Hardware Guide¶

Tally Hub supports a variety of hardware devices, from cost-effective ESP32 boards to premium M5Stack devices. This guide will help you choose the right hardware for your needs.

🎯 Device Comparison¶

Device	Cost	Display	Battery	Mounting	Best For
ESP32-1732S019	~$15	1.9" TFT	USB Only	Compact	Budget setups
M5Stick C Plus	~$25	1.14" IPS	Built-in	Professional	Mobile use
Web Browser	Free	Any screen	Device dependent	N/A	Testing
Custom ESP32	$10-20	Optional	Optional	Custom	DIY builds

📟 ESP32-1732S019¶

Overview¶

The ESP32-1732S019 is an excellent entry-level device that provides professional tally functionality at an affordable price point.

Specifications¶

Microcontroller: ESP32-S3 dual-core
Display: 1.9" 320x170 TFT LCD
Connectivity: WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Power: USB-C 5V input
Dimensions: 45mm x 30mm x 15mm
Weight: ~25g

Features¶

Bright Display: Excellent visibility in studio environments
Low Power: Efficient ESP32-S3 for extended operation
Compact Size: Easy to mount on cameras or stands
USB-C Power: Modern connector for reliable power
Open Source: Full firmware source code available

Purchasing¶

Available from multiple suppliers: - AliExpress: Search "ESP32-1732S019" - Amazon: Various sellers (~$15-20) - Local Electronics: Some specialist stores

Setup Process¶

Connect via USB-C to your computer
Flash firmware using the web-based flasher
Configure WiFi through setup portal
Mount on camera or tally stand
Assign in admin panel

🔋 M5Stick C Plus¶

Overview¶

The M5Stick C Plus is a premium option that offers professional build quality with advanced features like built-in battery operation.

Specifications¶

Microcontroller: ESP32-PICO-D4
Display: 1.14" 240x135 IPS LCD
Battery: Built-in 135mAh LiPo
Connectivity: WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Power: USB-C charging + battery
Dimensions: 48mm x 25mm x 14mm
Weight: ~13g

Features¶

Battery Operation: Up to 2-3 hours wireless use
Premium Display: High-quality IPS with wide viewing angles
Professional Housing: Durable plastic case suitable for broadcast
Grove Connector: Expansion port for custom accessories
Button Interface: Physical buttons for local control

Purchasing¶

M5Stack Official: m5stack.com
Amazon: Official M5Stack store
Adafruit: Authorized distributor
Local Distributors: Check M5Stack website

Battery Life¶

Typical Use: 2-3 hours continuous operation
Standby: 8-12 hours with WiFi connected
Charging: ~1 hour via USB-C
Power Management: Automatic sleep when inactive

🌐 Web-based Tallies¶

Overview¶

Any device with a web browser can serve as a tally light, making this the most accessible option for testing and temporary setups.

Supported Devices¶

Smartphones: iPhone, Android devices
Tablets: iPad, Android tablets, Windows tablets
Laptops: Any laptop with a web browser
Smart TVs: Many modern smart TVs with browsers
Dedicated Displays: Raspberry Pi with browser

Features¶

No Cost: Use existing devices
Instant Setup: Just visit a URL
Full Screen: Professional full-screen tally display
Responsive: Adapts to any screen size
Color Customization: Configurable tally colors

Best Practices¶

Dedicated Devices: Use devices exclusively for tally use
Power Management: Disable sleep modes during production
Brightness: Set maximum brightness for visibility
Orientation Lock: Prevent accidental rotation
Do Not Disturb: Enable to prevent notifications

🔧 Custom Hardware Builds¶

ESP32 Development Boards¶

Build your own tally lights using standard ESP32 development boards:

Recommended Boards¶

ESP32-WROOM-32: Classic development board
ESP32-S3: Newer generation with better performance
ESP32-C3: Lower cost option with adequate performance

Additional Components¶

LED Strips: WS2812B/NeoPixel for custom lighting
Displays: OLED, TFT, or LED matrix displays
Enclosures: 3D printed or commercial project boxes
Power Supply: USB power banks or wall adapters

Building Instructions¶

Flash Base Firmware: Use our ESP32 firmware as starting point
Modify for Hardware: Adapt GPIO pins for your components
Test Connectivity: Ensure WiFi and UDP communication work
Customize Display: Adapt for your chosen display type
Create Enclosure: Design mounting system for your use case

Community Builds¶

Check our GitHub Wiki for community-contributed builds: - LED Ring Tallies: Using WS2812B LED rings - Large Format Displays: Using larger TFT screens - Wireless Solutions: Battery-powered custom builds - Professional Enclosures: Commercial-grade mounting solutions

🔌 Connectivity Requirements¶

Network Specifications¶

WiFi Standard: 802.11 b/g/n (2.4GHz)
Security: WPA2/WPA3 supported
DHCP: Automatic IP assignment preferred
Multicast: Required for device discovery
Ports: UDP 9999 for device communication

Performance Considerations¶

Signal Strength: -70dBm or better for reliable operation
Bandwidth: <1Kbps per device under normal operation
Latency: Network latency affects tally response time
Reliability: Stable network connection essential for live production

Network Optimization¶

5GHz WiFi: Use when available for better performance
QoS Configuration: Prioritize tally traffic
Dedicated SSID: Consider separate network for production gear
Enterprise Networks: May require additional configuration

📦 Package Contents & Setup¶

What's Included (ESP32-1732S019)¶

ESP32-1732S019 development board
USB-C cable (varies by supplier)
Pin header strips (unsoldered)
Basic documentation

What's Included (M5Stick C Plus)¶

M5Stick C Plus device
USB-C cable
Grove connector cable
Quick start guide
Protective case (some packages)

Additional Items Needed¶

Mounting Solution: Camera mounts, desk stands, or custom brackets
Power Source: USB chargers, power banks, or direct camera power
Network Access: WiFi credentials for your production network

🛠️ Mounting Solutions¶

Camera Mounting¶

Hot Shoe Mounts: Standard camera accessory mounts
Cold Shoe Adapters: For cameras without hot shoes
Magic Arms: Flexible positioning arms
Velcro Strips: Quick temporary mounting

Desk/Stand Mounting¶

Phone Stands: Universal phone/tablet stands
Custom 3D Prints: Community-designed mounts
Magnetic Mounts: For metal surfaces
Suction Cups: For smooth surfaces

Professional Solutions¶

Broadcast Mounts: Professional camera accessory mounts
Rack Mounting: For control room installations
Wall Mounts: Permanent installation solutions
Ceiling Suspension: Overhead mounting systems

💡 Buying Guide¶

For Beginners¶

Start with ESP32-1732S019: - Low cost to try the system - Easy to use and configure - Professional results - Upgrade path to premium devices

For Professional Use¶

Choose M5Stick C Plus: - Battery operation for flexibility - Professional appearance - Better build quality - Suitable for client-facing environments

For Large Installations¶

Consider Custom Builds: - Optimized for specific use cases - Lower per-unit costs at scale - Customizable features - Integration with existing systems

Ready to get hardware? Check our recommended suppliers and setup guides to get your devices configured quickly.