Playback v1.5(.0) released October 9, 2025
Full version number: 1.5.0.43

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 sign 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 Streaming Engine for Desktop & Web Sessions

Powered by the Remoto Streaming Server

Web-based sessions just got a major upgrade. Playback is now running on a brand-new, custom-built streaming engine - the Remoto Streaming Server - designed to deliver higher quality, more flexible, and more reliable streaming across all platforms.

This new media server replaces our previous provider’s backend, which was recently deprecated. By bringing the entire streaming pipeline in-house, we’re unlocking more control, better performance, and a smoother experience for everyone.

What’s new:

• Sharper video, clearer audio - higher fidelity playback for all Desktop & Web sessions
• More codec and stream format support - paving the way for future improvements and broader compatibility

This is a foundational step toward a more fully featured and future-ready Remoto experience.
 

H.265 and 4:2:2 8-Bit Color Support

Remoto Playback now supports H.265 (HEVC) streaming with 4:2:2 chroma subsampling and 8-bit color depth, unlocking higher-quality video for workflows that demand greater visual fidelity. This is available for Desktop Only viewer type, for those using Blackmagic as their streaming source.

What this means:

• Better compression with fewer artifacts: H.265 offers improved efficiency over H.264, delivering higher quality at lower bitrates
• More accurate color reproduction: 4:2:2 chroma subsampling retains more color detail, especially in gradients, skin tones, and compositing workflows
• Expanded bit depth: 10-bit color allows for smoother tonal transitions and avoids banding in HDR or color-critical sessions

This upgrade is ideal for color grading, review sessions, or any workflow where image quality and color accuracy are critical. Whether monitoring fine detail or pushing creative boundaries, users now have access to a broader and more professional streaming toolkit.

Bug Fixes

Included in 1.5(.0)

Canvas Selection Appeared Deselected in Initial Session Setup: Discovered and fixed an issue where the canvas preference in the initial session setup window appeared deselected after navigating away from the Streaming tab and returning. Although the correct selection was still registered when saving, the UI did not visually reflect the active choice. The canvas selection now remains visibly selected when navigating between tabs during initial session setup. (REMT-8253)

Incorrect error handling if video source is lost before streaming begins: Fixed an issue when a video input source was lost while the Organizer was in the Ready state. The session incorrectly remained Ready instead of transitioning to Not Ready, allowing the Organizer to attempt streaming and triggering an error (“Video source is lost. Please stop streaming and select the proper video source in the Session Settings.”). The system now correctly updates the session state and disables Start Stream when the video source becomes unavailable. (REMT-7226)

Crash on Closing Preview After Selecting Screen Capture on Intel Macs: Fixed an issue when, in Desktop Only (DO) sessions on Intel-based macOS machines, switching the video input to Screen Capture and opening the Preview window could result in a gray screen. Clicking Close intermittently caused the application to crash (approximately 50% reproducible). This issue has been resolved. (REMT-7714)

Crash on Start Stream After Selecting Screen Capture on Intel Macs: Fixed an issue when, in Desktop Only (DO) sessions on Intel-based macOS machines, switching the video input to Screen Capture and clicking Save & Exit, followed by Start Stream, could cause the application to crash. The issue occurred intermittently, with about a 50% chance of reproducing. (REMT-7713)

Known Issues

Critical

Audio gaps in Remoto Playback stream on macOS Ventura + Sequoia (Silicon only): On Apple Silicon Macs running macOS Ventura or macOS Sequoia, the user may experience occasional audio gaps that can be perceived as small clicks (similar to a sample rate issue). The issue affects Desktop Only and Desktop and Web session sessions, and affects both Organizer and Guest users.  It does not occur on Intel Macs or on macOS Sonoma. Current workaround is to update OS. (REMT-7222)

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 request (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)

Non-Critical

Skipped video frames on Organizer side during long sessions when using Blackmagic as the streaming source: During extended streaming sessions (~2.5–3+ hours), the Organizer’s local video intermittently skips or drops frames when using a Blackmagic device as the video streaming source. This issue occurs only on Apple Silicon machines and affects both Desktop Only (DO) and Desktop + Web (DW) session types. It is reproducible when streaming at 2K DCI resolution or higher. Audio remains stable, and Guests continue receiving a smooth, uninterrupted stream. Workaround: Stop and restart the stream to restore smooth playback. (REMT-8454)

Blackmagic SDI audio input causes frozen frame on stream start:Selecting Blackmagic SDI as the audio input type in Stream Settings causes the video to freeze at a single frame when the stream starts. This happens when Blackmagic is used for both video and audio. Workaround: In Stream Settings, set the Audio Input Type to Virtual Audio Device, then choose Blackmagic as the audio source (the option that does not say “Audio Capture”) before starting the stream. In Stream Settings, set the Audio Input Type to Virtual Audio Device, then choose Blackmagic as the audio source (the option that does not say “Audio Capture”) before starting the stream. (REMT-8483)

Stream Settings allows invalid 4:2:2 selection for 4:2:0 stand alone sessions: In standalone sessions (single sessions purchased outside of a subscription) limited to 4:2:0 chroma subsampling, Organizers can still select and save 4:2:2 in Stream Settings. The system then silently reverts to 4:2:0 after saving, without notifying the user. This behavior causes confusion, as both 4:2:0 and 4:2:2 OTS types appear identical in the UI. Workaround: None. Organizers must reopen Preferences to verify the active chroma subsampling setting. (REMT-8397)

Streaming Audio using NDI as the source is not working: Do not use NDI as an audio source - When setting up a session using NDI as the audio source, the stream is lost when attempting to start the stream. This also makes the start/stop stream button unresponsive, rendering the session unusable. There is no workaround at this time. (REMT-8318)

Participant List shows incorrect mic status when Talkback is enabled before streaming: If the Organizer enables Talkback before the stream starts, the Participant List does not update correctly. Guest microphone indicators appear unmuted, even though Talkback mode has muted them. No workaround at this time. (REMT-8081)

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)

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)