Set up and troubleshoot an IoT recorder
Hardware recorders capture locally and upload to StoryVault. First identify the model and firmware version. The installer offers firmware for M5Stack CoreS3 SE and Waveshare ESP32-S3-Touch-ePaper-1.54 V2. V1 and non-touch models are different devices. Firmware is marked beta. This guide was checked against the installation site on 10 October 2026.
USB installation and updates
Section titled “USB installation and updates”Use Chrome, Chromium or Edge with Web Serial on a computer. iPhone and iPad cannot use this USB flashing route. Use a data cable, close other programs using the serial port and select the exact model.
Before flashing, stop recording/playback/upload, back up important files, switch off and remove the microSD. Follow the selected model’s flash mode: CoreS3 SE uses RST; E-Paper uses BOOT/PWR. The procedures are not interchangeable. Disconnect only after confirmed completion. For existing devices, use the update option; do not force a full erase when partitioning differs.
Connect Wi-Fi and StoryVault
Section titled “Connect Wi-Fi and StoryVault”The installation page’s setup wizard creates storyvault-config.txt locally in the browser. Place that exact filename in the root of a suitable FAT32 microSD. Never send credentials to help or include them in screenshots.
CoreS3 imports at startup; check Menü → Verbindung. E-Paper imports via MENÜ → WLAN. Check Wi-Fi, API connection and target project separately: CoreS3 Aufnahme → Projekt, E-Paper MENÜ → PROJEKT → WAHL. The API key must match the intended StoryVault account and permissions.
Test recording
Section titled “Test recording”Speak and watch the level meter, record briefly, listen back and verify upload in the correct tenant and project. Meter movement confirms input audio, not successful transfer.
Troubleshooting
Section titled “Troubleshooting”| Symptom | Next check |
|---|---|
| No USB port offered | Data cable, direct port, supported browser and model-specific flash mode. |
| E-Paper image stays visible | The image remains even without power; check actual device state. |
| No connection | Configuration filename/location, Wi-Fi and API status separately. |
| Recording missing in StoryVault | Keep the local file; check upload status, tenant and target project. |
| No sound | Meter and short test playback; later settings cannot add audio to a silent original. |
Reflashing is not a default upload fix. For unresolved issues, note model, firmware, step and exact error. The CoreS3 manual covers that device; follow explicitly marked E-Paper instructions for E-Paper hardware.