WATCHOUT 7

Trust our users

“WATCHOUT has never stopped my creativity from being realized! It can help create anything I want visualizing!”

Bart KresaMaster Projection Designer

”As CEO of Pixilab, I am happy to see so many great projects, events and visualisation stories WATCHOUT has been at the heart of since it's inception 20+ years ago!”

Fredrik SvanbergCEO, PIXILAB

“WATCHOUT get the job done! Wether it is a small single-screen project to hundreds of devices in a single setup!”

David AleksandersenChief Revenue Officer

WATCHOUT 7 is packed with new features. Click the list to the left to see more details! Here are some of the most important updates:

Support for 10-16-bit color depth
Wide Colour Space (REC.2020+ and beyond)
HDR (High Dynamic Range)
Support for codecs, such as NotchLC and H265
New video and audio engine
Asset Manager
Multi-user collaboration
View the cutsheet

One of the most important new features in WATCHOUT version 7 is the Asset Manager. The Asset Manager can be run on a stand-alone computer or the production unit, basically it can be anywhere on the WATCHOUT network and can be used by anyone with access rights.

The Asset Manager contains all the show data (such as media, display settings, composition, and EDID) and has a multi-user functionality that allows multiple users to collaborate on show creation.

To maximize predictability and performance in playback, the Asset Manger will either automatically optimize content used in the show before distribution to the media server, or you can define and pre-program your choice of playback formats.

WATCHOUT now supports multi-user collaboration on show creation. With the Asset Manager, it is possible for content creators and show programmers to work simultaneously on the same WATCHOUT show.
This allows better collaboration between content creators, directors, show operators, and programmers.

For WATCHOUT programmers, the user interface will still seem familiar, although more streamlined, and with a more modern look. There are some important updates to the user interface that should be kept in mind:

New Property window that is context-dependent
Discovery features for network objects and WATCHOUT nodes in the new Devices window
Media files are stored in the Asset Manager and listed in the Assets window

The video engine has been totally re-designed for added power, speed and performance.

Up to 16-bit color depth
HDR (High Dynamic Range)
Enhanced sync across servers
120 Hz frame rate
REC 2020
New codecs and file formats such as NotchLC and H265
NDI now supports output
Overall better visual quality and improved playback performance

The audio engine has been rebuilt from scratch, with new possibilities and new architecture. This increases the flexibility of the utilizing audio in show design, for better multisensory experiences for the audience.

Dante ready
Improved playback performance and sync
New audio bus concept (as mixer devices) can be routed to different outputs
Multiple audio devices are allowed on the same server

In WATCHOUT version 7, time-sync is done through NTP (Network Time Protocol), with less than 2 milliseconds delay on local networks.

Additional improvements:

Less network usage
Allows sync across wireless networks such as WiFi, 3G, 4G, and 5G
External app for LTC inputs
Multiple timelines can sync with multiple LTCs

In WATCHOUT version 7, you can create, edit and run a show from the Producer (production interface) without a license key. Shows created without a license key have access to a limited suite of codecs (stills and HAP video).

With a version 7 license key running on the Producer, you gain more features such as high-end codecs, for example NotchLC and H-265, and full access to the collaboration features in the Asset Manager.

Note: You'll need a version 7 license key/s for your media server/display computer regardless.

As in previous versions of WATCHOUT, the user interface in version 7 has windows for Stage, Timelines, Main Timeline and Assets (formerly called Media). In version 7 there are two new windows: Devices and context-dependent Properties. Both present show-relevant info in an easily understood and timely way. Windows for Variables and Stage Tiers are also available.

The general look is sleek and structured with clearer error messages, orientation guides for show navigation and consistent icon use.

The Stage window is your canvas - the place where you organize your displays and decide what is seen and where. In other words it's where you preview and edit your show.

The Stage is oriented in pixels, starting from the origin point (x=0, y=0, z=0), X= horizontal, Y= vertical, Z= depth.

To view and navigate in your show, there are three camera modes:

Default
First person
Projector

A timeline in WATCHOUT is a graphic representation that displays content in a linear chronological order. You take a media file, place it at a point in the timeline (becoming a media cue) and when the playhead reaches that time, the media cue will play.

In version 7, there is a Main Timeline set by default when you open a new show. This is shown in the Main Timeline window and also listed in the Timelines window. You can then add further timelines from the Timelines window and set the playback order of all timelines to suit.

The Timelines window lists the timelines used in your show.

Previously known as the Media window, the Assets window lists the media used in your show. Media files (assets) are stored in the Asset Manager.

Quick preview and progress bar while file is optimized
Add folders for better organization
Hover over an item to view its properties

The Devices window shows the nodes available on the network, their role and their address. A node can be a WATCHPAX media server, or a Producer machine for example.

This window also lists the displays, audio and capture devices which are associated with these nodes.

Find out relevant info fast!

The Properties window is context-dependent, and displays informaton related to the window or item currently selected.

For example: If you click on a file listed in the Assets window, the Properties window will show Name, Type, Frame rate, etc. If you click on a timeline in the Timelines window, you'll see the Name, Duration, and any Triggers that have been applied.

The Main Timeline presents the layers, cues and effects in the show. This window is opened by default when you create a new show, to help get you started!

Frequently asked questions about WATCHOUT 7

What hardware can I run WATCHOUT 7 on?

Production computer

The computer running the Producer software should have the following minimum system requirements:

Windows 10 or above
GPU required API is Vulkan 1.3
CPU supported AVX instruction set
WATCHOUT version 7 is a 64-bit application and therefore requires a compatible 64-bit processor

Display hardware

Dataton media servers:

Dataton WATCHPAX 40, 42, 60 and 62 media servers (when upgrade to version 7 is applied)
Dataton WATCHPAX media servers shipped from October 2023 have the upgrade already applied
Note that a firmware update (image) for Dataton media servers is also required, available soon

Custom servers (minimum):

Windows 10 or above
WATCHOUT 7 is a 64-bit application
GPU required API are openGL 4.4 / DirectX 11

Please see the User's Guide for more info

What does it cost to upgrade from WATCHOUT 6?

The recommended retail price is EUR 1500 per license.

To upgrade to version 7, please contact your local partner or go to the Dataton Shop.

The upgrade from WATCHOUT version 6 to version 7 is an electronic upgrade, but you will need the physical license keys available in order to perform the upgrade.

See "How do I upgrade from version 6" in this FAQ

Can I upgrade from WATCHOUT 5?

Not directly. You need to first upgrade to WATCHOUT version 6 and from there to version 7.

After this process, your license keys will be version 6 and 7 only. Version 5 will no longer be on the key.

The RRP for upgrades from versions 1-5 to 7 is EUR 2500 per license.

Upgrades from version 1-5 to version 7 are only available via your local Dataton partner.

Does WATCHOUT 7 use a dongle like the earlier versions?

Yes. WATCHOUT version 7 uses a USB license key, just like version 6.

What does WATCHOUT 7 cost?

The recommended retail price for WATCHOUT version 7 is EUR 4000* per license. During 2024, all licenses purchased will include WATCHOUT version 6 as well.

Licenses may be purchased via your local Dataton partner or the Dataton Shop.

* Import taxes, local VAT, potential freight not included. Contact your local partner for instructions.

How do I upgrade from version 6?

The upgrade from WATCHOUT version 6 to 7 is an electronic upgrade. You must, however, have the physical license keys available to complete the process. Upgrade orders may be placed via your Dataton partner or the Dataton Shop.

To upgrade WATCHOUT version 6 to 7, you need to install version 7 first! All the steps below should be done in WATCHOUT 7 software.

Note: The electronic upgrade described below can only be performed on version 6 micro keys with serial numbers of 3-344xxxx or higher.

HOW TO

To upgrade your license key(s), you need to first make sure they all appear in the license manager in WATCHOUT version 7. Here's how:

1. Connect the keys to your production computer or any online display computer.

2. In WATCHOUT 7, go to the Help menu and select "Watchout Licenses." You should see a list of licenses with license number, version and location.

3. Select your license keys in the list with the checkboxes, then click the “Copy As Text” button to copy the license key information codes to the clipboard. Paste the codes into a text application.

4. Send the codes as a .txt file to Dataton via your local Dataton partner or directly to business@dataton.com

Once your order has been processed you will receive an email with your upgrade information.

5. Select and copy all text in the email containing your upgrade information to the clipboard.

6. Connect the license keys to the computer. Open WATCHOUT 7 and choose "Watchout Licenses" on the Help menu again. Select your license keys in the list and click the “Paste Update" button.

When successfully stored in the license key, you wil see number 7 in the “Version” column.

Note: Upgraded license keys can be used with both versions 6 and 7 of WATCHOUT interchangeably

Can I get a PDF of the user's guide?

Sure. Go to the online user's guide available here: https://www.dataton.com/watchout-7-users-guide

In the top right corner, you'll see a small printer symbol. Click this, then select Save to PDF or the PDF printer (depending on your print preset) in the print dialog. Specify the location for the PDF and there you go!