Northstar · Helm
Flagship hardware

Helm.
The show server.

A purpose-built mini-PC that lives in the venue's tech rack. Runs HelmOS, talks to every Polaris node, drives every Bridge panel, and serves Cuemaster to operators. One Helm per venue, sized to the show.

HELM
What Helm does

The brain of the venue.

Helm is the always-on server that keeps your show running. It speaks to every other Northstar component, holds the show files, runs the schedule, and dispatches commands.

Fires cues

Reads cues out of Compose, executes them in order, dispatches to the right Polaris node, every time.

Serves Cuemaster

Hosts the operator web dashboard. Any browser on the venue network can hit Helm — no client install.

Monitors every node

Keeps a live heartbeat with every Polaris. Drops are surfaced in Cuemaster and logged in HelmOS.

Stores the show

Show files, asset library, schedule, overrides, audit log — all local, all encrypted at rest.

Runs the schedule

Pre-show power-up, daily routines, seasonal swaps, manual overrides. Defined in Compose, run by Helm.

Survives the show floor

Solid-state. Industrial mini-PC chassis. Designed for the temperature swings and dust of show floors.

Specifications

What's in the box.

Helm ships as a complete unit with HelmOS pre-installed. Rack it, give it power and Ethernet, and you're up.

Industrial-grade Pre-imaged Warranty included
Chassis
Compact mini-PC, 1U rack-mount kit available
CPU
x86-64, multi-core industrial SKU
Memory
16 GB ECC standard, 32 GB upgrade available
Storage
NVMe SSD, M.2 expansion bay
Network
2 × Gigabit Ethernet, optional TrueNorth Wi-Fi
Power
External DC brick, optional dual-PSU configuration
Operating system
HelmOS, pre-installed and OTA-updateable
Mounting
Desktop, wall-mount, or 1U rack ears

Get a Helm quote.

Tell us how many zones, what integrations, and your install timeline. We'll come back with a configured bundle and lead time.