The Backup System links a second PLAYDECK PC to your main playout machine (MAIN). That second PC (the Backup) keeps the same project as MAIN and can take over if MAIN fails.
Typical use: a spare machine that stays ready while MAIN runs the show. On the Backup PC you can run Lite, Plus, Studio, or a dedicated Backup Edition. After Validate, that PC copies MAIN’s edition features. A dedicated Backup Edition is optional; it adds the offline grace timer (see below).
In this article:
→ Requirements
→ Setup
→ Modes & project sync
→ Watermark & MAIN offline
→ License & deactivate
→ Tips
Requirements
| Role | License |
|---|---|
| MAIN | Lite, Plus, or Studio (shop, dongle, or offline). A Trial MAIN is fine if it is Trial Lite, Trial Plus, or Trial Studio. |
| Backup PC | Lite, Plus, Studio, or Backup Edition (paid or Trial Lite / Plus / Studio). |
Any of those editions can Validate and start a Backup session. After Validate, Backup copies MAIN’s edition features (channels, tools, limits).
MAIN must not be:
- in Edit Mode
- a Backup Edition license
- already a Backup Client (validated to another MAIN) — Validate will refuse that target
- an PLAYDECK build older than 4.3b7 (update both MAIN and BACKUP to use the same version)
Both PCs should use the same PLAYDECK version (or Backup newer than MAIN), and they must reach each other on the network. To try Backup System in Trial: use Trial Lite, Plus, or Studio on the Backup PC, then Validate against MAIN.
Setup
On MAIN
- Install and run PLAYDECK with your normal license.
- Activate Lite, Plus, Studio, or Backup Edition — or pick Lite / Plus / Studio in License → Change Trial Edition.
- Note MAIN’s IP address — from the Settings on MAIN.
You do not enable a special “Backup server” mode. With PLAYDECK running and the port open, MAIN is ready.
On the Backup PC
- Install PLAYDECK (same version as MAIN, or newer).
- Activate Backup Edition, or pick Backup Edition in License → Change Trial Edition.
- Open Application Settings → Backup System.
- Enter the IP address of Main System.
- Click Validate. PLAYDECK checks MAIN first. If the target is invalid (wrong IP, Backup Edition, another Backup Client, …), you get a message and the Backup session stays inactive.
- Confirm the restart when asked. Only after you confirm does Backup become active. After restart, Backup copies MAIN’s edition features (channels, tools, limits of Lite / Plus / Studio on MAIN).
- Choose how Backup should run (next section).
You can check the link in the window title or About — for example Backup COPY PLUS if MAIN is Plus.
Modes & project sync
Operation modes
After Validate you choose how Backup behaves while MAIN is online.
Standby until MAIN fails (COLD) — default
Low load. Good for a spare PC that stays on all the time. The project can stay synced from MAIN; playout stays stopped until MAIN goes offline, then Backup can take over.
If MAIN comes back while Backup is still playing after a failover, playout does not stop by itself (no sudden black). When MAIN is online again, use Return to Standby next to the COLD mode control (same style as Reload playlist from MAIN now). Settings close first, then Backup stops and returns to standby.
Sync playhead live (HOT)
While MAIN is online, Backup follows playhead and overlays about once per second — useful when the spare must stay on the same cue. Optional checkboxes can ignore incoming control and outgoing TCP / SCTE while MAIN is live, so Backup does not fight MAIN for control or send commands twice.
Project sync
During a Backup session, MAIN owns the playlist:
- Open / New / Save for project files are disabled on the Backup PC. The live playlist always comes from MAIN’s sealed mirror — not from Autosave.
- MAIN’s project is copied to a local mirror on Backup. When that mirror is applied depends on Reload:
| Option | When MAIN’s project is applied on Backup |
|---|---|
| Only during STOP/CUE (default) | When playout is stopped or cued (failover still always applies). |
| Immediately when MAIN updates | As soon as MAIN’s project changes. |
| Manually | Only when you use Reload playlist from MAIN now (failover still always applies). |
Watermark & MAIN offline
Watermark
| Situation | Watermark on Backup |
|---|---|
| Trial on Backup PC (any edition) | Yes (Trial) |
| Paid Backup Edition, not validated yet | Yes — until Validate succeeds |
| Paid Lite / Plus / Studio on Backup PC | No extra watermark from Backup System |
| Paid license, validated to a paid MAIN | No (unless this PC is still Trial) |
| Validated to a Trial MAIN | Features follow MAIN’s edition; watermark stays if this PC is still Trial |
When MAIN is offline
Backup is allowed to cover outages. If this PC runs a dedicated Backup Edition, PLAYDECK limits how long it may stay online without MAIN:
- If MAIN stays offline for 24 hours, PLAYDECK shows a warning and grants another 24 hours.
- If MAIN is still offline after that, PLAYDECK closes.
If this PC runs Lite, Plus, or Studio, that timer does not apply — you keep your own license; the Backup session simply stops following MAIN until MAIN is back (or you Deactivate).
When MAIN is online again, the offline countdown resets (Backup Edition only). Keeping Backup validated with MAIN reachable (especially in standby / COLD) is the normal long-running setup.
License & deactivate
While a Backup session is active, License Manager shows a short message: end the Backup session in Settings first (Deactivate + restart), then change licenses. That avoids mixing a copied MAIN license with a local checkout.
To end the session: Application Settings → Backup System → Deactivate. Follow and copied MAIN features stop after restart. MAIN IP and your mode / reload choices stay saved.
If the Backup license expires or you switch to a different dongle (for example Plus instead of Backup), PLAYDECK clears a leftover Backup session automatically on the next start.
Tips
- Point both PCs at the same media paths (or shared storage), or Backup opens a playlist with missing files. Use Locate once to pick a media root — PLAYDECK remembers it and searches it again on the next sync. On Backup you can Snooze until Restart on the Missing Files dialog to silence that popup for this session. Use Reload playlist from MAIN now when you need a fresh copy from MAIN.
- To copy a show (project + media) onto a stick without LAN: File → Export show package… on the prep PC, then File → Import show package… on the show PC. Missing media is resolved with Locate, not by rewriting paths in the XML. On a Backup session without Open/Save, Import still extracts files; the live playlist stays under MAIN sync. More information: Import / Export Show Package.
- Firewall: TCP 11411 from Backup → MAIN.
- Two machines that must playout independently at the same time still need two full licenses. Backup System is for follow + failover.
- To try the flow in Trial: License → Change Trial Edition → Lite, Plus, or Studio, then Validate (watermark stays).
