dsmithson / spydertallycontroller

Tally controller for Spyder video processor using a Raspberry Pi

SpyderTallyController

Hi there! This repository contains source code and information for building a Tally controller device designed for use with the Spyder video processor. The core of the project is based around the Raspberry Pi single-board computer. Check out the associated blog post on this project here for help building your own device.

Tally Front View	Tally Open Top View

Web Status Page	Web Configuration Page

Key Features and Overview

• Works with Spyder 200 / 300 / X20 / X80 hardware
• Works with every major release version of Spyder software
• Supports different servers and rules per individual tally
• Built-in web server for remote configuration and monitoring
• Front panel shows device IP and on/off tally icons for quick viewing of status

If you have a Spyder video processor of any generation, this device will work as a tally controller for that processor. For those wondering what tallies are, imagine a live show where multiple cameras are pointed at talent on a stage. Lights are usually physically positioned on top of the cameras and light up when a camera is ‘live’ to help the talent know which camera they should be looking at. The tally controller described here contains relays (electronically controlled contact closures) which open and close when specific sources are shown or hidden in windows on Spyder.

The video below walks through the device hardware and software, providing an overview and demo of the project for those of us out there who prefer to consume video content.

Building your own Device

All the instructions needed to get a device built and programmed are contained as a blog post on my Knighware.net website, and you can view that post here. The post walks through the hardware needed to build your own device, the wiring for that hardware, and even configuring an SD card image containing the configured tally application.

Some Useful Links

• Building a Spyder Tally Controller - Blog post on knightware.net containing instructions for building your own device
• YouTube - Building a Spyder Tally Controller - (Updated) Focuses on the updated hardware and software
• YouTube Video - Building a Spyder Tally Controller - (Original) Covers older version of Tally controller, but contains a lot of theory and background on Spyder tech that is still very relevant
• Spyder Client Library - this is the library powering communication with Spyder; useful for all kinds of projects and software applications

spydertallycontroller's Issues

I2c exceptions?

Hi Derek, I'm running your pi image without the LCD or the relays for basic testing and to ensure the pi I have works... Do I have to have the LCD wired up for the server to run? I'm happy to post my log but I'm starting to assume I need the I2c bus going to make this run.

Thanks and Happy New Year!

new Pi Image

Is anyone able to create a new Pi image with the recent changes?
I do not understand how to take the changes that fix the issue (fails if there is no display screen)

i2c issue

Pi turns on, reboots a couple times. I see an IP Address assigned in DHCP. When I try that I get NGINX Gateway error. I do not know the Pi login to check the status of the service. Tried on Pi 3 and 4 both.

hardware wiring

Diagram has some issues. Colors are not correct.
Also, Pin 29 and 31 should be on the back row of pins - not on the front row. You have it on 28/30 instead of 29/31. The current diagram causes #8 to light up always.

https://www.jameco.com/Jameco/workshop/circuitnotes/raspberry-pi-circuit-note.html

(still having issue with lights coming on - but the relay is atleast working)