SongShow Plus Display Settings - Output Window - Stage/Preview Split

Applicable SongShow Plus Versions: 
This article applies to SongShow Plus versions 9.1 and later

 * Ensure that you are using the most current build of SongShow Plus from the Download page for the best experience. *   

One very useful feature in SongShow Plus is the ability to utilize multiple display outputs (Output Window) for your content. This ability was enhanced further in SongShow Plus 9.1 with the addition of two new Output Windows, Lower Third and Other, bringing the total available outputs to six.  All of these Output Windows are available in the Ultra edition which includes Multi Display support.  If users have legacy individual display support licenses those should also still apply.

NOTE: If you are not able to get all display connected and configured in Windows, DO NOT proceed to SSP setup - Consult your IT department or Hardware support resources for assistance. Refer to article SSP124 to get Windows setup correctly.

NOTE: If you are not familiar with the types of Output Windows available, refer to article SSP109.

SongShow Plus display settings are used to configure where content is displayed, both externally and internally.  Outputs can go to an external display device (monitor/projector/etc) or used within the Presenter window only using the embedded Placement option.
In addition to this it is possible to split a physical target device by enabling two different Output Windows and configuring them to be sent to different regions on the SAME target display device.

In these setup instructions, it is assumed that Output Window 1 is already configured as the main projection output.

SongShow Plus Display Settings - Stage/Preview Split 

• Stage - When this was initially implemented it did have several limitations but the Stage display can be now fully customized and has similar display features of a Presentation display.
• Preview - This output is uniquely designed to be used to project the next step or item to be presented.  This applies to Program contents as well as individually displayed items.
• This configuration will utilize a combination of the Stage and Preview Output Window settings with adjustments to direct the content to different regions of the SAME target display device.  This configuration will allow both to be displayed on the same physical location/Monitor/Projector/TV.
• This specific set of instructions makes the following assumptions:
  • The Stage output will be using the top three-quarters of the target display device.
  • The Preview output will be using the bottom one-quarter of the target display device.
  • These can be adjusted for different ratios and locations, however, that is not covered here.  Contact the Support Team if you need additional assistance.

To set up an Output Window as a Stage/Preview split:

You need the following:

• A Projection License
• A Multi-Display License (Ultra has this)
• An available Output Window
• A physical display as a target

You do the following:

1. Open SongShow Plus
2. From the main toolbar click on Settings > Display...
3. To set Stage Section - Select any available Output Window. Output Window 2 is usually the default for Stage but is not required.
4. At minimum, set the following settings: (other settings can be used to enhance the output)
   1. Set Enabled to Yes
   2. Set Purpose to Stage
   3. Set Source Window to Output Window 1
   4. Set Placement to Display Device
   5. Set Display Device to the physical target display device that you want the content to go to. (this can be identified by clicking Identify Displays at the bottom)
   6. Set Placement Area to Specified.
   7.  Set Specified Area settings:
      1. Left - 0%
      2. Top - 0%
      3. Width - 100%
      4. Height - 75%
   8. Click Apply.
5. To set Preview Section - Select any available Output Window. Output Window 3 is usually the default for Preview but is not required.
6. At minimum, set the following settings: (other settings can be used to enhance the output)
   1. Set Enabled to Yes
   2. Set Purpose to Preview
   3. Set Source Window to Output Window 1
   4. Set Placement to Display Device
   5. Set Display Device to the physical target display device that you want the content to go to. This will be the SAME as the device in the Stage setup steps. (this can be identified by clicking Identify Displays at the bottom)
   6. Set Placement Area to Specified.
   7.  Set Specified Area settings:
      1. Left - 0%
      2. Top - 75%
      3. Width - 100%
      4. Height - 25%
   8. Click Apply.
7. Once this is complete you may need to close and reopen SongShow Plus to reset the external displays.
8. After opening SongShow, project some content and ensure it appears on both the Main and Stage/Preview devices as expected.

NOTE: If you have not already, refer to article SSP109 for additional information on Slide Properties guidance and possible limitations.

 Training Videos - A video walk-through of this process is available.  Locate the video on the training page - Display Settings > Display Settings for Stage/Preview Split

Depending on your current subscription level, you can go to the GoFishMedia website training page and log in with the same Customer ID and password that you use to log in to the SongShow Plus site or activate SongShow Plus. Review this article for more details.

If you have any questions regarding the use of or issues with any of the SongShow Plus display settings, please contact the Support Team.

(SSP144)