qPlayer works on all iPhones, iPads, and Macs, but the level of functionality depends on your device and connector type. USB-C devices (iPhone 15 and later, modern iPads, all Macs) unlock the full feature set with simultaneous audio, video, and lighting. Lightning devices still work but with significant limitations on simultaneous outputs.
Use a Mac mini or MacBook as a dedicated show playback device with multi-display and USB audio.
Connectivity limitations and what's possible with a single Lightning port.
Full feature set with simultaneous audio, video, DMX, and charging.
The professional single-dock solution for a fully wired stage setup.
Compact USB-C hubs for portable or less demanding setups.
Feature comparison across Lightning, USB-C, hubs, and professional docks.
A Mac, especially a Mac mini, makes an excellent dedicated show playback device. No phone calls, no notifications, no accidental swipes. Just reliable show playback.
A typical Mac mini show setup:
Use Show Transfer to send your show from your authoring Mac to the show machine via AirDrop or LAN Transfer. Author in Studio on your laptop, transfer to the Mac mini at the venue.
Lightning devices have limited connectivity due to the port's bandwidth constraints. You can use one of the following at a time, not simultaneously:
In either configuration:
Lightning cannot provide multichannel audio, video, lighting, and power simultaneously. You'll need to choose which features matter most for your setup, or upgrade to a USB-C iPhone for the full experience.
USB-C unlocks the full qPlayer experience. With a USB-C hub or the Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter, multiple outputs run simultaneously:
Even without a hub, a USB-C iPhone can connect directly to a USB audio interface for multichannel output. Add a hub or the Apple adapter when you need HDMI video and charging alongside audio.
For professional use, we recommend the CalDigit USB-C HDMI Dock. It provides a fully wired, single-dock control solution with everything you need for a complete stage setup:
The CalDigit is mains-powered via its own PSU, so it doesn't draw power from the phone to run the hub. It's aluminium with passive cooling: fanless and silent. It sits on a desk, shelf, or in a rack at the side of stage, and you cable it up once at soundcheck.
The complete signal flow is straightforward:
Cable everything to the dock once during soundcheck. Between songs, sets, or shows, the only thing you touch is qPlayer on screen. One dock, one cable to the phone, everything wired.
If you don't need the full professional setup, a compact USB-C hub with HDMI, USB-A, 3.5mm audio, and PD charging will get you most of the way there. Look for hubs from Hagibis, Anker, or UGreen that include all four ports.
These are bus-powered (no separate PSU) so they're more portable but less robust for demanding show environments. Power delivery is typically lower (30–60W vs 94W), and they may not include Ethernet.
Ensure any hub you choose supports DisplayPort Alt Mode for HDMI output and USB Audio Class for your audio interface. Not all cheap hubs support both simultaneously. Check the manufacturer's specs before buying.
Feature availability across different hardware configurations:
| Feature | Lightning | USB-C (direct) | USB-C + Hub/Adapter | CalDigit Dock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multichannel Audio | Limited * | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| HDMI Video | Limited * | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ (Dual) |
| DMX (WiFi) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| DMX (Wired Ethernet) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Stereo Fallback | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ (USB stereo) |
| Charging While Playing | HDMI adapter only | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ (94W) |
| MIDI (USB) | Limited * | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| MIDI (Bluetooth LE) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple Watch Remote | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
* Limited: Available but uses the Lightning port exclusively. Cannot be combined with other wired outputs simultaneously.
Drop us an email and we'll get back to you. Gig, Plus, and Pro licence holders can also submit in-app support tickets.
Email Support →