Foundation and preparation are the keys to a successful show. In order for your PIXERA experience to go well, there are steps that must be taken prior to playing your first frame, or even building your show file. Below is a simple checklist to follow, intended to compliment the PIXERA System Commissioning Guide, which provides a deeper explanation to some of these requirements.

This checklist assumes you are using PIXERA hardware, or PIXERA-appropriate hardware. If you are using custom hardware configurations, some further steps may need to be taken. It is up to you as the operator to ensure your server is equipped to run your intended show.

Basics/OS-Level

• If necessary, begin by reimaging your server, ensuring you have a fresh start and to eliminate any “mystery” settings and configurations
  • For PIXERA Hardware, please email support@avstumpfl.freshdesk.com with your Serial Number for your latest image file
• Set your Keyboard language and Timezone
• Disable any automatic updates and notifications from your OS or other programs. These are already disabled with PIXERA Hardware images
• Update Chrome to the latest version
• Ensure your user has Admin Read/Write/Full access to C:/ProgramData and any other file paths you will be using
• Ensure all your Disks are mounted and in the correct RAID configuration. PIXERA Hardware uses RAID 0 (aka “striped”).
• Ensure your Disks have enough storage space. If any of your drives are near full, it is possible to experience dropped frames
  • Playback content should be stored and cached on your D:/ drive, or any other high-speed drive that is not your OS C:/ drive. 
• Ensure the intended NIC you will be running PIXERA on offers fast enough speed for transferring your media. 
  • A minimum 10Gb NIC is suggested for projects with large media files and transfers between Managers and Clients.
  • This NIC should not be on the same network at the internet or other show-network communications, like Dante, sACN or Artnet
• Turn off firewalls on your server, if possible. More information on Network configuration below.
• Install PIXERA and Hub. Once downloaded, you can use Hub to install your desired version of PIXERA
• Once installed, use Hub to download your latest PIXERA license file
  • If using software-only licenses, you may need to install the PIXERA License Sentinel driver found on our Downloads page

Graphics-Specific
 

Drivers and Codecs

• If using PIXERA SMPTE Interface, ensure you have the driver installed from our Downloads page
• Ensure your Quadro Sync II card is running the correct firmware, according to this PIXERA article
• Ensure your Deltacast Capture Card is running the appropriate SDK for your PIXERA version, found here
  • If using Non-Deltacast capture devices on custom servers, ensure you are using a PIXERA-supported model and SDK according to the list in this article
• Ensure you are using the most up-to-date PIXERA-approved NVIDIA Driver for your server, according to the PIXERA Drivers Guide 
  • Although there may be a more recent driver available from NVIDIA, it does not mean it is tested, or approved-by PIXERA for use.
  • For custom hardware whose GPUs do not match PIXERA hardware GPUs, you may use the PIXERA-suggested drivers but it is still necessary to test and ensure that driver is happy with your GPU model.
• Ensure any other hardware or software you are using for your show is licensed and running with appropriate firmware or SDKs
• Ensure the content you intend to use is using a performance-recommended codec for PIXERA, like NotchLC or HAP
  • For more information on further performance tweaking, see Performance Tweaking Guide 
     

NVIDIA Control Panel

• Configure your NVIDIA Control Panel settings, as follows:
  • Power Management Mode: “Prefer Maximum Performance”
  • Threaded Optimization > ON
  • Triple Buffering > ON
  • Vertical Sync > "Use the 3D Application Setting"
  • For Muti-GPU systems, including those with dedicated GUI cards, under Program Settings:
    • Add the path to the PIXERA version .exe version(s) you are using
    • Set OpenGL Rendering GPU to the GUI card you are using
    • Click “Apply”
       

Network Configuration

• Decide on your PIXERA network configuration and subnet. Assign this configuration to a NIC on your server and name it accordingly.
  • Ensure the NIC and entire network infrastucture you are using has enough speed and bandwidth to transfer your files at your desired speed. A minimum 10Gb network is recommended for shows with large files.
• Turn off firewalls, if possible
• Use an un-managed, multicast-capable switch with IGMP Snooping, if possible. This is most unmanaged switches. 
• If using a Managed Switch/VLANs:
  • Ensure PIXERA network is on a dedicated VLAN and subnet
    • Do not share ports, subnets, or VLANs with the internet
    • Do not share ports, subnets, or VLANs with other show networks like Dante, sACN, Artnet, or SMPTE 2110
  • Ensure multicast is enabled with IGMP Snooping
  • Ensure all ports and protocols are open and available for PIXERA, according to this article
• If using a NAS, ensure servers can reach the NAS and that each server has the appropriate user access settings to the NAS. Make note of the IP address and username and password for the NAS. (See info on Resource Distribution here).
• Ensure you can ping all devices on your network. Other PIXERA devices on your network can also be discovered via Hub.

Final Setup

• Load EDIDs on each used output. These EDIDs should match the refresh rate and resolution of the displays in-use.
  • This is imperative for proper performance and stability!
• If necessary, setup genlock or framelock
• If necessary, apply Mosaic to your outputs for most efficient and in-sync playback
• If necessary, add desired PIXERA and/or Presence version to Autostart via Hub on each server
• Launch PIXERA and Presence and assign the Discovery and/or Used Adapter IP to the NIC of your PIXERA network. More info on Discovery network here and Manager/Client networking here.
  • Changing these may require a save & restart
• If using a NAS, ensure PIXERA is configured with proper NAS information, found at the bottom of this article
• Set all desired PIXERA settings, such as:
  • Auto save
  • Save On Closing
  • Resource Distribution settings
  • GUI/Workspace Rendering quality (reducing this saves performance)
  • Preview File Format
  • API and Control Network Info
  • Audio Output
  • Color
  • Multi-User and Backup
  • Startup Settings
    • Load Specific Project
    • Activate All Assigned Outputs
• If necessary, setup timecode
• Ensure you can see all I/O on your local server, as well as all other servers on your network
• Finally, start building your show and importing your content!

Troubleshooting

• Basic Troubleshooting
• Live Input Troubleshooting
• PIXERA Logs and Their Meanings
• Opening a Support Ticket

PIXERA 25.2 R 3  | 10. Dec  2025 | R.J.