Polaris Video Datasheet
NORTHSTARSHOW SYSTEMS
Polaris Video Datasheet
HDMI trigger node specifications
| Document Number | Revision | Date | Platform Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSSS-DOC-0052 | A | 2026-05-20 | 1.0 |
Function
The Polaris Video Node drives a single HDMI-trigger media player (e.g., Brightsign, Atom, or any contact-closure-capable playback device). It provides one trigger pin (D2) plus power; the actual video playback is performed by the connected media player.
Pin Map
| Pin | Direction | Role |
|---|---|---|
| D2 | Output | HDMI trigger pulse — locked to D2 by firmware |
Electrical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Output voltage | 5 V nominal active-high |
| Pulse duration | 200 ms default, configurable per-node in Compose |
| Sink/source per pin | 8 mA maximum |
| Recommended interface | Direct GPIO-to-trigger-input on the media player; opto-isolator for galvanic separation |
Common Media Player Pairings
- Brightsign HD224 or HD1024 — wire D2 to GPIO trigger input on the back
- Atom Video Trigger boards — wire D2 to the trigger signal pin
- Custom Raspberry Pi + omxplayer setup — wire D2 to a GPIO pin and write a daemon that watches for rising edge
UDP Command Set
| cue | Effect |
|---|---|
| fire | Pulse D2 high for pulseMs, then return low |
| stop | No-op (Polaris Video is fire-and-forget) |
Why D2 Is Locked
The trigger pin is fixed at D2 by the Polaris Video firmware. This simplifies wiring conventions across venues — every Polaris Video Node has its trigger on the same physical pin regardless of project. Other pins are unused.
Related Documents
- NSSS-DOC-0050Polaris Family Overview
- NSSS-DOC-0073UDP Cue Command Reference
Revision History
| Revision | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| A | 2026-05-20 | Initial publication |