diff --git a/src/proc/play/output-director.cpp b/src/proc/play/output-director.cpp
index f9fd3ea30..416445700 100644
--- a/src/proc/play/output-director.cpp
+++ b/src/proc/play/output-director.cpp
@@ -60,19 +60,19 @@ namespace play {
   /** connect and bring up the external input/output connections,
    *  handlers and interface services and the render/playback service.
    * @return true if the output subsystem can be considered operational
-   * 
-   * @todo WIP-WIP-WIP 6/2011
    */
   bool
   OutputDirector::connectUp()
   {
     Lock sync(this);
+    REQUIRE (!shutdown_initiated_);
     
     player_.reset (new PlayService);
     return this->isOperational();
   }
   
   
+  /** @todo WIP-WIP-WIP 6/2011 */
   bool
   OutputDirector::isOperational()  const
   {
@@ -92,7 +92,11 @@ namespace play {
   void
   OutputDirector::triggerDisconnect (SigTerm completedSignal)  throw()
   {
-    Thread ("Output shutdown supervisor", bind (&OutputDirector::bringDown, this, completedSignal));
+    if (!shutdown_initiated_)
+      {
+        shutdown_initiated_ = true;
+        Thread ("Output shutdown supervisor", bind (&OutputDirector::bringDown, this, completedSignal));
+      }
   }
   
   
diff --git a/src/proc/play/output-director.hpp b/src/proc/play/output-director.hpp
index 582b3d81c..90dc27245 100644
--- a/src/proc/play/output-director.hpp
+++ b/src/proc/play/output-director.hpp
@@ -76,6 +76,9 @@ namespace play {
       typedef lumiera::Subsys::SigTerm SigTerm;
       
       scoped_ptr<PlayService> player_;
+      ///////TODO more components and connections to manage here...
+      
+      bool shutdown_initiated_ = false;   /////TODO probably need a way more elaborate lifecylce management
       
     public:
       static lib::Depend<OutputDirector> instance;