Playback v1.3.(0) released April 8, 2025

Full version number: v1.3.0.44

Current and legacy documentation (user guides, etc) can always be found 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: Guests joining a session through Safari may experience audio crashes. If this happens, rejoin the session through the email invitation.  

⇒ 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, pause 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.

⇒ Guest User - Audio Output Settings: In order for call audio or stream audio output changes to take effect, guests will need to leave the session and be re-admitted. (REMT-5862)

⇒ 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)

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

New Features 

Improved Session Joining Process

The process to join a session has been improved in an effort to save time and be more efficient.  Starting with a single join button in the email invitation, once clicked, a browser window is opened and Guests can follow the prompts quickly and easily to join the session either using Playback Web or Desktop, and can also create an account as part of the process if needed. 

Allow Passwordless Access Toggle

A new toggle has been added to “Edit Session Details 1 of 2: Schedule” called “Allow passwordless access”. Toggled on, this new setting allows Guests to be able to join the session without needing to log in! This setting applies to the entire guest list for the session. Not only does it save time, but it allows Guests to join the session without needing to make a Remoto account first.

Flexible One-Time Session Offerings

Buying one-time sessions is now a much more flexible process.  They are now customizable, where session quality, guest count and technical specs (video resolution, chroma, audio channel count and quality) can be adjusted to suite individual needs. Customizing a one-time session starts with selecting a template that most corresponds to a desired use-case, which will pre-fill technical specs with ideal options, and further adjustments can be made from there. There is also a “Custom Configuration” template that defaults to the highest technical specifications available.  As changes are made, the price for the session updates dynamically. The use-case templates and options offered have been designed to make hosting a single streaming session affordable, without a long term commitment.

The specifications purchased are the maximum available to use for the session. This means it’s possible to modify the session to lower guest counts, time, and technical specifications post-purchase using Session Settings in Playback, but all sales are final and there are no refunds. Any higher quality specifications will not be available to choose in session settings after purchase. 
 

Playback Web Updates!

Playback web has been updated and includes some new buttons and functionality.  

From left to right the buttons are: VU meter, Streaming Statistics, Audio Offset, Reload (rebuffers the stream in case of network issues), Fullscreen (not new), Video Chat (not new). 

New UI Colors

Playback has been refreshed with a moderinzed color scheme, resulting in a cleaner, more visually appealling interface. 

Bug Fixes

Included in 1.3.0

Guests might be unable to receive stream: Fixed an inconsistent issue where Guest participants may have been unable to receive the stream as a result of being stuck in “Starting” or “Preparing” status.   (REMT-5723) (REMT-6503)(REMT-6441)

Guest may be stuck in the waiting room: Fixed an Intermittent issue where a Guest may be waiting to be admitted to a session by the Organizer but the Organizer may not have received the request. If this occurs, as the Guest trying to be admitted, “Leave” the session through the waiting room dialog and attempt to rejoin. (REMT-4209)

2k Streaming Canvas incorrect resolution: Fixed - There was an issue where choosing a streaming canvas of 2k resulted in an incorrect output resolution -   2048x1556. The correct and expected resolution is 2560x1440 and is working correctly. (REMT-6221)

Known Issues 

Critical

Ventura only: Audio Gaps in stream every 2-3 seconds: This issue will occur for both session Organizers and Participants running Ventura on Silicon machines. No known workaround at this time. (REMT-7222)

Non-Critical:

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 ina session and adjust accordingly. (REMT-6589) 

Guest Webcam May Show Frozen Image Instead of Live Video for Guest only: Inconsistent. No known workaround. (REMT-5693)

Checking Mic Level in Preferences when in a Live Session results in no visual metering: If encountered using a Guest account, the workaround is to leave the session and request to re-join. There is no workaround if encountered with an Organizer account. (REMT-5421)

"Disable Stream Audio for All" mutes both the stream and the call: As an Organizer, selecting “disable stream audio for all” incorrectly mutes both the the stream and the call audio. It should only mute the stream audio. Workaround: mute stream audio for participants individually. (REMT-6170)