How to Connect an HDMI Camera to an iPhone or iPad | Switcher + Accsoon SeeMo

Switcher Studio now supports HDMI cameras and other sources with the use of the Accsoon SeeMo iOS/HDMI Adapter. When an iOS device running Switcher Studio is connected to an HDMI source with the SeeMo adapter, the HDMI feed is utilized in place of the built-in iOS camera. This allows you to connect sources such as DSLR cameras, computer screens, gaming consoles, and more as a camera angle.

Jump to:

Video Tutorial

This video tutorial provides a walkthrough for connecting a SeeMo with a remote iOS device. In this configuration, the remote iOS device sends the SeeMo feed wirelessly to the main Switcher as a camera angle.


Ways to Use SeeMo With Switcher

Since HDMI is an industry standard for sharing video across devices, the devices you can connect to Switcher using the SeeMo adapter are nearly limitless. Below are a few primary examples of how using the SeeMo adapter with Switcher can enhance your productions.

  • Cameras: Utilize Optical Zoom for sports, concerts, and events where a camera may be far from the subject or use the depth of field on a lens to create dynamic shots.
  • Laptops and computers: Share a presenter's screen without the need to install SwitcherCast or additional software.
  • Gaming Consoles: Utilize the hardwired reliability of an HDMI connection into the iOS ecosystem to provide a consistent and stable streaming experience.
  • 3rd Party Video Mixers: Incorporate HDMI output from Blackmagic ATEM, TriCaster, vMix, Wirecast, and more.

Where to Buy the Accsoon SeeMo iOS/HDMI Adapter

The AccSoon SeeMo iOS/HDMI adapter can be purchased directly from the manufacturer's website, through our preferred hardware partner, and from most major online AV marketplaces.

Base Model

  • Manufacturer: AccSoon
  • Preferred Hardware Partner: iOgrapher
  • AV Marketplaces: B&H, Adorama, Sweetwater
  • Recording Format: up to 1080p
  • iOS Device Charging: Not supported

SeeMo 4k

  • Manufacturer: AccSoon
  • AV Marketplaces: B&H, Adorama, Sweetwater
  • Recording Format: up to 4k when using Director Mode (1080p max when livestreaming)
  • iOS Device Charging: Supported

SeeMo + Switcher Technical Specifications

The below information is applicable to the SeeMo adapter as pertains to use with Switcher Studio, and is not a comprehensive list of the specifications or capabilities of the SeeMo adapter.

  • Switcher Version:
    • 9.0 or later for the base SeeMo product(release date: 04/04/2023)
    • 10.5 or later for the SeeMo 4k (supports 4k recording in Director Mode and device charging)
  • iOS device(s): iPhone, iPad (Lightning & USB-C)
  • iOS version: 12.0 or later
  • Frame Rate: 30 fps
  • Resolution: up to 1080p
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9, 9:16
  • Battery: compatible with a rechargeable Sony NP-F type battery, which lasts up to 8 hours. (not included)
    • Note: A dummy pack connected to AC power can be utilized as an alternative to a rechargeable battery for power supply.

Best Practices for SeeMo + Switcher

  • Clean HDMI: Some cameras provide on-screen settings that will transfer to the HDMI feed from the SeeMo. It is important to select a camera that can output a clean HDMI signal to avoid any issues. We recommend using the Elgato Cam Link Camera Check if looking for a new device.
  • Adapters: The SeeMo adapter does not work with Apple Cameras Adapter Kit, USB hubs, or external adapters. If you are using an external USB audio source that utilizes the Lightning or USB-C port on your main Switcher, you will not be able to hardwire both a SeeMo and USB audio directly to the main Switcher. The SeeMo will need to be connected using a remote iOS device instead. 
  • Audio: Switcher does not capture audio from HDMI sources. For this reason, you will need to connect an audio mixer or interface from the HDMI source directly to the main Switcher in order to capture the audio signal HDMI source into Switcher.
  • Unlimited Runtime: Many cameras will turn off after a period of time to preserve battery life. To reduce the risk of losing your connection to Switcher due to a camera powering off, we recommend using a camera with an unlimited runtime. You can find this information on the Elgato Cam Link Camera Check.
  • Camera Controls: You must make changes to white balance, zoom, etc from your HDMI camera directly. There is no camera control from the Switcher iOS app or the SeeMo adapter.
  • iOS Battery:
    • SeeMo Base Model: Since the SeeMo adapter cannot be connected to any additional adapters, we recommend sufficiently charging any iOS devices prior to production. For longer productions, keeping backup iOS devices to swap with iOS devices with exhausted batteries will allow you to continue the production without interruption, so long as you have another camera angle to switch to while swapping iOS devices.
    • SeeMo 4k: The SeeMo 4k supports active iOS device charging while connected.
  • Cables: If the iOS device you are using to connect to the SeeMo adapter has a Lightning port, you must use the Lightning cable that comes with the SeeMo adapter. Apple-branded Lightning cables do not work with the SeeMo adapter.
  • Device Storage: The local video files that are recorded when using a SeeMo are in H.264 format. Due to the larger format, it is important to have ample free storage on any iOS device connected to the SeeMo adapter, especially if your local device recording is enabled.
  • Accsoon SEE App: The Accsoon SEE app is not required to use the SeeMo adapter with Switcher. If you have the Accsoon SEE app installed on your iOS device, you may receive a popup to "Allow or Ignore". Always choose "Ignore", as "Allow" will open the Accsoon SEE app and exit Switcher.

How to Connect a Wireless SeeMo (Remote Angle)

If you have multiple iOS devices and would like to connect the SeeMo to one of the iOS devices serving as a remote angle, the below steps will walk you through how to configure it. For this setup, the SeeMo adapter overrides the built-in camera on the iOS device and sends the SeeMo feed to the main Switcher instead. This allows the remote iOS device to act as a transmitter to send the HDMI feed wirelessly.

Note: For a guide on using the SeeMo adapter with the main Switcher or the only iOS device, see the "How to Connect an HDMI Camera to Switcher as a Built-In Source" section below.

For this configuration, you will need:

  • An iOS device as the main Switcher
  • An iOS device as the remote angle
  • HDMI camera or other HDMI source
  • SeeMo adapter
  • SeeMo Lightning to USB-C cable (included) or USB-C cable
  • HDMI cable
  • Sony F-Type battery
  • Wireless network or hotspot

To connect your HDMI camera to Switcher:

  • Open the Switcher app on the main iOS device.
  • Tap the Plus icon (+) (iPhone only)
  • Tap New Livestream.
  • Select Horizontal or Vertical.
  • Tap Enter Studio.
  • Connect the HDMI Camera to the SeeMo adapter with an HDMI cable.
  • Connect the SeeMo adapter to the iOS device with a USB-C or USB-C to Lightning cable, depending on the port type on your iOS device.
  • Turn on the SeeMo adapter.
  • Open the Switcher app on the remote iOS device.
  • Tap Share Camera or Screen.
  • Tap Share SeeMo.
  • On the main Switcher, tap the SeeMo listed in the Inputs tab. (i.e. "SeeMo on iPad 8")
    • The SeeMo will now appear under "Sources on Your WiFi Network".
  • The SeeMo will now appear as a camera angle in the Sources panel.

How to Connect a Wired SeeMo

If you are using only one iOS device, you can connect a SeeMo adapter directly to the iOS device running the Switcher app.

For this configuration, you will need:

  • An iOS device
  • HDMI camera or other HDMI source
  • SeeMo adapter
  • SeeMo Lightning to USB-C cable (included) or USB-C cable
  • HDMI cable
  • Sony F-Type battery

To connect your HDMI camera to Switcher:

  • Connect the HDMI Camera to the SeeMo adapter with an HDMI cable.
  • Connect the SeeMo adapter to the iOS device with a USB-C to USB-C or USB-C to Lightning cable, depending on the port type on your iOS device.
  • Open the Switcher app on the iOS device.
  • Turn on the SeeMo adapter.
  • Tap the Plus (+) icon. (iPhone only)
  • Tap New Livestream.
  • Select Horizontal or Vertical.
  • Tap Enter Studio.
  • Tap the Inputs tab (box with arrow icon) in the bottom-right corner.
  • The SeeMo will automatically replace the built-in camera option for this device.
  • The SeeMo camera will appear in the Inputs tab below "Built-In Sources" (i.e. "SeeMo")
  • Tap the SeeMo to connect it to the device.
  • The SeeMo will now appear as a camera angle in the Sources panel.
  • Tap the SeeMo angle to display it in the live feed.

Setting the Aspect Ratio on Your Camera

Most HDMI cameras allow you to adjust the aspect ratio of the video being captured. To prevent pillar boxing (black bars) on your SeeMo feed in Switcher, you will need to ensure the camera is set to a 16:9 aspect ratio.

To adjust the aspect ratio on your camera:

  • Open the settings on the camera.
  • Locate the aspect ratio settings.
  • Adjust the aspect ratio to 16:9 to match Switcher.

Note: The SeeMo adapter is not compatible with 9:16 mode in Switcher.

Removing On-Screen Settings From Your Camera

The Accsoon SeeMo adapter utilizes the camera feed that is displayed on the DSLR camera's built-in screen. For this reason, we recommend removing any on-screen camera settings so that they will not display in Switcher. Steps may vary depending on the device, but disabling the on-screen settings can normally be found in the camera's settings. For specific steps for your camera, review the device's operation manual.

Understanding Latency With SeeMo + Switcher

  • The video preview on the iOS device connected to the SeeMo adapter is near real-time.
  • Video sent from that device to the main iPhone or iPad is intentionally delayed. This delay is also applied to all wireless iOS cameras, which allows all devices in the production to be synchronized.
  • Audio connected to the main iOS device running Switcher should match sync with video from wireless camera sources and be reflected in the local recording and outgoing stream.
  • In some instances, the synchronization with the SeeMo and other devices may not be perfect. However, each iOS device connected to a SeeMo has an additional setting where latency can be adjusted further for that particular angle. This change can be made in the settings on the iOS device connected to SeeMo.

Adjusting SeeMo Latency in Switcher

Because the feed from the SeeMo adapter is not coming from the iOS device itself, a minor delay may be introduced, causing your SeeMo source to be slightly out of sync with other camera angles or audio. To correct any delay from the configuration, you can fine-tune the latency setting of the SeeMo adapter using the Switcher app. Follow the steps below on each device connected to a SeeMo adapter.

To adjust the latency of the SeeMo adapter:

  • Once you have a SeeMo connected, tap the three lines in the top-left corner of the Switcher app of the connected iOS device.
    • If you have the SeeMo connected to a remote iOS device, then you will access these settings on the remote iOS device.
  • Tap Accsoon SeeMo Settings.
  • Adjust the latency using the + and - controls.
    • Tip: If you have another remote iOS device, you can create a Multiview using the SeeMo angle as source A and an iOS camera as source B. Point both cameras at a moving subject and adjust the latency of the SeeMo until both feeds are synchronized.

Note: The iOS device that is connected to the SeeMo will save the latency settings that were last used. If you swap out a different iOS device with the same SeeMo source, you will need to adjust the latency for this device as well.


Rotating the SeeMo Input in Switcher

If you would like to rotate the SeeMo input in Switcher, you can do so using the lens selector tool.


To adjust the SeeMo orientation:

  • Tap to select the SeeMo in the Sources panel.
  • Tap the lens selector icon.
  • Select the desired rotation.

Using SeeMo in Director Mode

  • Device: When using SeeMo with Switcher in Director Mode, SeeMo must be used as a remote camera. The device being used as the main Switcher will not be able to utilize the SeeMo adapter when Director Mode is enabled.
  • Compositions: When creating compositions, all files have been saved locally to the iOS devices that were used in the production. HDMI Cameras do not need to be connected to any iOS devices when compiling the Director Mode files.
  • Format: The base SeeMo model works with Director Mode in 1080p and 720p. If you have an HDMI camera or source with 4k, the video will be scaled down in Switcher (SeeMo only outputs up to 1080p). The SeeMo 4k, however, can create Director Mode compositions in 4k @ 30 FPS. (Livestreams will still be limited to 1080p @ 30 FPS.)

Removing Dark Backgrounds From SeeMo

If you are screensharing an HDMI feed to Switcher with lyrics or subtitles, you can remove the dark background, allowing the text to act as a dynamic overlay.


To remove a dark background from SeeMo:

  • Connect your SeeMo to Switcher.
  • Tap and hold the SeeMo input in the Sources panel.
  • Tap Edit Properties.
  • Tap the Overlay option in the Layering section.
  • Resize the asset to the desired size.
  • Move the slider next to Fade Black to Transparent until the background reaches the desired transparency level.
  • Tap Done in the top-right corner.
  • When you tap on the SeeMo input in the Sources panel, it will act as a transparent text overlay on top of another source.

Note: To learn more, check out Removing Dark Backgrounds When Screensharing Lyrics, Subtitles, and More.



SeeMo + Switcher Troubleshooting Tips

  • Make sure the SeeMo has power and is turned on.
  • Check iOS and Switcher app versions to make sure they are up to date.
  • Check both cable connections (HDMI from camera to SeeMo and USB-C or Lightning from SeeMo to iOS device). *Note: If the iOS device you are using to connect to the SeeMo adapter has a Lightning port, you must use the Lightning cable that comes with the SeeMo adapter. Apple-branded Lightning cables do not work with the SeeMo adapter*
  • Test HDMI connection by using a different HDMI cable.
  • If using the SeeMo with a wireless remote angle, make sure you are not logged into Switcher on the remote iOS device.
  • Check the camera's HDMI Output Settings to make sure it's outputting the display via HDMI.
  • Check the camera's Aspect Ratio setting to make sure it's set to 16:9.

Related Articles