We recommend a basic installation of the operating system. Once the OS installation has finished, install all updates which are available through Apple's Software Update. Then configure the OS as described below.

  • Do not install any additional applications on the Playout machine(s). Those could be: MenuMeters, Growl, Dropbox, Adobe CC, Notification Center widgets, Dashboard widgets, Google (the GoogleSoftwareUpdateDaemon causes issues) or any other background daemons. The only exception is Macs Fan Control.

  • Once one of the ToolsOnAir components has been started, never change one of the settings described in this chapter. Changing any OS related setting during playout can harm the final output and even crash the engine.

  • Make sure that the applications just:out and just:connect are not started automatically using the “Login Items” functionality of the system preference pane “Users & Groups”.

Configuring the macOS System Preferences

The System Preferences may look different on your system and may offer more/less functions, depending on the OS version and the hardware you are using.

General

Energy Saver

If you are using a MacBook with a switchable GPU make sure to select the Higher Performance setting.

Screen Saver

Set the Start after setting to Never.

Sound

Sound Effects: Make sure to select the speaker of your mac (“Mac mini Speakers” for example) here, to play sound effects using this device. The same output is used by the just:live and just:play user interface when playing videos in the preview windows.

Network

Startup Disk

Make sure that the disk or partition used for the ToolsOnAir components is selected as the startup disk.

App Store

Sharing

Spotlight

TOA System Checker

The TOA System Checker is located on the Just Playout installation disk image. It allows you to easily verify the settings of the most important System Preferences and also validates if the used hardware is sufficient and supported.

You can run the TOA System Checker directly from the disk image.

The TOA System Checker takes some time to validate things and displays errors, warnings and recommendations.