I’m looking for advice on adding a small extra screen to my laptop (MacBook M1 Pro).
I’ll be using it as a dedicated full screen display for Traktor DJ.
I’m currently using an old iPad for it, via duet app @ 1556x1167. But it’s unstable, and also duet comes with annoying subscription fee.
Please share if you have any recommendations or tips!
thanks!
I personally like HDMI on camera monitors. I would recommend something with an HDMI in and out, but if you work with projector resolutions (example: WUXGA 1920x1200), then most screens will lower it down to a broadcast standard such as 1080p or 1920x1080. The other work around for this is to use a portable computer monitor, but I would find an HDMI splitter that works for the monitor and projector. You can also, mirror your output to a separate HDMI monitor and skip the splitter (extra hardware that could potentially fail), but this is assuming your computer can handle it.
Examples: Portable Field Monitor: Amazon.com : FEELWORLD F5 Prox 5.5 Inch 1600nit High Bright DSLR Field Camera Monitor, Touch HD 1920x1080 IPS HDMI 4K 60 in Out, Waveform 3D LUT External Install and Power Kit with F970 Battery Bag Sunshade Hood : Electronics
Portable Monitor (note a lot of these use mini-HDMI which is can be annoying, feel free to shop around: Amazon.com: InnoView Portable Monitor 15.6" 1080P for Laptop with Protective Sleeve, Built-in 90° Adjustable Stand USB C HDMI Ultra-Slim Portable Laptop Monitor for MacBook Phone PS Xbox Switch : Electronics
Big thanks! Didn’t know about portable field monitors at all before, really good to know!
I wasn’t planning to use it for video monitoring (only the Traktor DJ GUI), but you got me thinking maybe I should… hmm…I actually need two displays; one for Traktor DJ and one for monitoring main video out from VDMX…. so… yeah…thanks a lot for doubling my expenses! 
I’ll definitely avoid mini HDMI (I hate mini/micro/weird USB with a passion). But I was thinking USB-C rather than HDMI. What’s your reason for recommending HDMI?
Thanks again, cheers!
Personally, I haven’t had good experience with USB C connections to monitors on Mac. I think it depends on the monitor and brand, but I would look up the apple support for it before purchasing.
I use an old Feelworld 7” screen that has HDMI (full-size) in and out. Makes it easy to plug it inline before the main HDMI/SDI converter that feeds to the stage.
And seriously, I didn’t think I needed this until doing VJ sets where even at FOH, I couldn’t see all the screens because everyone was dancing. So no idea about global brightness/saturation/etc. Having an inline monitor that is set up to have the same max brightness/etc as the main screen is a lifesaver.
If that’s your issue too, def get a monitor that is easily adjustable for brightness/contrast. Any of the HDMI camera monitors should work well like the ones suggested earlier.
I am using one of these. It’s ok I guess. The espresso one that I have is way to pricy. Also the driver is to bloaty. Its an rebrand of the wingcool displays. Search ”WingCool Inc”. The hardware is really nice, rugged metal, thin , 1920 x 1080. Running touch osc , vdmx surfaces. Bitwigs touch profile also works. One thing to note is that you are only able to run one input device at once in macOS.”touch / mouse” USB C.
I am on an MacBook Air m4 and it runs 3 displays without any major problems.
I think Macos has built-in ipad as second monitor function now. Called Sidecar
I’m adding an recommendation, more for the VJing (visuals supervision) than DJing (operating user interfaces and reading text titles).
I’m using a Blackmagic Video Assist for to review and record the live VDMX output at gigs. That has like @amcjen’s device HDMI throughput, so it is possible to pipe the signal further on to house, which is super convenient . It also has a memory card slot to record, for documentation. It has a lot of mounting connections which helps in cramped workspaces. It has color and light analysis that I never use. It has come in handy a few times when needing to review camera outputs in weird angles.
It’s been many years since I got mine so I can’t remember what size I have. It is small. I don’t think mine is suited for operating Traktor DJ (which has very tiny UI). Maybe the 12inch could work… But for Traktor DJing, I think some of the other options mentioned here probably work better. But for VJing I can recommend the BMVA.
That Video Assist looks super nice, with the SDI in/out as well as HDMI. That’d make it pretty much perfect for most setups. Good recommend!
I need to remind my self to checkin on manufactures. This is really nice
Yes, I’m guessing this would be stable enough, but the iPad I own is too old for it.