Our playout solutions v.5.0 support macOS Monterey (12.7.x), macOS Ventura (13.6.x) on Intel-based Macs and Apple silicon-based Mac minis, Mac Studios, and Mac Pros as well as macOS Sonoma (14.2.x) on Apple silicon-based Mac minis, Mac Studios and Mac Pros.

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

Configuring the macOS System Preferences/Settings

General

• Accent/Highlight colour: The colours of the Just Control user interface are partially defined by the accent and highlight colour set in the General/Appearance System Preference pane.

• Show scroll bars: Allows to define how the scrollbars are shown in the user interface. This can be especially important in case your input device does not support scrolling.

Energy Saver/Battery Options

• Turn display off after: Never

• Prevent computer from sleeping automatically when the display is off: Yes

• Put hard disks to sleep when possible: No

• Wake for network access: Yes

• Start up automatically after a power failure: Yes

• Enable Power Nap: No

• Lock Screen: Newer macOS versions also have one energy-saver setting in the Lock Screen/Battery options preference pane. Please make sure to select “Never” for the “Turn display off when inactive “ setting.

Screen Saver/Lock Screen

Set the “Start after” or “Start Screen Saver when inactive” setting to “Never”.

Security & Privacy/Privacy & Security

• Privacy:

• Microphone: Make sure to allow Just Out to access the Microphone. Otherwise, there will be no audio at the output during a Live Event.

• Full Disk Access: Make sure to activate “Full Disk Access” for Just Connect and Just Out. Otherwise, setting changes will not be saved, causing all kinds of unexpected behaviour while using the applications.

Sound

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

Output: Depending on the AJA/Blackmagic Design video device driver, it is also necessary to define the Mac mini Speaker as the Output device here, otherwise sound coming from QuickTime and other apps will be played out by the video device.

Network

• Remove all unnecessary network connections.

• If you have multiple network interfaces: change the order of the connections so that the network interface you are going to use for ToolsOnAir internal communication is the topmost item in the interfaces list.

• If a network-based AV router/switch should be controlled using Just Control, make sure the 3rd party hardware also uses the main network.

Startup Disk/General->Startup Disk

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

App Store/System Preferences (up to macOS Monterey)

• Always update the macOS operating system to the latest available version.

• Disable “Automatically keep my Mac up to date” afterwards.

• Press the “Advanced…” button and disable all other automatic updates.

• If you are instructed by your security administrator to perform security updates, then ensure that you choose a service window where your Macs can be updated with the latest Apple security patches. Never apply any updates while the playout is running, as this may interrupt your playout services, especially when security updates imply a restart of the machine.

Software Update (macOS Ventura, macOS Sonoma, and later)

• Always update the macOS operating system to the latest available version and disable the “Automatic Updates” function afterwards.

• In the macOS System Settings application, select “General → Software Update → Automatic Updates”

• Then click on the “” symbol, and move all sliders to the left side (“Disabled”)

• If you are instructed by your security administrator to perform security updates, then ensure that you pick a service window where your Macs can be updated with the latest Apple security patches. Never apply any updates while the playout is running, as this may interrupt your playout services, especially when security updates imply a restart of the machine.

Sharing/General → Sharing/General → AirDrop & Handoff

• We recommend that you refrain from using any sharing service unless required.

• When using Screen Sharing, make sure that the screen resolution does not change whenever connecting from another machine. 

• We recommend disabling Remote Login, Remote Management, and Remote Apple Events/Remote Application Scripting because they may cause some unwanted issues. 

• We recommend using TeamViewer HOST for remote management and file copying.

• On qualified Macs, please also ensure that the “AirPlay Receiver” option is turned OFF.

Spotlight/General → Siri & Spotlight

• Disable Spotlight on the Just Out machine(s).

• Add all volumes used to store media files under the “Privacy” tab or “Spotlight Privacy…” window.

• You can enable Spotlight on machines running Just Connect and Just Control.

TOA System Checker

The TOA System Checker is located on the 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 qualified and supported.

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