Video wall connection strings are used by AV Automation. This section contains Connection String types.

Note: For general information on connection strings, see Video Server, MAM and Database Connection Strings.

Watchout Connection String

This connection string is used for WATCHOUT video walls.

Modes of Operation

The driver may operate in any of three different modes. (For the sake of simplicity, assume that at least two commands are to be performed in one operation).

  • default: A driver operation sends the commands one after the other. It waits for WATCHOUT to respond finally (or time-out) before sending the next command. If a command fails, the rest is skipped. The advantage is that when the driver operation finishes, the entire operation is complete (or has failed). However, as driver calls may arrive in different threads, and therefore simultaneously or overlapping, problems may occur. (The driver is made for performing (sending and feedback-waiting) one command at a time.)
  • SequenceRecallAndMixes: A driver operation queues the commands to be performed as a unit (without interference from other such units), possibly at a later time. The problem mentioned above is solved, however at the cost of the driver operation possibly finishing before the commands are complete.
  • SequenceIndividualCommands: A driver operation queues the first command (to be performed without interference from other commands). If successful, the next command is queued, and so on. This may be useful if WATCHOUT is able to keep several shows loaded at the same time (and is able to use the run timeline argument to choose between them).

Examples

AV Automation Connection String:

AuthenticateTimeout=[authenticateTimeout];BufferSize=[bufferSize];BusyNonCommandTimeout=[busyNonCommandTimeout];BusyTimeout=[busyTimeout];GetStatusThreshold=[getStatusThreshold];LoadTimeout=[loadTimeout];PingInterval=[pingInterval];PingTimeout=[pingTimeout];Port=[port];ReconnectInterval=[reconnectInterval];ResetAnyway=[resetAnyway];ResetTimeout=[resetTimeout];RunTimeout=[runTimeout];SequenceIndividualCommands=[sequenceIndividualCommands];SequenceRecallAndMixes=[sequenceRecallAndMixes];Server=[server];UseGetStatus=[useGetStatus]

Example:

Server=192.168.97.129;AuthenticateTimeout=200;RunTimeout=40

Connection String Properties - Watchout

String

Type

Description

Default

AuthenticateTimeout

integer>0

The time (in ms) allowed for WATCHOUT to process an authenticate command and respond with Ready.

2000

BufferSize

integer>0

The maximum number of bytes to receive from WATCHOUT at a time.
Should be set at least as large as the longest conceivable WATCHOUT response. 

1024

BusyNonCommandTimeout

integer>0

The time (in ms) allowed for WATCHOUT to return to normal operation after a non-command Busy.

10000

BusyTimeout

integer>0

The time (in ms) allowed for WATCHOUT to increase the % of otherwise equivalent Busy responses. 

60000

GetStatusThreshold

integer

The highest acceptable value of the third parameter of the Reply feedback to the getStatus command

General health status of the cluster:

  • 0: OK
  • 1: Suboptimal
  • 2: Problems
  • 3: Dead

1 (Suboptimal)

LoadTimeout

integer>0

The time (in ms) allowed for WATCHOUT to process a load command and respond with Ready.

10000

PingInterval

integer>0

The time (in ms) between ping commands sent to WATCHOUT.

10000

PingTimeout

integer>0

The time (in ms) allowed for WATCHOUT to process a ping command and respond with Ready.

10000

Port

integer>0

The port to connect to.

3039

ResetAnyway

true/false

Whether reset commands are always sent before run commands even if not present in the RecallAndMix argument.

false

ResetTimeout

integer>0

The time (in ms) allowed for WATCHOUT to process a reset command and respond with Ready.

10000

RunTimeout

integer>0

The time (in ms) allowed for WATCHOUT to process a run command and respond with Ready.

10000

ReconnectInterval

integer>0

The amount of time (in ms) to wait to reconnect after a failed connect or authenticate.

10000

SequenceIndividualCommands

true/false

Whether the driver should operate in that mode. Has no effect when SequenceRecallAndMixes=true.

false

SequenceRecallAndMixes

true/false

Whether the driver should operate in that mode.

false

Server

string

The DNS name of WATCHOUT.

localhost

UseGetStatus

true/false

Whether the Ping operation should use the getStatus command instead of the ping command.

false