--- title: WATCHOUT 7 system licensing requirements description: How many WATCHOUT 7 licenses do I need and what nodes of my WATCHOUT 7 system require a license? --- [Skip to content](https://knowledge.dataton.com/knowledge/how-many-watchout-7-licenses-do-i-need-in-my-setup#main-content) English Show submenu for translations ![DATATON LOGO 2000.png\]](https://knowledge.dataton.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DATATON%20LOGO%202000.png?height=42&name=DATATON%20LOGO%202000.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - Contact us Contact us Hello. How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Knowledge Base](https://knowledge.dataton.com/knowledge?hsLang=en) 2. [WATCHOUT 7](https://knowledge.dataton.com/knowledge/watchout-7?hsLang=en) 3. [Licensing](https://knowledge.dataton.com/knowledge/watchout-7?hsLang=en#licensing) # WATCHOUT 7 system licensing requirements ## How many WATCHOUT 7 licenses do I need and what nodes of my WATCHOUT 7 system require a license? **The short answer: only media servers require a license. WATCHOUT Producer is free.** --- ### **The three components of a WATCHOUT 7 system** WATCHOUT 7 consists of three components. Each can run on a separate computer or be combined onto a single machine. **1. Producer** — the main application for building and programming WATCHOUT shows. → Free. No license required. **2. Media server** — delivers the show to outputs (screens, projectors, etc.). → Always requires a WATCHOUT 7 license. One license per media server. Each license supports up to 8x DCI 4K (70,778,880 pixels) across physical (GPU, SDI) or virtual (NDI) outputs. For larger pixel counts, add more licensed media servers. **3. Asset Manager** — prepares, organizes, and shares media assets (video, images, audio). → Free for basic use (HAP codec and still images). A license is required for advanced codecs (e.g. ProRes, H.264), 3D models, or audio support. If Asset Manager runs on the same machine as a media server, both share a single license — though this may affect playback performance and should be tested thoroughly. --- ### **Setup examples** A laptop used only for content management (running Producer) + one media server = **one license**, for the media server only. The laptop does not require a license. You would need a second license if you have a second media server, or if a separate machine running Asset Manager requires advanced codec support. **Using premium codecs?** If your workflow involves premium codecs such as ProRes or H.264, HEVC/H.265, the machine running Asset Manager also requires a license — even if it's only used for content preparation and not driving any outputs. In that case, the laptop in the example above *would* require its own license. Last Updated: 27 February 2026 - [WATCHOUT 7](https://knowledge.dataton.com/knowledge/watchout-7?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Installation](https://knowledge.dataton.com/knowledge/watchout-7?hsLang=en#installation) - [Stage & Display](https://knowledge.dataton.com/knowledge/watchout-7?hsLang=en#stage-display) - [WATCHPAX media servers](https://knowledge.dataton.com/knowledge/watchout-7?hsLang=en#watchpax-media-servers) - [Licensing](https://knowledge.dataton.com/knowledge/watchout-7?hsLang=en#licensing) - [WATCHOUT 6](https://knowledge.dataton.com/knowledge/watchout-6?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Capture](https://knowledge.dataton.com/knowledge/watchout-6?hsLang=en#capture) - [Dynamic Image Server](https://knowledge.dataton.com/knowledge/watchout-6?hsLang=en#dynamic-image-server) - [Graphics Card](https://knowledge.dataton.com/knowledge/watchout-6?hsLang=en#graphics-card) - [Network](https://knowledge.dataton.com/knowledge/watchout-6?hsLang=en#network) - [Operating System - Windows](https://knowledge.dataton.com/knowledge/watchout-6?hsLang=en#operating-system-windows) - [Video Encoding](https://knowledge.dataton.com/knowledge/watchout-6?hsLang=en#video-encoding) - [Timeline](https://knowledge.dataton.com/knowledge/watchout-6?hsLang=en#timeline) - [Control](https://knowledge.dataton.com/knowledge/watchout-6?hsLang=en#control) - [Installation](https://knowledge.dataton.com/knowledge/watchout-6?hsLang=en#installation) - [Audio](https://knowledge.dataton.com/knowledge/watchout-6?hsLang=en#audio) - [Camera Calibration](https://knowledge.dataton.com/knowledge/watchout-6?hsLang=en#camera-calibration) - [Synchronization](https://knowledge.dataton.com/knowledge/watchout-6?hsLang=en#synchronization) - [WATCHPAX](https://knowledge.dataton.com/knowledge/watchpax?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Audio interface](https://knowledge.dataton.com/knowledge/watchpax?hsLang=en#audio-interface) - [Network](https://knowledge.dataton.com/knowledge/watchpax?hsLang=en#network) - [Installation](https://knowledge.dataton.com/knowledge/watchpax?hsLang=en#installation) - [WATCHNET](https://knowledge.dataton.com/knowledge/watchnet?hsLang=en) [![DATATON LOGO 2000 black](https://knowledge.dataton.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DATATON%20LOGO%202000%20black.png?width=200&height=46&name=DATATON%20LOGO%202000%20black.png "DATATON LOGO 2000 black")](http://dataton.com) Need to register a support ticket? 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