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My D&D Table Tech Setup: Music, Maps, Images and PDFs

Save vs Justin

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+d20 more shenanigans over here: Instagram: savevsjustin
Let's talk about how technology might be able to help provide new or different experiences at your D&D table.

Cool Stuff:

Here's an example of the script I use to play an Apple Music playlist:

tell application "Music"
play playlist "Battle"
end tell

That's written in 'AppleScript'. I put that script in an AppleScript document called 'Battle.scpt' and then use the 'Open' action with a Stream Deck button pointed at that file on my computer. There are some Stream Deck actions that let you also run scripts directly in the Stream Deck app, no need for a separate file.

For Windows you may need to search around for an alternative depending on what app you are using to play music.

2024 Mac Mini: https://amzn.to/4s5IavW

USB Volume Knob: https://amzn.to/4cLKAeG

GM Screen USB-C Display: https://amzn.to/4cOeT4v

Player Screen USB-C Display: https://amzn.to/3N4G1ll

Map Screen 36 inch TV: https://amzn.to/3MOUba0
(Note: the one I use is no longer available, this one seems similar)

What I used to create legs for my map screen: https://amzn.to/47dhFfZ
You might need this too: https://amzn.to/4cMH4Rd

Adhesive Mounting Strips: https://amzn.to/4tX3iGi

Map Screen Protector: https://amzn.to/4s4t5e2
(Note: when I bought mine it was $60, it looks like the price has increased. There may be similar models out there but I haven't tried them.)

Small HDMI Monitor for GM View of the Player Map: https://amzn.to/4lfA95y

HDMI Splitter: https://amzn.to/40v0NgZ

Stream Deck XL: https://amzn.to/4snIsyy

Power Strip: https://amzn.to/4kVoVTi

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases on some of the links above (no cost to you) to help support the channel.

Thanks for checking out the episode!

#dnd #dndwithkids #dndtips #dmtips #dungeonsanddragons

20 Comments

@plaguesseven9163 6 months ago

I'd love to see a video solely dedicated to how to setup the Stream Deck.

@abgamma 6 months ago

Using the stream deck for pulling up reference material is brilliant!

@lootandvegetables 7 months ago

This is the most useful breakdown of using tech at an in-person table. Thank you!

@RamzyTaweel 7 months ago

I love geek ideas for gaming, but I do think less is more ... still, this shows how passionate you are, my respect!

@Kothlar 7 months ago

Master class in geek-DMing!

@theravenone3439 6 months ago (edited)

The jank is kind of endearing, I like it, the mismatched screens, the crowded DM space. Looks like you're really making the most of your space

@Zr0din 6 months ago

This is beautiful! I don't think I'm ready for a tabletop monitor yet, but dang! I've been very tempted to get a 2 to 3-screen multi-monitor setup for my laptop. I think the most important thing is the button controller, the Stream Deck. I would love to take a class on how to use it before I commit to buying one. Now that I've seen how you use yours, I'm sure I can find a couple of tutorials. Thanks again, and I hope your players appreciate your efforts.

I had a very bad experience as an early adopter of the 2024 version of Roll20. We encountered so many bugs that the game fell apart. Whole character sheets would vanish after being entered. It was painful—I was angry—you can't ask people to pay for stuff that is straight-up not working! Their support on Discord was also unhelpful.

So I'm trying to wait for dynamic lighting to appear on D&D Beyond Maps—yeah, I know dynamic lighting isn't on their published roadmap, but it's what everyone is asking for.

@kizzle_mi_nizzle6069 6 months ago

This is a cool setup. I am not playing in person but I do want to eventually. We just dont have space in my current rental.
I do however have a 4 monitor setup in my office. I keep all my player character sheets open on my top most monitor, roll 20 on my bottom or central monitor.
I use my right hand monitor in portrait mode to keep all my pdfs open that I may need, and I run obsidian on my left most monitor for taking notes or showing my cheat sheets or any tables I have made.
When I play in person I plan on using more props and I have already got a library of mini cards for items and spells, ready to print out for players. I will also be using physical tokens for currency.
I have previously used a laptop for running dnd in person. I do have a plan to make a dm screen that will give me two exta screens to play with and then a forward facing screen to display things for the players.

@purplecardshark 6 months ago

please do a video on what each button does on the xl

@Flubbol 6 months ago

I have another speaker mounted on the underside of my table for high-bass sounds like thunder and war drums. Makes the whole table vibrate for extra immersion.

@MakeBrokenStuffWork 6 months ago

I have the exact same background except I don't run games very often. I am working on a DM assistant application at this very moment.

@michaelrch 6 months ago

I use roll20 in almost exactly the same way :)
The only snag is trying to do exploration by 2 or more PCs at the same time, but otherwise it's really good.

@JPSeabury 6 months ago

Loved this! I am envious of your ability to play around the table. All my childhood friends are flung far around the country, but we still manage to get together weekly (for the past 46 years!) to play. Of course that forces me into some basic tech: computer, Roll20, Zoom, etc. But I'm stealing some tips from this: (1) creating a "What players see" tile in Zoom, to supplement what they see on the roll20 battlemap (so they can see both at the same time), (2) I have long had a Stream deck on my wishlist, but haven't pulled the plug yet. I think you pushed me over the edge. Great vid, glad to stumble across your channel. Liked and subscribed.

@katrinhasnolife 2 months ago

This is really cool. The most fun I've had with tech was lighting my old game room with hue bulbs and using Halloween lighting formulas for lightning and magic effects at special moments in the campaign.

For my groups I always struggle with them using tech. Everyone wants a digital sheet but they always get distracted with social media, videos, or even playing mobile games. It made me cut back to no tech except music.

@carloc352 6 months ago

That buttons board is amazing! It was always in my dreams (I thought it could not belong to reality, but I must have paranormal powers 😆). Now I will go hunting for it 😁

@Rob_D74 6 months ago

You can also do multiple "hidden desktops" in Windows, it's called Task View.

@MogoPrime 6 months ago

I appreciate the level of detail here! I'm an AV-IT guy so I'm always bringing tech to the tables I attend (I'm a player at the moment, not yet a DM) and it makes me happy to provide new paradigms that even the old-heads at the table say makes the game clearer and better. My DM and I have picked Owlbear Rodeo for our VTT, but that dynamic lighting thing is really appealing. Maybe I'll switch over at some point.
We like to use a short-throw Epson projector on a white wall to maximize our map, my DM and I both have our laptops up and I help him out with pulling up visuals, map stuff, Zoom wrangling. I daydream of one day having a dedicated setup at home with all the tech perfected and ready. Really appreciate seeing how you approached it!