WATCHOUT received a total makeover with the advent of version 7. Here are some of the key changes

• Support for 10-16-bit color depth
• Wide Colour Space (REC.2020+ and beyond)
• HDR (High Dynamic Range)
• Support for codecs, such as NotchLC and H265
• New video and audio engine
• Asset Manager
• New ecosystem built around Producer (the user interface), Director (the brain, manages show data and sync), Runner (audio and video rendering to displays), Asset Manager (media repository)

A WATCHOUT 7 system contains three main elements:

1. Producer: this is the main application where creators build and edit WATCHOUT shows.
2. Asset Manager: this component where you prepare, organize and share various assets, including images, videos, and audio files.
3. Media server: one or more media servers are deployed to deliver the show.

Each of these system elements can operate on a separate node (computer) within a network, or you can combine different elements on a single machine. This flexibility empowers you to design a system that is customized to suit your specific installation needs.

In terms of licensing, you can download and use the WATCHOUT Producer for free, but media servers always require a WATCHOUT 7 license (built-in to our WATCHPAX range).

Read more in the Knowledge Base article

When you install WATCHOUT 7 you will see icons for: Producer, LTC Bridge, ArtNet Recorder, Midi Bridge. You will work in the Producer as you design and program your show.

The main windows in the Producer are Stage, Timelines, Main Timeline and Assets. Other key windows are Devices and context-dependent Properties. Both present show-relevant info in an easily understood and timely way. Windows for Variables and Stage Tiers are also available.

The Stage window is your canvas - the place where you organize your displays and decide what is seen and where. In other words it's where you preview and edit your show.

The Stage is oriented in pixels, starting from the origin point (x=0, y=0, z=0), X= horizontal, Y= vertical, Z= depth. 

To view and navigate in your show, there are three camera modes:

• Default
• First person
• Projector

A timeline in WATCHOUT is a graphic representation that displays content in a linear chronological order. Basically, you take a media file, place it at a point in the timeline (becoming a media cue) and when the playhead reaches that time, the media cue will play.

In WATCHOUT 7, the Main Timeline window is opened by default when you create a new show, to help you get started. You can then add further timelines from the Timelines window and set the playback order of all timelines to suit.

The Timelines window lists the timelines used in your show.

The Assets window lists the media used in your show. Media files (assets) are stored in the Asset Manager.

• Quick preview and progress bar while file is optimized
• Add folders for better organization
• Hover over an item to view its properties

The Devices window shows the nodes available on the network, their role and their address. A node can be a WATCHPAX media server, or a Producer machine for example.

This window also lists the displays, audio and capture devices which are associated with these nodes.

The Properties window is context-dependent, and displays informaton related to the window or item currently selected.

For example: If you click on a file listed in the Assets window, the Properties window will show Name, Type, Frame rate, etc. If you click on a timeline in the Timelines window, you'll see the Name, Duration, and any Triggers that have been applied.

The Asset Manager can be run on a stand-alone computer or the production unit, basically it can be anywhere on the WATCHOUT network and can be used by anyone with access rights. 

The Asset Manager contains all the show data (such as media, display settings, composition, and EDID) and has a multi-user functionality that allows multiple users to collaborate on show creation.

To maximize predictability and performance in playback, the Asset Manger will either automatically optimize content used in the show before distribution to the media server, or you can define and pre-program your choice of playback formats.

The advent of WATCHOUT 7 meant a total redesign of the video engine in the system, vastly improving performance and speed.

• Up to 16-bit color depth
• HDR (High Dynamic Range)
• Enhanced sync across servers
• 120 Hz frame rate
• REC 2020
• Leading codecs and file formats including NotchLC and H265, Apple ProRes, HAP video
• NDI input and output

• Dante-ready
• Supports ASIO/WASAPI audio
• Improved playback performance and sync
• Audio bus concept (as mixer devices) can be routed to different outputs
• Multiple audio devices are allowed on the same server

Time-sync is actioned through NTP (Network Time Protocol), with less than 2 milliseconds delay on local networks.

Benefits:

• Less network usage
• Allows sync across wireless networks such as WiFi, 3G, 4G, and 5G
• External app for LTC inputs
• Multiple timelines can sync with multiple LTCs

The virtual display feature is a flexible way to map pixels on 3D geometry or your LED walls through a wall processor. It can contain any kind of media, such as video, stills, tweens and dynamic content.

With WATCHOUT you can capture multiple content streams through low latency capture cards, USB cards, network streams, VNC or live IP workflow using bi-directional NDI® (Network Device Interface).

Map content to facades, objects and rooms. WATCHOUT offers a smooth projection-mapping workflow with marker-based calibration and three different stage views. It supports 3D model formats and import of auto-alignment display data from leading systems.