You’ve heard us tease about becoming a Beta user where programmers can play with the latest enhancements from RCS and this week, we debuted some of the new features in Zetta 5.21.2. Beta users can access Zetta 5.21.2 today with an official release slated for February 2022. We demonstrated the new Zetta Content Manager securities, Hot Keys settings, Virtual Events, Zetta2GO and more! And who better to demonstrate these new enhancements than Martin Blazek, the Zetta Product Manager?
Starting with some security enhancements, Martin discussed how RCS is continuously evolving security across all RCS products. For example, in Zetta 5.21.2, we offer the option for administrators to enable a username and password for proper authorization when accessing Zetta Content Stores. Of course, there are additional advanced security measures put in place, but we’ll keep those to ourselves as to keep hackers on their toes.
Next, we discussed the brand-new Hot Keys settings, specifically the right-click options. Now, when a user edits a Hot Key, they have a centralized and expanded Hot Key options to adjust a label, color, type of event, play stream and more. This new drop down also acts as a multiple key changer with options to adjust a single key, row or column. The Event option is significant because now engineers have direct access to add macros and quickly curate a bank of non-audio triggers. We also demonstrated how some programmers can setup a Hot Key to be used as a navigation piece. They could define a “Open Hot Key Bank,” set the custom name and then include a return in the corresponding Hot Key Bank. It’s important to note Martin and the Zetta Team’s dedication to the user interface and experience. You’ll notice that throughout Zetta, we maintain the philosophy that there are users with various skillsets and with the simplicity of drag and drop or scalable customization with centralized options, we keep things easy for the user.
Another new feature to Zetta 5.21.2 is the introduction of Zetta Virtual Events. If you think of the programming side, there’s a lengthy file with multiple elements embedded within. For example, a 2-hour mix show with multiple songs featured throughout each segment or a live concert that requires a breakdown list of every song performed. Now, programmers can open the specific longform content, and then using the new Metadata | Marks subtab, define a location within the asset with either a specific element that’s already saved within Zetta or opt for a manual metadata placeholder for RDS purposes. In addition, Martin detailed how users can now skip or skim through the audio file, which allows for pinpoint accuracy when defining the start of an embedded new element. This is going to be a feature that many users are going to love to get their hands on!
As many of us continue to work from home, the RCS Zetta Team is continuously expanding on Zetta2GO and now, everyday users should start to see a blend of typical everyday Zetta workflows in Zetta2GO! We increased our Hot Keys dynamic performance to include dynamic real time changes, without the need of a refresh. As well as the functionality to add, edit or remove banks within Zetta2GO. Also, programmers can not only drag in the usual single log changes, but they can drag and drop multiple elements across different modules. For example, highlight multiple log positions with Control + Click or Shift + Click and drag them into a Hot Keys bank. Or select multiple Library assets to be featured in a Zetta2GO log. We even introduced keyboard navigation functionality, including using the up or down arrows to navigate the Log module, as well as options to cut, copy and paste. For full list of all the Zetta2GO enhancements, don’t forget to check out the Zetta 5.21.2 Release Notes!
Finally, Martin facilitated some user driven questions and it’s important to note that since Zetta can achieve the same result in multiple different ways, it’s always a good idea to ask an RCS professional with your workflow questions. There may be a specific workflow or workaround answer! In regard to this session, with the introduction of a new Zetta 5.21.2 enhancement, we helped a programmer identify how to voice track his Zetta Shows via Zetta2GO.
Again, we’re always looking for Beta users and if you’re looking to test our Zetta 5.21.2 or GSelector 5.0, ask your local RCS contact and we’ll add you to the Beta program! We have additional RCS Lives scheduled to showcase some of these new features, including a GSelector 5.0 session. You can always check out our RCS Archive at www.rcsworks.com/rcs-live or ask any question in real time during the next RCS Live, which airs every Thursday at 11am ET. We’re live on Facebook, Twitch, YouTube and Twitter Live!