WATCHOUT Release Notes - Version 7

Dataton WATCHOUT version 7.5.1

Release December 20, 2024

Fixes

• Assets inside composition assets can now be copied (enabling them to be moved).
• Show files created in 7.4.x and using masks are imported correctly into version 7.5.
• Assets inside a Dynamic Asset can be re-ordered.
• NDI outputs now always maintain rendering order after reboot.
• Solved a message handling issue which could cause the Producer to crash.

Improvements

• Improved performance in warp edit.
• The asset database is automatically saved/backed up.

Dataton WATCHOUT version 7.5

Release December 12, 2024

New

• Asset Watcher: A new process run locally on each node to watch one or more folders, and ingest new assets added to the folders automatically into the Asset Manager.
• Asset type “Dynamic Asset”: This automatically updates asset changes to display nodes in the background and keeps two generation of assets.
• Blind Edit: It is now possible to perform a blind edit on a timeline without affecting the currently running show. The effect of the edit will not be visible until you save the changes.
• Cues window: A new window with a powerful search function to list all cues of any type on any timeline or composition in the current show.
• Media Snapshot: New function in Cues window to store a snapshot of media sources for selected cues.
• Support for importing static SVG files.
• In the Assets window, it is now possible to create a shape (rectangle, ellipse) or text, in a custom color/size with alpha-channel support.
• Added font support in Asset Manager for text generation (ttf/otf).
• Node Info window: A new window to display information and status of all nodes reachable on the network.

Improvements

• Display mask now has the possibility to set a gamma value.
• Automatic softedge now has a gamma setting.
• Warp distribution and tessellation (tiling) have been improved.
• The warp view in Producer now previews the display output.
• Warp can now be controlled with selected keyboard shortcuts:

Arrow key: Move warp junctions or control points up/down left/right, hold shift for larger steps.
Ctrl+Arrow key: Navigate between junctions.
Ctrl+Shift+Arrow key: Select control points.
"," and “.”: Changes warp distribution (moving distribution handles).

• Improved information about Compression ratio, storage and average bitrate for selected assets.
• Single value on scale tween now possible.
• Higher precision in lens shift settings through increased number of decimals.
• Context menu in the Assets window has been rearranged for greater clarity.
• Now possible to set quality levels for Notch LC.
• Now possible to paste Effect tweens to multiple cues.
• Possible to create Effect tweens without any tween point.
• Refresh button for Audio devices to detect settings, depending on selected interface/parameters.
• Refresh button in Device window to update status on reachable nodes on the network.

Fixes

• Fixed a cue selection issue when using multiple timelines.
• Resolved an internal synchronization issue that could interrupt startup of the user interface.
• Now possible to lock virtual display cues in Stage window.
• Improved color handling for HEVC 10-bit video.
• Now the HEVC 8/10-bit video format also works with non-standard video resolutions.
• The “Jump back to previous start time” button on timelines now works as expected.
• Selecting multiple tween points with different values now works without returning a user interface error.
• Solved a problem when using arrow keys while editing inside a text field.
• Running a timeline (pressing the space bar) on a newly opened show now works as expected.
• In “First Person View” the Display anchor point is now shown in the correct position.
• Improved noise quality on 11-bit YUV 4:2:0 output.

Important

• To remotely update WATCHPAX servers or other display servers to WATCHOUT 7.5, you need to first do an intermediate update to version 7.4.3. This is because the update software from version 7.4.3, running locally on the display server, approves a new installation certificate. Any WATCHOUT version pre 7.4.3 does not.

• You can load a show created in version 7.4.x in version 7.5, but bear in mind that asset versions will work differently. Using the “Migration Helper to 7.5” on the Assets menu will give you an indication of which assets are affected by the change in version 7.5. 
  
• Background: Previously all assets were by default “dynamic,” ie, were updated by dragging in a new version. In 7.5, you have to actively make an asset dynamic. By doing so, you will also be able to remove previous versions of the same asset, reducing disk space in use. 
• Note that in 7.5, two versions of an asset are always retained: the current one being used and the previous version.
• You can export assets from version 7.4.x and then import these into version 7.5, however,  asset versions will work differently. Please see the above note on the "Migration Helper to 7.5".
• You cannot use an Asset Manager running version 7.4.x (or earlier) in a version 7.5 show.
• A show saved in version 7.5 cannot be opened in earlier WATCHOUT 7 versions.

Dataton WATCHOUT version 7.4.3

Release October 23, 2024

Improvements and fixes

• Now it is possible to cut, copy and paste displays inside the Stage window.
• Improved color and codec handling.
• Resizing a window beyond the main window could make the window menu disappear.
• Blur now works more optimized in Stage window.
• Fixed an issue when the update for moving objects around in stage could be slow.
• Improved asset handling and optimization on AMD GPUs.
• Renaming an asset is now possible again.
• Working with an audio device could previously affect the target node -- even if the audio device was disabled. This now functions as expected, in the same manner as with a disabled display.
• A bug has been fixed in the external protocol concerning jump-to-cue.
• Fixed an issue in which using warp on displays of different sizes could result in cropping of all displays.

Dataton WATCHOUT version 7.4.1

Release September 17, 2024

New

• Web user interface for Asset Manager
• The LTC Bridge app now supports i32 audio samples. 
• The LTC bridge app configuration is stored between sessions.
• Different startup options available in Producer Node Properties: No Show, Last Show or Upload Show (specific show).
• Alert informs users when multiple network adapters (NIC), on the same node, have overlapping IP numbers in the same range.
  Note: Avoid multiple NICs on the same network.

Improvements

• Separate on/off button to enable/disable splash screens.
• Shift-clicking an effect tween will solo the selected tween to increase visibility.
• The current name of the show is now visible in the top frame.
• Importing an image as a mask is only enabled for supported image formats.
• Added units to parameters in the Activity Monitor.
• Removed “Key” checkbox in Stage Properties.
• Improved handling of screen DPI changes in the Producer.
• Now possible to close Director and Runners from the Device window.
• The WATCHOUT 6 legacy protocol returns the correct response to an “authenticate” command.
• Fixed a problem where timeline view did not follow when using jump control cues.
• Blur now performs better on images.

Fixes

• You can now copy and paste display mask geometries.
• If a work directory has been removed or is unavailable, WATCHOUT now defaults to the original installation directory path.
• Grayscale images display correctly when rendered.
• More PSD file options are now supported.
• NTP (network time protocol) works better when switching Directors.
• Shift-Tab acts as expected in the Producer user interface.
• Resolved an issue where pre-rolled media was shown before a timeline jump cue was executed.
• Jumping to a named cue on a timeline now behaves as expected.
• A new version of Dante/DAL makes it possible to once again buy and activate Dante devices.
• Resolved an issue where Stage view and Runner view looked different when placing objects along the Z-axis.
• Resolved an issue with timeline folders containing subfolders with the same name. Subfolders with the same name are now merged, not duplicated.
• Improved performance on AMD-based GPUs.
• Auto update of media now also works with image sequences.
• A fixed limitation on image sizes has been removed and the size limitation now only depends on GPU hardware/drivers.
• Better handling of conflicting output channels.
• The current time for a timeline is correctly displayed in the timeline window [HH:MM:SS:ttt].
• The calculation of free diskspace now points to the correct folder.
• De-interlacing of interlaced capture signal for the Deltacast SDI card now works as expected.
• An issue with position tween and orientation of the cue object has been solved.
• Updating an image used for masking now works as expected.
• New colors for log indication to indicate the severity of the log message.
• Improved operation of Producer to address an issue where the user interface could freeze.
• The value field and variable slider now update correctly in the Producer Variable window.
• Solved several issues concerning how NTP works in order to improve system stability.
• Improved operation when importing image assets with a color depth above 8-bit.
  Note: You have to re-optimize content added before version 7.4.1 and newly added assets will no longer work with versions pre 7.4.1.
• Fixed an issue with incorrect black borders in some capture cases.
• Extended support for different interlaced capture formats.
• Opening a new show now clears the display outputs from the previously running show.
• It is now possible to delete the first layer of a timeline.
• Media assets can now be dropped into the Asset manager from all types of network drives.
• Context menus now work with right-click.
• Solved an issue in which a timeline could not be triggered from variable cue.

Dataton WATCHOUT version 7.3.1

Release July 11, 2024

Fixes

• Shows made in version 7.2 and containing capture cues now import correctly
• Resolved an issue in version 7.3 where the Producer could crash if you deleted a directory of a watched file
• Replacing looping media with drag-and-drop now works as expected

Improvements

• You can now toggle the renderer’s splash screen on/off from within the Node Properties window
• Your position in Stage is now remembered when re-opening
• Scaling cues in Stage now maintains proportions (unless you hold down Shift)

Dataton WATCHOUT version 7.3

Release July 5, 2024

New

• Support for importing EDID files into the Asset Manager and setting/clearing EDID files on individual displays. Note: only works on Nvidia Quadro based GPUs
• Keying layer (replaces “Masked by Layer Above” in WATCHOUT 6)
• Display mask editor available for any display output
• Copy and paste of warp meshes
• Indicator shows if a timeline is externally synchronized to LTC
• Keyboard shortcuts for swapping between different layouts
• Option to use higher quality mode for rendering
• Monitor asset progress in Producer Asset window
• You now get a warning if there are assets in the show which are not in the Asset Manager
• Now possible to see which assets are cached locally and available on a node

Improvements

• Timeline and cue IDs are now shown in Producer
• Multiple Producer instances can now run on the same machine
• Improved scroll and zooming in Projector mode
• Feedback report includes data about network topology
• Icon added to indicate that Stage is in composition mode
• Audio busses can now be deleted
• Improved snapping of Canvas displays
• You can now choose to use full or limited mode on Capture sources
• Control Interface API has added functionality
• New workflow for Capture sources
• New icon for Virtual Displays in Device window

• Info and warning messages are now added in the Producer log
• Producer now remembers asset folders open/closed state
• When uninstalling there is now an option to remove all settings files
• NDI version 6 supported
• Updated MainConcept codecs to version 15

Fixes

• Now possible to upload folders to remote Asset server
• Improved performance with large 3D models
• Possible to edit tween points of a Position effect in 3D views (First Person/Projector)
• Soft-edge allowed on disabled devices
• Text no longer truncated in Producer
• Inactive windows are no longer shown at startup
• Masks now recognise tiers
• Secondary mouse wheel now works in timeline editing
• Disabled Wibu popups if key is removed
• Fix for cases where the removed asset remained selected
• Width/height on capture source changes now updates correctly
• Fix for bad delimiter handling of legacy protocol (fast \r\n now works)
• Memory leak in LTC Bridge resolved
• Resolved cases where time synchronization could be slow
• Fix for virtual displays on AMD GPUs
• Resolved issue where assets stopped downloading after a failure
• Workaround for issue with replacing video asset with a composition
• Improved hardware synchronization

Known limitations

• Hardware synchronization only works for ONE display per server
• As a general workaround, if you experience sync issues, use NVIDIA® MosaicÔ to group displays
• Compositions currently do not work on Keying-layers
• Gaussian blur currently does not work on Compositions

Dataton WATCHOUT version 7.2.2

Release May 24, 2024

Improvements and fixes

3D Models:

• Significantly better performance when working with larger 3D models
• It is now possible to delete sub-meshes directly in the Stage window
• The Remove Texture button in Cue Properties/Surface is enabled

Output:

• WATCHOUT now limits the range when using YcbCr color spaces on NVIDIA cards
• Setting the output bit-depth in Device Properties works as expected in newer Windows versions

• The issue with NotchLC content in portrait mode (listed in 7.2 release notes) has been resolved

Dataton WATCHOUT version 7.2

Release May 20, 2024

This release includes new functions related to Art-Net (DMX) usage and chroma key, improves HEVC and Notch LC playback, and adds a Stage Properties window.

New

• Chroma key feature in Cue Properties
• Art-Net playout cues
• Art-Net recoding playout
• Stage Properties window
• New desktop icons

Improvements

• HEVC playback improvements (especially on slower hardware)
• Improved Notch LC playback
• Fade option applies to both opacity and volume effects now
• Hardware acceleration checkbox (HW Acceleration) for 10-bit HEVC is now shown
• NDI capture plays from the cue start
• Warning for Dante conflicts when changing network ports
• Error message now appears if trying to use a Renderer without license
• New asset filter to show assets that have failed to import
• The Asset Manager no longer automatically clears asset databases containing bad content
• OSC input supports integer variables
• The Art-Net input format has been changed to support greater than 8-bit resolution
• Crossfading is more visible and easier to spot on the selected cues
• Desktop position is now stored in user settings
• Enable/disable is now at the top of the Device Properties window in the General panel and now works on all selected devices
• Improved log messages
• Only relevant effects for a selected cue type are shown
• Pixel usage is shown as a percentage in the activity monitor
• Position tween now also visible in First Person view
• Possible to connect to remote director/Open Show from Remote Director
• Discovery now also works on a system without a network connection
• Removed the option to clear the currently running Director of its show
• Stage scale, zoom level and timeline position are now stored in user settings
• Warp point dragging has been improved
• You now get a warning when overwriting a show that is already loaded in the Director
• Audio gain is now 100% for cue inputs (previously 50%)
• CodeMeter is installed by default
• Firewall rules now apply to all network connections
• Master Volume is now 50% (previously 100%)
• Some Microsoft libraries have been removed from the installer to reduce installer size**
• Log shows expanded information on communication issues between nodes
• When a Manager runs without participating actively in a show, all logs will be stored on file

Fixes

• Working directory is now correct in node settings
• Audio looping now works as expected
• Tween points for rotation can now go beyond +/- 180°
• Asset import now works even if there is no asset import directory set up
• Fixed reconnection issues which occurred when part of the system had been offline
• Dragging timelines and folders within the Timeline window now works correctly
• Applying tweens on a composition now works as expected
• Jerkiness issues with Capture have been resolved
• Blur on HEVC now works
• 3D projector lens ratio with extreme values are now limited
• Issue with accidental projector moves when exiting projector mode has been resolved
• Fixed issue where log files filled up rapidly with “connectionkey”
• Fixed an audio render memory leak
• Stage scale issue fixed
• Dragging in Stage window now works as expected

Known issues/limitations

• Downgrading the 7.2 show to lower versions may cause all assets to be removed from Asset Manager. Please remember to always make a backup copy of your show.
• Sync between GPU channels does not work on all Windows versions and GPU drivers.
• NotchLC content in portrait mode (where height exceeds width) can appear distorted.

** You must install them directly from Microsoft, if you have a special version of Windows)

Dataton WATCHOUT version 7.1.2

Release March 25, 2024

This release headlines with a major increase in the number of pixels supported per computer, now 8 x DCI 4K. Version 7.1.2 adds a host of other improvements, especially in feedback (error messages, reports and confirmations), user interface (sliders, info presentation) and show size. 

Improvements

• Increased number of pixels allowed per computer. Pixel limitation is now 8 x DCI 4K (8 * 4096 * 2160)
• A Dante-enabled computer will now have a unique name in Dante Controller
• Wibu CodeMeter Runtime updated to version 8
• WATCHOUT 7 shows can now be up to 4 gigabytes in size
• All 3D models are now visualized as a composition cue, even single mesh ones
• Display colors are now shown in the Device window
• Frame displays have moved from Property window to stage context menu (when cues are selected)
• Easier to work with sliders
• Added support for MPCDI 1.0
• Improved error messages
• Now MPCDI version and canvas size are shown in asset info
• New Placement section for cues and Stage**
• Projector and calibration points are updated more frequently
• Improved Dante activation feedback
• Feedback reports contain more data
• You can now edit calibration points and 3D camera with gamepad
• Display channels in MPCDI now default to 1
• Enable/disable also works for audio, in the Device menu
• You now have to confirm before adding a Display to your local Producer
• ‘Use Director’ button moves the show to the new Director
• Added a ‘Shutdown and reboot to WATCHOUT 6’ option to Device actions
• Smaller margins around some UI components to reduce scrolling
• More confirm dialogs for sensitive actions
• Improved GPU error messages

** Placement section made anchor points work the same way for displays and cues. It also added a default rotation for cues and displays.

Fixes

• Audio glitches due to device scanning are now resolved
• Multi-channel audio glitch solved
• ‘Open Show from Director’ no longer affects playback
• Added Windows Firewall exceptions for OpenHardwareMonitor and Dante
• In WATCHOUT, windows do not move to top left corner at startup
• Linked position tween handles work as expected
• The audio channel number can now be above 16
• Display channel conflicts are now shown for all displays
• Solved an issue in which timeline triggering did not work
• Users now stay in calibration mode when window is resized
• Hidden PSD layers are now excluded
• IP changes during runtime work better
• User interface for warp junction property now works
• The correct 3D mesh is now highlighted when selected
• Projectors can now “look” along the y-axis
• Solved issue during auto-importing and upgrading assets
• Timeline play marker now works more smoothly on a remote Director
• Timeline duration now extends correctly when dragging cues
• Fixed an issue in which the play cursor appeared to “break up” on the timeline
• Fixed some cases where the play cursor did not move. Example: if the timeline was playing, but timeline editor not visible.
• Removed NTP errors for Director computer
• Stage overlay buttons do not obscure the view any more
• Tween point movement is smoother
• Tween point selection now works
• Dropping composition assets directly in Stage window now works
• ‘Change Working Directory’ (an Action in Node Properties) works again
• Crossfades no longer return error messages

Dataton WATCHOUT version 7.1.1

Released February 22, 2024

Improvements and fixes

• Deltacast runtime now supports version 2 of the GPU extension.
• Tween points can start from time 00 (previously 00.050).
• WATCHOUT will now start even if the working directory has been removed (by reverting to a default working directory).
• WATCHOUT startup messages have been improved for clarity.
• Buffers are correctly cleared when using outputs with different resolution. This resolves an issue in which artifacts remained visible on outputs.
• Sync setup (NTP) now works with Spanish-language Windows systems.
• On-screen info regarding virtual displays is presented correctly. This info was previously inverted.
• A network issue where assets could not be downloaded to the display server has been resolved.

Dataton WATCHOUT® version 7.1

Released February 5, 2024

This is the first general release of version 7.