Support

Raptor software subscriptions

Download this PDF document for information about Raptor software subscriptions and the computers you might use.

The current Raptor update is available below. Older Raptor updates are available on the Raptor update server

Raptor64 update v2025.9

Release highlights

  • (Software subscriptions) New feature: Raptor can now pause Windows Update for 6 months. If Windows Update is not paused, a yellow warning message appears at the bottom of the Raptor interface. Clicking this message pauses Windows Update, then displays when the pause will be lifted.
  • (Software subscriptions) _UpdateRaptor, our application that installs Raptor updates, now assists the user in running Windows Update after Raptor updates finish.
  • (Software subscriptions) Removed requirement for Windows to be restarted after installing a Raptor update on subscription Windows computers. However, Raptor decks running Windows Embedded still must be restarted after installing updates.
  • Fixed problem where some computers would not download Raptor64 v2025.8.
  • Fixed problem where starting Raptor with no Decklink attached, then very quickly closing application could result in a AV.
  • General performance and stability enhancements
  • For more details on these and other enhancements, please see the complete list of changes available here.

Notes

  • This update is for installation only on Raptor software subscriptions, On-Set Monitor, Raptor Quad 2 and Dual 2 decks.
  • This is a complete release, so it can be installed over any other Raptor version.
  • (Software subscriptions) Blackmagic Desktop Video v15.0 is supported in this release for software subscriptions. You may download the “Windows x86” driver from the Blackmagic website and install it on your computer.

Download update ZIP file, copy contents to flash drive

  • Click this link (Raptor64_v2025.9.zip) to download the update file.
  • (Quad 2, Dual 2 decks) Ensure deck is powered by a UPS (uninterruptable power supply) before performing an update.
    • (Quad 2, Dual 2 decks) If deck power is lost during the update process, deck could require repair by us in Burbank, CA. Do not update firmware while in the middle of a job.
  • Open the downloaded ZIP file, and copy every file inside to your freshly-formatted flash drive, and eject drive from your computer.
  • After trashing or ejecting the USB drive from your computer, please don’t remove drive until the activity light on the USB drive stops blinking.

Run _UpdateRaptor

  • With the computer or Raptor deck running, plug in the USB flash drive.
  • Launch Windows Explorer on the flash drive by pressing <Windows key> + “e”, then clicking the new drive letter representing your flash drive, probably “D:” or “E:” or “F:”, on the left side of the window.
  • Double-click on the _UpdateRaptor application, whose icon is a blue triangle on a gray square, to update the Raptor software. Raptor decks will restart, but subscription computers generally will not.
    • Do not interrupt Raptor decks during this restart.
  • After installing an update, subscription computers will suggest that Windows Update be checked for any available updates, since this should be a good time to install updates.
  • To verify that the update completed, please check that the title bar (at the top of the Raptor application) reports the updated version number.
  • The update is now complete, please remove the USB flash drive.

Raptor64 software subscription information

Recent Raptor64 changes

  • New feature: framelines can now be displayed as just corner markers. “OSD” / “Show on screen display controls window” now has “Corner markers” option in the settings for framelines A, B, C & D.
  • New “Options” / “Preferences” / “[Up arrow] always cues previous clip” menu item. With this, [up arrow] only cues the previous clip. Without this, and in previous versions, [up arrow] seeks to first in point in clip, if you’re already past that frame. Pressing it again seeks to head of clip, while a third press finally cues the previous clip. If the clip lacks in points and you press it while sitting on the first frame, it would cue the previous clip immediately. With this new option, users can always be confident what pressing [up arrow] will do.
  • Fixed [ctrl] + [up arrow] to now seek to the first in point in a sourcelist clip.
  • New hotkey: [ctrl] + [alt] + [up arrow] now seeks to the head of the clip (frame 0).
  • New hotkey: [ctrl] + “h” toggles the rehearsal checkbox.
  • New hotkey: [ctrl] + “k” toggles the pickup checkbox.
  • Fixed problem that could have occasionally prevented Raptor from cueing files for playback. This also fixed a rare problem where going to Live or Playback could cause the Raptor application to become non-responsive.
  • Fixed problem where file export might fail, reporting “Process not completed”.
  • New menu item: “Options” / “Preferences” / “Show warning if Mackie audio device not present at startup” alerts the user if the Mackie is not detected as Raptor starts.
  • Fixed problem where VFX on-screen display was being recorded into VFX files.
  • Fixed problem where hitting [left arrow] or [right arrow] or a number key during recording could cause the recording to be aborted.
  • Timecode stream is now included in processed loopthrough SDI, and recorded into all files to improve playback performance.
  • Renamed many instances of “Clean SDI” or “Clean stream” to “Main SDI” or “Main stream”, to avoid confusion about the purpose of the options.
  • New OSD option “Show recording in red” draws “Recording” text in white on a red background, to make it more obvious that recording is happening.
  • Raptors can now play more files than our file conversion was able to read, so file conversion is no longer offered during file import.
  • (Software subscriptions) 4K video! Raptor software subscriptions can now record and play 4 channels of SDI video at up to 4K UHD 60 (3840×2160) or 4K DCI 60 (4096×2160). 4K video support requires two Decklink 8K Pro G2 boards (each 8K board supports two channels of 4K SDI video), which can be mounted in a Sonnet Technologies Echo Express SEIIIe external Thunderbolt chassis, or 1-4 Ultrastudio 4K Mini Thunderbolt SDI I/O devices. A $1500 laptop with an Ultra 7 155H CPU can record or play 4 channels of 4K! 4K mixing and keying will be supported soon, and once they’re working, we’ll be better able to give computer hardware requirements.
  • (Software subscriptions) The “Ins” menu has been enhanced so Raptor subscriptions using one Blackmagic UltraStudio HD Mini or Blackmagic UltraStudio 4K Mini are now able to use the Component or Composite analog video inputs.
  • (Software subscriptions) The “Ins” menu now includes a “Blackmagic analog audio in” item, so Raptor subscriptions using one Blackmagic UltraStudio HD Mini or Blackmagic UltraStudio 4K Mini are now able to use the analog audio input on those devices.
  • Added the following note to “Help” / “File sharing” / “Help connecting to Raptor from a Mac” — If the Mac complains that your password is wrong, verify that the Mac’s system date is correct. A dead CMOS battery in a Mac can give a system date of April 1, 1976, which prevents it from accessing shared folders.
  • New feature: VFX background color can now be selected by clicking the colored box next to “BG color” at the top of the VFX tab.
  • Fixed “Options” / “Network master” to control other Raptor64 installations over a LAN.
  • New “Ins” / “Desqueeze anamorphic by scaling input” item for each video input. Click menu item, check checkbox and drag width and height sliders to scale incoming video.
  • New feature: Raptors now support the use of the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th gen USB audio I/O box as the analog audio I/O device.
  • New feature: Raptors now have a built-in test signal generator, showing smoothly moving boxes and a flashing background color, which can be enabled instead of using the actual video inputs.
  • New feature: Every video channel can be adjusted with proc amp controls either at the video input, so the changes are recorded into the file, or at the output, so changes are only seen in the SDI out and video window.
  • (Software subscriptions, Quad 2 decks) New feature: New Dual Modes – “2 SDI on left, 2 SDI on right”, and “1 SDI on left, 3 SDI on right”.
  • New feature: New Dual Mode window sizes – dual mode windows can now be sized so the left window takes up 70% of the screen width, and the right one takes 30%, or the split can be 60/40, 40/60, 30/70, or the existing 50/50.
  • New feature – camera inputs can now be rotated 1/4 turn right or left, with or without zooming out to see the entire frame. Rotate upside-down is still available, too.
  • New feature – camera inputs can now be mirrored side-to-side, for shooting the reflection of a mirror.
  • New feature – “Outs” / “Expand quadrant on output #1” (and 2, 3, and 4) lets user expand any quadrant (top left, top right, bottom left, bottom right) on any output in both input and output modes.
  • New feature – analog and embedded audio can be muted independently. There are separate checkboxes near audio level meters and separate items on “Outs” menu to set automatic muting.
  • New feature: Right-click a clip in the sourcelist shows the “Edit attributes menu”, which lets you rename or delete files, or change their properties, all without cueing them, or changing what the deck is currently doing. This works in Live, or while recording, playing or paused.
  • On-screen display can now show 4 separate framelines, each with it’s own size, position, and color.

Updates for older decks

The final updates for older decks can be found by clicking the links below, choosing the file you want, then clicking the “Download” button.

Raptor updates are always available on the Raptor update server or on the “Support” tab on the RaptorDDR.com website

Wi-Fi equipment notes

Ubiquiti UniFi Wi-Fi 7 or 6 access points and UniFi UCG-Ultra

As of 2024, this is our favorite on-set Wi-Fi solution.

If your idea of the perfect Wi-Fi setup includes one or more access points mounted on stands positioned around the set, then you will like this Ubiquiti UniFi system. UniFi offers Wi-Fi 7 and Wi-Fi 6 access points, which are managed by the UniFi Cloud Gateway (UCG-Ultra), and powered by PoE (power over Ethernet) injectors.
This setup allows your access point(s) to be positioned right by the Director, Script Supervisor, or other clients who need your Wi-Fi. Since they’re powered by PoE in your cart, each access point requires only a single Ethernet cable back to your cart.
This UniFi network is managed by the UniFi app on your phone or tablet.
As with the Alien routers, multiple UniFi access points can be configured to work together in your Wi-Fi network, and they support a wired backhaul for maximum performance.

➡️ Click here to download our setup instructions for a Ubiquiti UniFi UCG-Ultra and UniFi Wi-Fi 7 or 6 access points.

Ubiquiti AmpliFi Alien router

If you want Wi-Fi gear for Video Assist streaming that offers Wi-Fi 6, performs well, is easy to configure and use, and comes in a single piece, the Ubiquiti AmpliFi Alien router might be a great choice. Unfortunately, it runs from AC power, and you can’t disable the Wi-Fi on the unit at your cart, if you only want Wi-Fi out at the director’s cart.
It powers on in about 60 seconds, and has an LCD front panel showing a progress bar as it’s starting.  It includes 4 gigabit Ethernet ports on it’s back for attaching wired Ethernet devices, like your Raptor and Videohub.  Its initial setup and on-set monitoring are done from an app on your iPhone, iPad or Android phone or Android tablet.
The Alien router is a good choice if you want an “all-in-one” device that will live on your cart, and you have room on top of your cart for something 10″ tall and about 4.5″ across that looks like a swollen Pringles can.  It’s internal antennas are built into the top of the router, so works best sitting somewhere up high.  It’s powered by 120V AC, has an internal power supply, and comes with a removable 2-pin AC power cord like a Mac Mini.
If you need to cover more space, multiple Alien routers can be used together in a single network.  It also supports a wired backhaul for maximum performance.

➡️Click here to download our setup instructions for an Alien router.

Ubiquiti UniFi Wi-Fi 6 access points, UniFi cloud key, and EdgeRouter-X router

This is still a good on-set Wi-Fi solution, but the EdgeRouter-X is a little difficult to deal with. If you’re setting up a new system, use the UCG in the first instructions above, rather than this solution.

If your idea of the perfect Wi-Fi 6 setup includes access points mounted on stands positioned around the set, then you might prefer UniFi Wi-Fi 6 access points managed by a UniFi cloud key, and powered by PoE (power over Ethernet) injectors.  This setup also requires an EdgeRouter-X router, and could require a gigabit Ethernet switch.
This setup requires more gear in your cart — the cloud key, PoE injectors, router, and switch will live in your cart — but the access points can be positioned right by the Director, Script Supervisor, or other people who need the Wi-Fi signal.  Since they’re powered by PoE in your cart, each access point requires only a single Ethernet cable back to your cart.
A UniFi network like this isn’t as easy to setup or manage as a network based on an Alien router.  You’d manage the Access Points through the Cloud Key from a mobile browser, and if you need to manage the EdgeRouter-X, that’s also done from a mobile browser.
As with the Alien routers, multiple UniFi access points can be configured to work together in a single network, and they support a wired backhaul for maximum performance.

➡️ Click here to download our setup instructions for a Ubiquiti UniFi Wi-Fi 6 access points, UniFi cloud key, and EdgeRouter-X router.

Ruckus R710 and EdgeRouter-X

NOTE: We no longer recommend the use of the Ruckus R710 AP, as it is no longer competitive with many other Wi-Fi access points. Before finding the Ubiquiti Wi-Fi 6 products, we liked the Ruckus R710 access point and EdgeRouter-X as a Wi-Fi (not Wi-Fi 6) solution for streaming.  We believe that either of the previous Wi-Fi 6 solutions are better than using the Ruckus R710.
Click here to download our setup instructions for the Ruckus R710 and EdgeRouter-X.

➡️Click here to download our setup instructions for the Ruckus R710 and EdgeRouter-X.

FAQ


• How do I control a Videohub with my Raptor?

With the Smart Videohub series (the ones with AC power and a LCD monitor on the front panel), Blackmagic changed the way they’re controlled.  These Smart Videohubs can only be controlled over a LAN connection — the USB connection is there only for firmware updates.

Hook your deck and Smart Videohub together with a gigabit router (our suggested method), or by just plugging a LAN cable between them (if you have nothing else to connect to a LAN), and give them both time to get up and running.

Look in the “Info” panel at the bottom left corner of the Raptor’s GUI, and note it’s IP address.

Using it’s front panel, assign the Smart Videohub an IP address where the first three octets (first three numbers with dots between them  — like 192.168.1, or 169.254.200) match the IP address of your deck.  Then just pick any number between 10 and 250 for the last octet that’s different from what your deck has (I’d suggest using something between 200 and 250).

The subnet mask should remain “255.255.255.0”, and the gateway IP address doesn’t matter.

After doing that, I would power cycle the entire cart a few times, to ensure the deck controls the Smart Videohub each time it comes up.


• Raptor networking and streaming

For streaming to work, a Raptor must be hooked up (via wired ethernet) to a WiFi Access Point or WiFi router.

A DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server assigns IP addresses to all the devices on a network. By using DHCP, you’re able to easily ensure that your TCP/IP addresses will not conflict, and that all of your devices will be able to talk to each other.

NOTE: there can be only one DHCP server on any network.

Raptors, iPads, and most other networking devices support DHCP.  However, Videohubs can’t get their IP address from a DHCP server, so they must have an IP address assigned manually to work on a network.  For video assist needs, the big difference between a router and a switch or hub is that a router has a DHCP server in it.  A Ruckus R710 access point can also be configured to enable it’s internal DHCP server.

If you need to hook two of your carts together making a single network for file sharing, you must ensure there’s only one DHCP server (router) on the entire network.  If each cart has it’s own gigabit router, you should replace one of the routers with a gigabit switch.


• External drive formats

If you need to use an external disk on both a Mac and a Raptor, all Quad and Dual decks come with MacDrive software so they can read and write (non-RAID) HFS+ disks. Older, single-channel decks would need to use exFAT (which isn’t as robust as HFS+).

Also, if a drive isn’t being recognized, try plugging it into both the blue USB3 ports and the non-blue USB2 ports, and be sure to use the drive’s power supply, if it came with one.

If a disk will only be used with Raptors or other Windows devices, NTFS is a great drive format.

NOTE: APFS (Apple File System) is currently not recognized by any operating system other than MacOS, so Raptors cannot read APFS disks.


• Raptors and external drives

When a Raptor looks for files to add to the sourcelist, it first looks on the internal disk (in the E:\RXVideo folder), then it looks in the RXVideo folder on any USB-attached hard drives.  If it finds clips only on an external drive, it shows the camera ID for that clip as a lowercase letter, indicating that it will be played from an external disk.

If you’ve used “File” / “Backup or restore deck” to back up all of your files to a USB hard drive, and then deleted the original files from the internal disk, the deck will find and play your backup files directly from the USB hard drive, with all of the bookmarks, ins and outs, and other metadata.

So, you could back up a few files (or all the files) from the internal disk, disconnect the USB hard drive (so the files on the USB drive can’t possibly be deleted), and click “File” / “Delete all clips from this deck” to clear everything off the internal disk, to give yourself lots of room.

Before you delete any files, however, you should triple-check that you see an asterisk (*) in the “B” column on all of your files in your sourcelist.  That “*” indicates that a file is backed up.

Plus, I’d do a test delete of a few files, just to make sure there are no problems playing the files from the USB hard drive.  And, it’s smart to back up all of the files to a second USB hard drive before deleting any originals from the deck.
Get backup disks large enough to hold everything you expect to need.  Drives are always getting bigger and cheaper, but right now, there are 8TB and 10TB USB hard drives for a few hundred dollars.

If you get a WD external hard drive that works with their “Drive utilities” software, you can install it onto another computer, and use “Drive Utilities” to set the drive to never go to sleep.  That’s very important!  If your external drive goes to sleep, there will be a delay of a few seconds every time you try to play anything from the drive.

This same mechanism lets you back up all of the files on one deck, then move the USB hard drive to another deck, and have instant access to all of those files.

Tech notes

Raptor Quad, Dual, 3D and HD+

Raptor HDx

Raptor X and Raptor 50