Changing / Switching the Output Window display configuration to support Stage ONLY display

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.

SongShow Plus Display Settings - Additional Presentation for Stage ONLY

• Additional Presentation - It is possible to enable more than one Output Window as the Presentation type (more on that in other articles), that can be used to project independent content to a display device from the same SongShow Plus machine by utilizing an unused Output Window (2 - 6). 
  NOTE: While it is currently possible to set this to a display device that is already in use, please note that "switching" behavior is currently NOT supported, (1467) meaning that one configuration may override another if they are both enabled at the same time.  To avoid this, follow the steps in the Changing the Output Window for Stage ONLY article.
• The Stage ONLY setup - This can apply to other things besides the "Stage" display - this is the most used configuration, however, the settings and steps can be used to create this behavior on any display. This configuration is used for a specific use case where the operator wants to present some content only to the Stage display and leave the main Projection display blank or unchanged.  This can occur at any point in a service and is only intended to be temporary. 

To configure an Output Window as Additional Presentation for Stage ONLY:

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:

Independent Projection Window - Stage

To set up  an Additional Projection Window - Stage, you do the following:

1. Open SongShow Plus
2. From the main toolbar click on Settings > Display...
3. Select any available Output Window. Output Window 2 - 6 can be used if not already assigned another Purpose. Make note of the one you choose - this will be important later.
   NOTE: Keep in mind that this is separate from your existing primary Main/Stage configuration.
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 Presentation 
   3. Ignore the Source Window setting. The default will still be set to Output Window 1 (this is ignored)
   4. Enter a custom name. (i.e. Stage ONLY) This will make it easier to locate this output on the system. This will also be the tab label in the Program Panel.
      
   5. Set Placement to Display Device
   6. Set Display Device to the physical target display device that you want the content to go to. (Detailed steps and info for identifying displays can be found here)
   7. Set Placement Area to Whole
   8. Click OK to save and close.
5. Once this is complete you may need to close and reopen SongShow Plus to reset the external displays.
6. After opening SongShow Plus, you will notice that there is a new tab in the Program Panel (Stage ONLY) that matches the Output Window that was just created.
7. Select this tab to switch to the new program panel.
8. Add and project some content from all Program panels and ensure content appears on all displays (typically just the Stage) as intended.
9. IMPORTANT - At this point once confirmed, you should repeat steps 1 to 4.1 to disable (set to No) the output so the default works properly.

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

To operate an Additional Projection Window - Stage, we will assume that the Stage ONLY operation is to be used in the middle of the service - in that case, you do the following:

1. Ensure that all previously described Display Settings configurations and any related programs have been created and saved.
2. Open SongShow Plus ensuring that the default config for regular main/stage use is enabled.
3. Open main program and proceed normally.
4. When it is time for the Stage ONLY break do the following:
   1. Blank or set a static image on the Main output.
   2. From the main toolbar open Settings > Display...
   3. Change the Stage ONLY config Enabled option from No to Yes.
   4. Click Apply then OK - Note that the Stage ONLY tab has appeared in the Program Panel.
   5. Select the Stage Only tab.
5. Proceed with display of Stage ONLY content
6. When it is time to return to the main program behavior, do the following:
   1. Blank or set a static image on the Stage ONLY output.
   2. From the main toolbar open Settings > Display...
   3. Change the Stage ONLY config Enabled option from Yes to No.
   4. Click Apply then OK - Note that the Stage ONLY tab has disappeared from the Program Panel.
7. Proceed with display of the main program content

Training Videos - Video walk-throughs of these processes are available. 

• Display Settings > Overview of Display settings
• Display Settings > Enabling Multiple Presentation Outputs

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.

(SSP187)