just:play v.2025.1 Getting Started

just:play v.2025.1 Getting Started

Important information before installing

All ToolsOnAir applications for macOS are provided as Apple-compliant disk images (.DMG format). To open the disk image, the Security settings of macOS may need to be adjusted.

When using macOS Ventura (13.7.), macOS Sonoma (14.7.x) or macOS Sequoia (15.4.x):

  1. Open the System Settings application.

  2. Go to “Security & Privacy”.

  3. Scroll down until you see the “Security” section.

  4. Verify that the “App Store and identified developers” option is selected.

Screenshot 2025-04-10 at 14.28.32.png

If you are upgrading from an older version of just:play, you might want to make sure that you have a valid just:play v.2025.1 activation code for this machine before installing the new version.

Video Device Driver Installation

This step is only required if you have a dedicated video device from AJA or Blackmagic Design.

Download and install the most recent driver from the website of your video device manufacturer (AJA or Blackmagic Design).

Downloading just:play and preparing your playout system

The latest version of the just:play solution is freely available for Download via the dedicated solution page. Current customers (with account credentials) may also use the download area in the ToolsOnAir Support System.

  • Extract the downloaded ZIP archive and open the disk image. The just:live/just:play2025 installation disk image (.dmg) will appear on your screen as shown below:

Screenshot 2025-04-10 at 14.33.45.png

Review the linked documents provided in the “Read Before Installing” section, especially the “Important Notes Read Me First” document.

Installation of Apple Pro Video Formats

  • Please download and install the Apple Pro Video Formats Codecs from Apple’s website, as they provide support for the listed codecs (see screenshot below) and ensure compatibility with professional video playout workflows. You can use the link provided in the “Run Before Installing” section to directly access the download page.

PLAY2025_appleprovideoformats1.png
JIM2025_appleprovideoformats2.png

If this has been done previously, then no action is required. The Apple Pro Video Formats codecs can be found at: “/Library/Video/Professional Video Workflow Plug-Ins”.

  • OPTIONAL: Run the “ToolsOnAir Uninstall” application to completely remove all applications, preferences, settings, presets, channels, schedules and any other data related to a previous ToolsOnAir capture or playout software installation. This is only recommended if you are in need of a complete software uninstall/reinstall as instructed by a ToolsOnAir support staff member!

Installation of the just:live software components

  • Drag the Just Playout folder from the disk image to the Applications folder. This will install all relevant playout software applications.

PLAY2025_installer.png
  • If you are planning to use the provided real-time sample graphics templates, then double-click on the “Install Template Package” icon. The TOA Template Package (“Templates”) will be installed at this location: “/Users/yourUserName/Pictures”

  • Once done with the installation, eject the disk image (“Command-E”).

  • Finally, open a Finder window and navigate to the “Just Playout” folder inside your 
    Applications folder.

    PLAY2025_justplayout.png

About the just:live software components

  • Just Out provides the final output (Virtual, SDI, or NDI®, SRT, UDP, ST-2110-Blackmagic Design DeckLink IP stream). It renders the frames in real-time either on the host GPU (Graphics) or CPU (video file decoding) and should never be quit during playout operations. For more information, please visit: 8. Just Out (v.2025.x)

  • Just Connect acts like a channel manager, receiving and distributing all the information related to a playout channel. It interconnects to all Just Out engine(s) and Just Control user interface(s) which are related to a particular channel managed by Just Connect. For more information, please visit: 9. Just Connect (v.2025.x)

  • Just Control: is the unified user interface for all ToolsOnAir applications. During the setup, the administrator can define which one of the two available solutions/user interfaces, namely just:live or just:play should be used for a specific channel. For more information about the just:play interface, please visit: just:play v.2025.x User Interface Manual

Add (“Drag & Drop”) the applications Just Out, Just Connect, and Just Control to your macOS Dock for faster access.

Configuring your just:play solution

To perform a straightforward starting setup, we recommend running the Just Out, Just Connect and Just Control applications on the same Aplle siliocon machine (Mac). For more information about advanced setups with multiple machines distributed over the network, please refer to the 6. Setup Variants (v.2025.x)

IMPORTANT: Allow “Local Network” access in macOS Sequoia (15.x.)

The new Local Network Security feature in macOS Sequoia (15.x.x) enhances privacy and control by allowing users to manage which apps can access their local network. This feature addresses concerns over unmonitored network access, providing an extra layer of security by ensuring that only trusted applications have access to local network resources, such as printers, file-sharing devices, and other computers. In macOS Sequoia, users are prompted when an application attempts to access the local network for the first time, enabling them to allow or deny access (“System Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network”).

When running the Just Out and Just Control applications for the first time on macOS Sequoia, you will be asked to allow it to discover and connect to devices or other applications on your network. Please click on the “Allow” button to ensure that the communication between the Just Out, Just Connect and Just Control applications is guaranteed.

PLAY2025_localnetworkjustout.png
PLAY2025_localnetworkjc.png

Initial setup

  • Start the Just Out and Just Connect applications, review/agree the related End-User License Agreement (EULA) and confirm/apply all system-related requests (as described above).

  • Start the Just Control application,review/agree the related End-User License Agreement (EULA) and confirm/apply all system-related requests. Once done, the Just Control application will automatically display the User Login window. We recommend keeping the defined username for now.

  • Click on the “Login” button.

PLAY2025_configuration1.png
  • Once the Just Out and Just Connect applications have been launched (as described above), and you intend to run all applications on a single machine, ensure that you enter the IP address “127.0.0.1” and retain the default Channel Port Number (5000) before clicking the “Connect” button. This setup allows you to test and configure the system independently of your network infrastructure. For final production or On-Air use, we recommend using the dedicated IP address provided by your network administrator.

PLAY2025_configuration2.png

Before the next step, verify that the option New Channel is selected, and enter the name of 
your Channel into the “New Channel” name field.

Screenshot 2025-04-10 at 15.15.49.png
  • Next, select the Format you would like to use for broadcast (e.g., 1080p29.97 8 Bit) and make sure to select a 8bit mode in case the final output is NDI®, SRT or UDP.

  • Then, select the option just:play for 24/7 scheduled playout to run the user interface for Master Control playout operations.

When running Just Out, Just Connect, and Just Control on the same machine, please enter the IP Address “127.0.0.1” in the section “The channel's primary engine is installed here” to ensure proper testing operations. Keep the same Engine Port Number (5509).

If you’re using a dedicated Video device, select AJA or Blackmagic, otherwise, keep the Virtual option selected, or, select one of the available streaming options (i.e., NDI, SRT, UDP).

 

Change the Repository Folders if desired. The default Repositories are:

  • Video files: “/Users/yourUserName/Videos”

  • Graphic files: “/Users/yourUserName/Pictures”

  • Audio files: “/Users/yourUserName/Music”

  • Playlist files: “/Users/yourUserName/Documents/Playlists”

Selecting the “Include Simple FX layer with station and live bugs” checkbox automatically loads two predefined TOA Demo still images as Channel Station ID Bug and Live Input Bug. This feature can also be (de)activated after the initial setup, and the still images can be changed once the installation is done.

  • Click the “Configure” button to complete the initial setup. The Just Control user interface should look similar to the picture below.

PLAY2025_configuration3.png

If the user interface displayed differs from the picture above, please follow the steps below:

  • In the right sidebar, click on the Connections icon to show the Channel tabs interface.

PLAY2025_configuration4.png
  • From the list, drag the previously created Channel from the Connections list onto the empty viewer area.

PLAY2025_configuration5.png
  • The connection should now be established, and Just Control looks similar as shown in the screenshot below.

PLAY2025_configuration6.png

Accessing the just:play User Interface

  • To open the just:play user interface, click on the button in the middle of the viewer.

PLAY2025_configuration7.png
  • The just:play user interface will now be displayed.

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Verify that your Channel is operational

It may take some seconds before the Channel is running. To verify that your Channel is running, check the following status:

  • In Just Connect the Status of the Channel should state “Playing”, with a  (Green) indicator.

PLAY2025_configuration9jpl.png

In the just:play interface, the Status should state “ONLINE” and the CTI (Current Time Indicator) should be (Green) (indicating the actual time). The timecode shows the actual time and changes constantly and fluently.

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Consult the User Manual for detailed information

You can access the detailed manual of just:play under this link, or via the Help menu in Just Control (PLAYOUT SOLUTIONS).

ToolsOnAir Support System

If you require supplemental information that is not covered in the User Manual, please contact us via the → ToolsOnAir Support System

 

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