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// BUILD YOUR RIG

Your hardware, your call. Five ways into SPECTER.

SPECTER is the software. The sensor is yours to choose. Repurpose a Kinect you already own, build a compact RealSense field unit, add a P2W thermal camera, or route a broadcast camera through a capture card. Pick a path and follow the build guide, parts and costs included.

RECOMMENDED BUILD → DOWNLOAD SPECTER
// BUILD YOUR RIG

Five ways in. Your hardware, your call.

SPECTER is software. The sensor is yours to choose. Whether you're repurposing a Kinect you already own, building a compact RealSense field unit, adding a P2W thermal camera, or routing a broadcast camera through a capture card, SPECTER runs it all. Pick your path below and follow the build guide.

⚡
SYSTEM PERFORMANCE NOTE

SPECTER performs advanced real-time processing: neural network entity tracking, six-channel environmental fusion, live depth mapping, and autonomous evidence archiving - all simultaneously. Performance will vary depending on your hardware. We strongly recommend a fast, modern Windows device. Older or underpowered machines may experience frame drops or latency during high-activity sessions.

For field use, we recommend a high-performance Windows tablet: the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (Snapdragon X Elite), ASUS ROG Flow Z13, or Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet Gen 3. Any modern Windows laptop with a dedicated GPU will also perform well.

PATH 01 // EXISTING RIG

Kinect V2 Build

The Kinect V2 is still the most common sensor in paranormal field kits. If you own one, you're halfway there. SPECTER replaces the stock Xbox skeleton app with purpose-built investigation software - same hardware, completely different instrument.

  • ✓ SLS neural entity tracking
  • ✓ Depth field capture & archive
  • ✓ Entity confidence scoring
  • ✓ Available used for $60 to $100
  • ⚠ Requires Kinect for Windows Runtime (free, one-time install)
Sensor: ~$60 to $100 used
PATH 02 // RECOMMENDED

Intel RealSense D435i Build

The sensor SPECTER was engineered around. Industrial-grade stereo depth with integrated IMU. Runs plug-and-play via USB-C. Small enough to mount to a laptop lid with 3M tape - no rig, no battery pack, no bulk. Carry a laptop. That's your entire investigation system.

  • ✓ Full Anomaly Index: all 6 live metrics
  • ✓ IMU: detects invisible field disturbance
  • ✓ RGB-D spatial evidence capture
  • ✓ Plug-and-play USB-C
  • ✓ No battery pack. No proprietary tablet.
  • ✓ In production: new units available
Sensor: ~$150 to $200 new
PATH 03 // THERMAL ADD-ON

HSFtools P2W Thermal Build

Add a network thermal camera to SPECTER without replacing your depth sensor. The P2W streams thermal and visual channels over RTSP, giving the operator a dedicated thermal view, RGB blend, and a 4-up command center.

  • ✓ Auto-discovery on the local network
  • ✓ Thermal and visual RTSP streams
  • ✓ Hot, cold, humanoid, orb, vortex, and residue detection controls
  • ✓ Control Center 4-up monitoring
  • ✓ RETRY button rescans and restarts streams
  • ✓ Thermal snapshots paired to the gallery
  • ✓ Works alongside RealSense, Kinect, or HDMI
Camera: P2W network thermal unit
PATH 04 // ANY CAMERA

HDMI Capture Input

Route any HDMI-output camera directly into SPECTER's detection pipeline via a USB capture card. Full-spectrum DSLRs, Sony FX3, dedicated night vision, or specialty cameras can feed the visual analysis pipeline.

  • ✓ Sony FX3 / FX30 ultra-low-light
  • ✓ Full-spectrum converted cameras
  • ✓ Dedicated night vision rigs
  • ✓ Specialty camera feeds via HDMI
  • ✓ Any broadcast or prosumer camera
  • ✓ Capture cards from ~$20 to $80
Capture card: ~$20 to $80 // Camera: your existing gear
PATH 05 // BUILD YOUR OWN, 100% FREE

Wireless SPECTER Node

Build a DIY wireless magnetic-field and proximity sensor with an ESP32, a capacitive antenna, and a magnetometer. Deploy up to three Nodes with direct-first Wi-Fi, authenticated two-hop Relay Assist, synchronized event timing, and optional Lorex or IP camera links. Full guide, wiring diagram, and firmware, free with no purchase required.

Extended-range SPECTER Node resistor sensor wiring diagram
  • ✓ ESP32 + QMC5883L magnetometer
  • ✓ Capacitive proximity antenna
  • ✓ Onboard LED + buzzer alerts
  • ✓ Direct-first Wi-Fi with two-hop Relay Assist
  • ✓ Up to three synchronized Nodes
  • ✓ Linked cameras highlight together
  • ✓ Copy-paste Arduino code, free firmware
  • ✓ ~$15 to $25 in parts, no purchase for the guide
Open the free build guide →
05B

Extended-Range SPECTER Node, Resistor Build

GPIO18 charges the GPIO4 antenna sense node through a 1MΩ resistor. Firmware measures the charge time directly, with no logic chip, transistor, or inductor required.

Extended-range SPECTER Node resistor sensor wiring diagram
Open the complete parts list, firmware setup, and full-size diagram →
01

Kinect V2 Field Rig - Full Build Guide

The classic paranormal investigation build. A portable, battery-powered Kinect rig you can carry into any location.

// WHAT YOU NEED
Microsoft Kinect V2
Xbox One sensor. Buy used on eBay or Amazon. Look for "Kinect for Xbox One" or "Kinect V2". Check it powers on.
~$60 to $100
Kinect USB Adapter
The Kinect V2 uses a proprietary connector - you need the official "Kinect Adapter for Windows" to connect it via USB 3.0. Essential, don't skip it.
~$15 to $30
Windows Tablet or Laptop
Must be USB 3.0. Recommended: Microsoft Surface Pro, ASUS ROG Flow Z13, or any modern Windows 10/11 laptop. The faster the better - SPECTER is processing-heavy.
Your existing device or $400 to $1,200+
USB 3.0 Powered Hub (optional)
If your tablet only has one USB-A port, a powered hub keeps power delivery stable to the Kinect. Unpowered hubs may cause drop-outs.
~$20 to $40
Camera Mount / Magic Arm
A small magic arm or articulating arm lets you position the Kinect independently of your tablet. 1/4"-20 thread. Attach to a tripod, light stand, or clamp it to a shelf.
~$15 to $35
Portable Battery Pack (optional)
For fully wireless field use, a 65W+ USB-C PD power bank (e.g. Anker 737 or similar) powers both your tablet and hub simultaneously. 4 to 8 hours field life.
~$60 to $100
// ASSEMBLY
1
Install Kinect for Windows Runtime - Download the free runtime from Microsoft (search "Kinect for Windows Runtime 2.0"). Install it before plugging in the sensor. This is a one-time system install.
2
Connect Kinect adapter - Plug the Kinect into the proprietary adapter, then connect the USB 3.0 end to your laptop or powered hub. Use a USB 3.0 port - USB 2.0 will not work.
3
Mount the sensor - Attach the Kinect to your magic arm or tripod via the 1/4" thread on the bottom of the sensor. Position it level at roughly chest height for best entity detection angles.
4
Verify in Device Manager - Open Windows Device Manager and confirm the Kinect appears under "Kinect Sensor Devices". If it shows an error, try a different USB 3.0 port.
5
Launch SPECTER - Open SPECTER and select Kinect V2 as your input. The depth feed should appear within a few seconds. You're live.
FIELD TIP Keep the Kinect's USB cable off the floor during investigations - cable movement can register as field disturbance events. Use velcro cable ties to secure it to your rig.
03

HDMI Capture Input - Any Camera Build

Already running a full-spectrum rig or night vision camera? Feed it directly into SPECTER via a USB capture card and run the full detection pipeline on any footage.

// WHAT YOU NEED
USB HDMI Capture Card
Any USB capture card that appears as a webcam in Windows. Recommended: Elgato Cam Link 4K, Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2, or budget options like Digitnow (~$25). 1080p/30fps minimum.
~$25 to $200
Your Camera
Any camera with HDMI output: Sony FX3/FX30, full-spectrum DSLR, dedicated night vision camera, or any broadcast/prosumer unit. If it has an HDMI out, it works.
Your existing gear
HDMI Cable
Standard HDMI to your capture card. Length depends on your setup - a 6ft cable is usually enough. Use a right-angle adapter if your camera's HDMI port is on a tight angle.
~$8 to $20
Windows Laptop or Tablet
Fast CPU recommended - HDMI input + SPECTER's full detection pipeline is processing-intensive. A dedicated GPU will noticeably improve performance at high resolutions.
Your existing device
// SETUP
1
Connect capture card to laptop - Plug the USB capture card into your laptop. Windows should recognise it automatically as a video capture device within a few seconds.
2
Connect camera via HDMI - Run an HDMI cable from your camera's output to the capture card input. Set the camera to output clean HDMI (disable on-screen menus if your camera supports "clean HDMI out").
3
Verify the feed in Windows Camera - Open the Windows Camera app and select your capture card as the source. Confirm the live feed appears. If it doesn't, check HDMI cable seating and camera output settings.
4
Launch SPECTER - Select HDMI Input and choose your capture card from the device list. SPECTER will begin processing the live feed through the full detection pipeline immediately.
PRO TIP Full-spectrum cameras (UV/IR converted DSLRs) pick up light sources invisible to the human eye. Combined with SPECTER's motion analysis and anomaly detection, you're running the most sensitive investigation setup available at any price point.