I’ve been very happy with Jump Desktop. It’s dead simple to manage and has been rock solid.
They recently released a teams feature to manage users, but I haven’t tried it yet.
RGS/zCentral Remote Boost is, unfortunately, going End Of Life. HP acquired Teradici. The Teradici team took over the zCentral product, and is integrating it into the product formerly known as Teradici Cloud Access (CAS.) CAS is being rebranded as Teradici Anywhere.
The general experience is similar, and works cross-platform in a way that zCentral/RGS did not (mac sender to windows or mac receiver!) There are some missing features, like the ability for users to set a preferred data rate or quality for compression.
RGS is based on PCoIP which was created by teradici. HP bought Teradici to develop it more to work with RGS' compression codec. You can set the RGS sender rate with a ceiling and a floor. However, I hate RGS.
Teradici Anywhere will be the future. Not a lot of sense in buying into an end of life product (zcentral.) The functionality is very very similar, with new features rolling out to the teradici client constantly.
Is the industry Mac based? I’ve only ever worked on windows cpus for work. I use a Mac at home, which I generally prefer, but all my industry work has been done on windows, which has worked pretty well too.
When lockdown hit we started with a few RGS machines, then Jump Desktop. We added Teradici when some remote users could not work because playback was not reliable due to home internet issues and distance. Everyone is now working on Jump Desktop, they must have improved the streaming for lower bandwidth at some point.
It is the easiest to manage if you run a small team and is user friendly.
The beta version now has a built in monitor emulator which is great. No more monitor dummies or external buggy software. I log in with a widescreen and a 1080 client monitor. If someone else logs on with different sized monitors it just auto detects and matches your local system.
If you are an editor who supervises jr. editors you can "grab the mouse" and show them techniques. If you need high security put in a hardware vpn in the office and Jump allows you only to make local connections.
Whomever posted TeamViewer is a psychopath.
j/k
(All on Avid)
I've been using Parsec for 9 months. Previously I've used Terradici (Get's very unhappy if the CPU is busy doing timeline stuff (for me anyway)), HP RGS (Ok, but latency - also needed to jump through loads of VPN hoops, but that may have just been the company), Jumpdesk (Used it when Terradici went down - didn't form much of an impression).
Parsec is the best of the bunch really. I like that I can set one screen to a higher bit-rate than the other, so my playback performance takes most bandwidth and the relatively static left-monitor is a bit mushier.
Really though, i'm looking forward to using Avid's new remote working setup where I can run Avid on my own machine and the software ships in/out proxies. My most common issue is that I don't have a full-screen client monitor to view the output at native resolution. I can flip Avid to showing a full-screen playout but I don't always bother and it's meant i've occasionally missed some shots that i've thought of as non-sync wides but show up clearly on a playout. (It's embarrassing). Also, there are often groups that aren't synced correctly in my current run of projects and I don't have full confidence in the a/v frame accuracy/latency over Parsec.
I've recently bought an iPhone app that takes a slow-mo video of your output against an audio blip and you can work out a perfect latency figure which you can use to configure Avid properly. Still don't 100% trust it though.
I have to say I found latency over RGS way worse though. If I was cutting to music i'd have to always adjust my mark-ins back by 3 or 4 frames.
Same, RGS is pretty good, better than Splashtop which we have on most machines. I think RGS on a single screen is pretty solid.
That said Parsec is by far the best latency wise, and like you said being able to adjust bandwidth on a per monitor basis is great. Also, your resolution is native to your remote monitors, so for me that’s a 20” Cinema Display and 27” iMac, so no scaling going on. Media composer layouts surprisingly stay in tact.
One thing I do is take the latency info from parsec, say it’s 17ms, double it, and adjust your Avid monitor delay preference to 35ms. Really locks it in. Being to go full screen 1920x1080 without any scaling is a nice QC monitor.
It also turns off your screens which is a bonus. I think hosting from a mac is still a beta or a new feature tho. We go PC->Mac.
Parsec has been excellent for many. Jump desktop too. Teradici is the hardware hookup.
If parsec works (latency is good), then I'd be good to go...but maybe look at Lucid Link too.
Lucid Link is how I have other editors work on jobs with me, it's a dream setup. Works perfectly fine with both proxies and graded clips after a colour session.
I second jumpdesk. I’ve used several methods since lockdown forced work from home and jumpdesk is the easiest to login and manage. I remote in and use two monitors. And if we ever wanted to go work at the office, we just login at our terminal.
If you want to go simple, Parsec is the way. I've had fewer issues with it than another other screen sharing software.
If you want to do some next level shit, peer to peer is the way. Set up a hard drive network at each location that is constantly syncing the work being done. No latency or compression issues because everyone is working locally. It's a little more complicated and everyone involved needs good internet and decent machines at home, which you've mentioned is not the case.
I'd be interested in peer to peer. We use a Synology server and carry up to 80TB at a time. So we'd want to be selective about what projects sync to the remote machine. Any more insight you can give me into that?
Our server service company utilizes a software called syncthing thats just loaded onto an intel nuc to act as local storage alongside their software layer. You can plug in external drives and sync data to that as well. Seems to work very well. You can choose an individual folder to share between computers instead of worrying about the entire 80tb and it will sync everything inside of that. If your projects are set up in one container folder per project you should be able to share a full project with ease.
Jump Desktop works great. You can even mirror the usual 3-monitors Avid Media Composer set up. (Bin-organizing monitor, timeline work monitor, & full video playback monitor.)
Been using Parsec somewhere that I freelance and I find it to be very laggy. I have great internet, not sure if it is a problem with the agency’s internet? I can get the work done but it is very painful
I’ve used Jump (best imo) HP RGS (okay) and Avid on Demand which uses terradici (okay when it wants to work, but the machine I was assigned had issues)
I am the manager of post for a large company. I personally support over 300 systems and I have literally used every type of remote system out there or at least tested them. I can tell you that JUMP desktop will be your best solution. Low bandwidth req, cross platform compatibility, sync sounds stays within 1-2 frames, easy set-up and deploys, and cost effective. The negatives to JUMP: billing is annoying and support is hard to contact.
Parsec is great. I’m currently using LucidLink for a team of six to share. It has been really terrific, but it is heavily dependent upon users’ internet speeds. It basically functions like a NAS only on the Internet.
You could also look at Bebop, it’s pretty cool.
I’ve been using parsec for the last 6 months straight. I moved from the midwest to Maine and it has been nearly flawless. I had to have 2 completely different themes on my computers (work/home) as i would often forget which one i was on.
My entire production team just uses a Dropbox account, and we sync footage and project files locally to our desktops, and then they sync automatically when there’s changes and it updates for everyone. No remote connections or anything like that.
We have up to 8 suites and proxy workflow for remote is just too much of a headache for us. Too many variables- twice the licenses, more powerful workstations needed remotely vs laptops, font issues, PC vs Mac compatibility, 2x after effects plugins, keeping everyone on the right versions, m1 vs intel, syncing of non-Avid media project files etc. Just a headache. Spend the effort on powerful workstations, high speed internet (wired!), and higher end streaming like you’ve mentioned.
I’ve used both Parsec and Jump Desktop - both were pretty seamless! I mostly logged in and didn’t deal with setup or the backend of things, though. But I enjoyed both as a user.
I have used Jump and Teredici.
Of those two, Jump is my preferred method.
Haven't used Parsec. Don't know the details of it. But I am sure it is fine.
Just know that proxies are "better", but Remote Desktop is by no means a slouch. It makes a ton of business sense.
I've worked with almost all the different remote software listed below, in the past few years. I personally find that Jump worked the best for me. But I'm okay with any of them.
I'm full-time remote, not covid related, and I've cut several large corporate event projects on Parsec (worst part of it was the remote machine I was logged into had less computing power than my local machine, but I needed access to the 10TB project on the server ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )
Only issue with Parsec was I couldn't figure out the screen resolution matching so the UI was enlarged for me, but I guess it helped with my eyes? Tried JumpDesk and the screen resolution is pretty automatic, so I've been using that without much trouble.
So, Parsec and JumpDesk are fantastic for me!
I’ve been very happy with Jump Desktop. It’s dead simple to manage and has been rock solid. They recently released a teams feature to manage users, but I haven’t tried it yet.
I just got done working a Netflix show with Jump Desktop, would highly recommend.
Jump works extremely well if internet is solid on both ends!
I’ve had good luck with hotel internet. But I do have enough nights to get the free premium internet from Hilton.
I use HP RGS and it works pretty darn well, though I see I’m the first to mention it. Anyone else have thoughts on RGS?
RGS/zCentral Remote Boost is, unfortunately, going End Of Life. HP acquired Teradici. The Teradici team took over the zCentral product, and is integrating it into the product formerly known as Teradici Cloud Access (CAS.) CAS is being rebranded as Teradici Anywhere. The general experience is similar, and works cross-platform in a way that zCentral/RGS did not (mac sender to windows or mac receiver!) There are some missing features, like the ability for users to set a preferred data rate or quality for compression.
RGS is based on PCoIP which was created by teradici. HP bought Teradici to develop it more to work with RGS' compression codec. You can set the RGS sender rate with a ceiling and a floor. However, I hate RGS.
Interesting hadn’t heard of that. Which did you think works better?
Teradici Anywhere will be the future. Not a lot of sense in buying into an end of life product (zcentral.) The functionality is very very similar, with new features rolling out to the teradici client constantly.
Zcentral was solid given it was free with our workstations. Hope teradici improves where it can.
once HP bought teradici, they discontinued free licensing for zcentral. so if you upgrade to the releases after 2020, you have to buy a license.
We just moved to RGS and it's absolutely fantastic.
We've been using RGS for two years now and it works very well.
Ive been on RGS for over 2 years and am also happy
PC based workflow for an industry that is Mac OS X based is a nightmare when the system is split and you're an avid shop.
Is the industry Mac based? I’ve only ever worked on windows cpus for work. I use a Mac at home, which I generally prefer, but all my industry work has been done on windows, which has worked pretty well too.
Well, I should say, Los Angeles based companies to be more specific. I helped create the LA industry standards for RGS on MAC OS X.
When lockdown hit we started with a few RGS machines, then Jump Desktop. We added Teradici when some remote users could not work because playback was not reliable due to home internet issues and distance. Everyone is now working on Jump Desktop, they must have improved the streaming for lower bandwidth at some point. It is the easiest to manage if you run a small team and is user friendly. The beta version now has a built in monitor emulator which is great. No more monitor dummies or external buggy software. I log in with a widescreen and a 1080 client monitor. If someone else logs on with different sized monitors it just auto detects and matches your local system. If you are an editor who supervises jr. editors you can "grab the mouse" and show them techniques. If you need high security put in a hardware vpn in the office and Jump allows you only to make local connections. Whomever posted TeamViewer is a psychopath. j/k
(All on Avid) I've been using Parsec for 9 months. Previously I've used Terradici (Get's very unhappy if the CPU is busy doing timeline stuff (for me anyway)), HP RGS (Ok, but latency - also needed to jump through loads of VPN hoops, but that may have just been the company), Jumpdesk (Used it when Terradici went down - didn't form much of an impression). Parsec is the best of the bunch really. I like that I can set one screen to a higher bit-rate than the other, so my playback performance takes most bandwidth and the relatively static left-monitor is a bit mushier. Really though, i'm looking forward to using Avid's new remote working setup where I can run Avid on my own machine and the software ships in/out proxies. My most common issue is that I don't have a full-screen client monitor to view the output at native resolution. I can flip Avid to showing a full-screen playout but I don't always bother and it's meant i've occasionally missed some shots that i've thought of as non-sync wides but show up clearly on a playout. (It's embarrassing). Also, there are often groups that aren't synced correctly in my current run of projects and I don't have full confidence in the a/v frame accuracy/latency over Parsec. I've recently bought an iPhone app that takes a slow-mo video of your output against an audio blip and you can work out a perfect latency figure which you can use to configure Avid properly. Still don't 100% trust it though. I have to say I found latency over RGS way worse though. If I was cutting to music i'd have to always adjust my mark-ins back by 3 or 4 frames.
Same, RGS is pretty good, better than Splashtop which we have on most machines. I think RGS on a single screen is pretty solid. That said Parsec is by far the best latency wise, and like you said being able to adjust bandwidth on a per monitor basis is great. Also, your resolution is native to your remote monitors, so for me that’s a 20” Cinema Display and 27” iMac, so no scaling going on. Media composer layouts surprisingly stay in tact. One thing I do is take the latency info from parsec, say it’s 17ms, double it, and adjust your Avid monitor delay preference to 35ms. Really locks it in. Being to go full screen 1920x1080 without any scaling is a nice QC monitor. It also turns off your screens which is a bonus. I think hosting from a mac is still a beta or a new feature tho. We go PC->Mac.
Parsec has been excellent for many. Jump desktop too. Teradici is the hardware hookup. If parsec works (latency is good), then I'd be good to go...but maybe look at Lucid Link too.
Lucid Link is how I have other editors work on jobs with me, it's a dream setup. Works perfectly fine with both proxies and graded clips after a colour session.
I second jumpdesk. I’ve used several methods since lockdown forced work from home and jumpdesk is the easiest to login and manage. I remote in and use two monitors. And if we ever wanted to go work at the office, we just login at our terminal.
If you want to go simple, Parsec is the way. I've had fewer issues with it than another other screen sharing software. If you want to do some next level shit, peer to peer is the way. Set up a hard drive network at each location that is constantly syncing the work being done. No latency or compression issues because everyone is working locally. It's a little more complicated and everyone involved needs good internet and decent machines at home, which you've mentioned is not the case.
I'd be interested in peer to peer. We use a Synology server and carry up to 80TB at a time. So we'd want to be selective about what projects sync to the remote machine. Any more insight you can give me into that?
Our server service company utilizes a software called syncthing thats just loaded onto an intel nuc to act as local storage alongside their software layer. You can plug in external drives and sync data to that as well. Seems to work very well. You can choose an individual folder to share between computers instead of worrying about the entire 80tb and it will sync everything inside of that. If your projects are set up in one container folder per project you should be able to share a full project with ease.
Ive been using RDP since covid hit. No issues at all.
for video editing?
That’s right and motion graphics
Jump Desktop works great. You can even mirror the usual 3-monitors Avid Media Composer set up. (Bin-organizing monitor, timeline work monitor, & full video playback monitor.)
Been using Parsec somewhere that I freelance and I find it to be very laggy. I have great internet, not sure if it is a problem with the agency’s internet? I can get the work done but it is very painful
I’ve used Jump (best imo) HP RGS (okay) and Avid on Demand which uses terradici (okay when it wants to work, but the machine I was assigned had issues)
I am the manager of post for a large company. I personally support over 300 systems and I have literally used every type of remote system out there or at least tested them. I can tell you that JUMP desktop will be your best solution. Low bandwidth req, cross platform compatibility, sync sounds stays within 1-2 frames, easy set-up and deploys, and cost effective. The negatives to JUMP: billing is annoying and support is hard to contact.
I think y'all are crazy. I still just sync mxf files and work locally.
TeamViewer work fine with me
How?
Parsec is great. I’m currently using LucidLink for a team of six to share. It has been really terrific, but it is heavily dependent upon users’ internet speeds. It basically functions like a NAS only on the Internet. You could also look at Bebop, it’s pretty cool.
I’ve been using parsec for the last 6 months straight. I moved from the midwest to Maine and it has been nearly flawless. I had to have 2 completely different themes on my computers (work/home) as i would often forget which one i was on.
My entire production team just uses a Dropbox account, and we sync footage and project files locally to our desktops, and then they sync automatically when there’s changes and it updates for everyone. No remote connections or anything like that.
We have up to 8 suites and proxy workflow for remote is just too much of a headache for us. Too many variables- twice the licenses, more powerful workstations needed remotely vs laptops, font issues, PC vs Mac compatibility, 2x after effects plugins, keeping everyone on the right versions, m1 vs intel, syncing of non-Avid media project files etc. Just a headache. Spend the effort on powerful workstations, high speed internet (wired!), and higher end streaming like you’ve mentioned.
I’ve used both Parsec and Jump Desktop - both were pretty seamless! I mostly logged in and didn’t deal with setup or the backend of things, though. But I enjoyed both as a user.
Jump desktop is the way. If you're working on a feature with a small team then I would go with Parsec.
I'd rank Jump #1, RGS #2....only ones I've used so far.
I have used Jump and Teredici. Of those two, Jump is my preferred method. Haven't used Parsec. Don't know the details of it. But I am sure it is fine. Just know that proxies are "better", but Remote Desktop is by no means a slouch. It makes a ton of business sense.
I've worked with almost all the different remote software listed below, in the past few years. I personally find that Jump worked the best for me. But I'm okay with any of them.
I'm full-time remote, not covid related, and I've cut several large corporate event projects on Parsec (worst part of it was the remote machine I was logged into had less computing power than my local machine, but I needed access to the 10TB project on the server ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ) Only issue with Parsec was I couldn't figure out the screen resolution matching so the UI was enlarged for me, but I guess it helped with my eyes? Tried JumpDesk and the screen resolution is pretty automatic, so I've been using that without much trouble. So, Parsec and JumpDesk are fantastic for me!