Reviewed and corrected September 21, 2026.
A Stream Deck is a control surface, not a physical DMX output. With compatible DMXSmartLink software and hardware, its buttons can send commands to the HUB, which controls the lights through the configured outputs.
Choose one connection method
- Direct USB: connect a supported deck to the HUB and confirm it appears and displays ordinary saved scenes.
- Standalone Mac/Windows connector: connect the deck to your computer and the connector to the HUB over the network. This connector owns the USB device; close the Elgato desktop application when using this mode.
- Elgato desktop plugin: a separate beta option that runs inside Elgato's application alongside other actions. Follow the matching release instructions rather than the standalone connector's instructions.
Set up a scene button
- Save and verify an ordinary lighting scene on the HUB.
- Use the connection guide and matching downloads from Settings or official release assets.
- Confirm the intended HUB and scene before triggering output.
- Test the physical lights, then test a reconnect and a renamed scene.
Saved AI setups are separate
The beta Elgato plugin provides ordinary scene selection and AI Light Show/Slideshow start and stop actions. Named saved AI setups are not currently selectable as individual plugin buttons. Starting a show uses the HUB's current settings; verify targets first. A new beta package is not a guarantee of compatibility with every deck model or desktop installation.
If buttons do not respond
Check the HUB is reachable, the device is supported, the correct connection mode is running and another application is not holding the USB device. Follow documented certificate pairing where required. Do not disable certificate checks globally.
Fixture-library size does not determine Stream Deck support or smart-light compatibility. Test those independently and keep a browser available as an alternate control surface.
Check your version and your lights
DMXSmartLink runs on supported macOS, Windows 11, Ubuntu and Raspberry Pi 5 systems, or on a preconfigured HUB. It accepts Art-Net and sACN input and provides Art-Net output; physical DMX requires a supported interface. Smart-light functions depend on the model and integration, including Homebridge or Home Assistant. The bundled Home Assistant companion on Pi/Ubuntu is experimental. Cloud integrations require internet; local paths have their own compatibility requirements.
See current capabilities and beta limitations and compare setups. Use the free 14-day trial, with no credit card required, to test your actual lights. Current prices and included items are on the product pages.
