New to Roll20, question about using it in person.

Hi everyone, I just stumbled onto Roll20 and it looks amazing. When I said new in the title, I meant completely, I haven't even played a game yet (though I've played a bit of D&D). I'm about to try running Lost Mine of Phandelver (first time DMing) in person with some friends next weekend and I'm trying to think how I could use it. I've bought the LMoP module and a pro subscription. My thought was I could hook my PC to my TV via HDMI and use Roll20 as a map everyone could see. Thing is, I don't want them to see the whole map, but I need to be able to move all the pieces. So in GM mode they would see the whole map, but in player mode I couldn't move the pieces. Is there a good way to do this? Maybe I'm making it to complicated? I only have access to one PC, an iPad, and an iPhone.  Any other suggestions or advice would be very welcome! Thanks for for any help!

I use a rather similar setup: An iMac with a big screen for the players, logged in with a normal user account - so this one we mainly use as virtual map. In the meanwhile, I sit with a laptop on the other side, logged in with my GM account. This setup works very well for us for several months now. The only minor problem: If one of the characters has an extended sight, thenall players on the tabletop can see that far. But that is just a minor inconvenience. You could have the same setup with PC and iPad (as you can use the iPad with the Pro subscription to log into the web version - don't use the app).

There was even a post somewhere in the forum with a javascript to completely hide all UI elements, so the players would only see the plain map... but I prefer when the players can move their own tokens and do their own rolls. But that is up to you, I guess. 

Thanks for the information! I didn't know about the iPad using the browser. That could work.

I just gave it another thought... I'm not familiar with Windows, so don't ask me about the details for the setup. But on OS X (and probably many linux systems) you could run the TV as second screen. With two browsers, you could have browser one, logged in with a user account, on the TV and browser two, with your GM account, on your PC screen. The disadvantage is that you have to move the players' tokens yourself, but you could give them the iPad with the Roll20 app to do some rolling at least.  It's probably easier for you as GM to use the PC than the iPad.

For a starting point, Tyler, to resolve some of your questions, you can use 2 browsers, or 2 browser windows, both open on Roll20 (one on your GM laptop, the other window dragged to the HDTV with a Player login). Roll20 Wiki documentation, <a href="https://wiki.roll20.net/Main_Page" rel="nofollow">https://wiki.roll20.net/Main_Page</a> There are many ways to approach face to face gaming with Roll20 and a TV. Search the Roll20 forums for some past threads with pictures of peoples' set-ups, tips and advice. Here are some links, Using Roll20 on a laid-flat flatscreen TV Utilizing Roll20 and a TV in a traditional tabletop D&D game TV + Roll20 = Awesome Sauce Showing off my custom game table Hybrid Tabletop and Digital Game? Using Roll20 Face to Face using Roll20 for live games Using Roll20 in a regular in-person game... Can I use two monitors for a "local" game? Hide UI?

@gold Thanks for the great summary. I can get a dozen ideas from that myself! Some of the pictures are awesome. :-O&nbsp; And I even found the javascript that I was talking about in the one thread: &nbsp;<a href="https://app.roll20.net/forum/post/1174957/hide-ui#post-1616107" rel="nofollow">https://app.roll20.net/forum/post/1174957/hide-ui#post-1616107</a>

Man I'm so glad I asked. This is all great information. Thanks both of you!

Gold said: For a starting point, Tyler, to resolve some of your questions, you can use 2 browsers, or 2 browser windows, both open on Roll20 (one on your GM laptop, the other window dragged to the HDTV with a Player login). Roll20 Wiki documentation, <a href="https://wiki.roll20.net/Main_Page" rel="nofollow">https://wiki.roll20.net/Main_Page</a> There are many ways to approach face to face gaming with Roll20 and a TV. Search the Roll20 forums for some past threads with pictures of peoples' set-ups, tips and advice. Here are some links, Using Roll20 on a laid-flat flatscreen TV Utilizing Roll20 and a TV in a traditional tabletop D&D game TV + Roll20 = Awesome Sauce Showing off my custom game table Hybrid Tabletop and Digital Game? Using Roll20 Face to Face using Roll20 for live games Using Roll20 in a regular in-person game... Can I use two monitors for a "local" game? Hide UI? Great collection of info Gold. &nbsp;As usual. As a frequent topic that comes up on the forums, this should be added to the Wiki. &nbsp;

Superb, Gold!!

Vince said: Great collection of info Gold. &nbsp;As usual. As a frequent topic that comes up on the forums, this should be added to the Wiki. &nbsp; That's a great point! &nbsp;If only there were someone in the community that felt that way and had access to the wiki...&nbsp; Unrelated, do you have access to the wiki Vince? =D

I knew this was coming... But I don't even own a TV. ;-p

Vince said: But I don't even own a TV. ;-p Then rent one. &nbsp;:-P

Vince said: I knew this was coming... But I don't even own a TV. ;-p If only there were some other way to get all the information you need about it... like a whole series of threads meticulously documenting various techniques and configurations... &nbsp;=D

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I'll do it. &nbsp;I'll DO ITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT! ;-)

Inspired by Gold, shamed by Aaron... ;-P <a href="https://wiki.roll20.net/Using_Roll20_Live" rel="nofollow">https://wiki.roll20.net/Using_Roll20_Live</a> Please add/edit as needed. Cheers

It's beautiful!!!

Meh... needs pictures... ;)

Re: The Wiki idea! Nicely done, Vince. May I suggest adding/changing a keyword in the title of it? All Roll20 is used "live" since live typically means the same as 'in real time'. (Except perhaps for the rare asynchronous game). This could be titled something like Face To Face, or In Person*, or With TV.&nbsp; I think it is a great Wiki Tips & Tricks page, and appears to be a clean outline, I just find the 'live' terminology on the title is ambiguous for findability and recognition. * In Person seems to be the most unambiguous.

Gold said: Responding to the Wiki -- All Roll20 is used "live". (Except perhaps for the rare asynchronous game). Wouldn't this be titled something like Face To Face , or In Person, or With TV ? &nbsp;I think it is a great idea and appears to be a clean outline, with ambiguous terminology on the title. I like In Person the most because you can have a group in person while there is a remote player that joined in also. You can get Face To Face with the cameras (mostly) and there are some people that use their TV's as a monitor. A rare asynchronous gm flies off after dropping his comment to sit on the nearby fence and watch the discussion.

Pat, is there an asynchronous tips & tricks page in the Wiki? That would be a cool page to add too. &nbsp; Yesterday I couldn't even spell&nbsp;asynchronous now I am it. :)&nbsp; I searched asynchronous and it isn't mentioned in the wiki as of yet. Not goading anyone to add it, but it could be useful. Good point, Face To Face is equally nonspecific for In-Person games since any Roll20 game can be face-to-face. Hey I just tested and good news, if you type "TV" in the Roll20 wiki, the page that Vince made comes up. Cool.

I know Gold but I don't have time or knowledge/skill to do a wiki.

I feel the same way Pat. Wiki editing is a whole 'nother ballgame, and I know you're already studying character sheet editing, and everything. &nbsp;I'm truly grateful to wiki writer/contributors and when I suggest anything for it I don't want to come across as a complainer or goading someone to take it on. &nbsp;The Aaron can handle the goading of Vince for us.

Pat, you can always just write it down without formatting and others will join in and do the polishing. Content (in this case your knowledge) is key.&nbsp;

I know we've hijacked this thread to much but all I will say is this: Gold, your golden. You don't come across like that at all. Arthur, good suggestion and I will think about it. I got about 10 yrs of GMing text games to go through and they are a mix of live games and pbp (forum and asynchronous text) to hash out as I have the space on my plate to work with. Tyler D, you can see what type of community is here and how positively upbeat and supportive they are. If you have any questions or need help with roll20 then this is the place to drop your post. Someone will be there to help you as soon as they see your post and know the answer to help you move forward.

Pat S. said: I know we've hijacked this thread to much but all I will say is this: Gold, your golden. You don't come across like that at all. Arthur, good suggestion and I will think about it. I got about 10 yrs of GMing text games to go through and they are a mix of live games and pbp (forum and asynchronous text) to hash out as I have the space on my plate to work with. Tyler D, you can see what type of community is here and how positively upbeat and supportive they are. If you have any questions or need help with roll20 then this is the place to drop your post. Someone will be there to help you as soon as they see your post and know the answer to help you move forward. Absolutely, I'm a little shocked how proactive everyone was, not only to help me, but to stem the apparent flood of this question. Thanks for the help everyone, this was a great first experience with Roll20!

Good points made by all. &nbsp;I have changed the name of the page from "Using roll20 Live" to " Using Roll20 while Playing In-Person ". &nbsp;I'm hoping there will be other tips added to the page besides how to add a TV, monitor, projector, etc. &nbsp;Maybe I can even get some pictures added as well (Ziechael...) &nbsp;;-) Cheers