Dataton Launches New Version 5 of WATCHOUT at InfoComm 2011

Dataton announces the release of Version 5 of WATCHOUT, the company's flagship multi-display production and playback system. Watchout Version 5 made its global debut at InfoComm 11 in Orlando.

Fully scalable, software-based, and requiring no proprietary hardware, Dataton Watchout already orchestrates still images, animations, graphics, video, sound and live feeds into a single impressive show across multiple display areas, either soft-edge blended or scattered. Now, Version 5 takes this capability to a higher level by adding new features that meet the latest demands of event designers, systems integrators, and end customers, the company says.

"This new version represents a huge leap forward, perhaps the greatest since Watchout was launched back in 2000," says Fredrik Svahnberg, international marketing and communications manager at Dataton. "The improvements to Watchout are a result of the direct feedback an requests from our partner base in creating presentations for today's requirements and future requirements. Presentations have never been more creative, accessible or as easy to utilize."

Prominent among the upgraded feature set is a new 3D effects and stage preview option. Watchout Version 5 lets you position and rotate all media objects in 3D space. With 3D motion paths, images and video fly through space any way you want. The preview can be rotated to view the stage from the most appropriate vantage point.

Still on the 3D theme, Version 5 is also the first iteration of Watchout to offer seamless stereoscopic playback. Since Watchout already knows about all the 3D aspects of any presentation through its award-winning user interface, stereoscopic projection comes along for the ride, with little or no additional production effort.

Version 5 also allows shows driven by Watchout to be opened up to more interaction, allowing users to not only position, rotate and move all media objects in 3D, but also for these tools to be used interactively. Watchout understands virtually any kind of device or external system, allowing you to connect sensors and control sources -- like iPads -- directly to on-screen elements such as images, video, live feeds and more.

Watchout is also keeping pace with the latest developments in computer and graphics hardware. Version 5 now offers support for multi-head output cards, meaning that up to six displays can now be driven off one suitably equipped computer, all using a single Watchout license.

"We are really proud to have showcased the new version at InfoComm and open up so many creative possibilities for WATCHOUT producers all over the world," adds Svahnberg.