This article includes information, and links to various articles, that should be reviewed prior-to spec'ing and commissioning a PIXERA system. Think of this as your PIXERA checklist.

As a reminder, AV Stumpfl is a manufacturer of the PIXERA architecture and does not install or integrate the system itself. As a result, it is the customer's responsibility to install the PIXERA system or find a qualified integration partner. However, PIXERA does offer a team of industry-experts to help support you along the way.

Resources
 

For a list of suggested integrators, please reach out to: pro-sales@avstumpfl.com

To open a support ticket, follow this link, or email: support@avstumpfl.freshdesk.com 

To find an official PIXERA Training near you, visit: https://pixera.one/en/training/pixera-campus/ 

To get hands-on today, download our free PIXERA Creator version, which can be used to build your show in it's entirety prior to purchasing a license, and follow our free PIXERA Fundamentals video series

Overview

If you are reading this article, it is assumed that you have already selected, and acquired, the proper hardware and software (either PIXERA hardware or custom hardware) that fits your playback and performance needs. If so, please skip to the next section. If not, the following questions should be considered when first determining the necessary hardware and licensing:

• Will you be working with LED, Projectors, or standard displays, and how many?
  • Are you planning on using image-based calibration, marker calibration, curved walls, etc.?
• How many outputs will be used?
  • What is the resolution and refresh rate of each of those outputs?
  • This will also help determine how many GPUs/servers you will need
• How many layers will be playing back simultaneously?
  • What is the codec, frame rate, and resolution of those layers?
  • Please remember that even brief moments of overlapping layers (like for blends/transitions) should be considered
• Will you be using generative content like Unreal, Notch, or TouchDesigner?
• What is the system architecture?
  • Standalone PIXERA machines with local playback?
  • A Manager/Client system?
  • A Multi-User system?
  • A Backup or failover system?
• How much local storage do you need and will you need a D: drive?
• Do you need sync? 
• Do you need a Capture Card?
  • If using Custom Hardware, ensure PIXERA supports the Capture Card you plan on using! 
    • Follow this guide to see which cards and SDK/drivers we support
• Do you need a GUI card?
• Will you be using Timecode?
  • If so, how will you be receiving Timecode?
• Will you be using Audio?
  • If so, will you be using Dante or physical audio jacks?
• Based on the above information, which CPU and GPU best fit your project?
  • We do not recommend any specific CPU or GPU for custom hardware, however, we do offer some options on PIXERA Hardware
• Will you be using PIXERA Control?
• Do you have enough network ports and bandwidth of those ports on each of your servers?
• What type of PIXERA licenses do you require?

Whether you are using PIXERA Hardware or custom hardware, please reach out to pro-sales@avstumpfl.com if you have any questions on the above and somebody can help spec an appropriate system. As a reminder, you can also use our PIXERA Configurator to spec and request a quote for PIXERA Hardware.

Follow this link for PIXERA Hardware Performance Charts.

If you are using custom hardware and have already answered the above questions, please also make sure that your system is meeting PIXERA's minimum System Requirements.

OS Image and Required Settings

Now that you have the appropriate hardware, you need ensure you have all the proper settings for PIXERA to run effectively. If you are using PIXERA Hardware, you can always request a fresh image from support@avstumpfl.freshdesk.com and follow our Reimaging Guide to wipe your server and give yourself a fresh start. 

Regardless of the type of hardware, the following OS settings should be setup. You can also use this article as a QC checklist.

• In Windows:
  • Set the appropriate keyboard language
  • Set the appropriate Date and Time and Timezone
    • This is especially important when sending support logs and dumps in the future
  • Ensure all disks are mounted and imported, naming them accordingly and setting the Drive Letter, like your D: drive
  • Ensure Chrome is up-to-date
  • Ensure your Users have the appropriate permissions
    • Specifically, your User will need full read/write access to the C:/ProgramData folder
  • Be sure to turn off any Windows processes which may interrupt your show or installation, like Windows updates, auto-sleep, etc. 
    • If on PIXERA Hardware, these are already off by default
  • Install Hub and your desired PIXERA version
    • The latest PIXERA version, which includes Hub, can be found on PIXERA's Downloads page
    • Select your desired Hub settings (more info below)
• Nvidia Control Panel Settings:
  • Ensure the correct driver is installed for the GPU you are using on each machine
    • For a list of recommended drivers for PIXERA Hardware, see this article
    • If you are using custom hardware, which does not utilize any of the GPUs in the above article, please reach out to support@avstumpfl.freshdesk.com or perform your own extensive testing with one of the listed, or most recent, Nvidia GPU drivers
  • Follow this article, which will help you set the Nvidia Graphics Card 3D Settings:
    • Global Settings:
      • Threaded Optimization: On
      • Triple Buffering: On
      • Vertical Sync: Use the 3D Application Setting
      • Power Management Mode: Prefer Maximum Performance
    • For Multi-GPU Servers (including servers with a dedicated GUI card), 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”

See also: Performance Tweaking Guide

PIXERA Drivers, Firmware and Optional Hardware
 

PIXERA Hardware Info

• Each PIXERA Server comes with a Server User Manual
• Each server has a recommended mounting solution
  • Do not mount PX2s and PX4s by their rack ears. Each server comes with rack rails to support the weight of the server. These rails require specific depth 4-post racks in order to be used. Refer to your server-specific manual.
  • Mounting a PX2 or PX4 by it's rack ears will eventually damage the ears. Replacement will require a full re-chassis of the server. We do not have replacement rack ears.
  • Alternatively, a 4-post-supported rack shelf may suffice to support a server, if the spec, and installation, of the shelf can hold the weight the server. However, PIXERA does not recommend any specific shelves for this scenario and proper care should be taken, which is the responsibility of the customer.
     

PIXERA Hardware Drivers

If you are using PIXERA Hardware, please follow the PIXERA Server - Drivers guide to ensure you are using the most up-to-date and tested drivers. This includes:

• Nvidia Drivers (see above)
  • Please note, updates to this may require re-configuration of Nvidia Graphics Card settings
• Quadro Sync Firmware (for Quadro Sync II cards)
• Deltacast Driver and Dcare Version. These can also be found directly on the PIXERA Downloads page

Custom and Optional Hardware

If you are using custom hardware, some considerations should be followed.

• PIXERA Dongle Driver
  • In order for a PIXERA License Dongle to work with your server, you may need to install the Sentinel System Driver, found on the PIXERA Downloads page. If you are using PIXERA Hardware, or have a License Dongle from 2024 and beyond, this should be pre-installed or install automatically
• PIXERA SMPTE Interface Driver (Timecode/LTC)
  • If you are using a PIXERA-made SMPTE Interface, you must install the SMPTE Interface Driver found on the PIXERA Downloads page
• Graphics Cards
  • It is impossible for PIXERA to test every GPU on the market. However, to ensure the GPU and driver you are using is well-tested with PIXERA, best practice is to choose a GPU which can be found in PIXERA Hardware
  • If that is not possible, ensure your GPU meets the specs of your project and test extensively with the driver you choose to run it with
• Capture Cards
  • Integrating with every capture card on the market is not possible. To guarantee integration with PIXERA, please choose a Deltacast capture card, which is used in PIXERA Hardware, and always has up-to-date SDKs and drivers
  • However, if this is not possible, please ensure your capture card model is supported by PIXERA and that you are running the correct SDK, driver, or firmware for that model. See our Live Inputs article for supported Live Input cards, SDKs, and limitations
  • While many Capture Cards may allow you to output some signal, especially over SDI, this is more of a bonus feature and not necessarily a very performant feature, as GPU outputs are always preferred.
• Audio Interfaces
  • Suggested audio interfaces
• Additional Storage
  • We recommend having a D:/ drive, in addition to your C:/ drive, to ensure optimal playback performance. This is mandatory when using Unreal Engine.
  • If you're considering a NAS, take care to review Resource Distribution articles as your start your PIXERA project

Networking and Multi-Server Systems

Please reference the Networking Basics and PIXERA Network Usage articles when setting up your PIXERA system.

Networking Best Practices

• Setup PIXERA machines on their own dedicated network
  • Do not run PIXERA's Discovery or Presence's Adapter IP on a network with internet access or network with lighting communication such as ArtNet or sACN
  • Turn off Firewall on all servers
  • Use an unmanaged network switch
• If, however, you must keep Firewall on, or use a managed switch, please follow the PIXERA Network Usage guide to open the necessary ports and protocols for PIXERA to effectively communicate with it's local Render Engine, as well as with other PIXERA servers on the network

Multi-Server Systems

Many systems require multiple PIXERA servers, such as with Manager/Client systems, Multi-User Systems, Backup scenerios, or even multiple standalone playback servers. Please follow the below guidelines when commissioning your system.

• Communication
  • Ensure all necessary PIXERA servers can ping each other before attempting to setup a project with multiple PIXERA servers
  • Additionally, if Hub is open on each server, you should be able to see all servers on the left side of each Hub UI
• Manager/Client and Multi-User
  • In a networked PIXERA architecture, like a project who uses a single Manager, multiple Managers, and/or one or more Clients, the same version of PIXERA and Presence should be used on each machine. Varying versions can lead to communication issues
  • Additionally, for PIXERA and Presence to communicate with other PIXERA servers on the network, and utlitize those machine's I/O in the same project, the PIXERA Discovery Adapter and the Presence Adapter IP should all be within the same subnet/IP schema
• Remote Access
  • By default, PIXERA Hardware comes pre-installed with Teamviewer and UltraVNC. UltraNVC is integrated directly within Hub so that you can gain remote access to other PIXERA servers on your network. If you are on custom hardware, you will need to manually install UltraVNC to use Hub's integration

Hub and Other Tools

PIXERA Hub offers many tools to manage and monitor your installation, giving you full control and visual of every PIXERA server on your network. Utilizing this software, and other components, could make your production more efficient

PIXERA Hub Features

• Update and download your dongle license
• Download and distribute all available versions of PIXERA
• Find other PIXERA servers on your network
• Rename your PIXERA servers
• Set your PIXERA server's IP address
• Gain remote access to other PIXERA servers on your network
• View CPU, GPU, and RAM performance of each server on your network
• Enable Performance Monitoring
• Make drives shareable
• Start Hub and PIXERA as Administrator
• Add PIXERA, Presence, or any other software to Windows AutoStart
• Change file path directories
• Control fan speed settings
• Turn on desktop Overlay or Desktop Test Patterns
• Generate Support Bundle with logs and dumps files
• Many other features on the way!

Other Tools/Resources

• Setup Wake-On-Lan (server/motherboard dependent)
• Automate PIXERA Startup via PIXERA Control
• PIXERA Control Remote Shutdown
• PIXERA Shortcuts
• Control Shortcuts
• Control: Trigger Executables on Local Machine
• Pause SMPTE Timecode Via Control
• Minimize PIXERA After Startup

Content, Resources, EDIDs and Final Steps

Now that we have made it through all other checklists, it's time to load EDIDs and start our project!

Content and Resource Management:

• The type of content you use is just as imperative to proper playback performance as any other setting or driver. There are CPU and GPU decoded codecs and choosing the right one for your project is important.
  • For a list of supported codecs, follow this article
  • For audio playback information, follow this article
  • Again, a list of performance charts for PIXERA Hardware in regards to codec vs layer count and FPS can be found here
  • Follow this guide for more information on hardware decoding in PIXERA
  • Additionally, PIXERA offers built-in Content Transcoding, including NotchLC
  • Information on Managing Resources
• Information on how PIXERA handles Resource Distribution
• Information on suggested audio interfaces and supported audio formats and playback
• If you are using custom 3D object, review our article on preparing your 3D object for PIXERA

Install Dependencies:

• Pixera doesn't automatically distribute SDK dependencies that third-party software may use. When troubleshooting and running a show, ensure all necessary drivers for real-time content are installed on all machines rendering or controlling rendering.
  • For example, in order for a Notch Block to render on a Manager and Client machine, each machine needs Notch installed and running a valid license
    • Find information here on Unreal, Notch, and TouchDesigner setup and dependencies 

EDIDs:

• One of the most important steps, if not THE most important step, for any professional Media Server integration is ensuring you have proper EDIDS loaded. See EDID Management and our premade EDID Presets
  • An EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) is a data format used as a “handshake” between a display and an outputting device, which tells the outputting device the displays capabilities, such as resolution and refresh rate.
  • Hard-loading an EDID via Nvidia Control Panel “tricks” the server into thinking there is always a display attached, ensuring that if/when a cable comes unplugged, or a display perhaps turns off, Windows does not notice, and thus does not try to rearrange displays or configurations, allowing you to get your system back online without much extra fuss 
  • This is a mandatory step for every production and should always be applied prior to creating your PIXERA project
  • Please note that you must be careful in applying EDIDs. A mis-paired EDID and display can lead to playback issues. 
  • Ensure your displays, cables and adapters can handle the bandwidth you are attempting to send out of each GPU connection
    • Something important to consider is the bit depth of your content and displays!
• Once EDIDs are loaded, you can setup Genlock, Framelock, and Mosaic via Nvidia Control Panel
• NOTE: If you are ouputting from a Deltacast card, you will not need to load an EDID on this specific output

Starting Your Project:

• Finally, you have checked all your boxes before starting your PIXERA project. Open a new project, import your content, and get going!
  • Within PIXERA you have built-in tools to help you out, including:
    • Standard Content
    • On-Screen Statistics to monitor refresh rate, and incomplete and dropped frames
    • Output Identification
    • Test Patterns
    • Performance Monitoring
    • Scan Lines Effect
    • Turn Off Workspace Rendering
    • Edit Your Mesh

Troubleshooting

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

PIXERA 25.1  | 26.September 2025 | R.J.