The control software for Brompton's premium-class Tessera video processors, complemented by the Hydra calibration device.
Brompton · control and calibration software
Brompton Tessera processor software (+ Hydra calibration)
The Tessera processor software is the configuration and supervision application for Brompton's SX40, S8 and other Tessera-series video processors: input-output handling, HDR and colour space settings (ACEScg support in the newer versions, for instance), redundancy and system supervision. Brompton is one of the leading premium-class controller manufacturers in the event technology and virtual production (XR/broadcast) market, so its software offers correspondingly refined colour management and synchronisation functions.
Hydra is a supplementary calibration device made specifically for panels with the R2 controller chip and for the Tessera SX40 and S8 processors: its purpose is to let older panels be operated with new, uniform brightness and colour performance ("breathe new life into old panels"). Dynamic Calibration technology profiles the behaviour of every panel across the full brightness range and then compensates for the non-linearities.
Where the Tessera processor software sits in an LED wall system
The Tessera processor (SX40, S8, S4, T1) sits in the middle of the signal path: an HDMI or 12G-SDI signal arrives from the media server on its input, and its output carries on over 10-gigabit ports to panels fitted with Brompton R2 receiving cards, in a larger system through the XD data distribution unit. The control software is the processor's interface, reachable remotely over the network as well; the settings live in the processor, not on the laptop, so disconnecting the operating machine does not affect the picture. The system is closed: it only works with panels carrying Brompton receiving cards, so the panel manufacturer has to be asked for a Brompton-compatible build at the procurement stage.
WHEN IT IS THE RIGHT CHOICE
On premium-class event technology, broadcast or virtual production (XR) projects, where accurate colour reproduction, HDR compatibility and camera synchronisation (genlock, NanoSync and so on) are of particular importance.
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
Hydra calibration is strictly limited to panels with the R2 controller chip and to the Tessera SX40/S8 processors — not every Brompton-compatible panel is eligible, and this is worth settling with the manufacturer or the reseller before purchase.
The Tessera processor software in practice
A great advantage of the Brompton world is that a firmware update on the processor carries the firmware of the receiving cards in the panels with it, so there is no need to update cabinet by cabinet — for the same reason, however, the processor and panel versions have to match, otherwise the panel does not appear in the system. For in-front-of-camera work, ShutterSync matches the panel's refresh timing to the camera shutter against banding and rolling artefacts, while Dynamic Calibration and ThermaCal compensate for manufacturing and temperature-dependent variation. Users have criticised the lack of cable loop redundancy and failover status indicators in the control module; the well-documented HTTP API, on the other hand, allowed an external developer to fill that gap in a later version. There is no Hungarian interface; the operating interface is English.
Alternatives to the Tessera processor software
If the wall is not going in front of a camera, Brompton's price and closed panel range are hard to justify: for conventional display work, NovaStar (NovaLCT, VMP) or Colorlight (LEDSETTING) solves the same job at a fraction of the cost. In the same premium XR category, Megapixel HELIOS is the main competitor. The decision typically comes down to which receiving card the chosen panel can be ordered with, and which processor the studio's media server knows — disguise Designer or PIXERA.
Tessera processor software manual and datasheet
The documents live on the manufacturer's own site and open in a new window — so you always get the latest version. We do not copy or translate their contents.
Tessera processor software on video
The player is only embedded on click — until then not a single request goes to YouTube.
How to Calibrate LED Tiles with the Brompton Tessera and Calman Ultimate
Portrait Displays · YouTube · Tutorial
Feature Spotlight: Dynamic Calibration
Brompton Technology · YouTube · Tutorial
Quick Training: Adding Panels
Brompton Technology · YouTube · Tutorial
Tessera processor software: what users report
A concise summary of experiences published in public professional forums and communities. Not our opinion, and not a quotation — the source is always available.
Users reported the absence of cable loop redundancy and failover status indicators in the Tessera control module; Brompton's HTTP API is well documented (down to endpoint-level descriptions), so the developer was able to build the requested function into a later version quickly.
GitHub — bitfocus/companion-module-brompton-tessera (issue #2) — open the sourceTessera firmware update 3.5.1 introduced a new custom pattern store (frame store); the community actively follows Brompton's firmware updates and asks for them to be mirrored in third-party control tools, which suggests the Tessera ecosystem is lively and developing fast.
GitHub — bitfocus/companion-module-brompton-tessera (issue #11) — open the sourceRelated control software
LED wall software — but what does it go into?
On its own the Brompton Tessera processor software (+ Hydra calibration) is a component. With us it works inside these displays — design, manufacturing and installation included.
