--- title: "A Wireless Tally System Development Project -무선탈리 만들기(완)-" url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/lawrence/projects/---1/" markdown_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/lawrence/projects/---1/md" type: "UCC: User Created Content" author: "니나농" author_url: "https://blog.naver.com/PostView.naver?blogId=dhtpals32123&logNo=223089097357&categoryNo=26&parentCategoryNo=0&viewDate=¤tPage=2&postListTopCurrentPage=1&from=postList&userTopListOpen=true&userTopListCount=5&userTopListManageOpen=false&userTopListCurrentPage=2" editor: "WIZnet" editor_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/" original_author: "니나농" original_url: "https://blog.naver.com/PostView.naver?blogId=dhtpals32123&logNo=223089097357&categoryNo=26&parentCategoryNo=0&viewDate=¤tPage=2&postListTopCurrentPage=1&from=postList&userTopListOpen=true&userTopListCount=5&userTopListManageOpen=false&userTopListCurrentPage=2" published: "2025-08-27" language: "en" tags: ["W5500", "ESP32"] hardware: ["WIZnet W5500", "Espressif ESP32"] likes: 0 views: 4123 comments: 0 source: "WIZnet Makers (https://maker.wiznet.io/)" --- # A Wireless Tally System Development Project -무선탈리 만들기(완)- > A developer built a wireless tally system to overcome the limitations of wired setups. Original author: 니나농 (source: https://blog.naver.com/PostView.naver?blogId=dhtpals32123&logNo=223089097357&categoryNo=26&parentCategoryNo=0&viewDate=¤tPage=2&postListTopCurrentPage=1&from=postList&userTopListOpen=true&userTopListCount=5&userTopListManageOpen=false&userTopListCurrentPage=2) ## Components - **WIZnet W5500** x 1 ([docs](https://docs.wiznet.io/Product/Chip/Ethernet/W5500)) - **Espressif ESP32** x 1 ([docs](https://www.espressif.com/en/products/socs/esp32)) WIZnet parts: W5500 ([Datasheet](https://docs.wiznet.io/Product/Chip/Ethernet/W5500/datasheet?utm_source=maker&utm_medium=project&utm_campaign=w5500), [product hub](https://maker.wiznet.io/products/w5500/)) ## Article ## **In-depth Analysis: A Wireless Tally System Development Project** This article synthesizes and analyzes a detailed blog series by a developer on a wireless tally system project. The project is an excellent case study on overcoming the limitations of wired tally systems, providing insights into **hardware selection, communication protocol decisions, and real-world field testing**. ### **1. What is a Tally System?** ![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/860796707%5F1756310998%2Epng) A tally system is a crucial piece of equipment in video production and broadcasting. It uses a signal to indicate which camera is currently live ("on-air") and which is in a preview state. Typically, a **red light** signifies the camera is live, and a **green light** indicates it's ready to go live. This simple visual cue helps camera operators and on-screen talent know the status of their camera, preventing mistakes and ensuring a smooth production. However, traditional tally systems use cables, which limit mobility and complicate setup in a live-shooting environment. This project aimed to solve this issue by developing a **wireless tally system** that enhances portability and convenience. A key goal was to achieve the **high communication stability** required for professional broadcasting. ### **2. Technical Choices: Deliberation and Decisions** ![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/860796707%5F1756311026%2Epng) Throughout the project, the developer faced critical technical choices. The thought process and final decisions are outlined below. **Communication Method: ESP-NOW vs. Wi-FiDeliberation**: The developer initially considered ESP-NOW, a low-power communication protocol for ESP32. While it offers fast communication and low power consumption, it can be unstable for one-to-many broadcasting, which is essential for controlling multiple tally lights. **Conclusion**: **Wi-Fi** was ultimately chosen for its ability to provide reliable one-to-many communication, which was deemed more critical than the power-saving benefits of ESP-NOW. **Main MCU: STM32 vs. ESP32Deliberation**: Initially, the developer considered the STM32 for its higher performance. However, integrating Wi-Fi connectivity with the STM32 would have added significant complexity to the hardware and firmware development. **Conclusion**: The **ESP32** was ultimately selected. Its **built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities** simplified the hardware design and accelerated the development process. **PC Connectivity: USB to TTL vs. EthernetDeliberation**: Using a USB to TTL module was an initial thought for PC communication, but this failed to address the fundamental problem of using a cable and limited interoperability with other devices. **Conclusion**: **Ethernet communication** was adopted for its versatility and stability. The **WIZnet W5500** module was chosen to implement this. ![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/860796707%5F1756311202%2Epng) ### **3. Key Technology Analysis: WIZnet W5500 and VMIX Integration** ![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/860796707%5F1756311457%2Epng) The core of this project lies in the **WIZnet W5500 Ethernet module** and its integration with **VMIX** software. **The Role of the WIZnet W5500**: While the tally lights communicate wirelessly via Wi-Fi, the controller is connected to a PC running VMIX via a **wired Ethernet connection**. The W5500 features a **hardware TCP/IP stack**, which offloads the complex network processing from the main microcontroller. This ensures stable and high-speed data transfer, a crucial requirement for real-time broadcast environments where communication must be uninterrupted. **VMIX Integration**: **VMIX** is a live video mixing software used to switch between multiple camera feeds and manage graphics in real time for broadcasting. The developer created a program that uses the **VMIX API** to retrieve live camera status, transmitting this data to the controller via Ethernet. This integration ensures the wireless tally system is perfectly synchronized with the live broadcast environment. ### **4. Project Completion: The Importance of Field Testing** ![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/860796707%5F1756311343%2Epng) Beyond development and bench testing, the project's reliability was validated through **real-world field testing**. **Communication Stability Test**: The developer tested the wireless communication range and signal stability between the tally lights and the controller in an environment similar to a real shooting set, with obstructions and distance. **Hardware Optimization**: The tests also helped in optimizing the hardware, leading to improvements like the use of detachable batteries to ensure sufficient operating time in the field. This crucial field-testing phase transformed the system from a working prototype into a **reliable, production-ready product** fit for actual use. ### **5. Conclusion and Implications** This wireless tally system project is an excellent example of a well-executed engineering process, demonstrating a logical approach to technical challenges. The decision to use **wired communication with the WIZnet W5500** for the core controller—even within a "wireless" system—to ensure stability is a particularly insightful design choice. The developer's journey, from initial deliberation to final implementation, provides a valuable roadmap for anyone looking to undertake a similar project. --- Source: https://maker.wiznet.io/lawrence/projects/---1/