Software Updates

Producer can push a software update to one or more nodes over the network. This keeps every node on the same version, which matters because the services use internal protocols that change between releases. Mismatched versions cause communication failures, missing features, or unexpected behavior.

Version mismatch indicator

The Nodes window shows a warning icon on any node running a different version than your Producer (NDI-only sources are excluded). The tooltip reads: "Warning: Not the same software version as your Producer". Each node's version is shown in Node Properties.

Before you update

The target node must allow software updates. If it does not, the node rejects the push with "Updates are not allowed on this system." and nothing installs. Enable updates on the node in the Access Control app (the Allow software updates option — see Remote File Access). WATCHPAX nodes allow updates by default.

A push always sends Producer's own installed version. You cannot choose an arbitrary version, and pushing the version a node already runs does nothing.

Initiating an update

  1. Open the Nodes window.
  2. Select the node(s) to update.
  3. Click Update Software in Node Properties, or use the Software group in the context menu.
  4. Confirm the dialog: "Would you like to update the WATCHOUT version of the selected nodes?"

The node performs a full machine restart after installing. During the restart it is offline and any playback on it stops. Starting WATCHOUT Manager after the update may need manual action on the node.

Update process

  1. Transfer — Producer sends the update package to the node.
  2. Install — the package replaces the existing WATCHOUT software.
  3. Reboot — the node performs a full machine restart.
  4. Reconnect — the node reappears in the Nodes window. Confirm it now reports Producer's version.

Switching to WATCHOUT 6

Switch to WATCHOUT 6 applies only to WATCHPAX nodes that have WATCHOUT 6 installed. It reconfigures the node to run WATCHOUT 6. On other nodes the action is not available.

  1. Select the WATCHPAX node(s).
  2. Click Switch to WATCHOUT 6.
  3. Confirm: "Do you want to switch the selected nodes to use WATCHOUT 6? This will restart the machine(s)."

The node performs a full machine restart to activate WATCHOUT 6.

Best practices

  • Update during controlled downtime — never during a live show.
  • Update all nodes together to minimize the version-mismatch window.
  • Verify after updating — confirm every node reports Producer's version with no warnings.
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