This article is a work in progress. Constructive criticism is welcomed.
Screenshot is from the video below (I’m on the top right). All equipment that I use is in the guide below.
The Secrets to an Excellent Spelltable Setup
It’s easy to get the bare minimum up and running on Spelltable, but what if you want to take it to the next level?
Webcam
Your webcam is going to do most of the heavy lifting when it comes to image quality. Spelltable transmits video at a maximum of 720p (1280x720) at 30 FPS, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have a more capable webcam. 4k webcams typically have better sensors than 720p webcams, for example. Better sensors let in more light, they focus better, and the image is sharper regardless of the resolution.
| Item | Name | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webcam | Nexigo N60 1080p | 1080p | $24.00 |
| Webcam | EMEET C960 | 1080p | $32.00 |
| Webcam | OBSBOT Tiny SE | 1080p 100fps | $84.00 |
| Webcam | Insta360 Link 2 | 4k 60fps | $150.00 |
At the entry-level, either the Nexigo or the EMEET will do the job just fine. Both offer 1080p (1920x1080) sensors and built-in microphones, though I probably wouldn’t rely on the microphone unless you really need one. The most common recommendation is the Logitech C920, but at $70 it provides very little in the way of upgrades compared to the Nexigo or the EMEET.
The next logical step up in my opinion is the OBSBOT Tiny SE. It’s still 1080p, but it has better color accuracy as well as better low-light performance. It’s also gimbal mounted, giving you the control to fine-tune its positioning via an app on your PC. You can also change other adjustments like rotation, zoom, focus, and more.
Just like the OBSBOT Tiny SE, the Insta360 Link 2 is mounted on a gimbal. This is the penultimate option for many reasons, including, but not limited to: amazing built-in microphone, 4k sensor (you can zoom in without losing clarity), excellent color reproduction, and powerful software. Many of our YouTube videos are shot with this camera. Here’s an example.
Mount
There’s not really much to say about these mounts, other than you should try to find one that fits your needs. Make sure that your webcam has a 1/4" screw mount on the bottom (the above webcam models do).
| Item | Name | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount | 30" Flexible | — | $20.50 |
| Mount | Spring Flexible | — | $20.00 |
| Mount | Flexible Segmented | — | $32.00 |
30" Flexible - This is asy to adjust, but it might have trouble staying in place with larger/heavier cameras.
Spring Flexible - This one has more rigid parts and holds position better, but it is not infinitely adjustable like the one above.
Flexible Segmented - This one is the most expensive option and also the least flexible. It’s rock solid when it comes to locking in a position, which is great for more permanent setups. It also looks a bit more professional, if that matters to you.
Lights
Lighting is a very important aspect of your setup. If there’s limited lighting, your camera will struggle regardless of how expensive it is. Good lighting is the difference between random glare spots and shadows and colorful, legible board states. The more lights you have, the lower brightness that you can run them at.
A couple of rules of thumb:
- Cover more surface area to reduce potential shadows
- Angle your lights so that glare does not get reflected into your camera’s lens (more on this later)
- Brighter is not always better, so start at the lowest brightness and work your way up
- Physically move your lights around to find the right spot
| Item | Name | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights | Dual Lamp | — | $40.00 |
| Lights | 10" Desk Stand | — | $35.00 |
| Lights | 10" Desk Mount | — | $40.00 |
Dual Lamp - These sit on top of your monitor and have touch controls on top of each light. You could probably split this 2-pack with a friend if you want to split the cost.
10" Desk Stand - This has a much softer diffuser and a larger surface area, as well as more adjustability. This version stands on your desk.
10" Desk Mount - Same as the 10" Desk Stand, but this one mounts to your desk. I’m currently using two of these in the video above.
Microphone
It’s important for your opponents to be able to clearly hear you. This helps when making short responses like “pass” when you say you’re passing priority, for example. Desktop and headset mics work fine for this, webcam mics less so. Below are some lapel/lavalier mics that offer great performance and a small footprint. These mics also typically offer good passive noise suppression because they are designed to be worn on your person.
| Item | Name | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microphone | USB Lav Mic | — | $18.00 |
| Microphone | Sennheiser | — | $50.00 |
| Microphone | DJI Mic Mini | — | $59.00 |
USB Lav Mic - Generic, cheap, and just okay. It’s better than most webcam mics.
Sennheiser - This is great, but expensive relative to its limited feature set. The quality is fantastic and gives a great studio sound. It’s also plug and play and works with any device that has USB-C, including phones and tablets.
DJI Mic Mini - This has been on sale for a while at $59. It’s wireless and comes with a charging case for its mic and receiver. The receiver gets plugged into your computer, and you wear the mic. The battery life is around 10 hours. We currently use these microphones to film Keeping Tabs on cEDH, and you can hear a sample of this in the video above. You can purchase a second mic later for around $39 if you want to record podcast content.
Other Stuff
These are absolutely not necessary to have a successful Spelltable setup, but are great QOL improvements.
| Item | Name | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keyboard | Womier 75% | — | $30.00 |
| Mouse | Razer Orochi V2 | — | $30.00 |
| Dice | Casino Dice | — | $12.00 |
| LCD Writing Tablet | Mini LCD 6.5" | — | $10.00 |
| Whiteboard Tokens | Infinitokens | — | Varies |
Keyboard - Womier 75% - Wireless and small footprint. It’s mechanical with nice switches, and you can change the keycaps later if you want to customize it.
Mouse - Razer Orochi V2 - This is an EXCELLENT gaming mouse for the price, although it is a little smaller in size. The battery life is great, and it has both USB and Bluetooth connectivity. You can also set the side buttons to up and down arrow on your keyboard to increase/decrease your life total in Spelltable.
Dice - These are moderately sized and easy to read. They also include every color and colorless for mana counting.
LCD Writing Tablet - Great for taking notes during the game.
Whiteboard Tokens - Infinitokens are the best, full stop. You can get alternative ones on Amazon if you prefer to spend a little less.
