What's New Playout v.5.0, v.5.1 & v.5.5
- Georg Deisting
- Manuel Grund
This document describes all new features which have been added since v.4.x. Please read What’s New Playout v.4.0, 4.1 and 4.2 for more information about previous releases.
General Notes
Version 5.x of our playout solutions will support macOS Monterey (12.7.x), macOS Ventura (13.6.x) on Intel-based Mac's and Apple silicon-based Mac minis, Mac Studios and Mac Pros as well as macOS Sonoma (14.6.x) on Apple silicon-based Mac minis, Mac Studios and Mac Pros.
Please note that the use of Apple silicon hardware is generally recommended and mandatory when using realtime graphics under macOS Sonoma (on Apple silicon).
Installation Notes
Before installing any ToolsOnAir application for macOS, open the “System Preferences” application and verify that the “Security & Privacy” setting is properly configured, as shown below. If required, you may revert the setting after the installation has succeeded.
When using macOS Sonoma (14.6.x), please open the “System Settings” application, select “Privacy & Security” on the left-hand side, scroll down, and ensure that the “Security” section option is set to “App Store and identified developers”
Version 5.0 Changes - just:live & just:play
New Audio Engine: Version 5.0 introduces a new way audio is processed inside our engine. This brings back the ability to use Buffered Input with video devices from Blackmagic Design and is the foundation for more audio-related features in upcoming releases.
NDI® Format I/O: Version 5.0 supports the ability to receive an NDI High Bandwidth (or NDI HX/HX3) stream as a live signal, and to provide an NDI signal as the broadcast output, instead of using hardware from either AJA or Blackmagic Design as the playout device.
Version 5.1 Changes - just:live & just:play
Several speed improvements and bug fixes related to the engine and the user interfaces. Please see the ReadMe in the Just Playout folder for all bug fixes and new features coming with this version.
Updated AJA SDK to version 17.0. Please update your system drivers to this version if you are using AJA hardware. All customers using BMD hardware should use driver version 12.7.x or higher.
New timecode view. The “General” group in the multi-viewer inspector now has an addition pop-up button, allowing you to select the timecode shown in the channel’s multi-viewer preview. The available options are “Engine” (same functionality as in previous versions) and “Elapsed” and “Remaining” to show the elapsed or remaining time of the currently airing video. Previously, these timecodes could only be shown in the scheduling tab and not in the multi-viewer.
Version 5.5 Changes - just:live & just:play
Several speed improvements and bug fixes related to the engine and the user interfaces. Please consult the “ReadMe” document in the “Just Playout” folder for all bug fixes and new features available with this new release.
Added a new “ToolsOnAir Uninstall” application to the installer image to completely remove all applications, preferences, settings, presets, channels, schedules and other data related to a previous ToolsOnAir software installation.
Just Control Configuration window access button. The Multi-viewer Inspector now has an additional button (the “Cogwheel” icon, next to the “Close” button) which opens the “Just Control Configuration” panel to ease the access to the Device/Channel configuration.
New Channel Status icons. In the Multi-viewer Inspector’s “Connections” tab, the icons used to show the Channel status have been changed from the Red ()/Yellow ( )/Green ( ) indicators to icons to display the channel status in a clearer and more understandable way. Additionally, if a channel is selected but currently not assigned to the Multi viewer, a notification text is now displayed for clarification.
Updated AJA and BMD SDK support. Please update your drivers to version 17.0.1 (or 17.1 once available) if you are using any AJA video devices. Customers using video devices from Blackmagic Design should use driver version 12.9 or 14.0.x. When using an ATEM device, please update to version 9.5 of the ATEM Switcher Software for improved stability, performance and compatibility.
Updated to the NDI SDK v.6 for improved stability and performance.
ST-2110 support using one of the Blackmagic Design DeckLink IP video devices.
SRT and UDP software only in and out streaming support, compatible with SD, HD and UHD resolutions. Those new streaming capabilities allow customers to stream their content in house or over the internet, using a local or a cloud-based mac. Please contact sales@toolsonair.com for more information about the ability to set up Fast Channels using ToolsOnAir software solutions.
SRT and UDP streams support the SMPTE 2038 specifications related to the transport of VANC data (e.g. CEA-708, OP-47, SCTE-104) for both the output and the live input.
SRT and UDP streams support ATSC A/53 closed captions in the MPEG transport stream for both the output and the live input. When using a live input, the ATSC A/53 closed captions are disabled if the stream contains SMPTE 2038 information.
SRT and UDP streams support SCTE-35 events in the MPEG transport stream for both the output and the live input. When using a live input, SCTE-35 is disabled if the stream contains SMPTE 2038 information. Any SCTE-104 events scheduled using the “Event” option will be automatically converted to SCTE-35.
Adjustable encoding parameters. The H.264 profile/bitrate as well as the AAC audio bitrate can be defined when using SRT or UDP streaming out.
Supported “live” audio formats. Incoming SRT and UDP streams with MP2 (MPEG-1 Layer II) audio tracks in the MPEG transport stream are supported in addition to AAC encoded audio.