TALLY NODE
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01 · Getting Started

Getting Started

TALLY-NODE is a system that wirelessly displays camera tally states. This document covers the basic concept of tally, the components of TALLY-NODE, and a quick start flow for first use.

What Is a Tally System?#

Tally is a system used in studios or live events to tell camera operators or on-air talent “which camera is currently on-air” and “which camera is scheduled to go on-air next.”

Types of Tally States#

StateMeaningLED colorOperator action
PGM (Program)Currently on-airRedOn-air, be careful
PVW (Preview)Scheduled to go on-air nextGreenMy turn soon
OFFNot on-airOff (or blue)Standing by

How TALLY-NODE Works#

TALLY-NODE operation: switcher →Master (TX) →LoRa wireless →Receiver (RX) →LED display flow diagram
Figure 1. The flow of the tally signal traveling wirelessly from the switcher through the Master to the Receiver, where it is shown on the LED.

The Master (transmitter) receives tally information from the switcher and broadcasts it over LoRa wireless to every Receiver. Each Receiver displays only the state that corresponds to its own camera_id.

The system is built on two links that use different media.

  1. Switcher → Master: connected over Ethernet or WiFi. The Master uses this path to receive the switcher's PGM/PVW state, and the operator reaches the Master Web UI over the same network.
  2. Master → Receiver: a dedicated LoRa wireless (868 MHz or 433 MHz) link. It is a separate radio network on a different band than WiFi, used to broadcast the tally state to every Receiver.
Tally travels over LoRa, not WiFi
WiFi and Ethernet are only the path for the operator to reach the Web UI; they do not carry tally. And when the switcher changes PGM/PVW, the Master transmits over LoRa immediately, so the Receiver LEDs respond at the event, independent of the dashboard refresh interval.

Components#

Device Configuration#

DeviceQtyRoleWeb UI
Master1Switcher connection, LoRa TX, hosts the HTTP serverYes (port 80)
Receiver1-20Camera-mounted, LED displayNo
Free edition (v3.2.0+)1 (optional)Switcher connection, standalone phone web tally (no LoRa/receivers)Yes (port 80)
Maximum configuration
A single Master supports up to 20 Receivers. This limit is governed by the license.

Hardware Specs#

Common specs (Master + Receiver)

  • Display: front OLED (128x64)
  • Wireless: LoRa (868MHz, built-in antenna)
  • WiFi: 2.4GHz
  • Power / charging: USB-C (5V), built-in 18650 battery
  • Buttons: front button, bottom ON/OFF switch, bottom RESET button
  • Mounting: bottom 1/4” mount
  • Firmware version: 3.2.0

Free edition (optional build, v3.2.0+)

  • Board: ESP32-S3-N8R2 (reference build) — 8MB Flash · 2MB PSRAM, no OLED/LED/LoRa required; see the compatibility table in the DIY guide
  • Display: smartphone browser at http://[device-IP]/tally (real-time WebSocket, up to 10 phones)
  • Role: provides the same tally sources as a standalone Master (OBS/vMix/ATEM/OSEE) without a receiver fleet

Master only

  • LAN port: W5500 RJ45 (wired internet/switcher network)
  • Network: Ethernet and WiFi can be used simultaneously

Receiver only

  • Rear LED: WS2812B ×8 + diffuser (PGM red / PVW green / OFF)
  • Front LED: WS2812B ×4 RGB
Antenna is built-in
The antenna is enclosed in the case, so no separate installation is required. For exterior, button, and connector details, see the Hardware Setup document.

Quick Start Flow#

The overall setup proceeds in the following order.

  1. 1
    Connect power
  2. 2
    Connect the Master to the network
    A direct LAN cable to your router is recommended (check the IP on the OLED); without a router, join the AP WiFi (password 12345678)
  3. 3
    Open the Web UI
    Open the Master IP in a browser (http://192.168.4.1 or DHCP-assigned http://device-ip)
  4. 4
    Configure switcher integration
    See Switcher Integration for details
  5. 5
    Mount the Receiver + assign ID
    See Receiver Operation for details
  6. 6
    Verify the first tally display

Free edition quick start#

Module-only setups follow the order below. See the DIY guide for step-by-step instructions.

  1. 1
    Flash the firmware
    Install with no login at /flash/free (PC · Chrome/Edge, once)
  2. 2
    Join the network
    AP (TallyNode-XXXX, password 12345678) → 192.168.4.1 → WiFi setup
  3. 3
    Switcher setup
    See Switcher Integration for details
  4. 4
    Check web tally on phones
    Open http://[device-IP]/tally (up to 10)

Minimum Operation Check (3-step test)#

  • Power on the Master: connect USB-C power, the boot logo appears on the OLED
  • Open the Web UI: open the Master IP in a browser (the IP varies by AP, WiFi, or ETH)
  • Power on the Receiver: battery or USB-C connected, check the LED display
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