# Insider Connected Upgrade Installation Instructions **Source:** Stern Pinball **Type:** video **Published:** 2022-12-22 **Duration:** 5m 9s **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IV1USwAJ74 --- ## Analysis Official Stern Pinball installation guide for the Insider Connected upgrade kit, detailing hardware installation (Wi-Fi/Ethernet connectivity, QR reader, micro SD card) and software setup (code updates, account registration, network configuration) for Pro, Premium, and LE machines. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] Insider Connected requires code update from sternpinball.com before installation — _Opening installation instructions explicitly require copying latest code update to USB drive and updating before hardware installation_ - [HIGH] Insider Connected supports both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity options — _Setup menu offers choice between Wi-Fi or wired connection; Ethernet described as 'faster and more robust' alternative_ - [HIGH] QR reader hardware differs between Pro vs Premium/LE tiers — _Separate installation procedures provided: Pro includes replacement arch assembly with QR reader; Premium/LE uses QR reader node mounted differently under playfield_ - [HIGH] Insider Connected account registration is free — _Explicitly stated: 'sign up on sternpinball.com/insider on your phone, computer, or tablet for free'_ ### Notable Quotes > "Insider Connected is a powerful way to network and interface with your Stern Pinball machine." > — **Stern Pinball (narrator)**, 0:00 > _Opening positioning of Insider Connected product value proposition_ > "You may also use an Ethernet cable instead of the Wi-Fi unit for a faster and more robust connection." > — **Stern Pinball (narrator)**, 1:15 > _Explicitly recommends Ethernet as superior technical option to Wi-Fi_ > "You'll need an Insider Connected account to register your newly connected machine." > — **Stern Pinball (narrator)**, 6:30 > _Account requirement gatekeeping for service activation_ > "Welcome to the world of Insider Connected. Now go earn some achievements. Leaderboards and badges await." > — **Stern Pinball (narrator)**, 7:45 > _Closing messaging emphasizing gamification features (achievements, leaderboards, badges)_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Insider Connected | product | Stern Pinball's digital ecosystem and hardware upgrade kit enabling networked connectivity, QR-based registration, and achievement/leaderboard features | | Stern Pinball | company | Manufacturer and provider of Insider Connected upgrade kits and supporting digital infrastructure (sternpinball.com portal) | | sternpinball.com | company | Official Stern Pinball digital hub for code updates, account creation, and Insider Connected setup portal | | QR reader | product | Hardware component included in Insider Connected kit for registering machines and enabling digital account linkage | | Wi-Fi dongle | product | Optional connectivity component in Insider Connected kit; Ethernet cable presented as preferred alternative | | Node board | product | Pinball machine control board where Ethernet cable connects; specifically node board number eight mentioned for Insider Connected integration | ### Topics - **Primary:** Hardware installation procedures, Connectivity infrastructure (Wi-Fi vs Ethernet), Software setup and account registration - **Secondary:** Gamification features (achievements, leaderboards, badges), Tier-specific installation differences (Pro vs Premium/LE) ### Sentiment **Neutral** (0) — Content is instructional/technical documentation with no evaluative language. Tone is professional and procedural. No positive or negative sentiment expressed beyond functional product framing. ### Signals - **[product_strategy]** Insider Connected upgrade kit enables retrofit connectivity and digital integration for existing Stern machines across Pro/Premium/LE tiers, supporting persistent account linking and gamification features (confidence: high) — Entire video documents complete installation workflow for adding networked digital features to installed base; multi-tier support indicates platform ambition - **[product_strategy]** Insider Connected infrastructure supports QR-based registration, Wi-Fi/Ethernet connectivity, achievement tracking, and leaderboards, with future roadmap indicating remote control/system management capabilities in development (confidence: medium) — Video demonstrates fully functional leaderboard and badge system; references account portal for management suggest additional features under development --- ## Transcript Welcome to The Insider connected upgrade kit installation video Insider connected is a powerful way to network and interface with your Stern Pinball Machine you may need to begin by completing a code update on your game copy the latest code update from sternpinball.com to a USB flash drive to update place the flash drive in an open USB port turn the game on follow the on-screen prompts to update the game code foreign your game off for 15 seconds then turn the game back on verify that the installation was successful before moving on installing the components in the backbox install the supplied micro SD card as shown then install the Wi-Fi dongle you may also use an ethernet cable instead of the Wi-Fi unit for a faster and more robust connection if you choose to connect via Ethernet run a cat5g cable from your router into the cabinet as shown reinstall the back glass and close the speaker display panel installing the QR reader in a pro game your kit includes a replacement arch with QR Reader RJ45 ethernet cable micro SD card USB Wi-Fi adapter Insider connected instruction card installation instructions Begin by opening the coin door and removing the lockdown bar by first releasing the interior locking clamps carefully back the glass through the groove being sure to support it from the center watch hitting the corners of the glass and place it to the side in a secure spot remove the instruction card and pricing cards keep them on the side for later use ing an 11 30 seconds nut driver remove the indicated nuts lift your black plastic bottom Arch off the game install the supplied ethernet cable into the RJ45 connector on the QR node run the cable through the hole in the Playfield as shown connected to node Board number eight under the Playfield as shown reinstall the washers and nuts that you removed replace the instructions on the left you may choose to place the red and white Insider connected instruction card on the arch remove the decals from the original Arch and put them on the replacement for a premium or Le game your kit includes a QR Reader node RJ45 ethernet cable micro SD card USB Wi-Fi adapter installation instructions raise the Playfield and locate the two nuts near The Flipper plates that mount the front wall of the bottom Arch using an 11 30 seconds nut driver remove the screws at the Playfield hanger brackets using a number two Phillips screwdriver turn the arch over and use a quarter inch nut driver removing three nuts holding the right side corner plastic install the QR Reader assembly in place of the plastic then replace and tighten the three nuts plug the ethernet cable into the module and reinstall the arch thread the cable through the Playfield hole as indicated and connect the node Board number eight under the Playfield as shown power up your game and enter the Diagnostics menu by pressing the black button on the coin door twice use the red buttons to navigate to the net menu the green button exits any menu go to setup connection and select Wi-Fi or wired locate your network and enter your password you'll need an Insider connected account to register your newly connected machine if you don't have an account sign up on sternpinball.com Insider on your phone computer or tablet for free once you have an account sign in on your mobile device and return to the stern Insider connected setup menu on your machine scan your code on the QR Reader you'll be given instructions on how to complete the registration of your game welcome to the world of Insider connected now go earn some achievements leaderboards and badges await _(Acquisition: youtube_auto_sub, Enrichment: v3)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: c0238508-cae6-4320-9065-ec882d89485d*