The Preview Server is a Windows service that manages a pool of Viz Engine processes. Client software, such as Viz Multichannel, Viz Pilot, and Viz Trio, can send requests to the Preview Server, asking for available Viz Engine processes. The responding Viz Engine process may provide frames for thumbnails and snapshots in an ongoing preview process.

As the name implies, the Preview Server provides Viz Engine connections to the clients during the creative preview process. When the output is finalized and actually being played out, the Viz Engine processes provided by the Preview Server are replaced by the Viz Engine specified directly in the clients.

The preview snapshots provide the user with an idea about the looks of the graphics when finally played out in high resolution on a Viz Engine. The Preview Server provides load balancing, and you can use it to create a redundant renderer pool.

For more details, see the Preview Server Administrator Guide.