Thomas Leong

Very recently, I had a show for which I was provided 7 videos encoded in H264/mpg4 of 4096x1080 resolution encoded at very high bitrates - 59Mbps variable with a max of 79Mbps. All played well from one Display PC over 3 blended outputs except for one video, which i suspected was the encoding since client did not complain when the playback lost frames, paused then jumped to catch up. For the 3rd showing last week-end, he provided a new file for that video. it played flawlessly on show night. Most of the supplied videos were scaled to 4912x1xxx proportionately to fit the projection screen. The studio that made the videos could not provide higher resolution than that and had black borders top and bottom encoded in, knowing that I would have to scale up (overshoot) to fit the projection area of 4912x1080. Display PC relevant specs - ASUS X79 Deluxe motherboard i7 4930X Haswell overclocked to 4.4MHz (just a simple x44 multiplier over the BLK of 100) with Corsair H80i liquid cooler in a Cooler Master N400 casing, and Corsair silent fans. 16GB Kingston HyperX RAM (4x4GB for quad channel) set at 1600MHz 1 x 120GB Kingston HyperX 3K SSD for Windows Home Premium 2 x 240GB in RAID 0 mode Kingston HyperX 3K SSDs for Watchout software and show data (Note: I usually do not condone on-board RAID but had no choice as I could not get 6GB/s RAID cards here, or in time). Also, I don't think many encoders can code to such high data-rates. Only one I know of is Handbrake (GPU licenced, i.e. freeware). Thomas Leong

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. Two runs of the show are over (2 regions covered. 3rd and last run will be on March 8 for the eastern region, for which I will not be available. However, am going for an overnight trip for setup and mapping the 3 screens with overlap projection over the stretched lycra screen, and quick re-training of Watchout operations to the young guy who I had operate Watchout for the 2nd run. (I've said this years ago, and I repeat it here: "Thank goodness for Watchout's short learning curve" where basic operations are concerned). Each picture of Award recipient had to be re-sized and re-positioned to fit the space on the lycra screen after it was stretched at 4-5 points top and 4-5 points bottom. Sides as well. The look is such that the 4 linear borders of the screen has curved segments cutting down the available projection space. Looks nice and non-linear. Total length of screen is 100' x 22' using 3 x 20K Panasonics with 424 pixels overlap. I digress. Likewise with the name, title, etc - i.e. the text. Therefore both pix and text could not be on one 'slide'. Tedious, but necessary, as the award recipients were the stars of the event, apart from the client company giving the rest of the staff an annual dinner and lots of entertainment and lucky draws for iPad minis and smart phones. The individual Aux Timelines came in useful for the adjustments plus the fact we had last-minute non-attendees on the Award list, which, being on its own Aux, could be skipped, easily. Back to the original request before i get off-topic again - 1. A pop-up to auto create multiple Aux Timelines with media from a specified folder would have made such initial tasks less tedious. Granted each element must eventually be tweaked to fit, but copy&paste and creating multiples of, is the bread and butter of PCs. My request is to automate the task. 2. Included in this pop-up should also be a Naming option - to be able to name the resultant list of Aux Timelines rather than just Timeline 1, 2, 3, etc. 3. Also an option to auto-include a Control Cue which Stops the preceding Aux Timeline on the Task List Order. These would save a lot of production time and repetitive drag-and-clicks of the mouse and keyboard work. Thomas Leong

Request: An automated way for Watchout to create multiple Aux Timelines each with the same settings (position, scale, etc), but auto inserting similar type media files from a specified folder. A pop-up window to enter parameters may do it. Problem I have tonight is 100+ Award receipients to create Aux Timelines for. This is so that I can trigger each call up to the stage. Can't use Powerpoint as there is a 3-screen pano animated background on-screen at the same time. Moreover client wants each receipient to blend in with the pano background. What we've done so far with the Powerpoint supplied is to extract each ppt slide, knock out the rectangular white background, and re-save into 2 .png files (with alpha channel) - one for the text info, one for the picture which has a soft-edged border. Now I have to put them into Aux Timelines, rename, and align picture and text, etc. An automated way of doing this would be very helpful for such repetitive tasks - making use of the auto-processing features of a computer for repetitive work. I know I can copy & paste Aux Timelines, but the laborious work of inserting each picture image, align, inserting the text and align for each of 100+ Aux timelines could be discarded if Watchout has such a feature. Therefore the request for a pop-up window to define parameters which Watchout could then carry out in the blink of an eye!! Thomas Leong Malaysia

Sorry, but I'm not exactly clear on what you mean or require, Alex. Are you intending to start an Aux Timeline using - 1. a Trigger; or 2. a string created from the Output Window and inserted into the Main Timeline; or 3. A generic Input. A Generic Input, eg. X, does not contain a string. It merely has a value (default 0-1). By specifying X as a Trigger to an Aux Timeline (or multiple Aux Timelines), then click and dragging the Value (to any value), it will start the Aux Timeline(s) which have it as a Trigger. So X will start Aux Timeline 1, Aux Timeline 9, Aux Timeline 22, etc all at the same time, if those timelines have X specified as a Trigger. In another way, you could put a string (created from the Output Window) into its own Aux Timeline, and trigger this Aux Timeline with a generic input, MSC, or MIDI Note. However, for this to occur, you would need to connect to the Watchout PC (Prodn or primary Display in a cluster) via TCP/IP or serial port. Thomas

"In order to determine if the issue was caused by the cloning process used to deploy the system, we re-built the DIS from scratch. We installed Windows 7-64bit, device drivers, Quicktime, and Watchout 5.5.1. The firewall was disabled. The problem persists." Me thinks you have gremlins in System A!!! According to Gary from Cool Illusions, when I visited him, his 'blinking problems' went away when he upgraded from XP to Win 7 on his particular system. reference post: http://forum.dataton.com/topic/1027-image-server-on-watchout-55/?hl=%2Bdynamic+%2Bimage+%2Bserver So perhaps a clean install is required in your case (wipe partition, etc...or use a new hard-disk to install the system and Watchout). good luck! Thomas Leong

Wasn't available when the client bought his stuff back then (from another supplier from another country). cheers, Thomas

Well you can also do a fade out with the Standby cue (manual Ctrl-. But what you've done - with a black image in an Aux Timeline - is innovative. I wouldn't call it a 'backwards sort of way'. It is innovative as this black can be applied to all video Aux Timelines - i.e. when you have more than one video. Good to know you have achieved your objective. You can put in a suggestion for a Fade Out control cue in the "Features Request" thread : http://forum.dataton.com/topic/794-feature-requests-post-here/ Have a good show! Thomas Leong

Sorry but I'm not familiar with the MSC command set to answer that - don't have a MSC capable device to play with. Perhaps someone else here may be able to answer your Opacity control-with-MSC question. Suggest you also check with the Lighting console manual. Can it output MIDI notes (not just MSC)? Can one or more of the faders be assigned as a MIDI Mod Wheel controller? For a smooth fade in/out, the MIDI Mod Wheel is one way. Another is DMX but this would require additional equipment via Artnet (which a lighting company should not have problems with I guess). Thomas Leong

Don't think one can pause a free run video. The very description eliminates a pause! However, instead of free run, choose loop, and type in a duration longer than what you need. Now you can pause the video with another Aux Timeline that has a Pause cue for that particular timeline. This means one Pause Aux Timeline for each Video Aux Timeline. Alternative is to use a programmable RS-232 keypad (like the ones from Genovation), and configure a key to Pause Aux Timeline, another set of keys with calculator-like numerical 0-9 keys and a 'Take' key with the $0D value. This assumes your Aux Timelines are all referred to as Aux Timeline1, Aux Timeline2, etc This way, a combination of 3 keys or more are required to pause an Aux Timeline, eg. key "Pause Aux Timeline" + key "2" + key "5" (to address Aux Timeline25), then key "Take" to execute the Pause. Works also with the Run command. Opacity can controlled by a MIDI Mod Wheel controller assigned to the Opacity tween. Or use the Griffin Powermate with http://www.chromedecay.org/2009/07/02/announcing-ctrl4-ctrl8-midi-control-for-griffin-powermate-puredata/ that converts the Powermate to a MIDI controller Mod Wheel to fade up/down your videos. good luck! Thomas Leong

Shot in the dark - Remove the graphics card and its driver, and try with one of the on-board gfx since the motherboard has D-sub, DVI-D and HDMI outputs on-board. Thomas Leong

Hi Alex, Not so good news. I just went through the Vidohub Smart Control manual, and there does not seem to be a way to enter any of the string commands that Watchout requires to trigger an Aux Timeline. The Smart Control merely seems to route source to destination (a'la a matrix switcher) or multiple sources to a single destinations (using its built-in macro feature). Next step is to ask HRS Control people whether their software is able to program the Decklink Videohub Smart Control like it can program the Lightware 16/32. Thomas

The Videohub is nicely priced. And on further research into the HRS Control software being able to program the Lightware MX-RCP16 or 32 - remote controllers of Lightware matrix routers/switchers - it would appear that the Videobub Smart Control and Master Control units are similarly usable. The only ?? is the software to program them. At least with HRS Control, there is a demo download to checkout the Watchout section (though communication with Watchout is disabled in demo mode). With Decklink, is there a demo version of the software? One other alternative is an electronics engineer old friend in London. He can build and program (or make programmable) pro looking 1U or 2U rack mountable button panels using the PIC chip and Basic programming. He has done a number of these units for his water screen-and-fountain installations from China to the Middle East triggering relays, projector controls, etc. If you want his contact address to discuss your needs, please let me know via private mail/message. Thomas Leong

Alex, If you are not in favour of MIDI, then have a look at the range of controllers from HRS Control using their UDC Control software. The software has the protocol for Watchout control, but last I asked, the pricing is not cheap especially with Lightware hardware - http://hrscontrol.com/controllers-2-2/?cat=53 With X-keys hardware, it is probably cheaper. Thomas Leong

Hello Alex, Need a bit more info from you first - 1. Is your serial source external to the Watchout Prodn PC, or is the serial source installed on the same pc as Watchout Prodn PC? 2. You mentioned 'serial buttons'. Is this the same 'serial buttons' software I mentioned in my posts - from audiovisualdevices.com.au? cheers, Thomas

I recently had the chance to install a Datapath E2 (x4 slot or higher) with a Decklink Studio (x1 slot) in a Gigabyte mobo for a client. Initially, the 2 would not co-exist, Updated the BIOS, Datapath drivers (v6.10 to v7.5), and the Decklink driver to v9.8 solved the problem somewhat, but the 2nd Datapath input could not start and had a 'problem' as reported by Windows. This problem was eventually traced to a shared IRQ in each of the card's driver Resource tab. They were sharing IRQ 16 which probably caused the 2nd Datapath input to be non-functioning. Since Win 7 does not allow the user to manually force an IRQ (unlike Win 98 and XP), the only solution was to use another slot, which happened to be a PCIe x8 slot. However, per manufacturer of the mobo, "when this x8 slot is populated, the x16 slot occupied by the graphics card, would drop to x8' (since the Z68 chipset only had 16 PCIe lanes available). We had no choice as the client wanted to use both cards in the one pc. But it solved the IRQ sharing problem with the Datapath occupying IRQ 17 after the slot change, and the 2nd Datapath input was shown (and tested) as working, as were all other capture inputs. So check your motherboard manual for PCIe slot sharing and how each slot affects another. This becomes more critical if you are using a chipset other than the X79 (LGA 2011) which has 40 PCIe lanes versus 16 lanes for the other chipsets. Thomas Leong

My take on this is that Blackmagic's Videohub may not be suitable. Though it connects via Ethernet, it is meant for multiple device control and switching. More suitable would be a custom built MIDI controller with each MIDI Note triggering an Aux Timeline. The trigger feature is built into Watchout, and a learn fucntion for each MIDI Note is fail-safe, i.e. minimal, if not zero, troubleshooting problems. Have a look at http://lividinstruments.com/hardware_builder.php for a build-your-own MIDI Controller. Good luck, and Happy New Year! Thomas Leong

Please refer to the Watchout Manual - Pages 59 - 60; and Pages 157 -160. It is all in there. Thomas Leong Malaysia

That IP (169.254.224.220) is Windows OS-assigned, i.e. your Display PC motherboard likely has two RJ45 ports, or Bluetooth, 1394 LAN, Wireless or ?? some other kind of network adapter. Disabling DHCP Client in Services will not get rid of the problem. No CAT5 wire plugged to the adapter will not get rid of it. BIG MYTH: "I am not using it - the connection. No wire connected. So it should not be working". Unfortunately, Windows think it is working. Therefore the IP Address above that you did not assign yourself when Watchpoint is started. Two solutions: 1. In Network and Sharing Center > Change Adapter Settings > ensure all adapters other than the one you want, are DISABLED. (Repeat: "Network Cable Unplugged" does not mean the adapter is Disabled). 2. Per jfk's tip in another posting - In Network and Sharing Center > Change Adapter Settings > hit ALT key to pop up a menu bar > Advanced > Advanced Settings > choose your Watchpoint Display's Local Area Connection and move it up to the top of the list. This gives it priority over other connections in the Display PC, and should solve the problem because it appears that Watchpoint takes from the top of this list for the ip address. Now start up Watchpoint. Hope that solves it for you. Thomas Leong Edit to original post: Reference to DHCP being the culprit...changed to "Windows OS-assigned". Rationale: To make Windows user friendly, I think it is constantly scanning the adapters and ports for a connection. Absent such connection, and Windows assigns the port an ip from the Twilight Zone (play music here!). One can choose DHCP or assign a fixed IP Address to the port, and yet the Twilight Zone number will persist, if no connection is made. Connect it up, and voila!...DHCP-assigned or the fixed IP shows up. This is so when the Adapter is at the top of the adapter listing. So solution 2, per jfk's tip, is probably the ONLY solution to this problem if other network adapters need to remain enabled.

Hi Rainer, Thanks for the confirmation, and useful info re POE. Am looking at the Weiglworks ProCommander since it includes DMX, serial, audio amp, etc as the Show Controller to partner with WO5 handling the a 3-screen entertainment setup. It is intended for the 3xWatchpax setup to be triggered by PLC relays in a funicular train ride's doors closing. When show ends it goes into a loop when the doors open. It is simple, yet complicated as there are 2 shows alternating for the each way ride, and a 3rd 'show' (the loop) with background music and boarding announcements. Should be interesting. Thomas

Thanks Morgan. BTW, if this project comes through, I'll see you in Hong Kong! Thomas

To use an Artnet DMX unit with Watchpax in a 3-screen Cluster mode setup, is it correct to say that a 4th Watchpax is required to connect to the Artnet DMX unit since Watchpax has only one Ethernet port? Or is the connection like this - Watchpax1...3 to Ethernet hub DMX Artnet to same Ethernet hub Apologise for seemingly stupid question. Don't have a unit to play with or test. Just trying to figure it out on paper in trying to think up a system for client who requires 3-screen video + DMX, and I'm thinking of recommending Watchout. Thomas Leong

Managed to get more out of the Griffin Powermate because of Joshua Schnable's plugin to the open-source PureData software - http://www.chromedecay.org/2009/07/02/announcing-ctrl4-ctrl8-midi-control-for-griffin-powermate-puredata/ So now with a twist of the knob my Powermate is able to trigger Aux Timelines, vary a media item's opacity, volume, scaling, position, etc and play with the rotation and scaling like a vj. Granted it has less channels than a normal MIDI keyboard, but 8 channels of 'ModWheels' are enough for me. The only inconvenience is that the .pd plugin window must be active to react to the Powermate, but this has not prevented it from sending the MIDI signal to Watchout Production. Thomas Leong

It all depends on the camera signal being sent to Watchout AND the capability and compatibility of the capture card in the Display PC(s). As for the differences in signal, please refer to - http://www.accesscomms.com.au/reference/AVsignals.htm Thomas (not Sir Thomas )

Gary, Installing backwards is always a problem as the older app (5.1) usually does not overwrite newer files (from 5.5) duringthe install process. This eventually tends to create a confusion to 5.1 when launched. There are ways to clean the Registry, etc but you have to know what you are doing. Try ccleaner's Registry cleaner, not once but until ccleaner reports a zero. Even then , there are probably still remnants of registry pointers, etc remaining which require manual search and delete. Cleanest method is to upgrade install to Windows 7 (minimum Home Premium version). If installed on the same hard-disk and partition as XP, then this usually transfers all old XP files to a Windows.old folder which you can safely delete once Windows 7 is running without problems. As these are Display PCs, I would presume there are no important documents and files that cannot be replaced or for which you have no back-up. Thereafter, the tweaking of a Display PC to Dataton's guidelines is pretty quick. After this, use Acronis True Image 2013 to clone the hd for the other Display PCs. All in should take a solid 8-hour day, when troubleshooting your existing problems may take longer. Thomas

Thanks for sharing, Nate. I have been using audiovisualdevices' free SerialButtons instead of their MIDIButtons, and found it useful testing serial codes to Watchout. So, personally, I prefer RS-232 and string commands. Albeit serial does not have the MODWheel controller to manipulate Tweens live, but with serial I am able to : 1. Stop or pause Aux Timelines (1 button each) 2. With a numeric set of keys from 0 - 9, breaking up the serial code, and using the carriage return code as a 'Take', I am able to address unlimited Aux timelines, and F-keys greater than F12 (eg. F15, F22, F199, F999, etc). With audiovisualdevices' SerialButtons, however, the limitation has been that strings cannot have a space within. This means aux Timeline 1 needs to be renamed Timeline1 for the code to work. On the other hand, my 35-key serial keypad from Genovation does allow space inside a string, so assigning one key to Aux Play (run Timeline for example) followed by a numeric key(s) - 1, 2, 3...55, 101, etc), then the Take key (Carriage Return) will play aux Timeline X. The wait time between keys is not material. Similarly with the halt and kill commands, gotoControlCue, standBy, online True, False. Calling up the Alignment aux Timeline is easy. No more hunting/scrolling down the Task window. I am one of those who prefer the tactile feel of physical buttons during a show rather than touch-screens. Then again, perhaps the same method would work with a touchscreen interface though I do not have one to test, yet. Thomas Leong