One the ways that you can connect your iPhone or iPod Touch running our DSLR Camera Remote app to your computer is over an established Wi-Fi network. But what if you’re out on location and there is no established Wi-Fi network? For that scenario, you’ll want to create an Ad-Hoc Network like we did for our basketball video where we didn’t have an existing wi-fi connection.
Now for the most part, using an Ad-hoc network works just fine, but I found out the hard way during a press meeting, that if you have an iPhone 3Gs, connecting over an ad-hoc network requires an extra step in order for it to work. I haven’t researched this in-depth, but I’m guessing that somehow when you connect to an ad-hoc network that the iPhone is still on the 3G network and those two network connections interfere with each other somehow causing a less than reliable connection between the DSLR Camera Remote app on the iPhone and the server (this may not be confined to just our app, but I haven’t explored it any further than our app).
Here’s what I did to get around the connection problem.
I’m assuming that you’ve already created the Ad-hoc network and it is up and running awaiting a connection from your iPhone 3Gs.
Step 1 – go to Settings and turn on Airplane Mode as shown here. Your Wi-Fi setting will get turned off automatically. We’ll get that started again shortly.
Step 2 – Click on Wi-Fi (Off >) and you’ll see a screen that looks like this. Turn the Wi-Fi option on.
Step 3 – After turning it on, give it a moment and your iPhone 3Gs should see your Ad-hoc network. Select it as the network to join and if you connect successfully, you’ll see the check mark next to the network name as shown here.
From there, launch the DSLR Camera Remote server on your laptop or desktop that is creating the network. Then launch the DSLR Camera Remote app on your iPhone 3Gs. A list of servers found running will appear. Please note, the server name that appears is going to be the name of your computer, not the name of your ad-hoc network.
With the new 3Gs ( supporting third-party accessories) you guy can create a Wireless link device directly between iPhone and the camera.
I am thinking of a tiny usb receiver plugging in the camera. Then it can connect to iPhone via Adhoc Wifi or bluetooth.
Really really waiting for the day we can skip the laptop server
Ho Viet Hai
September 14, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Do you have any plans to port this awesome app over to the new Zune HD?
david
September 16, 2009 at 9:23 am
This app is just brill! I think we all agree with Hai… Wouldnt it be amazing to get rid of the laptop!
J Cannon
September 22, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Are there any workarounds for ipod touch users?
Vinh
December 14, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Thats weird, why would we want to turn airplane mode on? I tried adhoc before and it was a disaster! I’ll give the adhoc mode a shot with airplane mode on and see what happens! Thanks
K Moy
December 15, 2009 at 4:23 pm
I really want to get rid off the bulky computer. how about another iphone usb-connecting to camera( i have 2 iphones) then wirelessly connecting this iphone to iphone remote? Is it possible? Mr.wong
jovs
January 30, 2010 at 2:34 am