Playback v1.4.(0) released August 7, 2025

Full version number: 1.4.0.63

Playback v1.4.(1) released August 20, 2025

Full version number: 1.4.1.25

Playback v1.4.(2) released September 3, 2025

Full version number: 1.4.2.18

Current and legacy documentation (user guides, etc) can always be found here.

If you would like to report a bug not listed here, or submit a feature request, please let us know here. 

This document is organized in 5 sections:

• Technical Alerts - Crucial information and recommendations on how to configure and use the app to optimize its performance and your experience using it.
• System Requirements
• New Features - A list and explanations of Playback improvements included in this release.
• Bug Fixes - A list of resolved bugs with their reference numbers.
• Known Issues - A collection of known issues that we are tracking and working to resolve. This may not be a complete list, but rather curated with the most common issues experienced. If a workaround is available, it will be listed. 

Alerts

⇒ Safari: We do not suggest Guests joining a session through Safari at this time. 

⇒ Stream Setting changes not accessible when actively streaming: In order to change settings, it is no longer possible to access Stream Settings when a stream is active. If changes need to be made, stop the stream, access Stream Settings, modify and save any settings. Restart the stream when ready.

⇒ Timecoded Markers: This function is available for participants using the Desktop application, specifically with Streaming Type: Desktop Only.

⇒ Playback Application: If the application has been left open for an extended period of time (i.e. over the weekend) it may become un-responsive, requiring the user to close the app and reopen. 

⇒ Streaming over WiFi: Streaming over WIFI rather than a hardwired connection, may result in compromised stream performance reflecting WiFi performance issues.

⇒ Message:  “It appears that you are currently signed in from another device. Do you want to sing out from that device and continue here?”  Upon attempting to log back into Playback after an application crash, this message may appear. This is an expected message. If  Playback quits unexpectedly, it may not gracefully log you out from our server, and you may still register as logged in. Click yes to proceed.

⇒ Playback Log Location: Logs are currently saved to a folder named “SPG Studios”. This folder name will be changed to “Remoto” in a future release.

⇒ Playback's minimum app size is 1600x900 and is not responsive. If you are on a laptop with a smaller screen size using Playback Desktop and it is not fitting in your screen, please adjust your display size in System Settings to a resolution at least 1600x900. 

⇒ Using NDI with Adobe Premiere: If Premiere is not actively playing content, Playback may present an error “Video Source Lost”. If this happens, stop the stream in Playback, restart your media in Premiere (play the media) and restart the stream. 

⇒ Bluetooth Headphones: Using bluetooth headphones with Playback will result in some audio latency. This can be adjusted once the stream is live, using the "A/V" Sync" adjustment settings. 

System Requirements

Playback Desktop (MacOS only)

Playback Web Browser Requirements: 

• Chrome
• Safari (beta) It is not recommended to use Safari at this time. 

We recommend using the latest browser versions available for optimal performance. 

New Features 

New Studio Interface!

The Studio interface has been redesigned from the ground up to create a more focused and flexible session experience. With a cleaner layout, collapsible side-tabs, and simplified device controls, the new Studio makes it easier to stay centered on the media while accessing powerful collaboration tools as needed.

Highlights:

• Collapsible side-tabs maximize screen space for the session media.
• Streamlined access to session participants, chat, markers, and volume controls.
• Device selection (mic and camera) are now directly accessible from the Studio.
• Expanded views for waiting rooms, guest invite status, and participant management.

The new layout prioritizes video and audio playback, while keeping key functions just a click away. With the “Invite Guests” tab open, Organizers can view RSVP status at a glance who’s accepted, declined, or not yet responded, as well as how many guest seats remain.

Dedicated side-tabs are now available for:

• Guest Invitation (Hosts only)
• Waiting room (Hosts only)
• Participant list 
• Video call
• Text chat
• Timecoded markers
• Audio controls
   

New! Timecoded Marker Categories

Markers can now be categorized for improved organization. Categories are selectable both from the main timeline interface and from within the Timecoded Markers drawer.
 

Improved Volume Controls

Volume controls now appear in a dedicated drawer, presented in a channel strip-style layout. This makes it easier to understand and adjust:

• The format of the stream (displayed at the top of the drawer)
• Independent controls for stream and call audio
• Options to mute each stream, change output format/destination, and the ability to link the stream output to the call output destination.
   

Always-Visible Controls
 

Core functions like mute/unmute and camera on/off remain persistent in the Studio interface. New dropdown menus allow switching input devices on the fly without opening Preferences.

Additional quick-access audio controls allow muting of call or stream audio independently, as well as the ability to link the stream output to the call output destination.

Timecode chasing is always visible, and Timecoded comments can now be added quickly from the quickmarkers section or drawer, with category tagging included.

AV Sync has a new button as well:
 

Reload Stream Button (Desktop App)

To help recover from local network issues, Guests in the Studio using Playback Desktop can now rebuffer the stream with a single click without needing to leave or restart the session.

This feature works just like the reload option available in Playback Web and is useful for maintaining session continuity in variable connection conditions

Talkback Functionality

The new Talkback toggle allows Organizers to enable momentary “push-to-talk” behavior during a live stream. When Talkback is on, all session participants are muted and can only speak by holding the microphone button or pressing the spacebar. While someone is talking, the stream audio is automatically ducked by 95%, then restored when they stop.

For Organizers, the toggle is located in the bottom of the studio window:

When Talkback is on, Participants will be notified at the bottom of the studio window:

When the stream is stopped, and Talkback remains enabled, participants stay muted and cannot toggle their own microphones until Talkback is turned off.
 

This mode is especially helpful in live review workflows where clear, interruption-free communication is needed.
 

New Preferences Window

As part of the Studio UI update, the Preferences window has also been redesigned.
The layout is now horizontal for better visibility—no scrolling required.
 

A new toggle has been added to allow enabling or disabling a camera device. This is especially useful for machines without an attached webcam or for users who want to configure camera access later.
 

Smaller, But Still Great Improvements!

Autofill scheduling!

Session setup is now faster with the new autofill option. Organizers can instantly populate scheduling details with the current date and the next available time slot - either on the hour or half-hour - along with a default 1-hour duration. Ideal for quickly setting up ad-hoc reviews.

Blackmagic Improvements!

When using Blackmagic devices during session setup, the system now automatically detects the incoming resolution and frame rate.
This ensures the session format matches the actual signal which reduces the risk of sync issues, black frames, or unexpected format mismatches during stream setup.

Session Scheduling - Drag and Drop Emails!

Inviting participants is now even easier. Email addresses can be copied and pasted from tables, text docs, or email clients—or simply dragged and dropped—into the invite field.
This functionality is supported in both:

• Session setup (Edit Session Details 1 of 2: Scheduling)
• The “Invite Guests” drawer within the Studio interface

Easier Log Gathering!

Getting access to log files for troubleshooting is now simpler. The Playback app now includes a direct link to log locations under the menu: 

Remoto Playback → Logs…

Selecting this option opens the log folder directly in Finder, bringing the window to the foreground automatically without any manual navigation.

Improved Video Conferencing!

This release includes under-the-hood enhancements to video conferencing quality and performance. Users should notice clearer audio and video, and general connection improvements with video and audio conferencing during a session.
 

Bug Fixes

Included in 1.4.1

Metallic Audio for Guests in Desktop & Web Sessions Using Blackmagic for Both Video and Audio Input: (REMT-7847)
Fixed an issue where, in Desktop & Web (DW) sessions, Guests could hear metallic, robotic, or distorted audio when a Blackmagic device was selected for both video and audio input. This issue only impacted the Guest’s audio stream (on both Playback Web and Desktop), while the Organizer’s audio monitoring remained unaffected.

The problem did not occur when the Blackmagic device was used for video input only or in Desktop Only (DO) sessions.

Included in 1.4.0

(Playback Desktop) Guest Crash When Returning to Studio from Dashboard: Discovered and fixed an issue where Guest users experienced an application crash when navigating from the Studio view to the Dashboard, then returning to the Studio during an active session (regardless of whether streaming was active). Guests can now safely move between views without triggering a crash. 

Intermittent Freezing in Guest Stream Playback: Resolved an issue where Guest users experienced intermittent playback freezes after joining a session and receiving the stream. While the stream was active, video playback would pause briefly at random intervals, disrupting the viewing experience.  

Ventura only: Audio Gaps in stream every 2-3 seconds: This issue occured for both session Organizers and Participants running Ventura on Silicon machines. This is no longer reproducible. (REMT-7222)

Issues adding timecoded markers in fullscreen mode: If a user was viewing the stream in full screen mode, timecode for markers was displayed at 00:00:00:00. Any comments added reflected this timestamp.  This is no longer reproducible.  (REMT-4917) 

Guest Webcam May Show Frozen Image Instead of Live Video for Guest only: This has been resolved by switching our backend platform for our video conferencing to another type.(REMT-5693)

Known Issues 

Critical

Metallic Audio for Guests in Desktop & Web Sessions Using Blackmagic for Both Video and Audio Input: (REMT-7847) Affects 1.4.0, does NOT affect 1.4.1

In Desktop + Web (DW) sessions where a Blackmagic device is selected for both video and audio input, guest participants may hear degraded audio quality described as metallic, robotic, or distorted. This issue affects guests on both TRP and the Remoto Playback app, but does not affect the Organizer’s audio monitoring.

The issue does not occur when:

• The Blackmagic device is used for video input only

OR

• The session type is Desktop Only (DO)

Workaround:

To prevent the issue:

1. Quit Remoto Playback completely.
2. Launch the application that is using the Blackmagic device (DaVinci Resolve, etc)
3. Open Audio MIDI Setup and set the Blackmagic input and output to Stereo.
4. Launch Remoto Playback.
5. Start the session as usual.

Crash on Closing Preview After Selecting Screen Capture on Intel Macs: In Desktop Only (DO) sessions on Intel-based macOS machines, once starting a session (in the Studio), opening stream settings and switching the video input to Screen Capture and opening the Preview window results in a gray screen. Clicking Close causes the app to crash. This issue is intermittent with about a 50% chance of occurring. No known workaround at this time. (REMT-7714)

Crash on Start Stream After Selecting Screen Capture on Intel Macs: In Desktop Only (DO) sessions on Intel-based macOS machines, once starting a session (in the Studio), opening stream settings and switching the video input to Screen Capture and clicking Save & Exit followed by Start Stream causes the app to crash. This issue is intermittent with about a 50% chance of occurring. No known workaround at this time. (REMT-7713)

Passwordless access join issue (Desktop app only): If a Guest is attempting to join a session (no password required) using the Desktop application, initiated from the email invitation, less than 15 minutes before the session is scheduled to start, if the Organizer has NOT already started the session, the Organizer will not receive a join invitation  (even after they enter the session) and the Guest will be stuck in the waiting room.  If the Guest has a Remoto account, the workaround is to not use the join link in the email invitation, but log in and join the session directly from the Desktop application. If the Guest does NOT have an account, they should try joining through the link again. Once the session has been started, the Organizer will see the join request and admit them. (REMT-7357)

Incorrect error handling if video source is lost before streaming begins: When an Organizer is in the Ready state within a session and the video input source becomes unavailable for any reason, the session should immediately transition to Not Ready and the Start Stream button should be disabled. Currently, the session will incorrectly remain in “Ready” state, and if attempting to start the stream, an error will present itself “Video source is lost. Please stop streaming and select the proper video source in the Session Settings.” Once this error appears, the Start Stream button will be greyed out. The only workaround is to quit and relaunch the application and re-enter the session. (REMT-7226)

Non-Critical:

Stream Audio Output Settings: As an Organizer, if changes need to be made for the the stream audio output device destination (local stream audio output) when in a session, they will not take affect. Workaround: Stop the stream, make your changes, and restart the stream.  (REMT-5862)

Stream Preview - audio mute/unmute: When clicking on the mute/unmute icon in Stream Preview, nothing happens (icon is not updated, change volume indicator is not updated, audio level the same). No workaround at this time. (REMT-7450)

Disable Camera/Microphone checkboxes when entering a session: When Call and Stream preferences are opened when in a live sessions, these settings will revert to their default unticked state. Please check camera and microphone feed when in a session and adjust accordingly. (REMT-6589) 

Video Chat - Camera indicator is ON even if camera is OFF in video chat: If someone turns their video camera off in video chat, the camera indicator light of a built in camera erroneously will remain on. (REMT-4422)

(Playback Desktop) Guest Users - Stream Audio Output Settings: If changes to the stream audio output device destination are made when in a session, they will not take affect. Workaround: click on the Reload Stream button next to streaming status in the upper right of the viewing screen. This will reload the stream with the updated output settings.  (REMT-5862)