Video capture and HDMI output are turning airway management training from a one-time observation into a structured, reviewable process. Video laryngoscopy already changed how trainees learn intubation, because the shared screen lets a trainer point to anatomical landmarks in real time. Recording and external display capability extend that benefit well beyond the moment of the procedure itself. This post explains what these two features add to a department’s training programme and what to look for when evaluating them.
Why the shared screen already improves training
Before recording enters the picture, video laryngoscopy has already changed how airway skills are taught. A 2025 narrative review by Kelly et al. published in Anaesthesia found that video laryngoscopy improved direct laryngoscopy training outcomes rather than degrading them. When a novice learns direct technique using a Macintosh-profile video laryngoscope blade, the trainer can see exactly what the trainee sees and point out structures in real time.
The DAS 2025 guidelines and the ASA 2022 guidelines both connect first-line video laryngoscopy adoption to training and regular use. Neither guideline treats equipment and training as separate items. A device that improves training outcomes on its own is already valuable. Video capture and HDMI output make that value available beyond the single trainee standing at the bedside.
For a broader look at how video laryngoscopy strengthens paediatric and neonatal training specifically, see our guide on video laryngoscopy in pediatric and neonatal intubation.
What video capture adds beyond real-time viewing
Real-time viewing teaches the trainee standing at the bedside during that one procedure. Recording extends the same teaching moment to every trainee who was not in the room, and to the same trainee reviewing their own performance afterward.
Post-procedure review and debriefing. A recorded intubation can be reviewed immediately after the procedure while details are still fresh. This supports structured debriefing, which the DAS 2025 guidelines explicitly identify as part of good airway governance following real events.
Structured competency assessment. Recorded footage can be reviewed against a defined competency checklist rather than relying on a supervisor’s memory of the attempt. This gives a training programme an objective record to assess technique, not just an outcome.
A difficult airway case library. Departments that capture footage from genuinely difficult intubations build a teaching resource that no textbook or simulation can replicate. A real Cormack Lehane grade III view, successfully managed, is more instructive than any simulated scenario.
Trainee self-review. Watching your own technique after the fact is a distinct skill from performing the procedure itself. Education literature consistently shows that self-review improves retention more than a single observed attempt, because the trainee sees their own hand position, blade angle, and timing from a perspective they cannot access while performing the procedure.
What HDMI output adds beyond the device screen
A 4-inch monitor is sufficient for the operator and one or two people standing close by. It is not sufficient for a simulation lab teaching a group, a grand rounds presentation, or a morbidity and mortality conference reviewing an airway case.
Group teaching in simulation settings. HDMI output allows the device screen to be projected to a larger display, so an entire cohort of residents or nursing staff can watch a simulated intubation together in real time rather than crowding around a small screen.
Grand rounds and case conference use. Recorded footage displayed on a conference room screen supports structured case review during grand rounds or M&M conferences, giving the whole department visibility into how a specific airway was managed.
Whole-team situational awareness during live procedures. Beyond training, an external display in a resuscitation bay gives the full clinical team the same view the operator has during a real intubation, supporting coordinated response during a difficult airway event.
What to look for in a video laryngoscope’s recording and display capability
Not every video laryngoscope monitor offers genuine recording and display functionality. Procurement teams evaluating a system for training use should check the following.
Onboard storage capacity. Confirm how much footage the device can store before requiring transfer or deletion. A device with limited storage forces staff to manage files constantly, which discourages consistent use.
File transfer method. A standard USB-C connection for charging and data transfer is far more practical than a proprietary cable that is easily lost or a system that requires specialist software to extract footage.
Recording resolution. Confirm the actual camera resolution, not just the display resolution. A device with a sharp display but a lower-resolution camera will produce recordings that look worse on review than they did live.
External display output type. Confirm the monitor has a standard HDMI or mini HDMI port that connects to common projectors and displays without requiring a proprietary adapter.
Ease of use during a live procedure. Recording should not require a complex sequence of steps that distracts the operator during an actual intubation. Touchscreen controls that are simple to operate one-handed matter in practice, not just on a specification sheet.
What the Astra-vue Mini Monitor offers for training
Astra-vue’s Mini Monitor is built with training and documentation use in mind, alongside its clinical function. The following features support a structured airway training programme:
- 4-inch touchscreen display with 720 × 720 resolution, giving a clear live view during live procedures and simulation
- 720p HD camera at 1280 × 720 pixel resolution, sharp enough for meaningful post-procedure review
- 16GB onboard storage with video recording and still image capture
- File management and streaming directly from the device
- Mini HDMI output for projecting the screen to an external display during group teaching, grand rounds, or whole-team situational awareness
- USB-C charging and data transfer, making it straightforward to move recorded files to a training archive without proprietary cables or software
- Intuitive touchscreen menu system with multiple language options, supporting departments with diverse staff
This same monitor platform runs across Astra-vue’s reusable and disposable blade configurations, so the recording and display capability is consistent whichever blade type a department uses for a given case. For more on how a single monitor platform serving multiple blade types simplifies departmental equipment and training, see our guide on why a universal video laryngoscope monitor platform reduces hospital equipment complexity.
For departments building or expanding a structured airway training programme, contact our team to discuss how the Mini Monitor’s recording and display features fit your specific training and governance needs, or explore the full product line.
Frequently asked questions about video capture and HDMI output for airway management training
Does recording video laryngoscopy footage require patient consent?
Institutional policy on recording clinical procedures varies, and departments should follow their own hospital’s governance and data protection requirements before implementing routine recording. Many institutions treat recorded procedural footage similarly to other clinical documentation, with defined retention periods and access controls. Departments should involve their clinical governance, legal, and data protection teams before establishing a recording protocol, rather than treating it purely as an equipment feature.
How much storage does a video laryngoscope need for training use?
This depends on recording frequency and file retention practices. A device with at least 16GB of onboard storage provides meaningful capacity for regular recording before requiring file transfer or deletion. Departments recording frequently should establish a routine transfer process to an institutional storage system rather than relying solely on device storage.
Can video laryngoscope footage be used for grand rounds or case conferences?
Yes, subject to institutional consent and governance policies. A monitor with HDMI output allows recorded footage to be projected to a conference room display for structured case review, which supports departmental learning from both straightforward and difficult airway encounters.
Does recording slow down the intubation procedure?
It should not, if the device is designed for it. Touchscreen controls that allow one-handed operation mean recording can be started without disrupting the primary task of managing the airway. Procurement teams evaluating recording capability should specifically test how recording is initiated during a simulated procedure, not just review the specification sheet.
Is HDMI output useful outside of formal training sessions?
Yes. Beyond simulation and case conference use, an external display connected via HDMI gives the full clinical team in a resuscitation bay or theatre the same view the operator has during a real procedure, supporting coordinated situational awareness during a difficult airway event.
