DATATON WATCHOUT – USER’S GUIDE

6.6

DATATON WATCHOUT ? USER'S GUIDE

1. INTRODUCTION

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System Overview

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Software Overview

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2. INSTALLATION

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Software

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Network

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License Keys

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Display Devices

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Sound

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Live Video Input

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MIDI and DMX-512

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VNC Server Software

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Manual Addressing

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Firewall Settings

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Display Computer Settings

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Display Computer Optimizations

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Hardware Synchronization

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General Performance

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Other Issues

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Cloning a Computer

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3. WINDOWS

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Stage Window

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Main Timeline Window

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Auxiliary Timeline Window

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Composition Window

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Media Window

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Input Window

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Output Window

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Task Window

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Status Window

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Message Window

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Network Window

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License Manager Window

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4. COMMANDS

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File Menu

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Edit Menu

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Stage Menu

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Preview Menu

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Media Menu

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DATATON WATCHOUT ? USER'S GUIDE

Timeline Menu

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Tween Menu

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Window Menu

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Help Menu

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5. DISPLAYS AND PROJECTORS

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2D Display/Projector

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3D Mapping Projector

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Virtual Display

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Geometry Correction

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Masking

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Advanced

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Using Multiple Display Outputs

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Display Setup

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6. MEDIA

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Still Images

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Video

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Image Sequences

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Audio

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Live Video

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Computer Screen

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Network Video

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NDI video

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Dynamic Images

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3D Models

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Solid

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Text

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DMX-512 Recording

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7. CUES

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Cue Specifications

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Sound Cue Specifications

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Tween Tracks

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Control Cue

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8. COMPOSITIONS

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Creating a Composition

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Adding Cues

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Using the Composition

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Nesting Compositions

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TABLE OF CONTENT

9. DYNAMIC IMAGES Serving Still Images Serving HTML Content Serving SWF Files Dynamic Image Parameters

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Dataton WATCHOUT? software and this

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manual ? Copyright 2015, 2018, 2019,

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2020, 2021 DATATON AB ("Dataton"). All rights reserved.

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Document number: 3955/6.6 v5

Dataton, the Dataton logo, WATCHOUT and

10. INPUTS AND OUTPUTS

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WATCHPAX are registered trademarks of

Inputs Outputs

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DATATON AB. All other company and product

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names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Use of a term in this

publication should not be regarded as affecting

11. TASKS AND EXPRESSIONS

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the validity of any trademark.

Auxiliary Timeline

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Expression

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The information in this manual has been carefully checked and is believed to be

A. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

accurate. However, Dataton assumes no

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responsibility for any inaccuracies or errors in

this manual or the products described. In no

B. MIDI SHOW CONTROL

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event will Dataton be liable for direct, indirect,

special, incidental, or consequential damages

C. CONTROL PROTOCOL Controlling the Production Software

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resulting from any defect or omission in this manual, even if advised of the possibility of

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such damages. The technical information

Controlling the Display Software

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contained herein regarding features and

List of Commands Command ID Tagging

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specifications is subject to change without

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notice.

D. COMMAND LINE OPTIONS Display Software Production Software Dynamic Image Server Production Software

E. TRACKING INPUT Control Media Control 3D models Realtime Tracking Preferences

F. KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS General Edit Stage & Preview Tween Audio Tween Track

Products or manufacturers mentioned do not

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constitute a recommendation or endorsement

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by Dataton.

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User resources

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Join the WATCHOUT forum! By users and for

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users, this invaluable resource features

thousands of (searchable) posts all about

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WATCHOUT. forum.

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Visit the Knowledge Base for some FAQs:

If you have an issue and need to contact the

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support department, please visit the Help

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Center and submit a support ticket!

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DATATON WATCHOUT ? USER'S GUIDE

TABLE OF CONTENT

1. INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Dataton WATCHOUT, the leading multi-display production and presentation system. Use it to create stunning collages combining images, video, lighting, 3D and interactivity. Present your shows using projectors for large, seamless images. Hook up WATCHOUT to monitors, LED walls or other creative screen arrangements. Or project onto complex three-dimensional objects using the 3D video mapping capabilities.

ABOUT THIS MANUAL This manual is divided into the following parts:

? An introduction to give you the big picture. Start here if you're a new user or just having your first look at WATCHOUT. You'll also find basic instructions on how to install the program and configure your computers.

? A reference section, describing all windows, menus, commands and other details. Refer to this section to learn more about specific functions.

? A number of appendices with additional information related to particular areas of the product, such as live video inputs and external control protocols.

WATCHOUT VERSION 6 This manual refers to WATCHOUT version 6. The latest version of the software and its documentation can always be obtained from:



SYSTEM OVERVIEW This section provides an introduction to the various components in a basic WATCHOUT system, and how they fit together. Note that each computer in a system running WATCHOUT must have a WATCHOUT license key connected. Dataton WATCHPAX media servers have built-in license keys.

INTRODUCTION

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In the illustration, a laptop running WATCHOUT is used as the production computer. This connects to a network switch, which is then connected to a Dataton WATCHPAX 60 media server. The WATCHPAX unit could also be a self-build display computer running WATCHOUT software. Both the production and display computers need to be equipped with a WATCHOUT license key.

HINT: When connecting a single display computer to the production computer, a network switch may not be required. Depending on the graphics card, a self-build display computer can drive up to six displays. Dataton WATCHPAX media servers offer four to twelve channel outputs, depending on model; WATCHPAX 40 offers four outputs and WATCHPAX 20 two outputs. The display devices connect using appropriate cables, such as DisplayPort, DVI, SDI or HDMI. Which cables to use depends on the display devices as well as the outputs from the display computer. The next example shows four, vertically rotated screens controlled by two Dataton WATCHPAX 20 media servers. The system is programmed using WATCHOUT production software running on the laptop. Alternatively, you can use Dataton WATCHNET to schedule presentations or for interactive control.

Production computer

Display computer (media server)

Network switch

In WATCHOUT, you can arrange the displays in the Stage window as they are placed on the wall ? including the gaps between display surfaces. WATCHOUT takes care of distributing the content across any number of display computers. The last example shows how you can project onto a physical object using a 3D Mapping Projector. The hardware hookup is very similar to the first example. The production and staging workflow is quite different, however, involving various 3D techniques such as modelling, UV-mapping and texturing, as well as precise calibration of the projectors' positions (see "Calibrate").

INTRODUCTION

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