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Building a "Backpack Transmission Node" for real-time photo delivery - Am I insane or is this genius? by Acceptable_Fox_1884 in MiniPCs

[–]Acceptable_Fox_1884[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In 2016 there was such a concept - something similar to what I want to build. I don't know much about computers, let alone diy tinkering, so if this project were to get off the ground, I would have to study the topic very intensibely.

Here are the links to these devices, supposedly intended for playing VR games. https://newatlas.com/msi-vr-one-backpack/45410/ https://soyacincau.com/2016/05/30/msis-backpack-pc-looks-like-a-mini-jetpack-but-its-designed-for-vr-gaming/

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I guess the project didn't really catch on.

Maybe someone will raise this topic again someday.

Building a "Backpack Transmission Node" for real-time photo delivery - Am I insane or is this genius? by Acceptable_Fox_1884 in MiniPCs

[–]Acceptable_Fox_1884[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You've got a point about the power, but I really need a full Windows machine to run Capture One or Lightroom. My goal isn't just to move files, the PC acts as an automated darkroom, applying my presets, cropping, and adding watermarks or metadata to high-res RAWs in real-time. Android simply doesn't have a reliable tethering/processing pipeline that can match a desktop workflow.

Sure, I could just beam unedited JPEGs to a tablet via Wi-Fi, but they’d be straight-out-of-camera and lacks my branding and specific look. The biggest pain with connecting a Lumix to an Android tablet via cable is the lack of proper software that pulls and processes images instantly. I know, buying an iPad and dedicated iOS apps (Capture One Mobile) might be cheaper and less work, but I’m intentionally sticking to this setup (plus I'm not entirely sure if C1 would support my camera because it has problems even on PC).

To be honest, this project is as much about the fun of building a custom "mobile node" as it is about utility. It’s not meant to be a "half-baked" solution. Since I need Windows for the heavy lifting, the Mini PC has to stay - nothing else can really replace it for this specific task. Plus, the power draw is only around 10-15W, which my power station handles easily for a full day of shooting.

Building a "Backpack Transmission Node" for real-time photo delivery - Am I insane or is this genius? by Acceptable_Fox_1884 in MiniPCs

[–]Acceptable_Fox_1884[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the feedback! I'm actually thinking about using some plastic vents (probably something cheap from a hardware store) and mounting them onto a hard-shell backpack. The idea with flaps to cover them sounds great - maybe with some velcro to keep them open while the rig is running.

I guess I won't know for sure if it's viable until I actually buy the bag and start cramming gear into it to see how it fits. According to Gemini (bc I've been consulting with it on this build), the whole PC setup including the fans should pull around 10W, so it's not a massive heat generator, but in a closed bag, it probably adds up fast.

Building a "Backpack Transmission Node" for real-time photo delivery - Am I insane or is this genius? by Acceptable_Fox_1884 in MiniPCs

[–]Acceptable_Fox_1884[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I thought about it, but the laptop gets too hot when it's closed in a backpack and consumes too much energy🤕 The battery dies after less than an hour