Overview
Upon creating your account and opening the Hive Application for the first time, Hive will automatically create a studio based on your username. Once the app opens, you will then need to link a bridge device, which should be the computer that you are currently using with the Application. This article guides you through the step-by-step setup and linking flow to get your environment ready.
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Launch the Hive App
Ensure the Hive app is installed on the machine you wish to link.
Make sure the device is powered on, the Hive application is running.
Open the Hive app.
Create or change your default Studio.
2. Create Organization
In the upper left-hand corner, you'll see a default organization created for you with your email.
Click the Settings icon next to the organization name to open the Organization Settings window, or select Create a New Organization at the bottom.
Adjust your settings in your premade organization to your preferred settings, OR make an entirely new Organization after clicking Create New Organization.
Your Organization needs a name. Input one that you are happy with.
You'll be notified whether the organization was successfully created or if any issues occurred (such as dual naming on the same account credentials).
3. Create Studio
Bridges are linked to studios.
Click Create Studio.
Enter a studio name and proceed.
4. First-Time Setup: Link Bridge
A message will appear in the center of your screen:“First things first. To get started in your studio, you must install and link the first bridge.”
Click Link Bridge to begin.
5. Link the Bridge
When the Link Bridge button is clicked In the Hive UI, the Bridge icon in the top right will open up the Bridges Window and should show Bridges: 0.
Click Search for Devices at the bottom of the Bridges Window.
Hive AI will automatically scan your subnet for available bridges. Available bridge names will appear, based on the Device’s System name. (i.e. Lenovo-9x989m, Adam’s Macbook Pro. etc…)
Click Link Bridge on the desired bridge in the list.
7. Handling Previously Linked Bridges
If the bridge is already linked to another Hive organization or studio:
If you are the owner of the bridge you wish to change, you’ll be asked to confirm unlinking and re-linking. If you are not, the owner will receive a notification on the Hive Application to grant permission to link the bridge.
This action is not reversible automatically. You will need to go through the process of linking the bridge again in another studio.
Click the red Link Bridge with this studio button to proceed.
8. Confirm and Complete
A Linking status will appear in the Bridges Window.
Upon success, the Hive app will restart and the bridge will enter Local Mode.
9. Manage Bridge Settings
Click the Bridges Icon to open the Bridge Tray where you can::
Display the list of Linked Bridges
Rename the bridge
Add another bridge
Restart or unlink a bridge
View system metrics: CPU usage, RAM usage, available Disk Space
See the Hive version installed and whether you running the most up to date production version.
Update the Bridge if an update is available.
How It Works and What to Expect
Linking a bridge connects your local device to your Hive studio for video and control processing.
Bridges start in Local Mode by default.
You can switch to Cloud Mode via the toggle at the top right of the UI.
You can Lock the bridge into Local Mode to prevent remote override.
Tips, Limitations, and Best Practices
Ensure both the app and the bridge are on the same subnet for successful linking.
If the Studio or Organization that contains a linked bridge is deleted, the bridge will Unlink.
Do not update your Hive app during or just before a production, schedule updates after hours or well in advance.
Keep the Hive app up to date for access to the latest features and stability improvements.
Linked bridges cannot be auto-unlinked, unlinking requires confirmation.
FAQs
What is a bridge in Hive?
A bridge is a machine running the Hive app that connects and processes studio devices. Think of a bridge like a base of operations, and the sources are what communicates with the base.
Can I use multiple bridges in one studio?
Yes, you can add multiple bridges for redundancy or load balancing.
What if no bridges show up during the scan?
Ensure your bridge device is powered, on the same subnet, and the app is open. If no bridges appear, check the version of Hive that each machine is running for synchronicity.
How do I know if a bridge is already linked elsewhere?
You will receive a prompt to unlink it before linking to your current studio, OR the owner will receive a prompt that a user wishes to unlink the bridge.
What is the difference between Local and Cloud Mode?
Local Mode keeps processing on the bridge’s device; Cloud Mode allows cloud-based orchestration. Please note that local mode incurs no fees and does not use up any of the data transfer budget of your Hive Plan, however Cloud Mode does.
How do I rename a bridge?
Click the Bridges icon, select your bridge, and edit its name.
Can I revert an accidental link to the wrong studio?
You must manually unlink and re-link to the correct one. There's no auto-revert.
Use Cases
Setting up a brand-new Hive environment for your production team.
Reassigning a bridge from one studio to another for a different project.
Running Hive entirely on-prem with local bridge mode enabled.
Adding a secondary bridge for failover.
Managing bridge health and performance pre-production.
Linking your bridge is the first essential step to getting started with Hive. Once connected, you can manage and monitor your bridge for optimal video and control performance.