Tether Display

is an application for convenient viewing of photos during tethering. Thanks to it, you can easily display the current photo while shooting. The last few photos are shown on a different monitor or device. It enables to viewing and rating photos by people involved in session or by your client on other devices in local network (e.g. connected to the same Wi-Fi), and even share the preview over the Internet.

Features

• convenient, minimalistic interface with the most-needed elements
• viewing photos on any number of devices connected to the local network (e.g. Wi-Fi) or via Internet in a web browser
• rating photos on a scale of 0 to 5 stars with the option to export a list of rated photos to programs: Lightroom, Capture One, Total Commander, Photo Selector
• single photo view displaying the current photo with a histogram and highlighted overexposed parts of the image
• multiple photos view showing the last few photos side by side
• thumbnails view displaying the photos as adjustable size thumbnails
• support for multiple monitors or devices simultaneously with photo display synchronization (e.g. one monitor displays the current photo, the second monitor / device last few)
• the ability to display the selected photo on all devices simultaneously

How it works

Tether Display is built from two modules: application server and web application (webpage) for viewing photos.

The application server is part of the program that reads the photos from the photos directory and makes them available through the web application for viewing that can be opened in web browser.

Photo preview can be viewed on any device in the local network or, depending on the settings, even via the Internet.

System requirements

• PC with an Intel i5 processor or better
• Windows 10 64bit
• a few GB of free disk space
• application to connect to the camera (EOS Utility, digiCamControl, airnef lub Imaging Edge depending on the camera model)

Installation

1. Run the installation file TetherDisplay setup.exe
2. Choose the installation language, read and accept the text of the license agreement.
   
3. In the installation folder selection step, select the directory on the disk with the appropriate free space and click Next.
   

   The application during work generates temporary image files in various resolutions suitable for devices on which currently are browsed. For example, for 500 photos viewed on two devices (computer and tablet) the required free space on the disk is 4GB.

4. Tether Display has been installed. Dhortcuts to start the application have been created in the start menu and on the desktop.
   

   If you are using a different firewall than the standard Windows firewall, unblock these applications:

   INSTALLATION_PATH\TetherDisplay.exe

   INSTALLATION_PATH\svr\bin\TD_server.exe

   INSTALLATION_PATH\svr\app\tools\wget.exe

   Some antivirus may slow down the program performance. For high performance, add exceptions to your antivirus:

   INSTALLATION_PATH\svr\app\tools\HistogramOverexposed.exe

   INSTALLATION_PATH\svr\app\tools\vipsthumbnail.exe

   INSTALLATION_PATH\svr\app\tools\vips.exe

Configuration and start-up of tethering

Tether Display requires an external program that transfers images from the camera to a computer.

The table below indicates which program is best to use depending on whether you want to connect the camera to a computer with a USB cable or wirelessly via Wi-Fi.

Search your camera model by entering its name in the search camera... field, and then use the instructions for a specific program which you will find under the table.

If you can't find your camera in the table contact me, there will probably be a solution for tethering.

Canon EOS Utility 2

1. Download and install the Canon EOS Utility 3 (this package also includes version 2) from this site: https://www.canon-europe.com/support/consumer_products/products/cameras/digital_slr/eos-r5.html?type=software&softwaredetailid=tcm:13-2021854
2. Connect the camera to the computer with a USB cable. If your camera has built-in Wi-Fi support, you can connect to EOS Utility wirelessly. Check the camera manual to set up the connection.
3. On the Canon camera, select the RAW + JPEG M (with lower quality symbol) saving format. Additionally, you can check in the manual of the camera how big photos your camera records for the JPEG M. option. If it is more than 12Mpix, choose the JPEG S option, which will reduce the resolution and the transfer to the computer will be faster.
4. Start the EOS Utility and click Preferences...
5. In the Basic Settings tab, uncheck Automatically display Quick Preview window field.
6. In the Destination Folder tab in the Destination Folder field, enter the path of the directory where you want to save images and uncheck all other fields that are on this tab.
7. In the Remote Shooting tab, check the boxes: Save also on the camera's memory card and In RAW+JPEG mode, only transfer JPEGs to the computer.
8. In the Linked Software tab, in Software to link field select None.
9. In the main program window, select Remote Shooting.
10. Photo transfer has been configured, NEF and JPG files will be saved on the camera's memory card, but only the JPG files that are used by Tether Display will be copied to the computer, which will shorten the transfer time.

Minimize EOS Utility window and go to the Starting the Tether Display section.

Canon EOS Utility 3

1. Download and install the Canon EOS Utility 3 from this site: https://www.canon-europe.com/support/consumer_products/products/cameras/digital_slr/eos-r5.html?type=software&softwaredetailid=tcm:13-2021854
2. Connect the camera to the computer with a USB cable. If your camera has built-in Wi-Fi support, you can connect to EOS Utility wirelessly. Check the camera manual to set up the connection.
3. On the Canon camera, select the RAW + JPEG M (with lower quality symbol) saving format. Additionally, you can check in the manual of the camera how big photos your camera records for the JPEG M. option. If it is more than 12Mpix, choose the JPEG S option, which will reduce the resolution and the transfer to the computer will be faster.
4. Start the EOS Utility and click Preferences...
5. In the Basic Settings tab, uncheck Automatically display Quick Preview window field.
6. In the Destination Folder tab in the Destination Folder field, enter the path of the directory where you want to save images and uncheck all other fields that are on this tab.
7. In the Linked Software tab, in Software to link field select None.
8. Confirm the settings by clicking the OK button.
9. In the main program window, select Remote Shooting.
10. In the newly opened window, click on the computer icon and check Computer and camera memory card field and In RAW+JPEG mode, only transfer JPEGs to the computer.
11. Photo transfer has been configured, NEF and JPG files will be saved on the camera's memory card, but only the JPG files that are used by Tether Display will be copied to the computer, which will shorten the transfer time.

Minimize EOS Utility window and go to the Starting the Tether Display section.

digiCamControl

1. Download and install digiCamControl from this site: http://digicamcontrol.com/download
2. Once launched, select File - Settings from the menu. In the Preview section, make sure that the Auto preview and Auto preview JPG only fields are unchecked and check Do not load thumbnails field.
3. Go to the Session - Edit current session... menu. In the Folder field, enter the path of the directory where you want to save images and check the Download JPG file only and Use original file name given by the camera boxes.
4. In the lower left corner of the main digiCamControl application window, select Tansfer: Save to PC and camera.
5. Connect the camera to the computer. On the Nikon camera, select the NEF + JPEG basic saving format. Set the JPEG size to medium or small. Additionally, you can check in the manual of the camera how big photos your camera records for the JPEG M. option. If it is more than 12Mpix, choose the small option, which will reduce the resolution and the transfer to the computer will be faster.
6. Take a test photo. The newly taken photo should after a while appear in the program window as an icon with the photo icon symbol.
7. Photo transfer has been configured, NEF and JPG files will be saved on the camera's memory card, but only the JPG files that are used by Tether Display will be copied to the computer, which will shorten the transfer time.

Minimize digiCamControl window and go to the Starting the Tether Display section.

Wireless Transmitter Utility

1. Download and install Nikon Wireless Transmitter Utility from this site: https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/sw/179.html
2. Connect the camera to the computer via Wi-Fi using the Wireless Transmitter Utility instruction manual or use the video tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xujekkY7b5U (skip the section of the video about uploading selected photos).
3. On the Nikon camera, select the NEF + JPEG basic saving format. Set the JPEG size to medium or small. Additionally, you can check in the manual of the camera how big photos your camera records for the JPEG M. option. If it is more than 12Mpix, choose the small option, which will reduce the resolution and the transfer to the computer will be faster.
4. Additionally, in the camera menu in Connect to PC - Options section turn on Auto Send and set JPEG value in Send File As.
5. By default, the Wireless Transmitter Utility creates several subfolders in the destination directory that you have specified for saving photos. Take a test photo and see in which subfolder the photo is saved. The path to the photo subfolder will be the one you need to set in the Tether Display.
6. Photo transfer has been configured, NEF and JPG files will be saved on the camera's memory card, but only the JPG files that are used by Tether Display will be copied to the computer, which will shorten the transfer time.

Minimize digiCamControl window and go to the Starting the Tether Display section.

airnef

1. Download and install airnef from this site: http://www.testcams.com/airnef/
2. Connect to the camera wirelessly using Wi-Fi. Check the camera manual how to set up such a connection with a computer.
3. On the Nikon camera, select the NEF + JPEG basic saving format. Set the JPEG size to medium or small.
4. Download the ZIP package containing a script to facilitate the launch of airnef: airnef script
5. Unzip the downloaded ZIP package, run the airnef_start.bat file and follow the instructions on the screen.
6. Take a test photo. The newly taken photo should after a moment appear in the destination directory selected when running the above-mentioned script.

Minimize airnef window and go to the Starting the Tether Display section.

Imaging Edge

1. Download and install Imaging Edge from this site: https://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/app/imagingedge
2. On the Sony camera, select the RAW + JPEG saving format and set PC+Camera in the Setup - PC Remote Settings - Still Img. Save Dest. menu.
3. In the Setup - PC Remote Settings - RAW+J PC Save Img menu, set: JPEG Only. RAW and JPG files will be saved on the camera's memory card, but only the JPG files that are used by Tether Display will be copied to the computer, which will shorten the transfer time.
4. Connect the camera to the computer with a USB cable. If your camera has built-in Wi-Fi support and supports wireless tethering (check the table), you can connect to Imaging Edge wirelessly. Check the camera manual to set up the connection.
5. Launch the Remote module from Imaging Edge.
6. In save folder panel enter the path of the directory where you want to save images.
7. Select Tools - Settings from the menu and in the Preview tab uncheck the Display preview in Viewer box.
8. Take a test photo. The newly taken photo should after a moment appear in the destination directory.

Minimize Imaging Edge window and go to the Starting the Tether Display section.

Starting the Tether Display

1. After connecting the camera and configuring tethering using one of the above programs, launch the Tether Display - control panel shortcut from your computer desktop.
   
2. Start the Tether Display server by clicking Start Tether Display server.
3. Click Open Tether Display preview in web browser. A default web browser will be launched in which a page with photo preview will be displayed.
   
4. Enter the application settings by clicking the button in the top right corner and in the Path to photos directory field enter the path of the directory that you set in the previously configured program. Scroll down the window and accept the settings by clicking the OK button.
   

   These settings are only available from the computer where Tether Display is installed. Other devices on which the preview is open can not change these settings. You can read more about the application settings here.

5. That's all, the application is running and will display photos that will appear in the set directory.

   Now you can open photo preview page on other devices that are on the local network by opening the web address which you will find in the control panel. Additionally, you can open a preview via the Internet if you have selected this option. Read more about Internet access in the section: Internet access.

   Read about interface description and configuration options.

Internet access

Select the option Allow access from Internet in the application control panel and then start the server. After selecting this option, information will be available: at what address the preview is located, and access data.

For proper operation of the preview via the Internet, additional configuration of the Internet access device is necessary.

Log in to your network device (router) and configure port forwarding according to the instructions below. The designation of the configuration fields may differ depending on the network device model.

• IP address LAN: IP address of your computer
• External port: 80
• Local port: 80
• Protocol: TCP

On the computer where the Tether Display is installed, you can check what devices are currently connected to the photo preview. Read more in the interface description section: Connected devices.

Interface description

Control panel

The Tether Display control panel is used to start and stop the application server.

Description of window elements:

Start Tether Display server - starts the server service. After starting the server, this button is used to stop it. Closing the control panel window does not stop the server. It is always recommended to stop the server after the work is finished. The server will also be stopped automatically after restarting the computer.

Open Tether Display preview in your browser - opens the default browser with photo preview. On the computer desktop you will find shortcuts that you can also launch the preview by directly selecting the type of view.

Preview address for devices on the local network - you can open a preview page on devices that are on the local network as the computer. Use any web browser by entering the address in it.

Allow access from Internet - this option allows you to share photos preview via the Internet. For proper operation of the preview via the Internet, additional configuration of the Internet access device is necessary. Read more in the section: Internet access.
After selecting this option, information will be available: at what address the preview is located, and access data to it.

Preview in Tether Display

This is a web application for viewing photos. It is launched in the web browser at http://localhost address from the computer where Tether Display is installed. On other devices from the local network (e.g. Wi-Fi) the address provided in the Tether Display control panel. After enabling the Allow access from Internet option in the control panel, users from the Internet can start the preview at the address indicated in the panel.

Description of interface elements:

A - upper bar with setting buttons and full screen button

B - area displaying a photo or photos

C - the bottom bar, depending on the type of view selected, displays, for example, details of the photo

D - button to filter photos by rating and pause the live mode

View - choosing the type of view (one photo, multiple photos, thumbnails).

View settings - settings of the current view. Changing these settings will apply only to the current tab in the browser on which the preview was opened.

Administration - drop-down box with options: Application settings and Connected devices. You can find more about these options in the section: Application settings, Connected devices and Photo rating list. Administration element is only available from the computer on which the Tether Display is installed.

Help button - displays tips and keyboard shortcuts.

Full screen button - button for switching the browser to full screen mode and back.

Filter - filtering photos by rating

Pause - enables / disables pause (app automatically sets the newest photo as active by default)

Below are descriptions of particular types of views.

View: single photo

This view displays a single photo with the necessary details:

• histogram
• overexposed parts of image
• details about photo

Histogram

By default, it is displayed in the upper left corner. You can change its position using the button or hide it by clicking on . The histogram can be displayed in one of three variants (set in the application settings):

Overexposed parts of image

By default, the application highlights the overexposed parts of the image in red.

You can disable this function by clicking or using the O keyboard shortcut. You can change the overexposed threshold in the application settings.

Details about the photo are displayed at the very bottom. From the left: focal length, shutter speed, aperture value, ISO value, resolution, name of the photo, rating that you can change by clicking on the stars, number of the active photo and the number of all images.

View: multiple photos

This view displays several photos arranged side by side.

Depending on the settings that you can change in the application settings or in the view settings, this view can display the most recent photo on the right or left side of the screen and arrange it from left to right or vice versa.

View: thumbnails

In this view, photos are displayed as thumbnails.

In the settings you can change their size and ratio of the sides to better match the type of photos. In addition, you can change the size of the thumbnails using the buttons in the lower left corner of the screen.

Clicking on the selected thumbnail will change the view to single photo. In the case of another tab on this device, the single photo or multiple photos view is open, then the photo will be displayed in this view.

Viewing active photo

Each view can be configured to display the latest photo as active or one in relation to the newest one (offset), e.g. the penultimate photo.

This feature is useful when using multiple monitors or even devices. For example, one monitor displays single photo view, and second monitor multiple photoss view. The new photo will be displayed in the single photo view on first monitor, and in the multiple photos on second monitor active will be the last but one. This way, monitors or devices do not display the same image twice.

Using these options, you can configure the preview in an unlimited number of ways.

Examples of use:

The monitor on the right displays the current photo and the monitor on the left 3 previous (offset -1).

The monitor on the left displays the current photo, the monitor on the right the last but one (offset -1), and the tablet displays the multiple photos view with offset -2 set so that it displays subsequent photos.

The left monitor displays single photo view and right monitor thumbnails view.

Keyboard shortcuts

Global:

- view change: single photo, multiple photos, thumbnails

- switch view to thumbnails or previously used

- pause / live (automatically sets the newest photo as active)

- enable / disable filtering by any rating

- increase / decrease rating of the active photo

- change rating of the active photo

Single photo and multiple photos view:

- change of active photo to previous or next

- jump by 5 photos forward or backward

- jump to the first or last photo

Widok jedno zdjęcie:

- turns on and off the display of the overexposed parts of the image

- displaying the active photo on all other devices on which the preview is open

Thumbnails view:

- change the active photo, navigate through the thumbnails

- jump up or down by the screen height

- jump to the first or last photo

- the same function as clicking on the thumbnail

Application settings

Path to photos directory - directory path from which Tether Display will lad photos.

Sharpness level - additional sharpening that will be applied to the displayed photos.

Clear photo cache - the application during work generates temporary image files in various resolutions suitable for devices on which currently are browsed. For example, for 500 photos (from camera with 26mpx) viewed on two devices (computer and tablet) the required free space on the disk is 4GB. These files are automatically deleted when Path to photos directory is changed to another one or you can clear them at any time by clicking this button.

Language - app language

Default views settings - in this section there are settings that will be used as the default for views (single photo, multiple photos, thumbnails).

Page Up and Page Down keys as next / previous navigation - This option is useful when using the remote control for presentations. In these devices, the next / previous keys correspond to pressing Page Down and Page Up.

Default settings for views are described in the section with descriptions of views.

Connected devices

As an administrator, you have the option of previewing what devices are currently connected to the photo preview. In this option you can see their list.

Photo rating list

In this window there is a list of rated photos that you can import to various programs such as: Lightroom, Capture One, Total Commander and even Photo Selector. Photo Selector is an application for convenient selection and sale of images. You can find out more by clicking here: https://flexphperia.net/ps

How to download the application

The use of the Tether Display application requires a license. For details, write to me: kontakt@mganko.pl

Version history

1.07

• fixed a bug that caused the last file name to be incorrectly saved in the list of rated photos
• new keyboard shortcuts have been added (filtering, switch view to thumbnails or previously used)
• other minor fixes

1.06

• adjusted the panning animation in the multiple photos view to work better in Chrome 88
• fixed an issue where the selected photo could not be displayed on all devices at the same time
• other minor fixes

1.05

• added a pause button to pause the setting of the most recent photo as active
• added the option of rating photos with the function of exporting a list of rated photos to programs: Lightroom, Capture One, Total Commander, Photo Selector
• the ability to filter photos according to a specific rating
• bug fixes and optimization

1.04

• sharing photo preview via the Internet
• added file name display in multiple photos view

1.03

• new setting Set the latest photo as active
• support for presentation remote controls for navigation between photos
• bug fixes and performance optimization

1.02

• new "thumbnails" view added
• settings useful for displaying photos on many devices at the same time were expanded
• help window added

1.01

• bug fixes and performance optimization

1.00

• initial version of Tether Display