Using a Phone as a Camera
A modern smartphone produces better video than most entry-level USB webcams. ShowRevue treats any camera that macOS exposes as a capture device, so you can use your phone as the recording source with no extra configuration inside the app.
Two methods are supported: iOS Continuity Camera (built in to macOS/iOS, no extra software) and CamoStudio (a third-party app that works with iPhone and Android).
iOS Continuity Camera
Requirements: iPhone XR or later · iOS 16 · macOS 13 Ventura or later
Apple's Continuity Camera makes your iPhone appear as a standard webcam. ShowRevue sees it the same way as any USB camera.
Setup
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Enable Continuity Camera on iPhone. Go to Settings → General → AirPlay & Handoff and turn on Continuity Camera.
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Connect via USB (recommended for production). Plug your iPhone into your Mac with a USB or USB-C cable. The phone appears immediately in System Settings → General → AirDrop & Handoff.
Wireless mode also works over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth — no cable needed — but wired connection gives lower latency and eliminates battery drain on the phone.
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Select the phone in ShowRevue. In Preferences → General, set the source type to Camera and choose your iPhone from the device list. It appears by its model name (for example,
iPhone 15 Pro). -
Mount the phone. Continuity Camera works best when the phone is stable and pointed at the stage. The phone screen locks automatically once the camera stream is active.
Continuity Camera video features
When used via Continuity Camera, iPhone automatically applies:
- Centre Stage — keeps a subject centred using crop and pan.
- Studio Light — dims the background and brightens the face.
- Desk View — shows a top-down view (designed for desks, not stages).
For theatre recording, turn all of these off in the macOS menu bar camera controls or in Control Centre → Video Effects. They apply digital processing that can cause framing jumps mid-scene and degrade the recording.
CamoStudio
Requirements: Camo app on your phone · CamoStudio desktop app installed on Mac
CamoStudio works with iPhone and Android phones. It installs a virtual camera driver on your Mac, so ShowRevue sees it like any other camera.
Setup
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Install CamoStudio on your Mac. Download from reincubate.com/camo. Run the installer — it installs a virtual camera driver.
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Install the Camo app on your phone. Available on the App Store (iPhone) and Google Play (Android).
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Connect phone to Mac. Connect via USB cable. Wireless mode is available in Camo Pro but USB is more reliable for long recording sessions.
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Open both apps. Open the Camo app on your phone, then open CamoStudio on your Mac. The phone preview appears in the CamoStudio window.
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Select Camo in ShowRevue. In Preferences → General, set the source type to Camera and choose Camo from the device list.
CamoStudio resolution and codec
CamoStudio lets you set resolution and frame rate in its own preferences. For ShowRevue:
- Set Camo to 1920 × 1080 at 25 fps (or 30 fps if your show runs at 30 fps).
- ShowRevue records at the resolution you set in its own Preferences → General. If ShowRevue is set to 1080p and Camo outputs 1080p, you get a full-resolution recording.
- Mismatched frame rates cause stuttering in the recording. Match Camo's output frame rate to ShowRevue's.
Audio when using a phone camera
The phone's built-in microphone is not used by ShowRevue. ShowRevue captures audio from the sources you configure in Preferences → Audio, independent of the camera stream.
If you want a camera-mount mic on the phone for ambience, plug an audio interface into your Mac and route it as an audio track instead.
Choosing between the two methods
| Continuity Camera | CamoStudio | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free (built in) | Free tier available; full features require Camo Pro |
| iPhone | Yes | Yes |
| Android | No | Yes |
| USB | Yes (recommended) | Yes (recommended) |
| Wireless | Yes | Pro only |
| Video controls | macOS Control Centre | CamoStudio app |
| Extra software | None | CamoStudio + Camo phone app |
For most theatre setups with an iPhone, Continuity Camera over USB is the simplest option. Use CamoStudio if you want more control over the image, use an Android phone, or need features like zoom lock and manual exposure that are not exposed by Continuity Camera.