diff --git a/.azure.yml b/.azure.yml
index 74604fea..27bacf46 100644
--- a/.azure.yml
+++ b/.azure.yml
@@ -1,5 +1,11 @@
 jobs:
+
+######################
+###### Linux #########
+######################
+
 - job: Linux
+  timeoutInMinutes: 120
   pool:
     vmImage: 'ubuntu-16.04'
   strategy:
@@ -7,9 +13,11 @@ jobs:
       AMD64 (x64):
         dockerTag: 'amd64'
         dockerName: 'Debian Stretch (AMD64)'
+        platform: 'x11'
       i386 (x86):
         dockerTag: 'i386'
         dockerName: 'Debian Stretch (i386)'
+        platform: 'x11'
       ARMv6hf (Raspberry Pi v1 & ZERO):
         dockerTag: 'armv6hf'
         dockerName: 'Debian Stretch (Raspberry Pi v1 & ZERO)'
@@ -22,27 +30,122 @@ jobs:
         dockerTag: 'aarch64'
         dockerName: 'ARMv8 (Generic AARCH64)'
         platform: 'amlogic'
+
   steps:
-  - checkout: self
-    submodules: recursive
+  - checkout: self # represents the repo where the initial Pipelines YAML file was found
+    submodules: recursive # set to 'recursive' to get submodules of submodules
+
+  # read channel tag in version.json
+  - task: oneLuckiDevJson2Variable@1
+    inputs:
+      jsonFile: 'version.json'
+      shouldPrefixVariables: true
+      variablePrefix: 'json'
+    displayName: 'Read and generate pipeline variables'
+
+  # build process
   - bash: ./.ci/ci_build.sh
     displayName: 'Build $(dockerName)'
     env:
       DOCKER_TAG: $(dockerTag)
       DOCKER_NAME: $(dockerName)
       PLATFORM: $(platform)
-  - bash: ./.ci/ci_deploy.sh
-    displayName: 'Upload $(dockerName)'
+
+  # copy files
+  - bash: 'cp -v deploy/Hyperion.NG-* $(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)'
+    workingDirectory: '$(Build.SourcesDirectory)'
+    condition: and(succeeded(), ne(variables['system.pullrequest.isfork'], true), startsWith(variables['Build.SourceBranch'], 'refs/tags/'))
+    displayName: 'Collecting deployable artifacts'
+
+  # publish artifacts
+  - task: PublishBuildArtifacts@1
+    inputs:
+      pathtoPublish: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)'
+      ArtifactName: $(dockerTag)
+    condition: and(succeeded(), ne(variables['system.pullrequest.isfork'], true), startsWith(variables['Build.SourceBranch'], 'refs/tags/'))
+    displayName: 'Publish deployables artifacts'
+
+  # set release to pre-release
+  - bash: echo '##vso[task.setvariable variable=preRelease;]true'
+    condition: and(succeeded(), contains(variables['json.channel'], 'beta'), ne(variables['system.pullrequest.isfork'], true), startsWith(variables['Build.SourceBranch'], 'refs/tags/'))
+    displayName: 'Mark beta as pre-release'
+
+  # create or update github release
+  - task: GithubRelease@0
+    inputs: 
+      gitHubConnection: Hyperion.NG
+      repositoryName: $(Build.Repository.Name)
+      action: edit
+      target: $(Build.SourceVersion)
+      tagSource: manual
+      tag: $(Build.SourceBranchName)
+      assets: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)/*'
+      assetUploadMode: 'replace'
+      addChangeLog: false
+      isPreRelease: $(preRelease)
+    condition: and(succeeded(), ne(variables['system.pullrequest.isfork'], true), startsWith(variables['Build.SourceBranch'], 'refs/tags/'))
+    displayName: Create/Update GitHub release
+
+######################
+###### macOS #########
+######################
 
 - job: macOS
+  timeoutInMinutes: 120
   pool:
     vmImage: 'macOS-10.13'
+
   steps:
-  - checkout: self
-    submodules: recursive
+  - checkout: self # represents the repo where the initial Pipelines YAML file was found
+    submodules: recursive # set to 'recursive' to get submodules of submodules
+
+  # read channel tag in version.json
+  - task: oneLuckiDevJson2Variable@1
+    inputs:
+      jsonFile: 'version.json'
+      shouldPrefixVariables: true
+      variablePrefix: 'json'
+    displayName: 'Read and generate pipeline variables'
+
+  # install dependencies
   - bash: ./.ci/ci_install.sh
     displayName: 'Install dependencies'
+
+  # build process
   - bash: ./.ci/ci_build.sh
     displayName: 'Build macOS 10.13'
-  - bash: ./.ci/ci_deploy.sh
-    displayName: 'Upload macOS 10.13'
+
+  # copy files
+  - bash: 'cp -v build/Hyperion.NG-* $(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)'
+    workingDirectory: '$(Build.SourcesDirectory)'
+    condition: and(succeeded(), ne(variables['system.pullrequest.isfork'], true), startsWith(variables['Build.SourceBranch'], 'refs/tags/'))
+    displayName: 'Collecting deployable artifacts'
+
+  # publish artifacts
+  - task: PublishBuildArtifacts@1
+    inputs:
+      pathtoPublish: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)'
+      ArtifactName: 'macos'
+    condition: and(succeeded(), ne(variables['system.pullrequest.isfork'], true), startsWith(variables['Build.SourceBranch'], 'refs/tags/'))
+    displayName: 'Publish deployables artifacts'
+
+  # set release to pre-release
+  - bash: echo '##vso[task.setvariable variable=preRelease;]true'
+    condition: and(succeeded(), contains(variables['json.channel'], 'beta'), ne(variables['system.pullrequest.isfork'], true), startsWith(variables['Build.SourceBranch'], 'refs/tags/'))
+    displayName: 'Mark beta as pre-release'
+
+  # create or update github release
+  - task: GithubRelease@0
+    inputs: 
+      gitHubConnection: Hyperion.NG
+      repositoryName: $(Build.Repository.Name)
+      action: edit
+      target: $(Build.SourceVersion)
+      tagSource: manual
+      tag: '$(Build.SourceBranchName)'
+      assets: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)/*'
+      assetUploadMode: 'replace'
+      addChangeLog: false
+      isPreRelease: $(preRelease)
+    condition: and(succeeded(), ne(variables['system.pullrequest.isfork'], true), startsWith(variables['Build.SourceBranch'], 'refs/tags/'))
+    displayName: Create/Update GitHub release
diff --git a/.ci/ci_build.sh b/.ci/ci_build.sh
index 016dae6e..29a8638d 100755
--- a/.ci/ci_build.sh
+++ b/.ci/ci_build.sh
@@ -14,47 +14,28 @@ else
 	CI_NAME="$(uname -s | tr '[:upper:]' '[:lower:]')"
 fi
 
-# set environment variables
-BUILD_TYPE="Debug"
-PACKAGES=""
-[ -z "${PLATFORM}" ] && PLATFORM="x11"
-
-# Detect number of processor cores
-# default is 4 jobs
-if [[ "$CI_NAME" == 'osx' || "$CI_NAME" == 'darwin' ]]; then
-	JOBS=$(sysctl -n hw.ncpu)
-	PLATFORM=osx
-elif [[ "$CI_NAME" == 'linux' ]]; then
-	JOBS=$(nproc)
-fi
-echo "compile jobs: ${JOBS:=4}"
+# set environment variables if not exists
+[ -z "${BUILD_TYPE}" ] && BUILD_TYPE="Debug"
 
 # Determine cmake build type; tag builds are Release, else Debug
-if [ -n "${TRAVIS_TAG:-}" ] || [[ $BUILD_SOURCEBRANCH == *"refs/tags"* ]]; then
+if [[ $BUILD_SOURCEBRANCH == *"refs/tags"* ]]; then
 	BUILD_TYPE=Release
 fi
 
-# Determine package creation; True for cron/schedule and tag builds
-if [ "${TRAVIS_EVENT_TYPE:-}" == 'cron' ] || [ -n "${TRAVIS_TAG:-}" ] || [[ $BUILD_REASON == "Schedule" ]] || [[ $BUILD_SOURCEBRANCH == *"refs/tags"* ]]; then
-	PACKAGES="package"
-fi
-
 # Determie -dev appends to platform;
 # Commented because tests are currently broken
 # [ "${TRAVIS_EVENT_TYPE:-}" != 'cron' -a -z "${TRAVIS_TAG:-}" ] && PLATFORM=${PLATFORM}-dev
 
-# Build the package on osx or docker for linux
+# Build the package on osx or linux
 if [[ "$CI_NAME" == 'osx' || "$CI_NAME" == 'darwin' ]]; then
 	# compile prepare
 	mkdir build || exit 1
 	mkdir ${CI_BUILD_DIR}/deploy || exit 1
 	cd build
-	cmake -DPLATFORM=$PLATFORM -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=$BUILD_TYPE -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=/usr .. || exit 2
-	make -j ${JOBS} ${PACKAGES} || exit 3
-	echo "---> Copy binaries and packages to folder: ${CI_BUILD_DIR}/deploy"
-	cp -v ${CI_BUILD_DIR}/build/bin/h* ${CI_BUILD_DIR}/deploy/ 2>/dev/null || : &&
-	cp -v ${CI_BUILD_DIR}/build/Hyperion-* ${CI_BUILD_DIR}/deploy/ 2>/dev/null || : &&
+	cmake -DPLATFORM="osx" -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=${BUILD_TYPE} -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX:PATH=/usr/local ../ || exit 2
+	make -j $(sysctl -n hw.ncpu) package || exit 3
 	exit 0;
+	exit 1 || { echo "---> Hyperion compilation failed! Abort"; exit 4; }
 elif [[ "$CI_NAME" == 'linux' ]]; then
 	echo "Compile Hyperion with DOCKER_TAG = ${DOCKER_TAG} and friendly name DOCKER_NAME = ${DOCKER_NAME}"
 	# take ownership of deploy dir
@@ -65,13 +46,12 @@ elif [[ "$CI_NAME" == 'linux' ]]; then
 		-v "${CI_BUILD_DIR}/deploy:/deploy" \
 		-v "${CI_BUILD_DIR}:/source:ro" \
 		hyperionproject/hyperion-ci:$DOCKER_TAG \
-		/bin/bash -c "mkdir build && cp -r source/. /build &&
-		cd /build && mkdir build && cd build &&
-		cmake -DPLATFORM=${PLATFORM} -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=${BUILD_TYPE} .. || exit 2 &&
-		make -j ${JOBS} ${PACKAGES} || exit 3 &&
-		echo '---> Copy binaries and packages to host folder: ${CI_BUILD_DIR}/deploy' &&
-		cp -v /build/build/bin/h* /deploy/ 2>/dev/null || : &&
-		cp -v /build/build/Hyperion-* /deploy/ 2>/dev/null || : &&
+		/bin/bash -c "mkdir hyperion.ng && cp -r source/. /hyperion.ng &&
+		cd /hyperion.ng && mkdir build && cd build &&
+		cmake -DPLATFORM=${PLATFORM} -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=${BUILD_TYPE} -DDOCKER_PLATFORM=${DOCKER_TAG} ../ || exit 2 &&
+		make -j $(nproc) package || exit 3 &&
+		cp /hyperion.ng/build/bin/h* /deploy/ 2>/dev/null || : &&
+		cp /hyperion.ng/build/Hyperion.NG-* /deploy/ 2>/dev/null || : &&
 		exit 0;
 		exit 1 " || { echo "---> Hyperion compilation failed! Abort"; exit 4; }
 
diff --git a/.ci/ci_deploy.sh b/.ci/ci_deploy.sh
deleted file mode 100755
index df3ef780..00000000
--- a/.ci/ci_deploy.sh
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,67 +0,0 @@
-#!/bin/bash
-
-# detect CI
-if [ -n "${TRAVIS-}" ]; then
-	# Travis-CI
-	CI_NAME="$(echo "$TRAVIS_OS_NAME" | tr '[:upper:]' '[:lower:]')"
-	CI_BUILD_DIR="$TRAVIS_BUILD_DIR"
-elif [ "$SYSTEM_COLLECTIONID" != "" ]; then
-	# Azure Pipelines
-	CI_NAME="$(echo "$AGENT_OS" | tr '[:upper:]' '[:lower:]')"
-	CI_BUILD_DIR="$BUILD_SOURCESDIRECTORY"
-else
-	# for executing in non ci environment
-	CI_NAME="$(uname -s | tr '[:upper:]' '[:lower:]')"
-fi
-
-# sf_upload <FILES> <sf_dir>
-# {
-# 	echo "Uploading following files: ${1} to dir /hyperion-project/${2}"
-#
-# }
-
-# append current Date to filename (just packages no binaries)
-appendDate()
-{
-	D=$(date +%Y-%m-%d)
-	for F in $CI_BUILD_DIR/deploy/Hy*
-	do
-		mv "$F" "${F%.*}-$D.${F##*.}"
-	done
-}
-
-# append friendly name (just packages no binaries)
-appendName()
-{
-	for F in $CI_BUILD_DIR/deploy/Hy*
-	do
-		mv "$F" "${F%.*}-($DOCKER_NAME).${F##*.}"
-	done
-}
-
-# get all files to deploy (just packages no binaries)
-getFiles()
-{
-	FILES=""
-	for f in $CI_BUILD_DIR/deploy/Hy*;
-		do FILES+="${f} ";
-	done;
-}
-
-if [[ $CI_NAME == 'linux' || "$CI_NAME" == 'osx' || "$CI_NAME" == 'darwin' ]]; then
-	if [[ -n $TRAVIS_TAG ]] || [[ $BUILD_SOURCEBRANCH == *"refs/tags"* ]]; then
-		echo "tag upload"
-		appendName
-		appendDate
-		getFiles
-		# sf_upload $FILES release
-	elif [[ $TRAVIS_EVENT_TYPE == 'cron' ]] || [[ $BUILD_REASON == "Schedule" ]]; then
-		echo "cron/schedule upload"
-		appendName
-		appendDate
-		getFiles
-		# sf_upload $FILES dev/alpha
-	else
-		echo "Direct pushed no upload, PRs not possible"
-	fi
-fi
diff --git a/.travis.yml b/.travis.yml
index 38bd18bb..44ad22bf 100644
--- a/.travis.yml
+++ b/.travis.yml
@@ -60,6 +60,4 @@ jobs:
 
 script:
     - ./.ci/ci_build.sh
-after_success:
-    - ./.ci/ci_deploy.sh
 
diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 8d030199..46610df8 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -18,11 +18,37 @@ if(CCACHE_FOUND)
 	set_property(GLOBAL PROPERTY RULE_LAUNCH_LINK ccache)
 endif(CCACHE_FOUND)
 
-SET ( HYPERION_VERSION_STABLE OFF )
-SET ( HYPERION_VERSION_MAJOR 2 )
-SET ( HYPERION_VERSION_MINOR 0 )
-SET ( HYPERION_VERSION_PATCH 0 )
+# Read version from version.json
+EXECUTE_PROCESS (
+	COMMAND python test/jsonchecks/version.py ${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/version.json
+	WORKING_DIRECTORY ${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}
+	OUTPUT_VARIABLE RETURN_VERSION
+)
 
+SET( VERSION_REGEX "[0-9]+\\.[0-9]+\\.[0-9]+(-[a-zA-Z0-9_]+)?" )
+IF( ${RETURN_VERSION} MATCHES ${VERSION_REGEX})
+	STRING(REGEX MATCHALL "[0-9]+|-([A-Za-z0-9_]+)" VERSION_PARTS ${RETURN_VERSION} )
+	LIST( GET VERSION_PARTS 0 VERSION_MAJOR )
+	LIST( GET VERSION_PARTS 1 VERSION_MINOR )
+	LIST( GET VERSION_PARTS 2 VERSION_PATCH )
+ELSE( ${RETURN_VERSION} MATCHES ${VERSION_REGEX} )
+	message( FATAL_ERROR "Failed to parse version.json string properly. Expect X.Y.Z.")
+ENDIF()
+
+SET( HYPERION_VERSION_MAJOR ${VERSION_MAJOR} )
+SET( HYPERION_VERSION_MINOR ${VERSION_MINOR} )
+SET( HYPERION_VERSION_PATCH ${VERSION_PATCH} )
+
+# Read channel from version.json
+EXECUTE_PROCESS (
+	COMMAND python test/jsonchecks/version.py ${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/version.json "channel"
+	WORKING_DIRECTORY ${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}
+	OUTPUT_VARIABLE RETURN_CHANNEL
+)
+
+SET ( HYPERION_VERSION_CHANNEL ${RETURN_CHANNEL} )
+
+# Set build variables
 SET ( DEFAULT_AMLOGIC    OFF )
 SET ( DEFAULT_DISPMANX   OFF )
 SET ( DEFAULT_OSX        OFF )
@@ -121,9 +147,10 @@ if ( "${PLATFORM}" MATCHES "-dev" )
 	SET ( DEFAULT_TESTS      ON )
 endif()
 
-STRING( TOUPPER "-DPLATFORM_${PLATFORM}" PLATFORM_DEFINE)
-STRING( REPLACE "-DEV" "" PLATFORM_DEFINE "${PLATFORM_DEFINE}" )
-ADD_DEFINITIONS( ${PLATFORM_DEFINE} )
+# is this necessary?
+# STRING( TOUPPER "-DPLATFORM_${PLATFORM}" PLATFORM_DEFINE)
+# STRING( REPLACE "-DEV" "" PLATFORM_DEFINE "${PLATFORM_DEFINE}" )
+# ADD_DEFINITIONS( ${PLATFORM_DEFINE} )
 
 # set the build options
 option(ENABLE_AMLOGIC "Enable the AMLOGIC video grabber" ${DEFAULT_AMLOGIC} )
diff --git a/HyperionConfig.h.in b/HyperionConfig.h.in
index ddb8874e..b121c88a 100644
--- a/HyperionConfig.h.in
+++ b/HyperionConfig.h.in
@@ -42,6 +42,6 @@
 #define HYPERION_VERSION_MAJOR "${HYPERION_VERSION_MAJOR}"
 #define HYPERION_VERSION_MINOR "${HYPERION_VERSION_MINOR}"
 #define HYPERION_VERSION_PATCH "${HYPERION_VERSION_PATCH}"
-#define HYPERION_VERSION       "${HYPERION_VERSION_MAJOR}.${HYPERION_VERSION_MINOR}.${HYPERION_VERSION_PATCH}"
+#define HYPERION_VERSION       "${HYPERION_VERSION_CHANNEL}.${HYPERION_VERSION_MAJOR}.${HYPERION_VERSION_MINOR}.${HYPERION_VERSION_PATCH}"
 
 #define HYPERION_JSON_VERSION "1.0.0"
diff --git a/cmake/FindGitVersion.cmake b/cmake/FindGitVersion.cmake
index b48f70ca..1cb1a7d0 100644
--- a/cmake/FindGitVersion.cmake
+++ b/cmake/FindGitVersion.cmake
@@ -7,4 +7,5 @@ STRING ( STRIP "${BUILD_ID}" BUILD_ID )
 STRING ( STRIP "${VERSION_ID}" VERSION_ID )
 STRING ( STRIP "${GIT_REMOTE_PATH}" GIT_REMOTE_PATH )
 SET ( HYPERION_BUILD_ID "${VERSION_ID} (${BUILD_ID}) Git Remote: ${GIT_REMOTE_PATH}" )
-message ( STATUS "Current Version: ${HYPERION_BUILD_ID}" )
+SET ( HYPERION_VERSION "${HYPERION_VERSION_CHANNEL}.${HYPERION_VERSION_MAJOR}.${HYPERION_VERSION_MINOR}.${HYPERION_VERSION_PATCH}" )
+message ( STATUS "Current Version: ${HYPERION_VERSION} (${HYPERION_BUILD_ID})" )
diff --git a/cmake/packages.cmake b/cmake/packages.cmake
index 5e9765b3..aaa25fe7 100644
--- a/cmake/packages.cmake
+++ b/cmake/packages.cmake
@@ -24,10 +24,16 @@ ENDIF()
 # Apply to all packages, some of these can be overwritten with generator specific content
 # https://cmake.org/cmake/help/v3.5/module/CPack.html
 
-SET ( CPACK_PACKAGE_NAME "Hyperion" )
+SET ( CPACK_PACKAGE_NAME "Hyperion.NG" )
 SET ( CPACK_PACKAGE_DESCRIPTION_SUMMARY "Hyperion is an open source ambient light implementation" )
 SET ( CPACK_PACKAGE_DESCRIPTION_FILE "${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/README.md" )
-SET ( CPACK_PACKAGE_FILE_NAME "Hyperion-${HYPERION_VERSION_MAJOR}.${HYPERION_VERSION_MINOR}.${HYPERION_VERSION_PATCH}-${CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME}")
+
+if ( NOT DEFINED DOCKER_PLATFORM )
+	SET ( CPACK_PACKAGE_FILE_NAME "Hyperion.NG-${HYPERION_VERSION_CHANNEL}.${HYPERION_VERSION_MAJOR}.${HYPERION_VERSION_MINOR}.${HYPERION_VERSION_PATCH}-${CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME}")
+else()
+	SET ( CPACK_PACKAGE_FILE_NAME "Hyperion.NG-${HYPERION_VERSION_CHANNEL}.${HYPERION_VERSION_MAJOR}.${HYPERION_VERSION_MINOR}.${HYPERION_VERSION_PATCH}-${CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME}-${DOCKER_PLATFORM}")
+endif()
+
 SET ( CPACK_PACKAGE_CONTACT "packages@hyperion-project.org")
 SET ( CPACK_PACKAGE_EXECUTABLES "hyperiond;Hyperion" )
 SET ( CPACK_PACKAGE_ICON "${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/resources/icons/hyperion-icon-32px.png")
diff --git a/test/jsonchecks/version.py b/test/jsonchecks/version.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..06f6e2a7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/jsonchecks/version.py
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+import json, sys
+
+retval   = 0
+
+with open(sys.argv[1]) as f:
+	if len(sys.argv) < 3:
+		data = json.load(f)
+		sys.stdout.write(data['versionnr'])
+		sys.exit(0)
+	else:
+		data = json.load(f)
+		sys.stdout.write(data['channel'])
+		sys.exit(0)
diff --git a/version.json b/version.json
index 356934a4..d84a7b78 100644
--- a/version.json
+++ b/version.json
@@ -1,21 +1,6 @@
-[
-	{
-		"versionnr" : "2.1.0",
-		"versiondesc": "This version introduces feature x and some small bugfixes at the web configuration",
-		"versionchangelog":"https://www.hyperion-project.org/blog/id1",
-		"channel" : "Stable"
-	},
-	{
-		"versionnr" : "2.0.1",
-		"versiondesc": "This is a bugfix release for 2.0.0",
-		"versionchangelog": "https://www.hyperion-project.org/blog/id3",
-		"channel" : "Stable"
-	},
-	{
-		"versionnr" : "2.0.0",
-		"versiondesc": "Version 2.0.0 introduces the succesor of Hyperion 1.0 with plenty new features to discover with a entire code rework and a highly extended JSON RPC!",
-		"versionchangelog": "https://www.hyperion-project.org/blog/id0",
-		"channel" : "Stable"
-	}
-]
-
+{
+	"versionnr": "1.0.0",
+	"versiondesc": "Hyperion.NG introduces the succesor of Hyperion 1.0 with plenty new features to discover with a entire code rework and a highly extended JSON RPC!",
+	"versionchangelog": "https://www.hyperion-project.org/blog/id0",
+	"channel": "Beta"
+}