Specifications

Chapter 1 Introduction 11
Images, Sound and Video A WATCHOUT presentation uses multiple media, such as still images, video
clips, sound files, etc. WATCHOUT accepts a wide variety of still image and
video file formats. Transparent areas (alpha channel) are supported in both still
images and video files. For more details on the various kinds of media
supported by WATCHOUT, see “Media” on page 33.
Live Feeds In addition to pre-produced content, WATCHOUT can also incorporate live
feeds of various kinds:
• Video camera, e.g., for integrating a live image of a speaker into the
presentation.
• Other external feeds, such as a DVD player or a satellite link.
• Computer graphics, e.g., a PowerPoint presentations.
• RSS feeds or other external data sources managed through the
WATCHOUT Dynamic Image Server (see page 217).
Some live feeds require additional hardware, such as capture cards, in order
to bring the signal into WATCHOUT (see “Live Video” on page 47). In other
cases, the external feed can be brought into the system through the network.
External Control WATCHOUT can be combined with other systems and technologies to build
entire presentation environments. Use a touch panel, an iPhone, iPad, or
similar device, as an interactive front-end, controlling any number of
WATCHOUT clusters. Connect other devices and systems to WATCHOUT
using a computer network, serial port, MIDI, DMX-512 or a timecode feed (see
separate sections and appendices for details on external interface options).