The MediaStar Pro is a working performer's dream come true. The unit has two primary internal modes with completely customizable features. The first is an integrated standalone audio player with all the bells and whistles you would expect for sound control. The second is USB mode, which can control virtually any media application, including popular hardware devices. We have included several profiles already built-in for many programs and apps, so you’ll be up and running right out of the box.

Our smart-link remote performs all functions and hands-free operation is built-in. The unit can run on Windows, MacOS, Android, and Apple iOS devices such as iPhones and iPads. MediaStar Pro gives you complete control over music, video, images, graphics, live camera, DMX lighting, special effects, and so much more. The MediaStar Pro is reliable, has an even greater range of 500+ feet, and our companion software is absolutely included.

Yes! The MediaStar Pro dongle and smart-link remote has been designed to be firmware updatable through the USB ports built in on both pieces of hardware. Simply put, when new firmware updates are available, users can quickly update their units with the latest enhancements and features in seconds.

You can plug the MediaStar Pro dongle into any USB port that accepts the plug or by using an adapter. Computers will auto-detect the dongle. The dongle has smart detection and will auto start in the mode needed based on what it's plugged into. For example, plugging the MediaStar Pro into a USB power battery will auto start the unit in standalone SD Card mode. If it’s a computer, smartphone, or tablet it will auto start in USB mode and with the last saved profile used such as Go Button, Keynote, or MediaStarPro. If your device doesn’t have the standard USB type-A port, you can use an adapter to convert the plug into whatever your device accepts like USB-C, Micro-USB, and Apple Lighting. 

Tip: When using an adapter to connect smartphones and tablets such as iPhones and iPads use only one adapter, like the Lightning to USB Camera Adapter from Apple, or one adapter that accepts both USB and Lighting at the same time, like the Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter from Apple. The use of multiple adapters other than the included right angle adapter is not recommended as multiple adapters can cause power or connection issues. There are many adapters to choose from. Here is our recommended adapters and accessories. 

Make sure your dongle is set to USB Mode in the menu and the correct profile is displayed on the dongle screen for the software or app you are using. For example; GoButton, Keynote, MediaStarPro. If you are using a generic music app like Spotify you can set your profile to Audio App or Media Player. Make sure to test the functions on the remote once you set one of the generic profile as each one slightly differs.

Tip: When using a smartphone or tablet the audio controls stay associated with the last app used to play music. To associate the controls to the current app, once you have the app open and to the playlist or show you want to use, tap the actual Play/Pause or Go button on the actual app screen. This tells the smartphone or tablet to associate all audio controls to this app. You can then use your MediaStar Pro.

Pro Tip: Plug in dongle, open app on device, press play/pause/go (on your device screen; iPhone/iPad), then control by remote.

Power is provided through the USB port of the device it's plugged into including smartphones and tablets. The use of a USB adapter can be used for different ports. If your smartphone or tablet is charged your MediaStar Pro will stay running as long as your device normally stays on as the MediaStar Pro uses very little power. Check your device users guide for battery information. If you want to power your smartphone or tablet at the same time you can use one of our recommended cables or adapters.

Tip: If you are using the MediaStar Pro in standalone SD Card mode you can plug it into any 5V USB power plug, USB extension cable, or a simple power brick. An inexpensive battery brick works better than a "smart" battery brick, as smart battery bricks could auto shut off your dongle since it uses very low power consumption. One of our recommended power bricks work great. If you are using a power adapter, use only a single power adapter as multiple power adapters can cause power or connection issues.

Easy! You can simply use a single adapter that accepts both USB input and power input at the same time. Make sure to use a single adapter from a name brand, like Apple, and not a generic brand as they may not work correctly. The use of multiple adapters, other than the included right angle adapter, is not recommended as multiple adapters can cause power or connection issues. Here is a list of our recommended cables and adapters. Also if your device is charged up, you may not need any extra power cables as the MediaStar Pro dongle uses very little power and should keep things running for as long as your device normally stays on.

Tip: For iPhones and iPads with a lightning connection the Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter from Apple works great with our included right angle adapter. If you have a newer iPad with a USB-C connection then the USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter from Apple does the trick.

There is 3.5mm (1/8”) audio out jack on the side of the dongle. All sound will come out of this headphone-style jack. The audio does not come out of the USB port. If you are using a computer make sure your computers sound output setting is set to output to the MediaStar Pro Dongle, as usually it's routed to the computers headphone jack. If you are using a smartphone or tablet make sure your devices Bluetooth is OFF as some devices may connect to a Bluetooth device in the background. The audio then should be automatically routed to the MediaStar Pro dongle audio jack. Use an audio cable that accepts the 3.5mm (1/8”) jack into whatever style plug you need for your sound system. The use of a DI (Direct Box) is recommended to output your audio signal into a single mono XLR channel to input into professional mixers.

Tip: Turn off Bluetooth when using your MediaStar Pro. Use one of our recommended cables and accessories to connect your MediaStar Pro to any sound system.

Yes, it's already built-in to every smart-link remote! Unlike our competitors who use off the shelf transmitters using 433MHz, where it's illegal to modify the device by adding a reed switch, we have built our units from the ground up and we are FCC and CE certified. We use different radio frequencies for different regions and custom electronics which allows us to incorporate the reed switch. We also have increased the distance it takes to activate your remote with a magnet and we have an amazing safety feature built-in so you won't accidentally set off your remote with the magnet.

Nope! Bluetooth is somewhat reliable only for short range transmission. Our units are designed and built for long-range transmission using RF technology. MediaStar Pro’s range has been tested to over 500+ feet with bi-directional round-trip, two-way communication between the Media Star Pro dongle and the Smart-Link remote.

That depends on the software or app you are running. Check your software or apps users guides on supported files. As for our device, if you are using the MediaStar Pro in standalone SD Card mode the player supports MP3 and WAV files. If you are using the MediaStar Pro software it supports MP3, WAV, AVI, MPEG, DIVX, WMV, and JPG files.

MediaStar Pro software is a free downloadable program that currently works on computers operating Windows 7 through Windows 10. If you are using an Apple computer, you will need to run Bootcamp or download Parallels or Fusion and then install a compatible version of Windows onto the MacOS. Once the software is installed, we highly recommend changing the power settings of your computer to never dim the display, turn off the display, turn off hard discs, or put the computer to sleep. Also, we recommend disabling the screensaver and turn off all automatic Windows updates. This will keep your computer up and running before, during, and after your shows.

If you choose to use the included MediaStar Pro software it can run seamlessly on several spec computers. You may find lower spec computers to suite your needs just fine. If you are utilizing a lot of video in your shows a higher spec computer may be more efficient. The following midrange specs are recommended:

Operating System: Windows 7 through 10+
Storage: 128GB or higher
Memory: 8GB or higher
Processor: i5 or i7

NOTE: Windows RT (Not Supported)

Tip: If you are using an Apple computer, you will need to run Bootcamp or download Parallels or Fusion and then install a compatible version of Windows onto the MacOS.

Chromebooks are meant to be connected to the internet and not recommended for live performances. Although the MediaStar Pro can control the system, the only media control app on the Android platform for a Chromebook is the Best Boy app.

Yes, as long as you have a Micro SD Card inserted into the dongle. You can transfer files to and from your device through the dongle, or you can remove the Micro SD Card and insert it into your computer for quicker transfer speeds. Since it's a Micro SD Card, the use of a Micro SD Card to SD Card adapter may be needed. If you unplug your device when you have an SD Card inserted, you may get a message "disk not ejected properly." You can simply ignore these messages (it will not hurt your devices), or you can eject your device like any USB flash drive. You can also use your dongle in USB mode without a Micro SD Card inserted.

Your MediaStar Pro acts as a USB flash drive when a Micro SD Card is inserted into the dongle. You may get a message "disk not ejected properly" if you unplug the dongle. You can simply ignore these messages (it will not hurt your devices), or you can eject your device like any USB flash drive. You can also use your dongle in USB mode without an SD Card inserted and will not receive these messages.

The most common issue users make is setting their dongle profile to the wrong one. For example, if using the MediaStar Pro software, users should set the dongle profile to MediaStarPro, that's it. Make sure it's not another profile like Media Player, as that's for generic programs. If using an app like Go Button, set the profile to either Go Button A or Go Button B and make sure the same remote profile also gets set within the Go Button App under remote settings. For more information about different app and software profiles, read the Users Guide.

If you have a Micro SD Card inserted into the MediaStar Pro when you plug the dongle into an iPhone or iPad using an adapter, the Apple photos app will open. It’s an Apple feature and does this because the app thinks it should access the memory card. The Apple device will do this whenever you plug any type of USB memory card into their devices. You can simply swipe the app closed or you can remove the Micro SD Card from your MediaStar Pro prior to plugging in and it will not open the photos app.

Windows automatically suspends your USB devices when they aren’t being used. This helps save power, but may cause problems with some USB hardware. Your USB devices will use more power if you disable this feature, but it can fix devices that stop working properly after Windows suspends them.

You should only change this setting if you’re having problems with a USB device in Windows. If your USB peripherals work properly, there’s no reason to disable USB suspension. This setting is part of the power plan options on Windows. Whether you’re using Windows 7, 8, or 10, you’ll need to change it from the Control Panel’s power plan window.

Head to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options to find these settings. Click “Change Plan Settings” to the right of the power plan you’re using. Windows uses the Balanced plan by default, and you probably don’t need to change power plans. But, if you are regularly changing power plans, you’ll need to modify this setting for each power plan you use.

Click the “Change advanced power settings” link here to open the advanced settings window.

Scroll down and locate the “USB settings” option in the list of advanced power settings. Expand this section and set “USB selective suspend setting” to “Disabled”.

Click “OK” to save your settings. From now on, Windows won’t automatically suspend any connected USB devices. If you want to change back to the default settings and have Windows suspend USB devices to save power in the future, just return to this window and set the “USB selective suspend setting” option back to “Enabled”.

You can have as many as you like.  When placing your first order we will serialize all smart-link remotes to your dongle. If you need to purchase remotes at a later date you will provide us your unique serial number in the dongle menu and we will serialize any additional remotes for you.

The dongle and remote have internal antennas so there's nothing to lose. The dongle has an integrated antenna and should be placed in a vertical position if possible with the screen facing the performer. Try to keep an unobstructed line of sight from remote to the dongle, minimize doorways, walls, chairs, metal objects, people, etc. It's best to the hold remote in your hand at your fingertips. It's OK to have the remote in your front pocket, but this may reduce range by as much as 25%. Users will need to test which way is needed for best results based on the location and environment of performing.

In some environments, it is best to keep the dongle off the ground and away from any major power amps, other computers, and other wireless transmitters as they can emit interference and could reduce range. You may not have an optimum set-up, so always check range prior to your show. Even though the range can be over 500+ ft, these conditions could change at showtime. In very “signal noisy” environments, the use of right angle USB adapter or USB extension cable may be helpful to extend your dongle a bit higher.

Tip: Using a small carabiner, you can hook your dongle to an object a foot or two higher to get even better range. If using the remote transmitter in your pocket, make sure that there are no metal or conductive objects in your pocket or near the transmitter as this will greatly reduce your range. Remember your body can lower transmission range so try your best to stay unobstructed between remote and dongle to get the max range if needed. Also be sure to check the battery indicator of the remote on the dongle display as the remote may lose range if the battery is low.

If you are using the standalone SD Card mode, you simply make a copy of the whole Micro SD Card. If you are using the MediaStar Pro software, all of your files are stored in your documents directory. Inside, you will find a folder called MediaStar Pro; this folder contains your entire library, your playlist set, and all the configuration information. Simply copy this entire folder to create a backup. We always recommend that you keep up-to-date backups.

Many performers and presenters use their smart-link remote in a variety of ways. We have designed the smart-link remote so it can be customized. The back and front are flat and can accommodate accessories like a belt clip or raised buttons completely customized to the users preference. See our recommended accessories.

Yes, only the original base station transceiver. The new software has been upgraded to meet the specifications of the new smart-link remote. Your original base station transceiver can still be used for any output relays and servos you may have. Please note any original v60 remote functions will no longer match the new smart-link remote settings.

The new MediaStar Pro has been completely redesigned and built from the ground up. The original MP3Tech hardware, wireless display, or v60 remotes will no longer work with the new hardware or the new smart-link remotes. The original MP3Tech software is currently not supported as we have simplified control with our built-in SD Card Mode. If you want advanced control over your tracks similar to the MP3Tech software you will need to use the new MediaStar Pro software which is now included at no additional charge.

Yes, when ordering select the version type you need based on the region you live. We are FCC/IC and CE certified. Please check your local regulations before ordering.

We promise to provide the most innovative and rock-solid wireless media control system specifically created for the entertainment industry. Through design and technology, we will continue to provide unparalleled support, enhancements, and upgrades to our products.

 
You're covered with a 30-day, money back guarantee, and a 3-year limited warranty.

We do not offer phone support so use mind reading or our Contact page.  =)