Compatibility
DOES AIR DIRECT SUPPORT MACOS BIG SUR?
Air Direct Utility (ADU) does not currently support macOS Big Sur. Tether Tools has been proactively working with the Big Sur beta version so that the Air Direct Wireless Tethering System can become supported by Big Sur as quickly as possible. For more information visit our Big Sur update here.
IS MY CAMERA COMPATIBLE WITH THE AIR DIRECT?
If your camera can tether to tethering software on your computer, then your camera is compatible with the Air Direct. Wireless tethering is made possible through the Air Direct Utility (ADU) which connects your camera and computer. Select Canon and Nikon cameras are also compatible with iOS and Android devices using the Air Remote Mobile Tethering App. Please check compatibility to confirm your camera. Click on “Search By Camera” at the top of this page to confirm.
WHAT MAC AND WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEMS ARE SUPPORTED FOR THE AIR DIRECT UTILITY (ADU)?
- For a PC, Windows 10 or later.
- For a Mac, High Sierra or later.
Link to this FAQBWHAT IOS AND ANDROID OPERATING SYSTEMS ARE SUPPORTED FOR THE AIR REMOTE MOBILE TETHERING APP?
- iOS 8.0 or later.
- Android 4.0 or later.
WHAT BATTERIES CAN I USE WITH THE AIR DIRECT?
The Air Direct comes with a TT-LP-E6 battery. Replacements are available on the site, while commonly available LP-E6 batteries will also work with the Air Direct.
WHAT CAMERAS ARE SUPPORTED FOR THE AIR REMOTE MOBILE TETHERING APP?
Currently, the Air Remote Mobile Tethering App supports Canon and Nikon cameras.
Compatibility
DO I HAVE TO PURCHASE THE ADU SOFTWARE? WHERE DO I DOWNLOAD THE SOFTWARE? HOW MANY COMPUTERS CAN I INSTALL THE SOFTWARE ON?
The ADU is free to download. You can download it here: www.tethertools.com/adu. There is no limit to the number of downloads or the number of computers it can be installed on. We recommend loading the ADU onto the computer(s) you typically use when tethering.
DOES THE AIR DIRECT NEED TO CONNECT OR BE MOUNTED IN THE HOT SHOE OF MY CAMERA?
The Air Direct connects to your camera’s USB port, leaving the hot shoe free for use with other equipment. The Air Direct has been designed with flexible options for mounting and use. Our recommended option is to mount the Air Direct Arca Clamp to your L-Bracket.
Other alternative methods for mounting and use include:
- Mount on the camera’s hot shoe if it is available.
- Attach the Air Direct to a tripod leg using the StrapMoore.
- Mount to an arm or clamp with the 1/4″-20 thread on the bottom of the cold shoe.
- Use a longer USB cable, allowing you to carry the Air Direct in your pocket.
HOW DO I DETERMINE THE VERSION OF ADU SOFTWARE I HAVE?
You can determine what version you have by accessing the Help section in the ADU software menu.
CAN I SET AIR DIRECT AS MY DEFAULT WIFI NETWORK?
Setting Air Direct WiFi as your default WiFi network will help to automatically connect when the Air Direct is on. This is helpful in locations with many WiFI networks like events or conferences. Also setting Air Direct as the default will also prevent disconnections in a location where another default network may already be established, like a studio or home network.
CAN I CHANGE THE PASSWORD FOR THE ADU?
Yes, you can change the password in the ADU preferences section. Select Preferences, then Update Password.
I FORGOT MY PASSWORD. HOW DO I RESET IT?
You will need to reset the Air Direct device to the factory settings in order to reset the password to the default, 12345678. To Reset, power the Air Direct, either with a battery or the DC power cable. Wait until the power light and the Wi-Fi indicator light are solid. With a small pin, press the pin into the small pinhole on the side of the device and hold until the blue light begins to flicker. Remove the pin. The device is now Reset.
HOW FAST WILL IMAGES TRANSFER FROM THE CAMERA TO THE COMPUTER TETHERING SOFTWARE?
Transfer speeds will vary based on a number of factors including the tethering software, computer specifications and size of the image files being transferred. Air Direct operates on 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz dual band frequencies and 802.11AC network protocol with transfer rates up to 443Mbps; up to 220Mbps throughput.
HOW FAR AWAY CAN I BE WITH MY CAMERA AND AIR DIRECT FROM MY COMPUTER? WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM DISTANCE AIR DIRECT CAN TETHER?
Air Direct can achieve transfer at up to 200 feet. The 2.4gHz allows for longer distances. The 5gHz will give you faster transfer rates.
WHEN AND WHY WOULD I USE THE DC POWER CABLE?
The included DC Power Cable provides flexibility to power the Air Direct with alternate power sources, and to hot-swap a discharged battery for a fresh battery. Other power sources you can use, depending on your application, include a USB battery bank or a USB wall adapter. Minimum output of the battery or wall adapter should be 5V/2A.
NOTE: Using the DC Power Cable will only power the Air Direct, it will not recharge the TT-LP-E6 battery.
HOW DO I CONFIGURE THE ADVANCED SETTINGS FOR BRIDGING IN THE AIR DIRECT UTILITY?
Review the steps on bridging here.
Troubleshooting
WILL ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE OR A FIREWALL INTERFERE WITH MY TETHERING EXPERIENCE?
Firewalls or security software could interfere with your connection. We recommend following the same best practices as when tethering with a cable. While shooting, disable any anti-virus software and/or firewalls. You may also want to disable Google Drive and Dropbox from syncing in the background. As always, run only one tethering software at a time for best result.
MY TETHERING SOFTWARE DOES NOT RECOGNIZE MY CAMERA. WHAT MIGHT BE WRONG?
Tethering with the Air Direct to your computer is the same as tethering with a cable. Make sure you follow the same tethered workflow best practices when using the Air Direct – update your camera firmware, have only one tethering software program open at a time, disable antivirus software and/or firewalls. If connection cannot be made, reestablish the connection from camera to computer following the Quick Start Guide Steps.
MY AIR DIRECT WI-FI CONNECTION KEEPS DISCONNECTING FROM MY DEVICE.
The camera may be set to go into sleep mode after a predetermined time. When a camera goes to sleep, whether tethered wireless or with a cable, it will lose connection with the device it is connected. The camera’s sleep parameters can be adjusted in the camera’s menu settings.
The Air Direct device may also be disconnecting because there is a “Higher” priority known Wi-Fi network available. Best practices are to set your Air Direct as the highest priority network, so when the Air Direct is turned on, your computer or phone will stay locked on that network.
To set the Air Direct as the default Wi-Fi network, check out this FAQ here. If you require internet access while using the Air Direct, you can Bridge.
MY COMPUTER ONLY HAS 2.4GHZ OR WIRELESS 802.11A/B/G/N. HOW CAN I OPERATE THE AIR DIRECT ON 5GHZ OR WIRELESS 802.11AC FOR AN OPTIMAL TETHERING EXPERIENCE?
There are many inexpensive after-market USB WiFi dongles that will upgrade legacy technology to the more recent 5GHz / Wireless 802.11ac standards. Here are some options from Amazon.
MY SONY CAMERA ISN’T WORKING WITH THE AIR REMOTE MOBILE TETHERING APP. WHAT MIGHT BE WRONG?
Currently, the Air Remote Mobile Tethering App supports Canon and Nikons cameras only.
HOW DO I INSTALL THE AIR DIRECT UTILITY (ADU) OR AIR REMOTE MOBILE TETHERING APP?
Please visit our Air Direct Installation Videos to guide you through the process.
CAN I MAINTAIN AN INTERNET CONNECTION WHILE CONNECTED TO THE AIR DIRECT UTILITY (ADU) ON MY COMPUTER?
Yes, bridging or connecting to your local router through the Air Direct allows you to tether to your software, while maintaining an Internet connection. Learn how to bridge through a Mac or a PC.
WHEN DOING THE FIRMWARE UPDATES, WHY AM I GETTING WARNINGS ABOUT BATTERY POWER?
There are multiple warnings prior to beginning a firmware update. These warnings indicate power level requirements, which include a full battery charge or DC power and the need to let the process complete, uninterrupted. On hardware devices like Air Direct, an incomplete firmware update will mean the unit cannot function. Please contact technical support if you would like more information about the firmware update process.
CAN SONY CAMERAS SAVE THE RAW FILES TO THE CAMERA CARD AND ONLY TRANSFER THE JPEG FILES WHILE TETHERING?
Yes. For more detailed instructions on how to set this up with your Sony camera, read our helpful tech tip here.
MY CAMERA IS NOT CONNECTING TO MY TETHERING SOFTWARE
Applications running in the background may interfere with the tethering software’s ability to connect with the camera. This includes applications that are running in application windows, as well as applications running in the background and in the Taskbar or Menu Bar. Some types of applications that are known to cause issues include, but are not limited to:
- Cloud software (i.e. Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.)
- Anti-Virus or Firewall (Defender, Avast, etc.)
- Tethering Applications (Imaging Edge, Acquire, EOS Utility, etc.)
Check to make sure you only have one tethering software application open. Having multiple tethering software applications open at the same time can cause connection issues. Some software, including many camera utility applications, may launch automatically and may only run in the Taskbar (Windows) or Menu Bar (MacOS). These applications can attempt to automatically connect to the camera even if it is not clear that they are open.
Check for software running in the background:
It is a best practice to close all software that is not actively used in tethering. Check the Dock (MacOS) or Taskbar (Windows) as well as the Menu Bar (MacOS) or System Tray (Windows) to be sure no applications are running other than your intended tethering software. The Activity Monitor (MacOS) or Task Manager (Windows) can be used to identify applications that are running in the background as well as to quit those applications.
Turn off Auto-Connect and Auto-Start features in camera software:
Some software applications have settings that allow the software to automatically launch at startup and/or launch or connect when the operating system recognizes a camera has been connected. This can cause issues connecting your camera to your intended tethering software. Be sure that any installed tethering software or camera utilities are not set to automatically start or automatically connect with the camera.