--- title: "TekDetek user guide — browser VJ ASCII video tool" description: "TekDetek guide: camera or MP4 in, ASCII, RD, CA, detection, export. Free to try with 20s watermarked record. Pro for clean unlimited export." image: "https://vikmil.com/assets/tekdetek-og.png" url: "https://vikmil.com/tekdetek-guide.html" --- # TekDetek user guide **TekDetek** is an in-browser **VJ and video tool** by [VJ Vik Mil](https://vikmil.com/) (Viktors Mileika). Webcam or MP4 in, node graph out: ASCII, reaction-diffusion, cellular automata, detection, overlay, record — no Resolume or TouchDesigner install. TekDetek is not completely free. Open [vikmil.com/tekdetek/](https://vikmil.com/tekdetek/), swipe looks, edit. Free export is watermarked and 20 seconds. Free OBS is watermarked and 5 minutes (restart anytime). [Pro](https://tekdetek.gumroad.com/l/xkljia) is clean unlimited export plus desktop add of RD / CA / Depth / Alt ASCII / PreText / GEO 3D / Sonify. Nodes: [reference](https://vikmil.com/tekdetek-nodes.html). Looks: [GIF showcase](https://vikmil.com/tekdetek-showcase.html). Privacy: [policy](https://vikmil.com/privacy.html). ## Free Open the app. Try and edit phone looks (RD and CA included). Luma detection. Hand. Watermarked 20s record. Watermarked 5 min OBS. ## Pro No watermark. No time cap. Full library, Shuffle, higher detection caps, desktop add of the Pro nodes. _The default mental model: sources on the left, effects in the middle, export on the right._ ## What you need Use an up-to-date **Chrome, Edge, or Firefox** on desktop for the least friction. Safari can work but WebGL and media decode differ by version. JavaScript must be enabled. The first time you activate video, TekDetek downloads bundled libraries (processing and optional ML helpers) so later visits start faster. A **dedicated GPU** helps: real-time ASCII and overlay effects use WebGL. If the preview stutters, reduce ASCII column count, disable OBJECTS/PoseNet detection, or close other tabs. For long MP4 exports, plug in laptop power — thermal throttling lowers frame rate mid-recording. ## Step-by-step: your first ASCII clip (5 minutes) - Open [/tekdetek/](https://vikmil.com/tekdetek/). Dismiss or read the welcome overlay — it summarises version 0.6 beta features. - Click the **INPUT** node in the pipeline. Press **Activate camera** or **Upload video file** (H.264 MP4 is safest). - Confirm the preview appears in the viewport. If black, check browser camera permission or try another file. - Click **LOAD PRESET** (top right) and pick e.g. “Prism ramp, punchy contrast” — see the [showcase](https://vikmil.com/tekdetek-showcase.html) for descriptions. - Select the **ASCII FX** node. Adjust **columns** (grid resolution) and **palette** until the read is clear on your footage. - Optional: add **OVERLAY** and pick a light effect (feedback or CRT at low intensity). - Select **EXPORT**, start MP4 capture, stop, download. Free: watermark + 20 seconds. Pro: clean, unlimited. _ASCII FX maps each cell of the grid to a character based on brightness and palette._ ## Step-by-step: detection boxes + ASCII inside regions - Start from INPUT with live camera or file as above. - Ensure an **AI DETECT** node sits before ASCII. Select it; choose **LUMA** for lightweight gigs or **OBJECTS** for labelled boxes (heavier). - Tune luma **threshold** and **grid** until boxes track your subject under venue lights. - Select **ASCII FX**; enable **Only in boxes** so glyphs render inside detections only. - Add **OVERLAY** — enable fan or closest lines between boxes for a tracking aesthetic. - Load preset “Luma grid + fan lines” from the showcase if you want a proven starting graph. ## How the node graph works Nodes are boxes; connections carry video forward. Tap or click a node to open its inspector (side panel on desktop, bottom sheet on mobile). Use **+ ADD NODE** or presets to change topology. **SHUFFLE** randomises parameters — useful for discovery, less so mid-show. Delete nodes you do not need. Long chains cost GPU time. For live performance, prefer INPUT → DETECT (optional) → ASCII → EXPORT, adding OVERLAY only when the look requires it. Full parameter tables live in the [node reference](https://vikmil.com/tekdetek-nodes.html). ## Effect families (overview) **ASCII** — glyph grid and blocks. **Alt ASCII** — separate WebGL charset (Pro to add on desktop). **RD** — reaction-diffusion field. **CA** — cellular automata grid. **Depth** — stylized mesh / melt. **Hand** — free pinch/span camera. **PreText** — type in a silhouette (Pro). **GEO 3D** — procedural mesh (Pro). **Sonify** — detection to sound (Pro). **Overlay** — lines plus glitch / CRT / feedback. Halftone-style dither is a treatment on ASCII or Overlay, not its own node. ## AI-assisted nodes **LUMA** runs locally with no model download. **OBJECTS** (COCO-SSD) and **FEATURES** (PoseNet) download weights on first use and increase CPU/GPU load. If a model fails, reload once on a stable connection or fall back to luma. Always rehearse detection under show lighting — dark stages break object confidence. ## Presets and saving work **SAVE PRESET** / **LOAD PRESET** use browser storage (localStorage / IndexedDB). Clearing site data wipes them. Built-in presets ship with the app; custom saves stay on your device until you export or share screenshots. Tag [@tekdetek](https://x.com/tekdetek) with clips you want featured. ## Recording and performance EXPORT encodes the pipeline at capture time. Free: watermarked MP4 or PNG, 20 seconds. Pro: no watermark, no time cap. PNG ZIP is for stills in an NLE. Lower preview resolution before long captures if the fan spins up. Disable expensive overlay effects while tuning ASCII, re-enable for export. Tip: simplify the graph (fewer overlay FX, lower ASCII columns) if preview stutters on your GPU. ## Troubleshooting - **Black or frozen preview:** verify INPUT has valid media, check node wiring, reload, try another browser. - **Camera blocked:** browser site settings → allow camera; close other apps using the device. - **WebGL errors:** update drivers; simplify graph; try Chrome or Edge. - **ML model stuck loading:** network/firewall blocking weights; switch to LUMA detection. - **Export dropped frames:** reduce ASCII columns and overlay effects; close background apps. ## ASCII video & browser VJ workflows TekDetek is aimed at creators searching for an **ASCII video filter online**, a **browser VJ tool**, or a **webcam ASCII effect** without a desktop install. Upload MP4 or perform live, wire nodes, export video for Instagram, TikTok, or projection tests. Updates: [@tekdetek](https://x.com/tekdetek). Free export is watermarked and 20 seconds; Pro is clean and unlimited. ## FAQ **What is TekDetek?** An in-browser node graph for live ASCII, reaction-diffusion, cellular automata, overlay, detection, and recording. **What is free?** Open, swipe, edit (phone RD/CA included), luma, Hand, watermarked 20s record, watermarked 5 min OBS. **What is Pro?** Clean unlimited export and OBS, full library, Shuffle, desktop add of RD / CA / Depth / Alt ASCII / PreText / GEO 3D / Sonify. **Best browser?** Chrome, Edge, or Firefox on desktop with WebGL. **Live performance?** Yes — keep graphs short, test camera and lighting at the venue first. **How do I record?** EXPORT node. Free: watermarked 20s. Pro: clean, unlimited. PNG ZIP for stills. **Uploaded files?** Yes — INPUT → Upload video; prefer H.264 MP4 if decode fails. **Luma vs AI objects?** Luma is light and local; OBJECTS/FEATURES download models and cost more CPU. ## Contact & attribution TekDetek is built by **Viktors Mileika** ([VJ Vik Mil](https://vikmil.com/)), London-based VJ and video engineer. Follow [@tekdetek](https://x.com/tekdetek) for releases. Commercial enquiries: [contact@vikmil.com](mailto:contact@vikmil.com). [← Open TekDetek](https://vikmil.com/tekdetek/) · [Node reference](https://vikmil.com/tekdetek-nodes.html) · [Showcase](https://vikmil.com/tekdetek-showcase.html) · [MIT license](https://vikmil.com/tekdetek/LICENSE) · [Third-party notices](https://vikmil.com/tekdetek/THIRD_PARTY_LICENSES.md) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Article","headline":"TekDetek user guide","description":"Step-by-step guide to the TekDetek in-browser VJ and video node editor.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Viktors Mileika"},"url":"https://vikmil.com/tekdetek-guide.html","image":"https://vikmil.com/assets/tekdetek-og.png"} {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"What is TekDetek?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"TekDetek is an in-browser VJ tool. You connect nodes in a graph to turn camera or video into ASCII, reaction-diffusion, cellular automata, overlay, and detection effects, then record MP4 — no install."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is free and what is Pro?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Free: open the app, swipe and edit looks (phone RD and CA included), luma detection, Hand, watermarked MP4 or PNG up to 20 seconds, watermarked OBS up to 5 minutes (restart anytime). Pro: clean export, unlimited record and OBS, full library, Shuffle, adding RD / CA / Depth / Alt ASCII / PreText / GEO 3D / Sonify on the desktop graph."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Which browser works best?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Chrome, Edge, or Firefox on desktop. A GPU helps for real-time WebGL effects."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can I use TekDetek for live VJ performance?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes — use camera input, keep the node graph short, and rehearse with venue lighting."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How do I record video from TekDetek?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Use the EXPORT node. Free: watermarked MP4 or PNG, 20 seconds. Pro: no watermark, no time cap."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Does TekDetek work with uploaded MP4 files?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. Select INPUT, choose Upload video file, and prefer H.264 MP4 if a clip fails to play."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is the difference between luma and AI object detection?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Luma detects bright regions on a grid without downloading models. OBJECTS uses COCO-SSD; FEATURES uses PoseNet — both are heavier on CPU."}}]} ```