Getting started
Choosing and installing the booth hardware
Typical setups, from the starter kit to the professional booth, and physical installation on site.
BoothX works with standard hardware: a computer, a camera, a screen and, if you like, a printer. Here are the typical setups and installation tips.
Three typical setups
| Starter | Versatile | Professional | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer | Recent laptop | Laptop or mini PC, 8 GB | Mini PC or desktop PC, SSD, 16 GB |
| Camera | Full HD webcam | 4K webcam or entry-level Canon camera | Canon EOS camera on AC power |
| Screen | The laptop screen | 15 to 22" touch screen | Guest touch screen + operator screen |
| Lighting | Venue lighting | Ring light | Softbox or flash |
| Printer | None (gallery only) | Dye-sublimation 4 × 6 | Dye-sublimation with 2 × 6 cut |
| Recommended modes | Photo booth, video booth | All | All, multi-mode |
Check your devices' compatibility at boothx.org/compatibility/cameras and boothx.org/compatibility/printers.
The computer
- A 4-core processor and 8 GB of memory at minimum for a smooth preview.
- An SSD: photos save and display faster.
- Enough USB ports for the camera, the printer and the touch screen, without a hub if possible.
- Plugged into AC power during the event. On battery, use the Eco setup and the battery alerts.
Positioning the camera
- At eye level, or slightly above: never shooting from below.
- 1.5 to 2 m from the posing area for a group.
- Above or right next to the guest screen, so they look at the lens while watching themselves on screen.
- USB cable secured, out of the way of feet.
Lighting
Lighting determines photo quality far more than the camera does:
- a diffuse light source, from the front, slightly raised;
- no bright source behind the guests (window, stage spotlight);
- constant lighting all evening: venue lighting often changes at dinner time or when the dancing starts.
The guest screen
- A touch screen for a self-service booth. Don't forget its USB touch cable in addition to the video cable.
- In portrait for a column booth: set the orientation in BoothX (see Using multiple screens) and design the screens in Vertical 9:16 format.
- Enable Show presses (Settings › Input) for visual feedback on touch.
The printer
- Install the driver before plugging in the printer (see Install your photo printer's driver).
- Place it out of guests' reach, with room for air around it: a dye-sublimation printer gets hot.
- Have a tray to catch the prints and a spare roll of paper.
Sound
For background music and the video booth: a small speaker for the music, and a microphone pointed at the guest for video messages, away from the speakers. See Playlists and fades.
Setting up on site: recommended order
- Set up the structure and the screen, then the camera and the lighting.
- Plug everything directly into the computer, then turn on the camera and the printer.
- Start BoothX: check the Dashboard (camera, printer, lock).
- Cameras page: open the session, take a test photo, adjust framing and lighting.
- Printers page: test page.
- Select the event, run a complete session, scan the QR code.
- Launch the event and put the keyboard away.
Electrical and physical safety
- A power strip with a switch, placed out of the way.
- Cables taped to the floor or run through a cable cover.
- Computer locked inside the booth or out of the public's reach.