Node Setup¶
How to deploy a single IMMERSE Node at a venue. Nodes ship pre-configured and ready to deploy.
What you receive¶
Each IMMERSE Node ships in one of three configurations:
- Audio Node — drives speakers and audio playback for one zone
- Video Node — drives a fullscreen HDMI display
- GPIO Node — drives relays, doors, effects, and triggers
Every Node arrives with a pre-printed nodeId label (e.g. aud-1, vid-1, gpio-1) and a default static IP. The label and IP also appear on the packing slip.
What you provide¶
For each Node:
- A power outlet within reach of the supplied power adapter
- A wired Ethernet connection to the venue's show network
- The downstream connection appropriate to the role:
- Audio: speaker cable to amp, line out, or HDMI to amp
- Video: HDMI cable to display
- GPIO: wiring to your relays/effects (with appropriate fuses for AC loads)
Deploy¶
1. Mount the Node¶
Place the Node near the hardware it drives. Typical locations:
- Audio: in the rack with the amplifier
- Video: behind or beside the display
- GPIO: near the controlled hardware (e.g. inside the prop cabinet for an effect, in the door frame for an unlock)
Nodes run cool and silent. They can be mounted in any orientation.
2. Connect cables¶
In any order:
- Ethernet to the show network switch
- Downstream cable (audio / HDMI / GPIO wiring)
- Power
3. Verify the Node is online¶
The Node boots in under 60 seconds. Once it's up, the LED indicator on the front turns from amber (booting) to green (ready).
From the Runtime PC (or any device on the show network), visit:
Replace <node-ip> with the IP printed on the Node's label. You should get a JSON response like:
If you don't get this response, see Troubleshooting.
4. Address the Node in your show¶
In Studio, open the Nodes module. The nodeId on the Node's label (e.g. aud-1) must match the nodeId used in your .ishow file. If they don't match, edit either:
- The
.ishow(in Studio): Nodes module → select the node → set its IP and Name - The Node's config (advanced): contact support — most setups don't need this
5. Test playback¶
From the operator dashboard at http://<runtime>:7880/, fire a cue that targets this Node. Confirm:
- Audio Node: sound comes out of the speakers
- Video Node: video appears on the display
- GPIO Node: relay clicks / effect fires
If something doesn't work, see Troubleshooting.
Replacing a Node¶
A failed Node can be swapped in under a minute:
- Power off the failed Node and unplug everything
- Power off the replacement Node
- Move all cables (Ethernet, audio/HDMI/GPIO, power) to the replacement
- Power on the replacement
- Wait for the green LED
- The replacement carries its own pre-printed nodeId. If the new nodeId differs from the failed one, update the corresponding entry in your
.ishow(Nodes module) or contact support to have the replacement re-keyed to the original nodeId.
Order spare Nodes when ordering production units. We recommend one spare per role per venue.
Multiple Nodes¶
For venues with many Nodes:
- Each Node is independent. They don't communicate with each other.
- All Nodes connect to the same show network. Runtime addresses them by IP.
- Document each Node's location, IP, and nodeId on a venue map. The pre-show checklist verifies all are reachable before doors open.
- For installations with 50+ Nodes, contact sales@immersecontrol.com for fleet pricing and pre-configuration services.
Care and maintenance¶
Nodes are designed for permanent installation:
- Operating temperature: 0–40°C (32–104°F)
- Power: stable AC outlet preferred; UPS recommended for show-critical Nodes
- Network: gigabit Ethernet recommended; 100 Mbit acceptable for audio/GPIO; gigabit required for high-bitrate video
Avoid:
- Direct sunlight on the Node case
- Stacking Nodes on top of each other (impairs cooling)
- Dust-heavy environments — wipe occasionally with a dry cloth