ASSETS & ASSET MANAGER

The Asset Manager is the service that prepares and distributes all assets in a WATCHOUT show. It optimizes source files into playback formats built for fast GPU decode and fast SSD reads, creates low-resolution previews for Producer, and distributes the results to the Runner nodes on demand.

Start Here

Core concepts for working with assets in WATCHOUT.

  • Asset Manager - how the centralized service handles upload, optimization, storage, and distribution across your production network
  • Asset Types - the asset types (Video, Audio, Audio + Video, Image, SVG, Composition, Model, Font, Display Data, Art-Net Fixture, Art-Net Recording, EDID, Folder), their optimization behavior, and timeline characteristics
  • Asset Properties - the Properties panel for assets: metadata fields, the asset state pipeline (Uploading, Optimizing, Ok, Fail), and type-specific diagnostics

Media Formats and Creation

Understanding what media WATCHOUT accepts and how to create content within the application.

  • Formats & Codecs - the codec mapping table that maps each source codec to its playback output (e.g., H.264 to HEVC, ProRes to Notch LC), plus pass-through rules for already-optimized formats
  • SVG Shapes - the built-in shape editor for creating vector rectangles, ellipses, and text that are rasterized at configurable resolution
  • Image Sequences - importing numbered frame folders as single video assets for 3D render pipelines, HDR/EXR workflows, and per-frame quality control

Advanced Asset Workflows

Tools for dynamic content, collaborative uploads, automated imports, and network distribution.

  • Dynamic Assets - versioned asset containers for media swapping (languages, sponsors, seasonal content) without editing timelines
  • Web User Interface - the browser-based Asset Manager UI on port 3023 for collaborative upload and management from any networked device
  • Asset Watcher - OS-level file system monitoring that automatically imports new or changed files from watched folders
  • Asset Transfer - the pull-based distribution system where Runners download only the assets they need, with substitution during transfers

Settings and Data Management

Configuring optimization behavior and moving assets between systems.

  • Asset Manager Settings - codec mapping overrides, optimization quality, bandwidth limiting, and alpha channel configuration
  • Import and Export - creating portable asset packages and atomic import into another Asset Manager
  • Importing GDTF Files - importing manufacturer GDTF fixture definitions to create Art-Net Fixture assets with accurate channel layouts, named parameters, and mode support