Capture Stations — Setup and Device Management
PixCrowd Hub → Select an event → Capture → Stations
Manage the Capture Stations associated with an event. A Capture Station is a device running PixCrowd Capture, such as an iPad, that guests use to take photos, videos, and boomerangs.
Station overview
The summary cards at the top show:
- Total stations: Number of Capture Stations registered to this event.
- Online: Stations currently connected.
- Offline: Registered stations that are not currently connected.
- Photos captured: Photos attributed to the event's Capture Stations.
Select Add Capture Station to create a new station. The search field and All Statuses filter help locate stations. Grid and list controls change how stations are displayed. Select a station to open its details.
Creating a station does not activate a device. The station must be opened and paired on a Capture device before device-specific information can be reported.
Station details
The selected station shows its name, current Online or Offline status, device/browser summary when available, Last seen time, and connection age when available. The detail panel has two tabs: Settings and Device Info.
Settings
Device PIN
The four-digit PIN controls access to settings on the Capture device. The interface shows 0000 when no PIN has been set and indicates that devices accept that default. Use Set a PIN to configure it. The Device PIN is an event-wide setting, not a separate PIN for each station.
Activation code
Use an activation code to pair a device with the selected Capture Station. Once the station is connected, the code may no longer be needed; the interface can display Connected — no code needed. Select Re-pair to generate a new code when pairing the station with another device. Activation/pairing is station-specific.
Device link
Use Copy to copy the Capture device URL. Open this URL on the intended device, then complete the pairing process as prompted. Example:
https://www.pixcrowd.com/kiosk/MAYA-52
The event-specific address above is illustrative; use the link displayed in your own event.
Capture Station name
Enter a descriptive name to distinguish devices, for example Entrance iPad or Photo Corner.
Device Info
The Device Info tab shows technical details reported by the connected Capture device. PixCrowd does not know these details merely because a station record was created.
- Before activation: Device Info is empty because the station has not yet been activated on a device.
- After activation: Information appears once the device connects and reports its capabilities.
- When offline: Previously reported information may remain visible but may be outdated until the device reconnects.
Suggested empty-state text:
No device information available yet. Activate this Capture Station on a device to view its technical details.
| Field | What it means |
|---|---|
| Device type | Device category and operating system, such as Capture Station (iPadOS). |
| Browser | Browser and version running Capture. |
| Screen resolution | Device screen resolution in physical pixels. |
| Pixel ratio | Ratio of physical pixels to CSS pixels. |
| Viewport | Available browser display area. |
| Orientation | Reported screen orientation, such as landscape-primary. |
| Camera | Camera availability and detected count. |
| Cameras | Additional camera details, if the device reports them. |
| Storage | Whether browser IndexedDB storage is enabled. |
| Storage quota | Browser-reported estimated storage quota. |
| App version | PixCrowd Capture version and build identifier. |
| Installed as app | Whether Capture is installed and running as a PWA, when reported. |
Offline storage and reconnection
PixCrowd Capture uses IndexedDB to buffer captured media locally if connectivity is interrupted, then attempts to upload queued items when connectivity returns. Storage quota is a browser estimate; it is not guaranteed free space and is not the event's cloud photo allowance.
An Offline station remains listed in Hub. Offline status alone does not establish that locally buffered photos have been lost. However, locally stored data can be lost if browser or application storage is cleared, or if the device/browser removes it. Reconnect the same device and allow pending uploads to complete before clearing its data.
Access and allowances
The number of Capture Stations permitted for an event depends on its applicable entitlements. The PixCrowd Free tier includes one Capture Station.
Troubleshooting
- Device Info is blank: Confirm that the station has been activated and that the device has connected at least once.
- Station shows Offline: Check the device's network connection and reopen Capture using its device link.
- Need to use another device: Use Re-pair and complete activation on the replacement device.
- Camera unavailable: Check browser camera permissions and the device's camera availability.
- Pending uploads: Reconnect the original device and avoid clearing browser storage until uploads have finished.
Related help
- Capture → Designer: Configure the Capture screen's appearance.
- Capture → Settings: Configure countdown, maximum video duration, and optional photo-link SMS messages.
- Capture → Video Overlay: Customize the overlay stamped onto videos and Boomerang clips.
- Capture → Print: Create a printable 4 × 6-inch, 300 DPI composite image; direct printing is not supported.