Product FAQ

Q: Why can’t the Station connect to a Wi-Fi access point?

A: Please disconnect the physical Ethernet cable first. The Station will only initiate a Wi-Fi connection once it detects that the wired network is disconnected.

Q: How can I achieve the best wireless projection performance?

A: Whether the Station is acting as an AP (Access Point) or connecting to another router, we recommend using the 5G Wi-Fi band exclusively.

Q: How do I set up network isolation for security purposes?

A: By default, the wired connection is for the internal network (company/school), and the wireless signal provides IP addresses for the external network. You can use Gatekeeper settings to further restrict access from the external network to the internal network.

Q: What are the limitations of Bridge Mode?

A: In this mode, the wired network does not support Static IP addresses; the IP must be assigned to the Station by a DHCP server.

Q: Why can I still interact with a webpage after setting Gatekeeper rules?

A: New rules only apply to "new connections." It is recommended to restart the Station to terminate existing sessions and apply the new rules.

Q: Which TCP/UDP ports does the ASTROS Station use?

A: Please refer to the table below.

Q: Why does AirPlay sometimes allow projection without a login code?

A: AirPlay remembers the authentication status for a short period. If the login code has not been changed and you project again within a short time, the system will reconnect automatically.

Q: Which Google Cast devices are supported by ASTROS Station?

A: It supports screen mirroring for Chromebooks, Chrome browsers, and Android devices. Please note that casting via the Google Home App is not supported.

Q: Why can't I enter a login code when using Google Cast?

A: The Google Cast protocol itself does not support a login code verification mechanism.

Q: Which browsers support direct projection? Do they require plugins?

A: Edge (v88+) and Chrome (v79+) both support native projection; no additional extensions or plugins are required.

Q: Can I adjust the volume while projecting?

A: When projecting photos, videos, or YouTube, volume changes made within the app may be less noticeable. It is recommended to adjust the physical volume of the display or TV directly.

Q: What is the maximum resolution supported by the Station?

A: HDMI output alone supports up to 4K@30Hz. If HDMI and VGA are used simultaneously, the maximum resolution is 1080p@60Hz.

Q: Why is the HDMI resolution menu grayed out and unadjustable?

A: The HDMI cable must be connected to a display device first. This allows the Station to read the device's supported resolutions (EDID) before the list becomes available.

Q: Why is there no image when the VGA cable is connected?

A: The Station defaults to HDMI output. Please go to the settings page and switch the output mode to "HDMI and VGA."

Q: What should I do if the projected image is cropped (overscanned)?

A: This is usually a display setting issue. Please adjust the "Aspect Ratio" or "Scan Mode" settings on your TV or monitor.

Q: What should I do if I forget the web configuration password?

A: Please long-press the power button for 8 seconds to perform a factory reset. The default login password is admin.

Q: What USB flash drive formats does the Station support?

A: The Station only supports the FAT32 format.

Q: Why can't the ASTROS App find the Station?

A: The App only supports discovery within the same network segment. Please ensure your computer and the Station are on the same subnet. If the Station still doesn't appear, please manually enter the Station's IP address to connect.

Q: Why is Google Cast unable to find the Station?

A: Please go to the Station's settings page and verify that the "Date and Time" settings are correct. Re-scan after calibrating the time.

Q: Why is there no sound when using the Windows App?

A: First, check if the App's control panel is muted. If unmuted and there is still no sound, note that some computers using AMD CPUs or Conexant drivers require you to also unmute the computer's system volume to sync the audio.

Q: Why is there no sound when using the macOS App?

A: macOS requires the BlackHole audio driver. Ensure it has been installed as instructed and that the ASTROS App has been granted the necessary permissions in System Settings.

Q: Why is there no sound from my MacBook after closing the macOS App?

A: The system may not have automatically switched back to the default output. Please go to macOS "Sound Settings" and manually change the Output device from BlackHole back to "MacBook Pro/Air Speakers."

Q: Why is the frame rate slow when using Remote View?

A: This is usually related to the computer's power management. Please adjust your computer's power settings to "High Performance" or "Balanced" mode to improve the refresh rate.

Q: Why can't I project by clicking the AirPlay icon within YouTube on macOS?

A: We recommend using the macOS built-in "Screen Mirroring" feature to connect to the Station first, then play the YouTube video after the connection is established.

Q: Why is the screen black when projecting via QuickTime?

A: The Station does not support AirPlay Digital Rights Management (DRM). We recommend using the ASTROS macOS App for screen mirroring instead.

Q: What is the difference between the Windows App "Installer" and "Portable" versions?

A: The Installer version associates Quick Join files (.aqj) with the App and provides OTA (Over-the-Air) online update functionality.

Q: How do I perform a silent installation or uninstallation of the Windows App?

A: Please open the Command Prompt as an Administrator and execute the following commands (assuming the installer is located on the D: drive):

• Install: msiexec /i D:\ASTROSApp.msi /qn
• Uninstall: msiexec /x D:\ASTROSApp.msi /qn

Step 1: Connect to BYOM

Locate the BYOM icon within the ASTROS App and click on it.

• Icon turns Green: You have successfully connected.

Step 2: Configure Your Conference Software

Once connected, you can use the audio and video peripherals attached to the ASTROS Station. Open your preferred conferencing software (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet) and adjust the following settings:

Video Settings

1. Enable your Camera.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Select "Virtual Camera" as your camera source.

Audio Settings

1. Enable your PC Microphone and Speakers.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Select "ASTROS Virtual Speaker" as your speaker source.
4. Select "ASTROS Virtual Microphone" as your microphone source.

I cannot find the icon on my ASTROS App.

Please ensure the video conferencing device is securely connected to the Station.

Additionally, verify that the camera, microphone, and speaker icons are visible on the standby screen.

My BYOM icon is greyed out.

Please install the ASTROS App BYOM driver before attempting to use this function.

Exclamation mark on the BYOM icon

The ASTROS App provides a 7-day trial, allowing you to fully experience the BYOM feature.

After your 7-day trial of BYOM expires, please contact our Sales team to purchase a license.

Contact us via our website: https://astrogate.com/contact-us

Cannot find "Virtual Camera" in the camera sources.

Please ensure that camera access permissions are enabled for the software you are using (e.g., Windows Camera, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom).

First, ensure the ASTROS App is installed on your device (Supported on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android).

1. Access Remote View

Simply click the Remote View icon shown below:

• For Windows/Mac: 
  
  
  
  
• For iOS/Android:
   
  
  

2. View the Main Screen

The main display will now be wirelessly delivered to your device. From here, you can:

• Download the current screen image by clicking .
• Copy the screen image to your clipboard by clicking .
  
  

3. Connection Limits

One ASTROS Station can deliver the main screen to a maximum of 20 devices simultaneously.

Q: Why is the Remote View button greyed out and unable to be enabled?

A: Please ensure that the "Allow Remote View" setting is enabled. You can find this option on either the Landing Page or within the OSD Menu on your IFP.

Follow these steps to share your PC screen or specific application windows across two or more monitors using ASTROS Stations.

1. Network Preparation

Ensure that both ASTROS Stations (connected to your monitors) and your laptop are connected to the same local sub-network.

2. Launch the ASTROS App

Open the ASTROS Windows App on your laptop. If your devices are on the same network, the two Stations will automatically appear in the device list.

3. Connect to Multiple Stations

• Enable Connections: Toggle the switch "On" for each Station you wish to use, one by one.
• Start Mirroring: Click the Play button. Your desktop screen will now be projected to the connected monitors.

4. Manage Content Sharing

To display different content on each screen, use the Window Sharing feature:

• Click the Window Sharing button within the app.
• Choose your View: You can select whether to share your Entire Screen or a specific App Window.
• Repeat this process for each connected screen to customize what is displayed on each monitor.

Is more than one VM connected to the same environment?

If you have multiple VMs (e.g., VM A and VM B) and the device appears offline on VM A, please check if it shows as "Online" on VM B.

1. If the device is online on another VM:

To ensure the device connects to the correct VM, follow these steps:

• Case A: Both VMs use the same IP address
  • Directly Reset the device: Go to Station > Configuration > System > Reset.
    
  • Crucial: Ensure only VM A is running during the connection process to avoid conflicts.
    
    
• Case B: VMs use different IP addresses
  • Update the server path: Go to Station > Configuration > Remote Access.
  • Change the ASTROS Manager server field from the default name to your specific ASTROS server IP address, then click Apply.
    
    
    

2. If the device is offline on both VMs:

• Reboot the device: Go to Station > Configuration > System > Reboot.
  
  
  
• Note: These steps (Reboot, Reset, or changing the Domain Name) also serve as basic troubleshooting even if you are only using a single VM.

Prerequisites

• Download and install VirtualBox on your PC.
• Important: Please reboot your PC after the installation is complete to ensure all drivers are correctly loaded.
  
  
  
  

How to set up the ASTROS Manager Virtual Machine

1. Download the VM File

Download the ASTROS Manager Virtual Machine (.ova) file from our official website: Astrogate Downloads

2. Import the Appliance

You can start the import process in two ways:

• Option A: Double-click the downloaded .ova file.
• Option B: Open VirtualBox, go to File > Import Appliance, and select the downloaded .ova file.
  
  
  Click "Finish" to complete the import process.
  
  
  
  

3. Configure Network Settings

Before starting the VM, ensure the following network settings are correctly configured:

• Attached to: Bridged Adapter
• Name: Select your PC's active network adapter (e.g., your Ethernet or Wi-Fi card).
• Adapter Type: Select the appropriate network adapter type for your system.
  • Example: Intel PRO/1000 MT Desktop (82540EM)
• Advanced: Ensure the "Cable Connected" checkbox is enabled.
  
  
  

4. Launch the VM

Double-click the Virtual Machine in the list to start it.

Once the system boots up, the ASTROS Manager server interface will appear, indicating it is running.

5. Log In

You can now log in to the ASTROS Manager for further configuration.

• • Default Password: admin
  
  

1. Start the ASTROS Virtual Machine

1. Double-click the ASTROS Manager VM in VirtualBox.
   
   
   
2. Wait for the following message to appear on the console:
   "Please visit one of the following websites to manage your ASTROS stations: https://[IP]"
   

2. Log In to ASTROS VM

To configure a static IP, you must log in to the VM console:

1. Press Enter to bring up the login prompt.
2. Enter the credentials:
   • Login: mgmadmin
   • Password: mgmadmin
   
   
   

3. Access Network Configuration

Enter the following commands to navigate to the network settings directory:

mgmadmin@AstrogateMGM-94B0:~$ sudo su

[sudo] password for mgmadmin:

root@AstrogateMGM-94B0:/home/mgmadmin# cd /etc/netplan/

root@AstrogateMGM-94B0:/home/mgmadmin# ls
00-installer-config.yaml

root@AstrogateMGM-94B0:/home/mgmadmin# vi 00-installer-config.yaml

 A screenshot for reference in the test VM: 

4. Modify Network Settings

In the vi editor, press the "i" key to enter Insert Mode.

! Important ! YAML files are sensitive to spacing. Ensure you follow the exact indentation format below:

5. Save and Apply Changes

1. After editing, press the Esc key.
2. Type :wq and press Enter to save and exit the editor.
3. Run the following commands to apply the new settings and restart the system:

”00-installer-config.yaml” 12L, 276C written

root@AstrogateMGM-94B0:/home/mgmadmin# netplan apply

root@AstrogateMGM-94B0:/home/mgmadmin# reboot 

A screenshot for reference in the test VM:

6. Verification

After the reboot, the VM will restart.

1. Wait for the welcome screen to appear.
2. Confirm that the displayed URL reflects your new Static IP.
   
   
   
3. You can now access the ASTROS Manager web interface.
   • Default Web Password: admin
   

If your device appears Offline, please check if you have connected two or more Virtual Machines (VMs) within the same environment. For instance, if you have VM(A) and VM(B), and the device needs to be connected to VM(A), please verify if it is currently showing as "Online" on VM(B).

1. If the device is Online on the other VM:

Please follow these steps to ensure the device connects to the correct VM:

• Case A: Both VMs use the same IP address
  • Directly Reset the device: Go to Station Configuration Page > System > Reset.
  • Ensure only VM(A) is running. Stop other VMs to avoid connection conflicts caused by multiple instances running simultaneously.
  
  
  
  
  
• Case B: VMs use different IP addresses
  • Manually point the device to the correct server: Go to Station Configuration Page > Remote Access > ASTROS Manager server.
  • Change the default name to your specific ASTROS server IP address and click Apply.
    
      
    
    

  • Version support
    Station FW: 2.2.1.428 or later

    Web: 2.0.0.52 or later

2. If the device is Offline on both VMs:

• Reboot the device: Go to Station Configuration Page > System > Reboot.
  
  
  
  
• Basic Troubleshooting: Even if you are only using one VM, you can follow the steps above (Reboot, Reset, or updating the Server IP/Domain Name) to resolve connection issues.

To migrate your ASTROS Manager Virtual Machine (VM) and its configurations to a new PC, please follow these steps:

Pre-installation

1. Download and install VirtualBox on your new PC.
2. Reboot your PC after the installation is complete to ensure all drivers are properly initialized.
   
   
   
   

Step 1: Export the VM from the Original PC

1. Open VirtualBox and go to File > Export Appliance.
   
   
   
   
2. Select the Virtual Machine you wish to export.
   
   
   
   
3. Browse and select your desired File Location, then click the Finish button.
   • The .ova file will be saved in the folder you specified.
     
   
   
   

Step 2: Import the VM to the New PC

1. Copy the .ova file to the new PC.
2. Open VirtualBox and go to File > Import Appliance.
   
   
   
   
3. Select the .ova file and click Finish.
   
   
   
   

Step 3: Network Configuration (Critical)

Before launching the VM, please ensure the network settings match the new hardware:

1. Select the VM and go to Settings > Network.
2. Ensure the Network Adapter is set to the correct physical adapter of your current PC.
3. Click OK.
   
   

Step 4: Launch and Log In

1. Double-click the Virtual Machine to start it.
   
   
   
   
2. Once the ASTROS Manager server is running, you can log in to the web interface for further configuration.
   • Default Password: admin

There are several options for integrating the ASTROS Station into your network environment. We recommend connecting the ASTROS Station to the corporate network via Ethernet before performing any Wi-Fi configurations.

1. ASTROS Station: Standalone Network 

In this mode, the ASTROS Station acts as a dedicated wireless access point.

Setup: Go to Landing page > Wi-Fi > Select "ASTROS as AP" > Click Apply.



Connection: You can find the ASTROS SSID in your computer's Wi-Fi list and connect to it directly.

2. ASTROS Station: Joining a Local Area Network (LAN) via Ethernet

Connect the ASTROS Station to your organization's LAN using a physical cable.

Physical Connection: Organization LAN > Ethernet Cable > ASTROS Station.

Setup: Go to Landing page > Ethernet > Configure your settings > Click Apply.

 ASTROS Station → Wi-Fi → Your device 

Access: * If you turn ASTROS Wi-Fi off, you can connect your user device to the organization's existing Wi-Fi (as long as it is on the same LAN as the ASTROS Station).

Alternatively, you can still connect your device directly to the ASTROS Station's Wi-Fi.

3. ASTROS Station: Joining a Local Area Network (LAN) via Wi-Fi

Connect the ASTROS Station to the organization's network wirelessly (Wi-Fi Bridge).

Pre-requisite: Before switching the Wi-Fi mode, please ensure the station is connected to a physical LAN to maintain access during configuration.
Setup: Go to Landing page > Wi-Fi > Select "ASTROS connects to another AP" > Click Apply.
Access: Once configured, your device will be able to discover and connect to the ASTROS Station through the organization’s network.

Step 1: Access the Station Web Portal

Open your web browser and log in to the Station Web Portal by entering its IP address or https://[Your_Station_Name].

Step 2: Activate APP BYOM

Navigate to Configuration > APP BYOM > APP BYOM Activation.

Enter your license key in the text field and click Submit.

Step 3: Verify Activation

Once the license is successfully applied, the status will display as "Activated", as shown below.

1. Access the Station Web Interface Enter the station's IP address or https://[Your_Station_Name] into your browser.
   • Note: If the Ethernet cable is not connected, the default IP address is 192.168.120.11.
     
     
2. Enable Debug Logging Navigate to System and toggle on Enable debug logging (as shown below).
   
   
   
   
   
3. Reproduce the Issue Perform the actions that caused the problem. Ensure the issue occurs while Debug Logging is active so the system can record the necessary data.
   
   
4. Download and Send the Log Click the Download Log button (as shown below) to save the file. Please send this file to our technical support team for further analysis.
   
   

To prevent unauthorized users from interrupting your presentation, follow these steps to secure your session with a login code:

1. Access the ASTROS Web Portal

• Enter the IP address of your ASTROS station into a web browser to access the landing page.
• Log in to the Configuration page.
  
  

2. Configure Login Code Settings

• Navigate to General > Login Code.
• Select your preferred Login Code Type from the dropdown menu.
• Click Apply to save your changes.

Note: The "Apply" button will remain greyed out if no changes are made.

Login Code Types

3. Verification

Once enabled, the 4-digit login code will be displayed on the ASTROS main standby screen. Users must enter this code to start mirroring their screen.

1. Install the POD Utility

First, download and install the POD software from the link below: Download Pod Utility

2. Connect the POD to your PC

• Plug the POD into your PC's USB port.
• Wait for the status to change to "Connected" in the software interface.
• Once connected, click the "Details" button.
  

3. Verify the Firmware Version

In the Details window, you will find the POD FW Version listed as shown below:

We still strongly recommend connecting the POD directly to your PC to ensure stable signal transmission. However, if a direct connection is not possible, please refer to the technical requirements below.

1. USB Hubs

• DP Alt Mode Support: Ensure your USB Hub supports DisplayPort (DP) Alt Mode passthrough.
• Since many USB Hubs do not support Alt Mode, the DisplayPort signal will fail to transmit correctly if this feature is missing.

2. Extension Docks (with USB-C and HDMI output)

• MST Requirement: These types of extensions often fail to work with the POD unless they feature a built-in MST (Multi-Stream Transport) chip.
• Why does it fail even if the USB-C port supports DP Alt Mode? Typically, these devices receive the DP Alt Mode signal from the USB-C uplink and convert it immediately for the HDMI output. Once the signal is converted, the downstream USB-C ports usually lose DP Alt Mode functionality unless the device has MST to manage multiple video streams simultaneously.

Key Definitions

What is USB-C DisplayPort (DP Alt Mode)? USB-C ports capable of transmitting DisplayPort signals are referred to as USB-C DisplayPort or DP Alt Mode ports.

How does it work? DP Alt Mode allows a single USB-C port to transfer data and high-definition video across multiple interfaces, utilizing the widely-used DisplayPort video standard.

Normal Behavior

• Pairing: When the POD is plugged into the ASTROS Station, the LED will turn solid green once pairing is successful.
  
• Standby: After pairing, plug the POD into your PC. The LED will turn solid light blue, indicating it is in Standby Mode (Ready to present).
                                        

Troubleshooting (Pairing Failures)

If you encounter any of the following issues, please follow the instructions below to resolve them:

1. POD LED turns Amber when plugged into a PC:

• Check Network: Ensure the ASTROS Station’s network configuration is correct and the connection is stable.
• Manual Configuration: You can manually input the required network information via the POD Utility (SOP).

2. POD LED turns Red when pairing with the Station:

• This indicates a pairing error. Please unplug the POD and try again, or ensure the Station firmware is up to date.

3. POD displays Solid Light Blue when plugged into the Station:

• Issue: The POD incorrectly recognizes the ASTROS Station as a PC.
• Solution: Ensure the Station is fully booted up before plugging in the POD, or try using a different USB port on the Station.