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Workarounds for Second‑Screen Streaming: How to Replace Casting for Your Boardgame Broadcasts

bboardgames

2026-02-04 12:00:00

12 min read

Casting is fading — here's a technical guide to replace it with remote-control apps, virtual displays, NDI and hardware for reliable boardgame streams in 2026.

When casting dies, your second screen shouldn't — fast fixes for boardgame streamers

If you rely on a phone or tablet to control your overlays, rules reference, scoreboard or a secondary camera during broadcasts, the recent wave of platforms curtailing mobile-to-TV casting has likely left you scrambling. In early 2026 several major services — most visibly Netflix — limited or removed casting paths from phone apps, accelerating a trend away from simple "cast-and-control." For boardgame streamers that depends on a second screen for quick rule checks, scoreboard updates, or a live tabletop camera, that change is painful.

The good news: there are resilient, practical alternatives that preserve (and often improve) second-screen workflows without sacrificing stream quality. This guide walks you through proven solutions — remote-control apps, virtual displays, dedicated streaming hardware, and networked video protocols — with step-by-step setups for low-, mid-, and high-budget builds. Plug these into OBS and your streaming pipeline today to stop losing plays to a broken cast and keep the focus where it belongs: the game.

Why casting is fading (and what it means for streamers in 2026)

Casting as we knew it—simple phone-to-TV handoffs using Chromecast-style protocols—has been under pressure. In January 2026 The Verge highlighted a move by Netflix to drop phone casting for many devices, a sign of broader platform consolidation around native apps and proprietary control channels. That doesn't mean second-screen control is dead, but it shifts the burden to streamers to adopt alternatives that are more reliable, latency-conscious, and controllable.

Note: Platforms are increasingly prioritizing native device apps and direct inputs over phone casting. For streamers, that means planning for networked control and dedicated capture rather than depending on ad-hoc casting paths.

Quick overview: The viable alternatives to casting

Remote-control apps + OBS WebSocket — Use your phone/tablet to remotely trigger scenes and actions in OBS via WebSocket-driven controllers (Touch Portal, StreamControl, Bitfocus Companion).
Virtual displays — Turn a tablet or spare PC into a networked secondary monitor (Spacedesk, Duet Display) and capture that display in OBS. See our no-code micro-app notes for quick local web control panels.
Hardware capture & dedicated encoders — Use capture cards, standalone encoders, or mini switchers (Elgato HD60, Blackmagic, Epiphan, Atem Mini) to bring camera and second-screen video into your PC or stream server.
NDI / SRT / WebRTC — Stream video sources across your local network or the internet with low latency using NDI, SRT, or WebRTC-compatible apps and devices. Read about how the live creator hub trends are making these protocols mainstream.
Smart TV / device remote APIs — Control smart TVs directly via vendor APIs or HDMI-CEC and integrate them into the broadcast pipeline without casting.

Decision matrix: Which approach to pick

Use this short checklist to pick a path before diving into setup instructions.

If you want minimal spend and already run OBS: try remote-control apps + OBS WebSocket.
If you need a second device to act like an actual monitor (show rulebooks, scoreboards or private notes): use virtual displays (Spacedesk/Duet).
If you want the most reliable, low-latency feed for multiplayer tabletop camera angles: use hardware capture and NDI or SRT encoders.
If you need to integrate a smart TV into the workflow and can't rely on casting: look for manufacturer APIs, HDMI-CEC, or plug in a small streaming device/app on the TV itself.

Practical setups — step-by-step

Setup A: Low-cost, fast — Phone as remote with OBS WebSocket (best for beginner streamers)

Estimated cost: Free to $30. Latency: negligible for control path. Stream quality: unchanged.

Install OBS Studio on your streaming PC (use the latest stable 2026 build).
Enable and configure OBS WebSocket. Most modern OBS builds include WebSocket; otherwise install the obs-websocket plugin. Pick a strong password and note the port (default 4455).
On your phone or tablet install a controller app — Touch Portal (free tier), StreamControl, or the Stream Deck Mobile (if you have an Elgato account). These apps speak WebSocket to OBS to trigger scenes, toggle sources, and control audio.
Pair the controller app to OBS by entering your PC's IP, port, and WebSocket password. Test basic actions: switching scenes, muting, activating source visibility.
- Action tip: create a dedicated "scoreboard" scene in OBS with interactive browser sources so you can update text via a web form or text-driven bot.
Optional: add Bitfocus Companion if you want tactile macro buttons or to control PTZ cameras and ATEM Mini switchers in the same interface.

Why this works: Control actions are lightweight, use little bandwidth, and avoid any TV casting path. For boardgame streams where the second screen primarily triggers overlays or reveals rule prompts, this is the quickest, most robust fix.

Setup B: Tablet as a true second monitor — Spacedesk / Duet Display (best for showing private notes & rulebook pages)

Estimated cost: $10–$30 app or free for some tiers. Latency: depends on Wi‑Fi; typically fine for static pages. Stream quality: capture is a display capture in OBS — use 1080p capture for best balance.

On the host PC install Spacedesk (Windows) or Duet Display (macOS/Windows). On your tablet install the companion app.
Connect the tablet to the same local network (wired where possible) or via USB (Duet offers USB tethering for lower latency).
- Pro tip: on crowded Wi‑Fi at conventions, prefer USB or wired Ethernet adapters for tablets to minimize latency.
Create the virtual display and move your scoreboard, reference PDFs, or private notes window to it.
In OBS add a Display Capture of that virtual monitor. Crop and scale as needed; hide the source from the main program output if it contains private notes — instead, use it as a preview-only source or in a second preview scene accessible by the streamer only.
Optional: use a local browser-based control panel (NodeCG, StreamElements Remote Control) opened on that virtual display to make live updates without switching scenes on the main output.

This workflow recreates the classic second-screen experience while giving you precise capture control in OBS. It works particularly well for multi-player boardgame streams where a tablet shows a rotating clock, rule clarifications, or player-specific views.

Setup C: Mid-range pro — NDI cameras + Elgato capture + Stream Deck (best for low-latency multi-camera tabletop streams)

Estimated cost: $400–$1,500 depending on cameras. Latency: very low on gigabit LAN. Stream quality: high with hardware encoding and NDI flexibility.

Use NDI-enabled cameras or smartphone apps (NDI HX Camera for Android/iPhone) to send multiple tabletop angles over the LAN to your streaming PC.
On your PC, install the NDI runtime and add the NDI sources to OBS (NDI plugin). Alternatively use a dedicated capture card (Elgato HD60 S+) for any HDMI-only camera.
- Tip: keep NDI traffic on a separate VLAN or wired gigabit to avoid congesting the same Wi‑Fi your audience uses.
Add a physical Elgato Stream Deck or Stream Deck Mobile to map camera cuts, animation triggers, scoreboard updates, and OBS scene switches. Integrate Bitfocus Companion for bridge control across ATEM switchers, PTZ camera control, and macro sequences.
For remote participants or a secondary host, use NDI to share a dedicated mix-minus audio feed and a private operator view via OBS multi-view or NDI output.

NDI provides high-quality local video distribution without HDMI run headaches. In 2026 NDI remains a popular choice for multi-camera tabletop streams because it's network-native and easy to scale across rooms at conventions and studio spaces.

Setup D: Premium — Dedicated hardware encoders and an ATEM/Blackmagic switcher (best for tournament or pro studio setups)

Estimated cost: $1,500+. Latency: minimal. Stream quality: broadcast grade.

Use hardware switchers (Blackmagic ATEM Mini Extreme) to route cameras and local monitors. Feed a hardware encoder or capture card to the streaming PC or directly to the streaming endpoint.
Use PTZ cameras with IP or VISCA control for remote zooms and angles; integrate PTZ controls into Bitfocus Companion so your tablet or Stream Deck can move cameras in real time.
Use a dedicated hardware stream encoder (SRT-capable) for remote streams or backup redundancy to your cloud encoder (AWS Elemental or other CDN connectors).

This approach is ideal for studios that need reliability under heavy load, multi-producer workflows, or the ability to send clean feeds to tournament partners and recording services. It significantly reduces CPU load on the streaming PC and guarantees consistent encoding quality.

Advanced techniques: virtual displays, headless GPUs, and HDMI dummy plugs

Two developer-level tricks are often overlooked but incredibly useful for streamers building complex second-screen workflows.

1) Virtual, headless displays for unattended PCs

If your streaming PC is headless or you want a dedicated virtual monitor that won't disappear when you lock the machine, use a software virtual display driver or a small hardware HDMI "dummy plug" (also called headless ghost). These tell your GPU that a monitor is attached so you can place windows and capture them reliably.

Software options: Virtual display drivers on Linux (dummy X11) and Windows solutions like 'ZoneScreen' forks or custom virtual monitor drivers.
Hardware option: a cheap HDMI dummy adapter (emulates 1080p/60 or 4K); plug it into the GPU to create a permanent display that OBS can capture even if no physical monitor is attached.

2) Create a virtual browser-based control panel

For rulebooks, timers, and interactive overlays create a small local web app or use services like StreamElements Remote Control. Open the control panel on your virtual display or a tablet running Spacedesk, then capture the browser source in OBS. This allows co-hosts to update overlays using their own devices without connecting directly to OBS. If you're building a lightweight local control surface, our micro-app template pack and no-code tutorial are helpful starting points. Keep hosting costs in mind — see notes on the hidden costs of "free" hosting when you publish local tools.

Network considerations and stream quality tips

Second-screen replacements often depend on your network. Here are best practices to keep stream quality high and latency low.

Use wired wherever possible — Gigabit Ethernet for PCs, wired connections for NDI encoders, and wired switches reduce jitter and packet loss.
Segment traffic — Put production devices on a dedicated VLAN or switch to avoid competition with viewer Wi‑Fi. For secure device onboarding and segmentation patterns, see our secure remote onboarding playbook.
Prefer hardware encoding — Use NVENC (NVIDIA), VCE/AVC, or QuickSync to offload CPU when handling multiple captures and NDI inputs.
Set appropriate bitrates — For tabletop gameplay a 1080p60 stream at 6,000–8,000 kbps looks excellent on Twitch and YouTube. Avoid 4K unless you have high upstream capacity and your audience benefits from it. The Live Creator Hub notes help match bitrate choices to venue and audience expectations.
Monitor latency — NDI and WebRTC have the lowest LAN latency. SRT is better for internet transport with packet recovery. Choose based on whether you're streaming locally (NDI) or to remote hosts (SRT/WebRTC).

Troubleshooting common problems

Second device won't connect to virtual display

Check firewall and allow the virtual display app on both devices.
Validate IP and that both devices are on the same subnet.
If using USB tethering, ensure drivers are installed and the host recognizes the device.

OBS doesn't see NDI sources

Install/update the NDI runtime on the OBS PC and restart OBS.
Ensure sources use the same NDI version family (some older/very new devices can mismatch).
Confirm that your switch or router isn't blocking multicast; place devices on a managed switch or enable IGMP snooping. See our capture card troubleshooting notes in the NightGlide 4K capture card review.

Audio out of sync after switching to hardware capture

Use a mix-minus setup to avoid audio feedback loops when bringing remote hosts or phone-based audio into the stream.
In OBS, use manual audio sync offsets or dedicated audio interfaces that provide hardware-level monitoring with near-zero latency.

2026 trends streamers should watch

Less casting; more app-native solutions. Big platforms are moving away from generic casting. Expect more direct-device app integrations and proprietary remote APIs. That favors streamers who build device-agnostic, network-based systems (NDI, SRT, WebRTC) rather than device-specific cast hacks.
WebRTC & live low-latency protocols becoming mainstream. In 2025–26 WebRTC and low-latency SRT gained ground for interactive broadcasts; they are now practical for remote co-hosts and spectator cams.
Cloud-assisted production. Hybrid workflows (local capture + cloud encoding/backups) are now accessible to indie creators, offering redundancy when local networks are unstable at conventions. Read how the live creator hub is shaping these flows.
Improved mobile NDI & virtual camera apps. Mobile apps now reliably send high-quality NDI or WebRTC streams, making phones as viable second-tabletop cams when wired or on Wi‑Fi 6/7. See our recommended phone camera kit in the reviewer kit.

Checklist: Migrate your second-screen workflow in one streaming session

Decide: control-only vs. visual second-screen — pick WebSocket controllers or virtual display solution accordingly.
Test network: use wired where possible and isolate production traffic.
Install OBS WebSocket & your controller app; map buttons to critical actions (score update, reveal card, switch camera).
Set up a virtual display or NDI source and add it to OBS as a capture source.
Run a private test stream or local recording to check sync, overlays, and latency.

Actionable takeaways

If you streamed with casting: stop relying on it as your only control path. Add an OBS WebSocket controller this week.
If you used a tablet as a second screen: install Spacedesk or Duet and capture the virtual display for reliable in-stream visuals.
If you need multiple cameras: move to NDI or hardware capture for clean, low-latency feeds — segment traffic and use wired connections.
Plan for redundancy: add a fallback encoding path (hardware or cloud) so a single network hiccup doesn't ruin a tournament or live event.

Closing: Keep the gameplay on-screen, not the tech

The demise of easy casting is an annoying reality of the streaming landscape in 2026, but it also forces better, more reliable production habits. Whether you opt for a simple WebSocket controller on your phone or a full NDI-powered multi-camera rig, these alternatives give you cleaner control, better quality, and less surprise on stream day. Pick a path that matches your budget and practice it once in a dry run — you'll gain reliability and confidence on live day.

Want a tailored checklist for your setup? Join our boardgame-streamer Discord or drop a comment with your gear list and player-count and I'll map a plan you can implement this weekend. Share your configuration and post a short clip — we'll highlight the best solutions in a follow-up guide.

boardgames

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Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.

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