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Complete Setup Guide

This comprehensive guide will walk you through setting up Tally Hub from start to finish, including hardware flashing, network configuration, and video mixer integration.

📋 Prerequisites Checklist

Before starting, ensure you have:

  • [ ] Computer: Windows 10+, macOS 10.14+, or Linux
  • [ ] Network: WiFi network for devices (2.4GHz recommended)
  • [ ] Video Mixer: OBS Studio or vMix (optional for testing)
  • [ ] Web Browser: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge
  • [ ] Hardware (optional): ESP32 or M5Stick devices

Start Simple

Begin with web-based tallies using smartphones before investing in hardware. This validates your setup and helps you understand the workflow.

🎯 Part 1: Server Installation

Download and Install

  1. Download the Windows package
  2. Extract to C:\TallyHub (or preferred location)
  3. Right-click Start Tally Hub.bat → Run as Administrator
  4. Wait for automatic dependency installation
  5. Verify installation: http://localhost:3000
  1. Download the macOS package
  2. Extract to /Applications/TallyHub
  3. Control+Click Start Tally Hub.command → Open
  4. Click Open when macOS security dialog appears
  5. Verify installation: http://localhost:3000
# Download and install
wget https://github.com/tallyhubpro/Tallyhub/releases/latest/download/tally-hub-linux.tar.gz
tar -xzf tally-hub-linux.tar.gz
cd Tallyhub
chmod +x "Start Tally Hub.command"
./Start\ Tally\ Hub.command

Verify Installation

  1. Open browser to http://localhost:3000
  2. Check admin panel at http://localhost:3000/admin.html
  3. Test web tally at http://localhost:3000/tally.html

If everything loads correctly, your server is ready!

🎥 Part 2: Video Mixer Configuration

Option A: OBS Studio Setup

  1. Install OBS Studio (if not already installed)
  2. Download from obsproject.com

  3. Version 28+ recommended (built-in WebSocket)

  4. Enable WebSocket Server: 

    OBS → Tools → WebSocket Server Settings
✅ Enable WebSocket server
Server Port: 4444
Server Password: [create a secure password]

  5. Configure Tally Hub:

  6. Open admin panel: http://localhost:3000/admin.html
  7. Go to Video Mixers section
  8. Select OBS Studio
  9. Enter connection details:
    • Host: localhost (if OBS on same computer)
    • Port: 4444
    • Password: [your WebSocket password]

  10. Click Connect

  11. Verify Connection:

  12. ✅ Status should show "Connected"
  13. Scene list should appear in source assignments
  14. Test by switching scenes in OBS

Option B: vMix Setup

  1. Install vMix (if not already installed)
  2. Any current vMix version works

  3. Basic edition sufficient for testing

  4. Enable Web Controller: 

    vMix → Settings → Web Controller
✅ Enable Web Controller
Port: 8088
Username: [optional]
Password: [optional]

  5. Configure Tally Hub:

  6. Open admin panel: http://localhost:3000/admin.html
  7. Go to Video Mixers section
  8. Select vMix
  9. Enter connection details:
    • Host: localhost (if vMix on same computer)
    • Port: 8088
    • Username/Password: [if configured]

  10. Click Connect

  11. Verify Connection:

  12. ✅ Status should show "Connected"
  13. vMix inputs appear in source list
  14. Test by switching preview/program in vMix

📱 Part 3: Web-based Tallies

Perfect for testing and temporary setups.

Setup Web Tallies

  1. Find your computer's IP address:

=== "Windows" 

ipconfig | findstr IPv4

=== "macOS/Linux" 

ifconfig | grep "inet " | grep -v 127.0.0.1

  1. Access from any device:
  2. URL: http://[your-ip]:3000/tally.html

  3. Example: http://192.168.1.100:3000/tally.html

  4. Configure each tally:

  5. Device will show "STANDBY" initially
  6. In admin panel, drag device to assign to a source
  7. Tally will immediately reflect the assignment

Optimize Web Tallies

For best performance:

  • Disable sleep mode on phones/tablets
  • Use landscape orientation for larger display
  • Set maximum brightness for studio visibility
  • Enable "Do Not Disturb" to prevent notifications
  • Connect to same WiFi as Tally Hub server

🔧 Part 4: Hardware Setup

ESP32-1732S019 Setup

  1. Purchase Hardware:
  2. Search "ESP32-1732S019" on AliExpress or Amazon
  3. Typical cost: $15-20 including shipping

  4. USB-C cable usually included

  5. Flash Firmware:

  6. Connect ESP32 to computer via USB-C
  7. Open admin panel: http://localhost:3000/admin.html
  8. Click Flash ESP32 Firmware
  9. Select ESP32-1732S019 device type
  10. Choose COM port from dropdown

  11. Click Flash Firmware and wait for completion

  12. Configure WiFi:

  13. After flashing, device creates WiFi hotspot: TallyHub-Setup
  14. Connect to this network with phone/computer
  15. Open browser to 192.168.4.1
  16. Enter your WiFi network credentials

  17. Click Save - device will restart and connect

  18. Verify Connection:

  19. Device should appear in admin panel automatically
  20. Status should show "Connected" with IP address
  21. Device displays "STANDBY" state

M5Stick C Plus Setup

  1. Purchase Hardware:
  2. Order from M5Stack official store or authorized dealers
  3. Typical cost: $25-30

  4. USB-C cable included

  5. Flash Firmware:

  6. Connect M5Stick to computer via USB-C
  7. Open admin panel: http://localhost:3000/admin.html
  8. Click Flash ESP32 Firmware
  9. Select M5Stick C Plus device type
  10. Choose COM port from dropdown

  11. Click Flash Firmware and wait for completion

  12. Configure WiFi:

  13. Process identical to ESP32-1732S019

  14. Use button controls if needed for interaction

  15. Battery Management:

  16. First charge: Connect USB-C for 1+ hours
  17. Normal operation: 2-3 hours wireless use
  18. Battery indicator on device screen
  19. Auto-sleep when inactive to preserve battery

⚙️ Part 5: Device Assignment

Understanding Tally States

  • 🔴 PROGRAM (Red): Device assigned to current program/live source
  • 🟢 PREVIEW (Green): Device assigned to preview/next source
  • ⚫ STANDBY (Dark): Device not assigned or source inactive

Assign Devices to Sources

  1. Open Admin Panel: http://localhost:3000/admin.html

  2. View Connected Devices:

  3. Devices appear automatically when connected
  4. Each shows IP address, type, and current state

  5. Connection status indicator (green = connected)

  6. Assign Sources:

  7. Drag and Drop: Drag device to source in video mixer section
  8. Manual Assignment: Click device → select source dropdown

  9. Bulk Assignment: Select multiple devices → assign to same source

  10. Test Assignments:

  11. Switch scenes/inputs in your video mixer
  12. Tallies should respond immediately (<100ms)
  13. Colors change based on program/preview state

Advanced Assignment Options

  • Multiple Devices per Source: Multiple tallies can show same source
  • Source Aliases: Rename sources for clearer identification
  • Assignment Groups: Save common assignment configurations
  • Persistent Storage: Assignments survive server restarts

🌐 Part 6: Network Optimization

Basic Network Setup

For most users, standard home/office WiFi works perfectly:

  • 2.4GHz WiFi: Better range, sufficient for tally data
  • 5GHz WiFi: Lower latency if devices support it
  • Wired Connection: Use Ethernet for Tally Hub server when possible

Professional Network Setup

For larger installations or critical productions:

  1. Dedicated VLAN: Separate network for production equipment
  2. QoS Configuration: Prioritize tally traffic
  3. Static IP Assignment: DHCP reservations for critical devices
  4. Network Monitoring: Monitor for packet loss or high latency
  5. Backup Connectivity: Secondary network for redundancy

Firewall Configuration

Ensure these ports are accessible:

  • TCP 3000: Tally Hub web interface
  • UDP 9999: Device communication
  • TCP 4444: OBS WebSocket (if using OBS)
  • TCP 8088: vMix Web Controller (if using vMix)

🔍 Part 7: Testing and Validation

Basic Functionality Test

  1. Web Tally Test:
  2. Open tally URL on phone/tablet
  3. Assign to a source in admin panel
  4. Switch sources in video mixer

  5. Verify immediate color changes

  6. Hardware Test:

  7. Connect ESP32/M5Stick device
  8. Verify automatic discovery in admin panel
  9. Assign to source and test switching

  10. Check display brightness and visibility

  11. Latency Test:

  12. Record video mixer and tally simultaneously
  13. Frame-by-frame analysis should show <100ms delay
  14. Test under normal network load conditions

Production Readiness Checklist

Before going live:

  • [ ] All devices connect automatically on power-up
  • [ ] Source assignments are correct and persistent
  • [ ] Video mixer integration is stable
  • [ ] Network has adequate capacity and stability
  • [ ] Backup plans are in place for critical shows
  • [ ] Operators are trained on the system

🚨 Troubleshooting Common Issues

Devices Won't Connect

Check WiFi Configuration: 

# Reset WiFi on ESP32 (hold BOOT button for 10 seconds during startup)
# Reconfigure through setup portal

Verify Network Connectivity: - Ping Tally Hub server from device network - Check firewall settings on server - Ensure multicast is enabled on network

Slow Tally Updates

Network Optimization: - Use 5GHz WiFi if available - Check for network congestion - Verify QoS settings prioritize tally traffic

Mixer Configuration: - Reduce polling frequency if CPU usage high - Check mixer API response times - Verify network path between mixer and Tally Hub

Admin Panel Issues

Browser Compatibility: - Use Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge - Enable JavaScript and WebSocket support - Clear browser cache if interface doesn't load

Connection Problems: - Verify Tally Hub server is running - Check URL is correct (http://localhost:3000/admin.html) - Ensure port 3000 is not blocked by firewall

🎓 Next Steps

Expand Your System

  1. Add More Devices: Scale up to dozens of tally lights
  2. Custom Hardware: Build specialized tally solutions
  3. API Integration: Connect third-party systems
  4. Multi-Mixer: Connect multiple video mixers
  5. Remote Monitoring: Set up off-site system monitoring

Join the Community

Professional Support

For commercial installations: - Training Sessions: Remote or on-site training available - Custom Development: Feature development for specific needs - Priority Support: Faster response times for critical issues

✅ Success!

You now have a fully functional professional tally light system! Your setup should provide:

  • Real-time tally updates synchronized with your video mixer
  • Professional reliability suitable for live production
  • Scalable architecture that grows with your needs
  • Cost-effective operation at a fraction of commercial systems

Questions? Check our troubleshooting guide or ask the community for help.