Hardware

Below, we have provided links and pricing for budgeting purposes. Our recommendations are linked under the highlighted headings. Pricing was accurate as of July 2024. Specifications are included if you want to source an alternate manufacturer.

Drawbridge Server

You will need one computer set up to run Drawbridge. It will be a dedicated machine running our custom DrawbridgeOS operating system to run all of our services locally right in your venue.

Option 1: Preconfigured Server

Setting up the machine takes a few steps to load our custom operating system onto the machine. Let us save you the trouble, and we will have you up and running in no time!

We will test the hardware, install DrawbridgeOS, and preconfigure everything so it is ready to plug in and go. Interested? Sign up here!

Option 2: Bring Your Own Hardware

Too excited to wait? Bring your own hardware! If you pick up a computer that meets our minimum specs, we can get you up and running as soon as you have it!

Recommended System - Buy Now

• Processor: Intel Core i7-14700F

• Memory: 32GB of DDR5 5200MHz

• Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 12GB graphics card

• Storage: 1TB SSD or larger

• Operating System: Windows/None (Will be replaced with DrawbridgeOS)

• Price: $1449

Gamemaster Station Setup

In order to configure a gamemaster station capable of handling up to four games at a time, follow the guidelines listed below. You will need one of these for every four games. One possible configuration for a gamemaster workstation has four monitors so you can see a game on each monitor, or put two tabs side by side on a single monitor and run two games on one monitor while using the other screens for the Overview tab, guest view, point of sale, leaderboards, or common area cameras.

You will need the following per workstation:

1. Workstation PC:

   • Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5600G 3.9 GHz (4.4GHz Max Boost) CPU

   • Memory: 16G DDR4 Laptop Memory

   • Video Card: Radeon Graphics

   • Hard Drive: 500GB NVME SSD

   • Operating System: Microsoft Windows 11 Home 64-bit

   • Price: $499

2. Wireless keyboard and mouse:

   • HP Brand, other options exist.

   • Price: $25

3. Display Port to HDMI adaptor:

   • PC has 1 HDMI and 1 DisplayPort, so you need an HDMI adaptor for the second monitor

   • Price: $6

Optional: If using Lifeline capabilities, this microphone is recommended for speaking into the room

Note: We do not support running in-game timer screens off of game master PC’s using HDMI extenders. This can cause camera feed audio to play in the game room instead of the control room as one computer is running the countdown screen and the game master audio.

For monitors, you can either use 55” displays or 27” displays. We recommend four 27” displays, but it’s a matter of preference.

Cameras

Just looking for the link? Buy Now

General Recommendations

There are many cheap camera systems out there, and trust us, we have seen a lot of terrible ones. Here are our recommendations from what we have seen in the field:

• The best balance we have found between affordability and reliability has been Reolink

• The best performance and configurability overall has been Cortex though they are more expensive

• We recommend between 4-6 cameras per room for ideal coverage

• Cameras are powered over ethernet, so you will need to run a cable directly from the camera to the NVR or to a PoE capable network switch

• Drawbridge displays your cameras in the browser, so you do not need to connect the NVR to a monitor or TV

Designing your overall network is beyond the scope of this document, but we are happy to discuss your plans and offer feedback.

What Should I Buy?

We recommend using 5MP Reolink cameras and having up to six cameras per game room. You will need an NVR channel for each camera.

Bundle for Full Setup (recommended)

If you are buying a full setup, we recommend going with a bundle that includes an NVR and cameras together. Here is an 8-camera bundle with a NVR. Three of these would have enough cameras to cover 4 game rooms.

Price: $800

Individual Components

Reolink Cameras:

Use either RLC-510A - 5MP or RLC-410B - 4MP cameras. 5MP will be clearer for seeing finer details in the room.

• The model number system starts with RLC, which stands for ReoLink Camera.

• The 5 or 4 is 5MP or 4MP, and the 10 is bullet-style cameras. A is for AI features and B means it is proprietary to the Reolink NVR, which is fine. We don't use their AI features, and these camera resolutions provide good support for open standards. We connect to the NVR to pull the camera feed.

• Bullet or Dome cameras can work fine. With Reolink they both have the same view range (93 degrees), which is more important than the type of mount.

• Do not buy 8MP or 12MP cameras—see note above.

• Reolink cameras include a built-in microphone. Drawbridge will allow you to listen to the rooms using this microphone. Support and performance may vary per camera. For reliable two-way audio, consider using Lifeline.

Price: $55 per camera

Reolink NVR:

You will need an NVR with a channel for each camera.

Reolink Product Naming Convention

• RLK means it is a bundle that includes cameras.

• RLN is a standalone NVR. This is followed by a number telling you the number of channels/cameras the NVR supports, so RLN8 is an 8-channel NVR with no cameras included.

• RLK8 is an 8-channel NVR with 8 cameras.

• Then there is a dash telling you the type of cameras, so RLK8-410B has 410B cameras bundled.

Price: $230 for an 8-channel NVR

Already have cameras installed?

Camera brands known to work with Drawbridge:

• Amcrest

• Cortex

• LaView

• Reolink

• Ubiquiti UniFi UNVR

NOTE: Currently, fisheye camera lenses are not fully supported.

iPads

iPads (2018 or later models work fine):

Price: $100