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Jonas Dannert

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Posts posted by Jonas Dannert

  2. Unable to play with spacebar

    in WATCHOUT FORUM

    Posted

    Juvensius,

     

    I'm sorry, but there will be no fix for WATCHOUT 4.

     

     

    Re: other issue
     
    Running WATCHOUT 5 under Windows 7, on the hardware you describe, might be the issue here.
    A setup that worked well for WATCHOUT 4 under WindowsXP, will not be a good choice for WATCHOUT 5.
     
    Is this a single output or multi-output setup?
    Resolution on said outputs?
     
    file quicktime h.264 high quality
    Tried the same files at MPEG-2 encoding?
     
    display 1 : 768 x 288 (bitrate around 1500-3500 Kbps)
    display 2 : 240x160 (bitrate around 9000-15000 Kbps)
    Why this high bitrate on less resolution on the file?
     
    If the problem persists, please file a case at support@dataton.com, and include the show (.watch) and content.

     

    /jonas

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  7. Loading a video crashes Watchout Display/Production

    in WATCHOUT FORUM

    Posted

    "you say Watchout does not use hardware acceleration"

     

    No, I did not say that, I said it primarily use the processor for decoding. By default hardware acceleration is on for any new video media.

    But this only works for WATCHPAX graphics hardware as of now.

     

    http://www.dataton.com/downloads/watchout/support/Release_Notes_5.5.1.html

     

    From above:

    - WATCHPAX provides hardware accelerated H.264 video playback, allowing you to play video in full HD format despite the small form factor. This feature is activated using a checkbox named "Enable WATCHPAX Hardware Acceleration", found in the settings for Video media items.

     

    NOTE: Although WATCHPAX doesn't support QuickTime video formats in general, it does support playback of QuickTime Animation as well as H.264 video in MOV files.

     

     

    "also it does not use Quicktime to play back MP4 nor WMP to playback WMV files"

     

    Our own codec and DirectX for .wmv.

     

    While QuickTime is not needed above mentioned file formats or for WATCHOUT to start, it is needed for playback ofother Apple specific codecs like ProRes or PhotoJPEG etc, as mentioned in our encoding guidelines PDF.

     

    /jonas

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  8. Video doesn't play when cued to do so

    in WATCHOUT FORUM

    Posted

    The video does play a little choppy on the master/show machine occasionally. I can try the thumbnail route. 

     

    On this specific subject I reiterate what's been recommended above earlier, and also recently in this thread:

    http://forum.dataton.com/topic/1333-loading-a-video-crashes-watchout-displayproduction/?do=findComment&comment=5313

     

    If your Display PC hardware is faster than your Production PC hardware, that's quite normal.

    Don't expect WATCHOUT to automagically fix the performance difference, in the Production PC software, though.
     
    Turning off Preview "Video as Best Quality" usually helps a bit.
    But if you need Full Preview when producing/running a show, you'll also need Display PC grade hardware or faster.
     
    I view it as a severe risc to run a live event/show with Preview "Video as Best Quality" ON,
    but your mileage and hardware resources may vary here, of course.
     
    /jonas
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  10. Loading a video crashes Watchout Display/Production

    in WATCHOUT FORUM

    Posted

    I'm glad  you remember sending it to me in Oct. 2012.  i must not have needed it then as i have no recollection of it.  probably a different problem or internal question where i was digging for configuration info.  however, this time i needed it and appreciate the thoroughness of the docs.  unfortunately, it didn't completely work for me.

     

    here's the setup:

    - i stripped out all the codec packs and extra players i tested with earlier and cleaned up the registry

    - i went through the tech doc and did the settings as described

    - once completed (including multiple reboots) i opened Watchout Production on the problem-computer and created a new test show with the video file in it.  i added the file to the timeline (which used to immediately cause a crash).  the timeline took the new file and allows me to play it back reliably and at full-speed (no skipping frames, etc.)

    - i reboot the problem computer which starts up running Watchout Display in full-screen.

    - i go to my licensed Production computer and push my real show that contains the video file.  then use Watchout Remote to start it up and play it.  the program plays (which again before it would crash the display software so this is also a good step).  however, the video does not play back a t fullspeed.  it hesitates, skips, pauses and jumps.

     

    I don't think this is a WATCHOUT issue, at all.

     

    I think it's purely a chosen content demand VS available hardware resources/supply issue.

     

    Your DisplayPC hardware is faster than your Production PC hardware, quite normal.

    Don't expect WATCHOUT to automagically fix this in the Production PC, though.

     

    Turning off Preview "Video as Best Quality" usually helps a bit.

    But if you need Full Preview when producing, you'll need DisplayPC grade hardware or faster.

     

     

    what i noticed before and continue to see is when i play the MP4 video file (which uses AVC codec) in Quicktime 7.7.5 (newest, i think), it performs the same way -- hesitates, skips, pauses and jumps.  when i play the file in Windows media player, it works just fine.  Also, as i stated earlier, it works fine in the Watchout Production software on the display computer.

     

    Same point as above.

     

    WATCHOUT does not make use of QuickTime at playback of h264.

    (or Windows Media Player for .wmv)

     

    On a sidenote: Both QTP and WMP are by default hardware accelerated in Windows, so if the files plays

    better there, is not quite the same thing, as playback in WATCHOUT which uses the processor primarily,

    and hardware acceleration to some extent.

    http://forum.dataton.com/topic/1204-tip-wmp-and-qt-%E2%80%94-disabling-hardware-accelerated-decoding/

     

    What are the specs on your Production vs Display hardware?

    - Processor

    - Graphics card

    - SSD or HDD

    etc

     

     

    at the moment, we're just going to reconvert the file, but its a step that will introduce recompression issues (which i'm fine with for the immediate future).  i'd rather figure out if it should work, and therefore what's wrong with my setup, or if it's not supported and i go back to contractor to re-export the film into something different.

     

    this usually isn't a problem except for several of my most recent projects i'm working with unusual rez's.

     

    Unusual or very large resolutions, might need to be pre-split in order to play smoothly,

    depending on codec choice and available hardware resources.

     

     

     in this case it's 1080x3840.  in another one, 1920x5400.  we've been having problems rendering to those rez's in MP4 and such.  trying to find the right flavor of file-type and toolset that allows unusual non-standard rez's is time-consuming.

     

    It also needs to be supported in WATCHOUT, and every codec type has it's restrictions.

    It might be 4096 pixels for h264, but others should chime in here.

     

    At what bitrate are these files, 1080x3840 and 1920x5400, encoded?

    Are the hardware up to the task for that?

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  16. What is better performance between ATI Firepro W7000 or ATI R295X2?

    in WATCHOUT FORUM

    Posted

    "is more appropriate" and is much more expensive with less power.

     

    What power do you mean then?

    More expensive, yes. Less power, in practice, for WATCHOUT use, I don't think so.

     

    The price brings other advantages to the table, that I described, which may or may not suit everyone but are important.

     

    "Higher benchmark scores won't help so much in video playback" Thats right, but wasn´t Andrews question. He asked for the perfomance! Maybe he wants to use the computer for other applications too?

     

    What performance do you mean then?

    I answered the question in relation to WATCHOUT performance, where video playback usually is a major part, not in general.

    There are other forums for that.

     

     

    "it's a professional graphics card, built for stability" Yes, price and the name -FirePro- making this card professional.

     

    I build up more than 100 Systems with AMD Radeons, no problems in stability.

     

    We have built and test quite few systems with these cards too, and I do not totally agree with you on the stability part.

    I believe I'm not the only one either.

     

    The 2 to 3-slot space requirements of some these cards sometimes creates a problem to fit capture cards etc.

    Their heavy weight with all cooling required, is also a mechanical stability issue, when shipping equipment, too.

     

    We have primarily used the 6-output Radeons in demo- and test-machines, but they are increasingly harder to find in the market.

    Then FirePro is then the only remaining choice, without resorting to MST-hubs, that generates a lot of extra cabling etc.

    If only 4 outputs is required, then there are more choices of course, even NVidia solutions comes into play.

     

    BUT, one beauty with WATCHOUT being a software only, not a hardware PC box with software, is that you as a user can choose and verify 

    every component yourself, to see what works best for you. WATCHOUT is not prohibiting this in any way.

     

    As as always to each his own, and usually your mileage will vary in these matters.

     

     

    Two things:

    If you need performance in OpenGL the Radeon HD is a poor choice. But who needs OpenGL power in the times of DirectX ?

     

    This had nothing to do with my answer, as I see it. WATCHOUT is DirectX/Direct3D-based, as the W7000 or the other FirePro or NVidia cards.

     

     

    If you need an exact Framelock you need FirePro with S400 board. But I never had any problems with synchronicity even in systems with up to 20 Display-Computers. Watchout is doing a good job there.

     

    I'm glad that that WATCHOUT works well for you in these cases. This is WATCHOUT's normal network sync, and it's very good.

    Especially when you're doing projection and edge-blending, where some of the artifacts will be hidden.

     

    But it's NOT absolute frame-lock, and that is critical for certain cases, like LCD- or LED-walls, so it should be mentioned and taken into consideration.

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  17. sound files make WO crash?

    in WATCHOUT FORUM

    Posted

    Torbjørn,

     

    Please turn Windows Media Center Features OFF, as mentioned in our Tweaking guidelines, and here in FORUM multiple times.

     

    This is a requirement for stable WATCHOUT playback, as is the implementation of the full Tweaking list,

    on Display as well as Production computers.

     

     

    /jonas

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  19. What is better performance between ATI Firepro W7000 or ATI R295X2?

    in WATCHOUT FORUM

    Posted

    thanks TomT.

     

    I need ONE GPU-CARD, not two gpu-card.

     

    in other case, HD7970 higher Benchmark scores than W7000

     
    For pro WATCHOUT use, FirePro W7000, is more appropriate.
    For gaming, AMD Radeon HD7970 or R9 295x2 is faster.
    Radeon cards were the most economical way to get 6 outputs, now harder to find in the market.
     
    Higher benchmark scores won't help so much in video playback, WATCHOUT primarily use the
    CPU for decoding, not the GPU. Especially in a multiple video-files playback scenario

     

     

    but DATATON recommanded W7000 in 'WATCHOUT-dpcspec rack 4U -2013 ar SB-E LGA2011 AMD FIREPRO.pdf'

     

    Yes, it might have to to do with the title of the document: 

    WATCHOUT-dpcspec rack 4U - 2013 mar SB-E LGA2011 AMD FIREPRO.pdf 

     

    There is a similar document available:

    WATCHOUT-dpcspec rack 4U - 2013 mar SB-E LGA2011.pdf 

    This includes a HD7970...

     

     

    I think W7000 has something special function compared to HD 7970 for WATCHOUT.

     

    What do you think?

     

    Yes, it's a professional graphics card, built for stability. 
     
    - 1-slot vs 2/3-slot for the Radeons.
    - lower weight.
    - frame-locking capabilities (with optional S400 sync card)
     
    Other options: W8000/W9000 (6 x +2K-outputs)/W9100 (6 x 4K-outputs)
     
    NVidia has a similar series, Quadro K5000/K6000 & QuadroSync card.
    Capable, but a bit more expensive, though.
     
    /jonas
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