This topic explains the licensing of HOME Apps.

Overview

The usage of HOME Apps is handled through a series of licenses that are managed by HOME.

Firstly, each app requires a selection of licenses: to run the basic functionality (of the app), configure its I/O (signal streams) and enable any optional features. Secondly, a HOME Pass is required for the configuration and control (of the app) from HOME.

In most cases, the individual licenses are supported by the Lawo Flex licensing model. This means that each app can be licensed using perpetual licenses (of a certain type), an equivalent amount of credits (assigned from a Lawo Flex subscription), or a mixture of both: perpetual licenses + credits. The allocations are made automatically, by HOME, when the user starts an app. By default, HOME allocates all available perpetual licenses first, and then tops up using credits. If you wish to use only perpetual licenses, or only credits, then this can be done by changing the License Type of the app.

When an app is stopped, its perpetual licenses and credits are released back into the pool of available licenses (in HOME). Users can check what's available, for the entire HOME system, from the 'Licenses' page and Perpetual or Credits tab. 

Please note: While perpetual licenses are valid for apps (or app features) of the same type, credits can be used for any licensed resource that is managed by HOME and supported by Lawo Flex. In addition, credits can be removed (from HOME) and returned to the original subscription (in the customer's Lawo Flex account), a process known as a revoke. This makes it possible to transfer credits between HOME systems when, for example, an OB van or studio is not in use. 

Advantages of the Licensing Model

The flexible licensing of HOME Apps has significant advantages for the customer.

Firstly, the licenses (to run each app or app feature) are only required when an app is operational. This allows users to create many more instances of an app than there are licenses available for. For example, there can be 10 different Multiviewer apps, with different configurations, and only three MV perpetual licenses. In this instance, the user can start any three Mulitiviewer apps at any time. If an additional Multiviewer is required, HOME will automatically allocate some of the system's available credits. If not enough credits are available, or the user wishes to switch to a permanent perpetual license, then more perpetual licenses can be added (by uploading a new licensing file).

Secondly, the user is able to easily delete and create new instances of apps, without needing to take any corrective action (regarding the licensing).

Thirdly, the licenses are independent of the app server(s). This means that apps can be started on any available app server providing that there is sufficient capacity (on the target server) and enough available perpetual licenses or credits (on the HOME system).

In addition, when using credits to license apps:

  • Users can re-use the same credits across all kinds of apps. For example: Production 1 (at 13:00 hours) uses 22 credits for a MV App. When this production ends, the user can stop the MV App and spin-up another app for Production 2 (at 14:30 hours) using the same 22 credits (released from Production 1).
  • Users can revoke (and re-use) credits from a system that is out of use. For example: Truck 1 is parked up or in transit and additional credits are required for a production in Truck 2. Using the licensing portal, a user can revoke credits from Truck 1, and assign them to Truck 2. This can be done either a manual basis or by setting an Auto Revoke date. For more information about this feature, please see Lawo Flex - Revoke Credits from HOME.
  • Users can trial apps of different types by using credits that are not in use. This makes it possible to try out new workflows before committing to a new order of perpetual licenses or Lawo Flex subscription.

Ordering Information

Perpetual licenses can be ordered using the part numbers listed in the Available License Options table.

If credits are to be used, then a sufficient amount of credits must be assigned (to HOME) from an active Lawo Flex subscription (using the Lawo Licensing portal at my.lawo.com).

In each case, the licenses are only required when the user starts an app. Licenses are not required for apps that are configured but inactive.

How many licenses do I need?

The total licensing requirement for an app is dependent on its configuration. i.e. the number and type of I/O (signal streams) and any optional features.

In the example below, a HOME Multiviewer is configured with 9 PIPs (video inputs). This means that the following perpetual licenses are required OR an equivalent amount of credits:

  • 1x HOME Pass - permits the configuration and control of the app (from HOME).
  • 9x Input* - defines the app's input receivers (to stream signals to the app).
  • 1x MV - runs the basic functionality of the app.
  • 1x Output* - defines the app's output senders (to stream signals from the app).

*The Input and Output licenses come in different types to support a variety of signal streaming formats: SMPTE 2110-20 (uncompressed), SMPTE 2110-22 (JPEG-XS), etc.

If the configuration expands (e.g. more inputs are added), then the app requires more perpetual licenses (of a certain type) or the equivalent amount of credits.

Important: Some of the Input and Output licenses are supported by perpetual licenses only, and cannot be enabled using credits. To check which options are supported by Lawo Flex, please refer to HOME Apps - Available License Options.

All HOME Apps systems are delivered with enough HOME Pass perpetual licenses to run the individual app instances and app server(s). This means that the HOME Pass for an app is usually fulfilled by one of the included perpetual licenses. A HOME Pass can also be achieved using credits if, for example, the HOME Pass perpetual licenses are assigned elsewhere or the app's License Type is set to credits.

How to check the number of licenses

The exact number of licenses required to run any particular app instance can be checked from the app's 'Device → General' settings page or from the 'Start App' dialog. Both methods are described here.

Perpetual Licenses vs Credits

While perpetual licenses are valid for apps (or app features) of the same type, credits can be used for any licensed resource that is managed by HOME and supported by Lawo Flex. How this works in practice is best explained using some examples.

Using Perpetual Licenses

Perpetual licenses provide permanent access to specific functionality of HOME or HOME Apps. Once installed, the perpetual license is locked to a specific HOME system and cannot be moved.

Within HOME Apps, each perpetual license is bound to a particular app type or feature. This means that:

  • A MV (multiviewier) perpetual license is valid for any multiviewer app instance, but cannot be used to run a different type of app: DSK, UDX, etc.
  • An Input or Output perpetual license is valid for a specific streaming format e.g. SMPTE 2110-20 (uncompressed). It can be used within any app that supports that format: MV, DSK, UDX, etc.

Using Credits

Credits offer an alternative method to license an app. They can be used for any licensed resource that is managed by HOME, and are assigned on a temporary basis (where the renewal can be automated if the underlying subscription allows for a next lifecycle).

Unlike perpetual licenses, credits are not bound to any particular app or feature, and can be assigned to any HOME system that is linked to the customer's Lawo Flex account. This means that:

  • Credits can be used to start apps (or app features) of any type.
  • Credits can be used to enable licensed features in a different device.
  • Credits can be transferred between HOME systems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

This section answers more questions about the licensing of HOME Apps.

How are the licenses allocated by HOME?

When the user starts an app, HOME searches for the required perpetual licenses and/or credits. If the app's License Type is set to the auto (default) state, then HOME allocates all available perpetual licenses first and then tops up with credits. If you wish to use only perpetual licenses, or only credits, then this can be done by changing the License Type of the app.

When an app is stopped, its perpetual licenses and credits are released back into the pool of available licenses (in HOME). Users can check what's available for entire HOME system from the 'Licenses' page and Perpetual or Credits tab.

Where are the licenses stored?

Both perpetual licenses and credits are managed by HOME and are "locked" to the HOME system ID. While perpetual licenses are stored (by HOME) on a permanent basis, credits are assigned (to HOME) on a temporary or rolling basis according to the expiry or renewal of the underlying subscription.

To add more perpetual licenses to a HOME system, you will need to order the relevant licenses and then upload the new licensing (*.lic) files.

To get started with credits, you will need a Lawo Flex account and access to the Lawo Licensing portal. Once the Lawo Flex account is set up, users can assign credits (from an active subscription) to any HOME system that is linked to the account. 

Important:

When using credits, it is important to understand that all credits have a default validity period that must be refreshed to ensure their continued use. If HOME has an online connection to the licensing cloud, then this happens automatically (24 hours before the date of renewal). However, if HOME is disconnected from the licensing cloud, then a credit refresh must be performed manually from HOME's 'Licenses → Credits' page (as described here).

What if there are not enough available licenses?

If an app is configured but not running, then the total licensing requirement is shown in the 'Start App' dialog. If there are not enough perpetual licenses or credits, then a warning indicator appears beside the licenses or credits icon. You can hover over the icons to see how many perpetual licenses or credits are missing. In this instance, you will need to resolve the licensing issue, otherwise the app will fail to start.

If an app is already running, and the current usage exceeds the available perpetual licenses and credits, then there is no immediate change to the operation of the app. Any apps that are already started will continue to run in their current state. This allows productions to be completed. The change in usage only becomes relevant once an app is stopped, or the entire system / app server is shutdown. In this instance, the app cannot be started again until the licensing issue is resolved. To alert the user that some action needs to be taken, the affected apps are marked as Unlicensed in HOME's 'Devices' list. In addition, if the licensing issue is due to missing credits, then two red warnings are displayed: Exceeding Credits (beside the Health icon) and a Critical Error banner (at the bottom of the page).

Resolving Unlicensed Apps

If the Exceeding Credits alert is visible, start by opening the 'Licenses → Credits' page to see how many credits are missing (in total).

Then check the licensing configuration for the individual device(s) or app(s). 

If there are not enough available perpetual licenses or credits, then there are four possible courses of action:

Further Information

The rest of this chapter provides more information about the licensing of HOME Apps: