New features include a new window called the 'Media Picker' added to the Hog 4 OS which allows users to view and select slotted function values (gobos, colours, media etc) for the current fixture selection via thumbnail previews.
V2.0 also features support for Digital Media Server thumbnail previews using CITP - an advanced, network-based protocol that is now utilised by the Hog 4 OS to provide thumbnail previews for digital media content stored on CITP-enabled digital media servers connected to the console via the fixture-net adapter. When properly configured, the Hog 4 OS can connect to CITP clients such as the DL.3, request thumbnail previews of its digital media content, and present that content as selectable thumbnails in the Media Picker window.
Direct DMX Channel Control (DMX test/Art-net merge) now allows the DMX output window to be used to set individual DMX channels to manually entered values or to Art-net values streaming in from an external source such as another console.
Another new feature is Subtractive Kind Masking ("what you see is what you get"). The console now automatically populates the kind masking toolbar based on changes that have been made in the current active or allowing users to see exactly which "kinds" of functions are being recorded, merged or updated. Users can "subtract" kinds from the established masking scheme or by deselecting kinds using the kind masking toolbar. The default masking scheme can be also overridden by tokening a kind (or kinds) on the command line before pressing record, update, or merge.
Other new features include: Unassigned motorized faders now go to 0% on page change; Time Only palettes; default recording options added; new encoder wheel button options; master 'Effect Size' option added to cuelists and scenes; refined control of playback and effect rates; default Master/Main settings preferences added for cuelists and scenes; inline window aggregation buttons; Begin, End, and Start fields added to Table Effects; Direction and Bounce options added to Table Effects; Effect Rate crossfade.
"Version 2 brings huge new functionality to the HOG4 line of consoles, including Media Integration, Effects Engine features, DMX test, Art-Net Merging and Timing palettes amongst others." says Chris Ferrante, director of product management. "When we launched the HOG4 back at LDI 2012, we gave our users an aggressive road map for new feature set and we are sticking to it. Looking forward, we have even more exciting features and products in the pipeline for the HOG 4 family which is making for some very exciting times!"
(Lee Baldock)
