Hippotizer is continuously being developed and improved; please read these notes carefully to understand the changes and limitations with each version.
Software Assurance determines what version of Hippotizer will install and run on a system. Once installed, software will continue to function indefinitely. Please see the Software Assurance Policy section of this manual for more information.
Installation Notes:
- The recommended capture card driver version has been updated. If you have a capture card fitted, please select ‘Yes’ when asked during installation to update your drivers to the correct version.
Features added in 4.8.0
Show Manager is now part of the HippoLauncher offering Hippotizer the capabilities to launch from a list of different show files for quick access. Show can also be locked limiting changes to a singular launched instance of a show file. The HippoLauncher has had some UI changes to accommodate the Show Manager, the user can now create shows with a unique name and description or select from an existing show and launch into either an editable, or locked state.
TCP/IP Launcher This module of HippoLauncher allows TCP strings sent across a network to launch specific shows from the Show Manager.
NDI 5.5 Support is now included in Hippotizer 4.8.0. All new features and support for NDI compliant products are included with NDI 5.5.
Media Encoding Expanded Hippotizer now has extended support for additional video codecs and improved compatibility with existing codecs. Hippotizer users can now transcode NotchLC and DXV files directly into the Hippotizer FlexRes codec ready for playback on any Hippotizer server.
Preset Timelines Are a new type of timeline that simplifies the UI for easily programmed preset only timelines. Timelines can be converted into a standard timeline from a preset timeline at the user’s discretion.
PLAY has been expanded to support unlimited mixes for a greater scope of access whether training or controlling Hippotizer servers.
SHAPE UI Docking Provides further customisation options for the SHAPE UI. New window options have been added to dock or pop-out UI elements. These new windows are utilised throughout SHAPE alongside an addition of a new Preview window, for displaying scene object outputs, and 3D viewer for visualising the 3D environment.
Automation Rate Monitor Now provides a readout for the user to monitor the update rate of incoming automation data. This readout is visible in SHAPE or as a new child Pin of SHAPE in Hippotizer.
Automation Modes Interprets automation data to align with specific protocol specifications.
Functionality Changes In 4.8.0
Nevis+ Status Component System status can now be monitored on the Nevis+ using the new Status component. This replaces the status pin found in the LED & Fan component.
Timeline has now been deprecated and replaced entirely by Timeline+. All timelines can be imported into the Timeline+ component to become compatible with this, and future releases.
Automation Controller is now the means to injest automation protocols into Hippotizer through the MultiController component. All previous automation support is maintained and should use the automation control source instead of individual protocol control sources.
All keyword added Remote control command pin can now take ‘All’ as a keyword for any of the functions in place of the Timeline ID number.
REST API ‘Callbacks’ We have added the ability for the REST API to generate “Callbacks” to users webpages to inform them of certain actions including, new media added, media change, timeline added and more.
Fixes in 4.8.0
- 3873: Fixed timelines not showing in ZooKeeper sub-windows.
- 4168: Zoom, ZoomX and ZoomY pins can now be correctly controlled by a Beatbridge speaker.
- 4515: Preset track in TimelinePlus now correctly applies presets.
- 4520: Fixed a crash in MediaManager if a new media transcode starts before MediaMap caching is complete.
- 4897: Scale of PixelMapperV4 fixtures now scales correctly with a change of the Pixelmap physical size.
- 4937: Flash/Highlight of fixtures in PixelMapperV4 now correctly lights the selected fixture.
- 4956: Optimised PixelMapperV4 actions within maps that include large numbers of fixtures.
- 5004: Improved wording of prompts when using the Shutdown Host and Shutdown Machine options in configurations page.
- 5074: Double clicking in a UI parameter group from a remote ZooKeeper now correctly resets all included parameters.
- 4839: Nevis+ now has a Status component to replace not having access to the LED & Fan component status pin.
- 5214: Fixed live input resolution displaying incorrectly on signal change while using hardware deinterlacing.
Known issues in 4.8.0
- 3125: Audio track starts always from the in-point when scrubbing through a timeline in Timeline+.
- 3146: ZooKeeper SHAPE visualiser shows selections made in SHAPE software when ZooKeeper is part of group
- 4176: Virtualised Viewports settings is not applied from an imported OutputManager component.
- 4244: Renaming the system could result in an Engine crash. Workaround: Reinstall software or * rename system back to the default name.
- 4439: Host colour does not change to orange when Engine is configuring layers.
- 4518: MediaMaps of remote hosts does not display thumbnails in TimelinePlus.
- 5238: When adding a ZooKeeper track to a timeline ZooKeeper sofware will crash.
- A previous error in the manual stated that shows from 4.7.X would import to 4.8 automatically when selecting the update option on installation. This is not the case and shows wishing to upgrade from any previous version of software to 4.8 should export all components to be imported into 4.8
Deprecation Notice
Timeline Component As of 4.6.0 the Timeline component will no longer be supported by future developments.
Any timeline exports can be imported into the new Timeline+ component with minimal programming changes required for identical playback. The component will be completely removed from the
Hippotizer software as of 4.8.0 and any future shows should transfer to the Timeline+ component for ongoing support.
Multicontroller Component: Automation Control Sources Instead of using a control source per automation protocol, we now include one automation reader control source as a replacement for all the protocols. This automation control source will replace any of the individual control sources included in the following:
- Test Data
- GHAP
- DEAP
- PosiStageNet
- Kinesys
- PRG Automation
- StageTech SiMotion
- Artnet
- LevDev360
- PT5232
- BlackTrax
- NMEA (GPS)
Future programming should use the automation reader as a control source for future support. Protocols not included in the list will remain as individual control sources and all others will be contained in the automation reader from Hippotizer version 4.8.0.
Current DMX Personalities
| Recommended Hippo Personality | Also will work | Tested MA2 personality | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Layer | 4.8 Layer | 4.6/4.7 Layer | Included* 4.8 Layer | |
| Layer Presets | 4.8 Layer Presets | 4.6/4.7 Layer Presets | Included* 4.8 Layer Presets | |
| Layer Performance | 4.8 Layer Lite | Included* 4.8 Layer Lite | ||
| Mix | 4.8 Mix | 4.6/4.7 Mix | Included* 4.8 Mix | |
| Mix Presets | 4.8 Mix Presets | 4.6/4.7 Mix Presets | Included* 4.8 Mix Presets | |
| Notch Mix | 4.8 Notch Mix | Included* 4.8 Notch Mix | ||
| TouchEngine Mix | 4.8 TouchEngine Mix | Included* 4.8 TouchEngine Mix | ||
| SHAPE | 4.8 Shape | Included* 4.8 Shape | ||
| Viewport | 4.8 Viewport | 4.6/4.7 Viewport | Included* 4.8 Viewport | |
| SHAPE Viewport | 4.8 Shape Viewport | Included* 4.8 Shape Viewport | ||
| TimelinePlus | TimelinePlus | Included* 4.8 TimelinePlus |
*Included in the Hippotizer installer and software download site.
Installation Notes
- When moving between feature version (eg. 4.3 to 4.4) always uninstall the previous version before installing new software.
- The minimum supported Datapath capture driver has changed. At least version 7.19.4 must be installed.
- Datapath drivers are now installed as part of the installer. Select yes when prompted to install them.
- 4.3 Is the minimum version of software supported by V4+ hardware .
- 4.6.4 Is the minimum version of software supported by V4+ MK2 hardware .
- From version 4.2 Onward the Hippotizer data is stored in new locations to comply with Microsoft Windows security guidelines.
- The binaries (executable files) are stored in: C:\Program Files\GreenHippo\HippotizerV4
- The settings are stored in: C:\Users\\AppData\Local\GreenHippo\4_5
- The Media folder by default on Portamus and Play is: C:\ProgramData\GreenHippo\MediaV4
- The Media folder by default on all other V4 and V4+ systems is D:\MediaV4
SHAPE Project file compatibility
- Project files created in SHAPE 4.3 and later are compatible with SHAPE 4.7.0
- Project files created in SHAPE 4.3 are compatible with SHAPE 4.3.1.
- Project files created in SHAPE 4.2 or 4.2.1 are compatible with SHAPE 4.3.1
- Project files created or edited in SHAPE 4.3.1 will not load in older versions of SHAPE.
Current Codec Support
Resolution restrictions by Codec:
| Codec | Width | Height | Max Height | Max Width | Min Height | Min Width |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FlexRes Performance | Divisible by 4 | Divisible by 4 | 16,384 | 16,384 | 64 | 64 |
| FlexRes Quality (All Colour spaces) | Divisible by 4 | Divisible by 4 | 16,384 | 16,384 | 64 | 64 |
| FlexRes Lossless 4:2:0 | Divisible by 4 | Divisible by 4 | 16,384 | 16,384 | 64 | 64 |
| FlexRes Lossless 4:2:2 | Divisible by 4 | Any | 16,384 | 16,384 | 64 | 64 |
| FlexRes Lossless 4:4:4 | Divisible by 4 | Any | 16,384 | 16,384 | 64 | 64 |
Content that does not fit within these restrictions can still be encoded through resizing.
Version 4.2.1 Removes Support for MPEG-2 Playback; please re-encode all content to FlexRes.
Video File Types
The following codecs and wrappers have been tested for their compatibility with Hippotizer’s built in transcoding system.
On encode, the content is converted to the FlexRes codec chosen. Encoding interlaced content is not supported.
| Codec | Extension | Status |
| Mpeg2 | .mpg | Does Not Work |
| Mpeg2 | .m2v | Works |
| Mpeg4 | .mp4 | Works |
| Mpeg4 | .m4v | Does Not Work |
| ProRes422 | .mov | Works |
| ProRes420 | .mov | Works |
| ProRes444 | .mov | Works |
| ProRes4444 | .mov | Works |
| FlexRes | .fxr | Works |
| AVI | .avi | Works |
| Animation RGB | .mov | Works |
| Animation RGB + Alpha | .mov | Works |
| h.264 | varies | Works |
| HAP | .mov | Works |
| DXV | .mov | Works |
| HEVC (H.265) | .mp4 | Works |
| NotchLC | .mov | Works |
Image File Types
| Codec | Extension | Status |
| Tiff | .tiff | Works |
| PNG | .png | Works |
| Jpeg | .jpg | Works |
| Targa | .tga | Works |
| DPX | .dpx | Works |
Image Sequences
| Codec | Extension | Status |
| Tiff | .tiff | Works |
| PNG | .png | Works |
| Jpeg | .jpg | Works |
| Targa | .tga | Works |
Audio Encoding
| Codec | Channels | bit depth | Status |
| Wav | 1 | 16b | Works |
| Wav | 2 | 16b | Works |
| Wav | 4 | 16b | Works |
| Wav | 6 | 16b | Works |
| Wav | 8 | 16b | Works |
| Wav | 2 | 24b | Works |
| Wav | 2 | 32b | Works |
| .mp3 | Any | Any | Does Not Work |
| .aif | Any | Any | Does Not Work |
| .mpa | Any | Any | Does Not Work |
| .wma | Any | Any | Does Not Work |
Martin P3-PC compatibility
Hippotizer can send video directly to the Martin P3-PC application running on the same machine, this requires a P3 Dongle.
The version of P3-PC and Hippotizer is important to ensure correct operation:
| Hippotizer Version | P3-PC Version |
| 4.1 | 4.2 |
| 4.2 – 4.2.2 | 4.2.2 |
| 4.3 | 4.3.1 |
| 4.3.1 – 4.5.3 | 4.3.1 |
Current CITP Support
CITP (Capture Interface Transport Protocol) is an open network protocol to allow visualisation software and lighting desks to exchange thumbnails and streaming previews from media servers. Green Hippo # works to ensure CITP is working correctly with as many 3rd party applications as possible. Here is a list of currently tested systems against this version.
| Desk or Software | Version Tested | Thumbnail Exchange | Streaming Previews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand MA2 | 3.3.4.3 | Works | Works |
| MA-3D | 3.3.4.3 | N/A | Works |
| MSD | 3.2.2.3 | N/A | Works – Inverted about Y Axis |
| Martin M-PC | 3.50.645.641 | Works | N/A |
| Capture Argo | 21.1.30 | N/A | Works |
| Hog 4 | 3.2.5 (Beta) | Works | N/A |
| Avolites | Titan (9/10) | Works | N/A |
| WYSIWYG | R38 | N/A | Does not Work |
| Chamsys | 1.7.8.1 | N/A | Works |
Current Datapath Drivers
- If using Dual DVI, Dual SDI or AV-SDI capture cards, we recommend Datapath Driver version V7.25.1
- If using Quad SDI and Dual DP capture cards we recommend Datapath Driver version V7.25.1
Capture drivers are now included with the installer.
When installing Hippotizer software you will be asked if capture card(s) are fitted. If yes, the installer will automatically deploy the correct drivers.
If a copy of the driver installer is needed, it will be placed on the Hippotizer at this location:
C:\Program Files\GreenHippo\HippotizerV4\ThirdParty\Datapath_Vision_V7.25.1
Current Display Drivers
Hippotizer Media servers use one of several type of graphics card, which are tested with current and former display drivers.
| V4 System | Driver |
|---|---|
| V4 Taiga (All Types) | FirePro 15.201 |
| V4 Boreal (All Types except Boreal DVI-SL) | FirePro 15.201 |
| V4 Boreal DVI-SL | Radeon 15.7.1 |
| V4 Karst SDI or DP | Firepro 15.201 |
| V4 Karst DVI | Radeon 15.7.1 |
| V4 Amba (S/N: 240037 or Greater) | Fire Pro 15.201 |
| V4 Amba (S/N: 240000 – 240036 ) | Radeon 15.7.1 |
V4 Drivers are available for download here: Download Site
| V4+ System | Driver | Secondary Driver |
|---|---|---|
| V4 Tierra+ | Nvidia Quadro 431.94 | |
| V4 Taiga+ SDI Genlock | Radeon Pro 17 Q4.1 | Nvidia Quadro 390.65 |
| V4 Taiga+ | Radeon Pro 19.Q4.1 * | Nvidia Quadro 390.65 |
| V4 Montane+ | Nvidia 419.67 | |
| V4 Montane+ RTX | Nvidia 419.67 | |
| V4 Boreal+ SDI Genlock | Radeon Pro 17 Q4.1 (WX9100*) | Radeon Pro 19.Q4.1 (WX8200*) |
| V4 Boreal+ | Radeon Pro 19.Q4.1 (WX9100**) | Radeon Pro 19.Q4.1 (WX8200*) |
| V4 Karst+ SDI | Radeon Pro 17 Q4.1 | |
| V4 Karst+ DP | Radeon Pro 19.Q4.1 | |
| V4 Karst+ DVI | Radeon 17.7.2 | |
| V4 Karst+ DVI (S/N: 430143, Karst_Plus_100052 or later) | Radeon 19.6.2 | |
| V4 Amba+ | Radeon 17.10.1 | |
| V4 Amba+ (S/N: 420090, Amba_Plus_100027 or later) | Radeon 19.6.2 | |
| V4 Nevis+ | Radeon Adrenaline 19.40.01.18 |
- * The GPU model installed in the server.
- ** Please contact support for GPU firmware update procedures as these models have hardware specific requirements.
V4 Drivers are available for download here: Download Site
| V4+ MK2 System | Driver |
|---|---|
| Amba V4+ MK2 | Radeon 17.11.4 |
| Karst V4+ MK2 | Quadro RTX 471.11 |
| Mayon V4+ MK2 | Radeon Pro 21.Q1.2 |
| Boreal+ MK2 | Quadro RTX 471.11 |
| Tierra+ MK2 | Quadro RTX 471.11 |
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