PlayoutONE Pro hardware recommendations
🧑💻 Deploying PlayoutONE Pro
We recommend that, where possible, PlayoutONE Pro be deployed in a client-server setup.
We strongly recommend this setup because PlayoutONE Pro has several applications that sit within the suite that also need to be running.
It's, therefore, best to have these run out of sight, leaving the studio playback computers to concentrate on the most critical task - playing audio and letting the server machine focus on all administration tasks.
All audio imported into PlayoutONE Pro resides within the main designated audio folder.
At the time of import, PlayoutONE will copy the audio file and rename it to UID.Extension.
This folder is then shared with all clients. Within the audio folder are copies of each audio file used within WebVT®. These files are encoded in the .opus format.
The server houses the SQL Server, and, as mentioned, all of the administration applications (FileCopy, Auto Importer, Monitor etc). WebVT® is provided through Windows IIS Service.
A port forwarding rule through the firewall is required for users to gain access to the service; alternatively, users may opt to use a self-configured VPN if port forwarding is an issue.
PlayoutONE Pro follows a strict installation procedure and can only be installed by one of our support engineers. They will, in turn, work with you regarding the software installation. Because of this installation procedure, we must insist that all server and studio playout machines be installed with a fresh copy of Windows and have no traces of other automation or database software.
🖥️ Computer specficitions
Running 1-2 radio stations
The minimum hardware specification we support for running PlayoutONE Pro with one or two stations:
| Operating system | Windows 10/11 Pro |
| Processor | Servers or all-in-one machines: Intel i7 8th generation or AMD Ryzen 7 3rd generation Standalone studios or control rooms: Intel i5 8th generation or AMD Ryzen 5 3rd generation |
| Memory | 16GB |
| Storage | Operating system running on a solid-state drive Traditional hard drives can be used for data. 1TB is enough to store around:
|
| Network | 1GB wired |
Running 3+ radio stations
| Server | Studios/Control room | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows Server 2019 or 2022 | Windows 10/11 Pro |
| Processor | Intel Xeon with 8 cores (produced in the last three years) | Intel i5 8th generation or AMD Ryzen 5 3rd generation |
| Memory | 32GB | 16GB |
| Storage | Operating system running on an SSD. Hard drives can be used for data (ideally in a RAID configuration). 1TB is enough to store around:
|
Solid state drive |
| Network | 1GB wired | 1GB wired |
Production machines
The minimum hardware specification we support for running PlayoutONE Pro on production PCs:
| Operating system | Windows 10/11 |
| Processor | Intel i5 7th generation or AMD Ryzen 3 3rd generation |
| Memory | 8GB |
| Storage | Solid state or hard disk drives supported |
| Network | 1GB wired |
Running other resource-hungry applications simultaneously will affect the performance of PlayoutONE.
SQL Server
PlayoutONE runs on Microsoft SQL Server. If you plan to host more than seven stations on one server, we recommend you purchase SQL Server Standard rather than using the free edition of SQL Server (Express), which comes as part of the PlayoutONE Installation.
Please let us know if you think you need to do this so we can discuss your options.
Sound cards
PlayoutONE Pro & Standard can utilise any soundcard compatible with Windows 10.
For best quality vs cost, we recommend any of the Focusrite Scarlett USB range. Focusrite offers many models within the Scarlett range, these range between 2 and 4 stereo outputs and 2 and 4 stereo inputs.
Whilst PlayoutONE does support ASIO we do not recommend it because ASIO requires exclusive access to the Soundcard.
Windows Updates
We recommend that all Windows Updates be disabled on PlayoutONE servers and studio computers. We have a guide for disabling updates here.
We recommend users schedule maintenance windows at least two times a year to enable updates and apply any that are needed. Windows Updates should be disabled again afterwards.
Antivirus
We recommend users not install third-party antivirus on their server and studio PCs and instead rely on Microsoft's built-in Windows Defender with the following exclusions.
- C:\PlayoutONE
- C:\MsSQL
- D:\PlayoutONE (if users have additional hard drives)
This is to ensure no third-party antivirus software interferes with the smooth operation of PlayoutONE.
Firewall
We recommend that Windows Firewall remain switched on at all times, as in most cases PlayoutONE can work with it running.