Specifications

Appendix E Display Cluster Protocol 257
E
DISPLAY CLUSTER PROTOCOL E
Overview You can control a cluster of WATCHOUT display computers using a local
command file or from a computer or other device capable of communicating
using a serial port or the TCP/IP network protocol.
◆ NOTE: While similar to the production computer protocol described in the
previous appendix, this protocol allows you to control WATCHOUT display
clusters without a production computer being present in the system.
Preparation Before attempting to control a cluster, ensure that the show has been success-
fully run from WATCHOUT production software (meaning that all media files
have been transferred, etc). Then quit the WATCHOUT production software.
CONTROL OPTIONS You can control the display cluster either using a file stored on the primary
display computer in the cluster, or using commands sent via the network or
through a serial port.
File-based Control You can use a file stored on the primary display computer’s hard disk to auto-
matically perform most commands in this protocol when starting the display
software. This can, for example, be used to set up a system that automatically
loads and runs a show every time the computer is switched on.
The command file can be created using a text editor or word processor
capable of saving as plain text. To perform those commands when starting the
WATCHOUT display software, you provide the name of this command file as
a command line parameter to the display software. If started using a shortcut