What's new in PlayoutONE v5.1?

PlayoutONE version 5.1 was released on 30 September 2024, bringing a number of new features, improvements and bug fixes.

To find out how to upgrade from your existing version of PlayoutONE, check out this guide.

Here is a rundown of everything new in version 5.1:

✨ New features

Layout Manager	Save and load PlayoutONE window layouts to suit multiple users or purposes (live studio, production, voice tracking etc.)
Mixdown tool	Easily export mixdowns from the PlayoutONE Pro log via FileCopy, specifying bitrate, sample rate, and channels on a schedule.
AudioAI integration	Automatically import Futuri AudioAI break notes into PlayoutONE Pro and WebVT.
Shared voicetracks	Allow the same voicetracks to be shared across multiple stations within the same cluster.
New-look Launcher	It's easier than ever to access the various components of PlayoutONE.

🔧 Improvements and bug fixes

Performance improvements	Fixed an issue in affected PlayoutONE beta releases since March 2024, which increased PlayoutONE.exe's memory usage. Performance improvements to the way PlayoutONE's SQL database is managed. Network performance improvements sending live data between PlayoutONE (without Audio Engine) and Monitor.
Accessibility & localisation improvements	Some status icons have been redesigned to support users with limited colour vision. Improved contrast on Segue Editor envelope points when the audio type uses a white background. Added support for Monitor to display 'by' in metadata in Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian and Spanish.
Audio Engine	Added the option to start Audio Engine Launcher automatically when Windows loads. Added the ability to minimise Audio Engine to the system tray. Audio Engine configuration files can now be exported and imported for easier backups. Added 'Find nearest to now' option when right-clicking. Stations with Audio Engine enabled will now play Quick Keys via Audio Engine's output devices rather than the Hardware tab in PlayoutONE. Stream uptime is now shown in the Information tab of any stream outputs. Connected LiveMIC users are now named so you can see who is currently connected. Added the backup server option to Audio Engine. Added `SET BUS [ALL/A-P] STREAM [ON/OFF]` commands to start/stop encoders. Added `SET PROCESS COMMANDS [ON/OFF]` commands to toggle whether Audio Engine should process incoming commands. The xLog module can now be used and managed within Audio Engine. Reduced volume of tone beeps when Training Mode is enabled.
Auto Importer	Log import rules can now be set to determine which items should or should not be imported. Added the ability to copy logs to additional stations. Added the option to set a negative Trim Out value. Added the option to append characters to the end of a UID to make it easier to automate split content using # codes. Added warning message to notify users when a profile has been configured to use email, but it has not been set up in Monitor settings. Fixed a bug where non-audio files could be imported.
Data Controller	Added Ember+ support for DHD consoles. Custom commands can now be sent to Axia devices. Performance improvements when processing incoming commands.
FileCopy	Added the ability to add or remove characters from the front of a file name. Auto Increment can now be used to name folders as well as files. Ordinal numbers (1st, 2nd, 3rd...) can now be set up using time/date placeholders.
LiveStream	Time/date placeholders can now be used in emergency file names, allowing different files to be played each hour.
Media Editor	New scrolling behaviour in the Segue Editor. The arrow keys can now be used to scrub through audio in the Audio Editor even when the file is not playing. Rotate carts now show how many child carts are contained within them. Start and End Dates are now shown alongside child carts within a rotator.
Monitor	Authenticate Monitor email notifications using a Gmail, Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 account instead of app-specific IMAP passwords. Added an emergency log option, where PlayoutONE can reuse the previous day's log if one has not been scheduled. Fixed an issue where dynamic cue sheet songs were not being displayed in the Aiir CMS. Added AIM Rapid metadata output. Added TRE+ metadata output. Fixed issue with Quu metadata output format. Log colours can be synced from other stations. VTs purged by Monitor now show a unique icon in the log rather than as missing audio. Applications will no longer be restarted when Monitor is in Standby Mode to prevent conflicts with other machines on the same network. All PlayoutONE machines licensed by Monitor can be seen on the License tab. Added a user-changeable RDS character limit to ensure compatibility with older RDS units. Added the ability to show a song's year of release as part of a dynamic metadata RDS message.
Synchroniser	Redesigned Synchroniser to match the rest of the PlayoutONE suite. Added the ability to minimise Syncroniser to the system tray. Added option to clear pending audio or logs from Syncroniser queue.
WebVT	Split stations can now be controlled via WebVT if enabled by Aiir Support. New scrolling behaviour in the Segue Editor. Improved multi-station support with a new panel to manage custom voicetracks. Intro markers show in front of hooks when both are in the same position. Added date checks to warn users they may be about to set a Start Date in the past or an End Date before a Start Date. Streams playing through the Stream Player now show in WebVT instead of "nothing playing". Redesigned Custom VT window to take up less screen space by default. Redesigned volume bar to show the name of your connected audio device. Fixed an issue switching between multiple WebVT stations. The xLog module can now be used and managed from within WebVT. Added WebVT version number to the Settings panel for troubleshooting issues. Apple Silicon/ARM support for WebVT Browser on MacOS. Added new support options to the WebVT Browser app. Added a reload/refresh option to the Mac version of WebVT Browser.
Miscellaneous	PlayoutONE Standard will no longer show features and options that are only available in PlayoutONE Pro. PlayoutONE Pro no longer allows its data or audio folders to be changed while the station is on air. PlayoutONE must be closed before changes can be made. API port options (TCP, UDP and HTTP) are now enabled by default. PlayoutONE can now enter Isolation Mode automatically on startup where a station's servers cannot be reached, but an isolation database is present on the machine. License ID can now be copied to the clipboard by clicking it in the launcher. Spin reports can be generated. Added `RESOLVEROTATES NOW` and `UNRESOLVEROTATES NOW` commands to manage rotator carts in the current hour. Tweaks to the checking process before PlayoutONE enters Isolation Mode. Replaced the 'Enable PlayoutONE Keyboard' setting with 'Enable Keyboard Shortcuts' Title and artist values can be made uppercase using the Media Library's bulk operations. Fixed an issue connecting PlayoutONE to Facebook