Serato Video General Discussion

Talk about Serato Video and Video-SL.

Update the Serato Video Manual for SDJ. Please.

Marv Incredible 5:04 PM - 14 June, 2014
Every now and then you'll hear me tell someone to RT[F]M before they ask what are often the most basic of questions that a quick read of the manual would fix.

So today when I had some questions of my own I naturally went straight to the manual. But not only can I not seem to find some of the things I'm looking for, there are quite a few confusing and dated entries.

For a start, the entire manual is given over to referencing Scratch LIVE and ITCH, but I haven't even found a mention of Serato DJ.

Right from the introduction, it talks about SV being a plugin for SSL or ITCH and only lists Scratch Live 2.4 / ITCH 2.2 and above in the System Requirements and under Hardware, it lists Scratch Live compatible Rane hardware device/mixer or supported ITCH controller -- no mention of any SDJ or its controllers.

This wouldn't be so bad except there seem to be at least one feature/option available in SV for ITCH or SSL that does not appear to be in SV for SDJ. 'Enable Audio Effects' for example.
In SSL, I used to check a box in the setup options to enable this awesome feature, but, even though the manual is telling me there ought to be one, there is no check box option in SDJ.

I assume Serato are well aware the manual needs updating and are working on it, but can anyone give me some idea of when we can expect to see it? After all, SV for SDJ has been out for quite some time now and it's going to be awkward telling people to RTFM when the manual itself is wrong. I could end up looking silly.

So..please...F[fix]TFM...so I can confidently continue to tell people to read it. :)
Marv Incredible 5:12 PM - 14 June, 2014
I should add that it did occur to me that the manual I was reading was old or that there was a specific manual for SDJ but it's v1.1 and the only option given to you when you choose it from the download page.

Interestingly, even that page is a bit confusing as SV now appears to be bundled with any SDJ download, but must be downloaded separately for SSL or ITCH.

This is all beginning to feel a bit messy tbh so good luck to whoever has to sort it all out. :)
Marv Incredible 11:40 AM - 10 August, 2014
bump
Serato, Support
Aaron E 4:05 AM - 13 August, 2014
Hey Marv Incredible

Which manual are you downloading? This one is all up to date: serato.com

While I was looking though, I did notice that the Serato Video 1.1 manual seems to be missing (which is the most up to date for Scratch Live and ITCH). I'll get that sorted.

Yes, I agree it is all a little confusing with the two versions now - one bundled with Serato DJ and the other a separate download for SSL and ITCH, but that's the nature of being in transition between two paradigms. We're confident users are ending up with the right setup, but may get a little confused along the way. This should all get clearer as more people adopt the new SDJ platform.

Cheers
Aaron
Marv Incredible 7:35 PM - 13 August, 2014
Cool. That's definitely a different document on the download page than the one I was getting when I first posted. That was the confusing part; I was expecting to get a video manual for Serato DJ but was only getting the SSL/ITCH version. It was simply called Serato Video User Maual and was version 1.0 (because it said so on the front page).

Funny thing is, I've also got a Serato Video manual for SDJ 1.6.3 and now this newer one but I can't find a version number on either of these documents. I don't know if that was an intentional omission or just an oversight, but I'm bringing it to your attention just in case 'cos pimpin manuals ain't easy! lol.
Serato, Support
Aaron E 12:14 AM - 14 August, 2014
Quote:
I don't know if that was an intentional omission or just an oversight, but I'm bringing it to your attention just in case 'cos pimpin manuals ain't easy! lol.


Haha, totally!

Yes, we did a full review of our manuals about 6 months ago and made a bunch of 'we want to go there' decisions. With Serato Video it got a bit complicated due to the new bundling with SDJ, coupled with the continued support of SV 1.1 for Scratch Live and ITCH.

It all still feels a bit transitiony, but yes, leaving the version number off all manuals was a considered decision and will be consistent across all manuals and Quickstart Guides going forward.

Thanks for your input man, I don't get to talk through this kind of stuff with our users much :)