I use is rpgtools map tools. I just make a map using tiles its possible to open a second session of maptools and have a player and gm map but my computer doesn't like the multiple sessions so I just use the gm map and move around the tiles.
I use Fantasy Grounds for maps and combat. the way they have the published adventures set up makes it a breeze. I use a TV in my custom table for players to use their minis on.
I use the old wired RGB cables plus the A/V cable to watch the battlemap on a TV screen. That's because I don't own a Plasma TV nore a Curved HD TV, geez !! :(
Laptop screen mirrored to Amazon fire stick. Typically use Photoshop for maps but just got a dungeon designer. Forgot the name of it. For initiative I wrote my own program which shows on the screen as well.
Don't like having a lot of things requiring electronics when playing. But occasionally they can be quite helpful.
In 1 homemade campaign using the D&D's Spanish 1st ed., the GMs used a laptop with a projector just to show the maps and elses, just to get a better view of what mobs is this, plus what environmet we are on, and blahblahblas...... you know ??
It was a nice campaign, played at 1 Spanish Pub's backroom ( which included personalized discounts of beers & takos )... hehehehehehe.
There are a few different options for using a TV as your gaming screen. You could use a streaming device such as a Chromecast or Apple TV to stream your game from your computer or laptop to the TV. You could also connect your computer or laptop directly to the TV using an HDMI cable. Finally, you could use a gaming console such as an Xbox or PlayStation to play your game on the TV.
We use Owlbear.rodeo with a projector at work. I run the game off the conference room computer, and one of the players casts the map to the projector. I like this setup because it lets the players move their own tokens, and I frees me up from needing to manage their view (I still manage the fog, of course, but they zoom in and out and focus on what they want). The only drawback is that it would be nice to have two screens, one for the DM map, and one for the combat tracker. I may start using my iPad to run the DM map.
At home, we will eventually have a table with a TV built-in, and will continue to use owlbear.rodeo the same way I do at work.
owlbear rodeo works super well for me and fog of war shows directly to the monitor so you only need a computer/device and a monitor! Best Free VTT - Owlbear Rodeo 2.0
If you use windows, and want a one time buy in ($10) I like InfinitasDM Takes a little learning but works well for me. Can be cast through Chrome, or connected to a 2nd display to your PC drag and drop pdf, jpeg, or many other images has fog of war, tokens for PC's monsters et al, and other options. Definitely not the best option for customized tokens and PC mini's.
A great DTT for my needs at a low price, it is mine forever and no internet connection used after down loading.
Think of it as a digital battle mat. I bought a portable usb c monitor that fits in my gaming backpack and it works well flat on the table top. you can use mini's on top of the screen too though I do not.
I use Arkenforge for when I'm playing both in person, and online.
When I play in person, I use a 24" Monitor that I lay flat into my Gaming Table.
When I play online, I share my screen via Discord.
Arkenforge is a great software and what got me to choose that one is their AMAZING customer service and really helpful short videos that they publish on their Youtube channel.
Cheers!
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Breathe, dragons; sing of the First World, forged out of chaos and painted with beauty. Sing of Bahamut, the Platinum, molding the shape of the mountains and rivers; Sing too of Chromatic Tiamat, painting all over the infinite canvas. Partnered, they woke in the darkness; partnered, they labored in acts of creation.
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Hello all, so I wanted to ask anyone who is using a TV as their battlemap, what kinds of software are you using to display the battlemap on your TV? I'm going to start looking at possibly having this type of setup in the future but wanted to get a head start on ideas. Thanks for your time.
I run a Mac laptop behind the screen and run a TV as a second screen from that that lays on it's back on the table with a sheet of perspex stuck over it to protect the screen (we still use minis). The maps I just open full screen using Preview and I zoom it up to where it's about right. Scrolling it around when the players move to a new area. It's not as slick as other things out there, but it's free and easy.
I’m using Dynamic Dungeons (you can find them through patron). They have an editor where you can create you iwn battlemaps and iimport them. They also have features such as props and effects, fog of war etc, all controlled from a laptop with the tv acting as second screen. You can also add props that are invisible to players, allowing you to create secret doors, pits, traps etc. really good. Either buy the editor fo 30 euro or you can become a patron to get access to their library of animated battlemaps with light, miving ibjects, sound e t c.
Hardware setup is a macbook air from 2015 (important thing is it supports 4k output) and a 50" samsung TV (supporting 4K aswell). This gives me a screen size of 215 feet (43 5 feet squares) x 120 feet (24 5 feet squares) at a resolution of 88 pixels per inch (5feet square). 5 feet being the standard for dungeon grids.
Here’s a link to their latest release
https://youtu.be/iW9ULZfhpCs
Do you use any type of monitor with your Macbook? Cause that's what I have currently as well.
I run from a computer and cast to a chromecast. The program I use is rpgtools map tools. I just make a map using tiles its possible to open a second session of maptools and have a player and gm map but my computer doesn't like the multiple sessions so I just use the gm map and move around the tiles.
I use Roll20 for maps, combat tracking and DM tools. My players love the Dynamic Lighting. I love the ease of campaign management.
Roll20 is a great tool just wish they would implement folders to organize our maps
I use Fantasy Grounds for maps and combat. the way they have the published adventures set up makes it a breeze. I use a TV in my custom table for players to use their minis on.
You can see it in action here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0Llzh_hW7sOVkaLu4VCzV1wFX-C5sMni
I use the old wired RGB cables plus the A/V cable to watch the battlemap on a TV screen. That's because I don't own a Plasma TV nore a Curved HD TV, geez !! :(
My Ready-to-rock&roll chars:
Dertinus Tristany // Amilcar Barca // Vicenç Sacrarius // Oriol Deulofeu // Grovtuk
Laptop screen mirrored to Amazon fire stick. Typically use Photoshop for maps but just got a dungeon designer. Forgot the name of it. For initiative I wrote my own program which shows on the screen as well.
Don't like having a lot of things requiring electronics when playing. But occasionally they can be quite helpful.
In 1 homemade campaign using the D&D's Spanish 1st ed., the GMs used a laptop with a projector just to show the maps and elses, just to get a better view of what mobs is this, plus what environmet we are on, and blahblahblas...... you know ??
It was a nice campaign, played at 1 Spanish Pub's backroom ( which included personalized discounts of beers & takos )... hehehehehehe.
My Ready-to-rock&roll chars:
Dertinus Tristany // Amilcar Barca // Vicenç Sacrarius // Oriol Deulofeu // Grovtuk
There are a few different options for using a TV as your gaming screen. You could use a streaming device such as a Chromecast or Apple TV to stream your game from your computer or laptop to the TV. You could also connect your computer or laptop directly to the TV using an HDMI cable. Finally, you could use a gaming console such as an Xbox or PlayStation to play your game on the TV.
We use Owlbear.rodeo with a projector at work. I run the game off the conference room computer, and one of the players casts the map to the projector. I like this setup because it lets the players move their own tokens, and I frees me up from needing to manage their view (I still manage the fog, of course, but they zoom in and out and focus on what they want). The only drawback is that it would be nice to have two screens, one for the DM map, and one for the combat tracker. I may start using my iPad to run the DM map.
At home, we will eventually have a table with a TV built-in, and will continue to use owlbear.rodeo the same way I do at work.
We use a combination of either an HDMI setup as another display or Chromecast...
owlbear rodeo works super well for me and fog of war shows directly to the monitor so you only need a computer/device and a monitor! Best Free VTT - Owlbear Rodeo 2.0
If you use windows, and want a one time buy in ($10) I like InfinitasDM Takes a little learning but works well for me. Can be cast through Chrome, or connected to a 2nd display to your PC drag and drop pdf, jpeg, or many other images has fog of war, tokens for PC's monsters et al, and other options. Definitely not the best option for customized tokens and PC mini's.
A great DTT for my needs at a low price, it is mine forever and no internet connection used after down loading.
Think of it as a digital battle mat. I bought a portable usb c monitor that fits in my gaming backpack and it works well flat on the table top. you can use mini's on top of the screen too though I do not.
CENSORSHIP IS THE TOOL OF COWARDS and WANNA BE TYRANTS.
Arkenforge is built specifically for in-person games with a TV. It works fully offline, and is a one-time purchase
https://arkenforge.com
I use Arkenforge for when I'm playing both in person, and online.
When I play in person, I use a 24" Monitor that I lay flat into my Gaming Table.
When I play online, I share my screen via Discord.
Arkenforge is a great software and what got me to choose that one is their AMAZING customer service and really helpful short videos that they publish on their Youtube channel.
Cheers!
Breathe, dragons; sing of the First World, forged out of chaos and painted with beauty.
Sing of Bahamut, the Platinum, molding the shape of the mountains and rivers;
Sing too of Chromatic Tiamat, painting all over the infinite canvas.
Partnered, they woke in the darkness; partnered, they labored in acts of creation.