ProPresenter is a powerful presentation software that has become indispensable for churches, houses of worship, and live event producers. Its versatility extends beyond simply displaying lyrics and slides; it allows for sophisticated control over how your content is presented to your audience. Understanding how to change and customize the output on ProPresenter is key to delivering a professional and impactful visual experience. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential steps and considerations for tailoring your ProPresenter output to suit any scenario.
Understanding ProPresenter’s Output Architecture
Before diving into specific output changes, it’s crucial to grasp how ProPresenter manages its displays. ProPresenter operates on a system of “Screens.” Each screen represents a distinct output destination, such as your main projector, confidence monitors for your team, audience screens in different rooms, or even live streaming platforms.
Core Concepts: Screens and Outputs
The fundamental principle is that you assign specific types of content and display configurations to each screen. This separation allows for incredible flexibility. For example, you might have one screen dedicated to showing lyrics and sermon notes to your congregation, another screen displaying lyrics and cues only to the worship team on stage (a “confidence monitor”), and a third screen sending a clean feed to your live stream encoder.
Screen Configurations
Within ProPresenter, you define your screen configurations in the “Screens” module. Here, you can add, remove, and modify screens, assigning them to specific physical outputs from your computer. The number and type of screens you can configure are limited by your computer’s graphics capabilities and the number of available outputs.
Output Destinations
Your computer’s graphics card dictates the physical outputs available. These might be HDMI, DisplayPort, SDI (via specialized hardware), or even NDI for network-based outputs. ProPresenter will detect these available outputs, and you’ll select them within the screen configuration settings.
Screen Types
ProPresenter supports various screen types, each with a specific purpose:
- Congregation Screen: This is the primary output for your audience, typically displaying lyrics, scripture, announcements, and presentations.
- Stage Screen: Designed for your on-stage team (worship leaders, musicians, speakers), this screen can show lyrics, timers, current slide text, and upcoming cues, allowing them to stay in sync.
- Audience Screens (Secondary): If you have multiple audience viewing areas, you can create additional “Congregation Screens” to serve those spaces.
- Alpha Keyer Output: For live production workflows, this output sends a transparent layer (alpha channel) of your graphics, typically used for overlaying lyrics or lower thirds onto a video source.
- Media Outputs: ProPresenter can also send specific media files (like video playback) to dedicated outputs.
Changing Your ProPresenter Output: A Step-by-Step Approach
The process of changing your ProPresenter output primarily involves configuring your screens within the software. This means defining what content goes to which display.
Accessing the Screens Module
To begin customizing your output, navigate to the Screens module. This is usually found in the main ProPresenter window, often represented by an icon depicting multiple screens or a gear/settings icon. Clicking this will open the Screen Configuration window.
Adding and Removing Screens
Within the Screen Configuration window, you’ll see a list of your currently configured screens.
To add a new screen:
- Click the “Add Screen” button.
- Choose the type of screen you want to add (e.g., Congregation, Stage, Alpha Keyer).
- ProPresenter will then prompt you to assign it to an available physical output from your computer.
To remove a screen:
- Select the screen you wish to remove from the list.
- Click the “Remove Screen” button.
Assigning Screens to Physical Outputs
This is a critical step. Once you’ve added a screen, you must tell ProPresenter which actual monitor or display to send that screen’s content to.
- Select the screen you want to configure in the Screen Configuration window.
- In the settings pane for that screen, you will see an “Output” dropdown menu.
- Click the dropdown and select the desired physical output. ProPresenter lists your available display outputs (e.g., “Display 1,” “Display 2,” “HDMI 1,” etc.). If you’re unsure which output corresponds to which physical monitor, you can use your operating system’s display settings to identify them.
Configuring Screen Settings
Each screen type has specific settings you can adjust to fine-tune its output.
Congregation Screen Settings
- Resolution: Ensure the resolution matches your projector or display for optimal clarity.
- Refresh Rate: Typically set to match your display’s capabilities (e.g., 60Hz).
- Positioning: You can often adjust the screen’s position within ProPresenter’s layout if you’re using multiple screens that are mirrored or extended.
- Content Control: You can choose what layers are visible on this screen (e.g., lyrics, announcements, media, slides).
Stage Screen Settings
- Layout: This is where you customize what the on-stage team sees. ProPresenter offers pre-built stage screen layouts, but you can also create custom ones. You can add elements like:
- Current Slide Text
- Next Slide Text
- Song Title
- Timer (for sermon length, song duration, etc.)
- Specific Cues or Notes
- Font Size and Color: Adjust these for readability on stage.
- Background: You can choose a simple color or an image for the stage screen background.
Alpha Keyer Output Settings
- Key Source: You’ll select the ProPresenter layer that contains the alpha channel (usually your lyrics or lower thirds).
- Fill Source: You’ll typically select your live video input or a background video for the alpha keyer to overlay onto.
- Key Type: This might involve selecting an internal key or an external keyer if your hardware supports it.
Managing Multiple Audience Screens
If you need to send the same content to multiple audience locations, you can duplicate a Congregation screen.
- Right-click on an existing Congregation screen in the Screen Configuration window.
- Select “Duplicate Screen.”
- Assign this duplicated screen to a different physical output.
- Now, when you trigger content, it will appear on both assigned audience screens.
Customizing What Appears on Each Screen
ProPresenter’s power lies in its ability to control which “layers” are visible on each assigned screen. The software uses a layer-based system for organizing your visual elements.
Understanding ProPresenter Layers
ProPresenter organizes its visual output into distinct layers. The most common layers include:
- Background Layer: For static backgrounds, images, or videos.
- Slide Layer: Displays your main presentation content (text, images, graphics).
- Live Video Layer: For incorporating video inputs.
- Announcements Layer: For displaying separate announcement graphics.
- Lyrics Layer: Specifically for song lyrics.
- Lower Thirds Layer: For text overlays like speaker names or song titles.
- Props Layer: For dynamic visual elements or system integrations.
Assigning Layers to Screens
This is where you dictate what each screen will display.
- Go back to the Screen Configuration window.
- Select the screen you want to configure (e.g., your Congregation Screen).
- In the screen’s settings, you’ll find options to enable or disable specific layers.
- For example, on your Congregation Screen, you’ll want the Slide, Lyrics, and Announcements layers enabled.
- On your Stage Screen, you might only want the Lyrics and Slide layers enabled, and you can configure the content of the Stage Screen specifically for your team.
- For an Alpha Keyer output, you would typically enable only the Lyrics or Lower Thirds layer and assign it the correct fill source.
Controlling Layer Visibility with Show/Hide Actions
Beyond static assignments, you can also control the visibility of layers on a per-output basis using ProPresenter’s Show/Hide actions. This is particularly useful for managing content dynamically during a service.
For instance, you might want lyrics to appear on the Congregation Screen but not on a specific audience screen in a lobby. You can create a custom “Action” that specifically targets that lobby screen and hides the lyrics layer.
Advanced Output Techniques
Once you have the basics down, ProPresenter offers more advanced ways to customize your output for complex productions.
Alpha Keying for Broadcast and Live Production
Alpha keying is essential for professional video productions. ProPresenter’s Alpha Keyer output allows you to send graphics with transparency over a video source. This is commonly used for:
- Displaying song lyrics or scripture verses as overlays on a live camera feed.
- Adding lower thirds (speaker names, titles) to a broadcast.
- Overlaying church logos or branding.
To set this up, you’ll need a compatible graphics card or video hardware that supports alpha channel transmission. In ProPresenter, you’ll configure a dedicated Alpha Keyer output and then assign the appropriate layers (e.g., Lyrics, Lower Thirds) to it. You’ll also need to define the “fill” source, which is the background video content that your alpha-keyed graphics will be overlaid upon.
NDI Output for Networked Workflows
NDI (Network Device Interface) allows you to send ProPresenter’s output over your local network. This offers tremendous flexibility, eliminating the need for physical cables to every display.
- Benefits of NDI:
- Reduces cable clutter.
- Allows for easy routing of video signals to multiple locations.
- Integrates seamlessly with other NDI-compatible software and hardware (e.g., OBS Studio, Tricaster).
To use NDI output:
- Ensure your ProPresenter computer and any receiving devices are on the same network.
- In ProPresenter’s Screen Configuration, add a new screen and select “NDI” as the output type.
- You can then choose the specific NDI stream name.
- On your receiving devices, you can select this NDI stream as a video source.
Outputting to Specific Rooms or Zones
For larger venues, you might need to send different content or the same content at different resolutions or quality levels to various areas.
- Example: You might send high-resolution content to the main auditorium but a lower-resolution or simpler feed to a nursery or overflow room.
- Implementation: This is achieved by creating multiple “Congregation Screens” and assigning each to a different physical output that feeds into the respective room’s display system. You can then customize the content or settings for each of these screens independently.
Integrating with Other Media Servers
ProPresenter can also be integrated with other media servers or control systems for more complex shows. This often involves using protocols like OSC (Open Sound Control) or MIDI to trigger changes in ProPresenter’s output based on cues from another system. While this is an advanced topic, it highlights the extensibility of ProPresenter’s output capabilities.
Troubleshooting Common Output Issues
Even with careful setup, you might encounter issues. Here are a few common problems and their solutions:
-
No Signal on a Display:
- Check physical cable connections.
- Ensure the correct physical output is selected for the screen in ProPresenter.
- Verify your operating system recognizes the display.
- Restart ProPresenter and your computer.
-
Incorrect Resolution or Aspect Ratio:
- Verify the screen resolution in ProPresenter matches your display’s native resolution.
- Check your operating system’s display settings to ensure the correct resolution is selected for the output.
- In ProPresenter, ensure the aspect ratio settings for the screen are appropriate.
-
Output Lag or Stuttering:
- This can be due to an underpowered computer or too much processing load.
- Close unnecessary applications running on your computer.
- Reduce the complexity of your ProPresenter output (e.g., fewer complex animations, lower resolution video playback).
- Ensure your graphics drivers are up to date.
-
Alpha Keyer Not Working:
- Confirm your hardware supports alpha channel transmission.
- Ensure the correct layers are enabled for the Alpha Keyer output.
- Double-check the fill and key source assignments in ProPresenter.
- Test your alpha channel output with dedicated keying software if possible.
By mastering the art of ProPresenter’s output customization, you empower yourself to create visually stunning and highly effective presentations that perfectly match your specific needs, whether you’re enhancing a worship service, delivering a corporate presentation, or producing a live event. Experiment with these settings, explore the possibilities, and you’ll soon be delivering your message with unparalleled clarity and impact.
How can I customize the layout of my output in ProPresenter?
ProPresenter offers extensive control over output layouts through its Screen Configuration and Layout Editor. You can create custom layouts from scratch or modify existing templates to suit specific needs. This involves arranging elements like slides, media, lyrics, and props on your designated output screens, defining their size, position, and layering.
Beyond basic arrangement, the Layout Editor allows for advanced customization such as applying different background images or colors to specific slides, incorporating dynamic text elements like the current date or time, and even creating complex multi-layer compositions for intricate visual presentations. You can save these custom layouts for easy reuse across different events or song sets.
What are the different ways to incorporate media into my ProPresenter output?
ProPresenter supports a wide range of media formats, including video files (MP4, MOV, etc.), audio files (MP3, WAV, etc.), and image files (JPEG, PNG, GIF). You can directly import these files into your ProPresenter library and then drag and drop them onto your slides or use them as full-screen backgrounds.
Furthermore, ProPresenter allows for advanced media control. You can set playback loops, define in and out points for videos, overlay graphics on top of video backgrounds, and even trigger audio cues independently of slides. The software also integrates with platforms like YouTube and Vimeo for seamless streaming media playback.
How do I create dynamic text elements like song lyrics that update automatically?
ProPresenter excels at handling dynamic text through its built-in lyric integration capabilities and the use of “Glimpse” features. You can import lyrics from various sources, including dedicated lyric databases and text files, and ProPresenter will automatically parse and format them for display.
To achieve automatic updates for elements like song titles or current time, you can utilize ProPresenter’s “Live Text” or “Glimpse” features. For instance, you can set a text box to display the title of the currently playing song, which will automatically change as you advance through your presentation. Similarly, you can display real-time information like the date and time by linking them to system variables.
Can I control the appearance of text, such as fonts, colors, and animations?
Absolutely. ProPresenter provides comprehensive control over text formatting. You can select from any installed fonts on your system, adjust font sizes, apply different colors to text elements, and even modify text properties like bold, italic, and underline.
Beyond static formatting, ProPresenter allows for dynamic text animations. You can apply various animation presets like fades, slides, and typewriter effects to text elements, controlling their entrance and exit timing. This adds visual polish and engagement to your presentations.
How can I manage different output screens and destinations within ProPresenter?
ProPresenter is designed to manage multiple output screens simultaneously, allowing you to send different content to different displays. This is configured through the “Screen Configuration” module, where you can define each output destination and its resolution.
Within Screen Configuration, you can assign specific output types (e.g., Presentation Screen, Stage Display, Audience Display) to each physical monitor. You can then create custom “Layouts” for each screen, ensuring that the content displayed is tailored to the intended audience or purpose, whether it’s lyrics for the worship team or visual aids for the congregation.
What are the options for integrating external data sources or live feeds?
ProPresenter offers robust integration capabilities for external data and live feeds. This includes the ability to pull RSS feeds to display news headlines or announcements, integrate with spreadsheets for dynamically updating data points, and even connect to professional broadcast graphics systems for advanced overlays.
Moreover, ProPresenter supports live video inputs through capture cards or network streaming protocols like NDI. This allows you to incorporate live camera feeds, worship leader confidence monitors, or even broadcast feeds directly into your presentation workflow, enabling a seamless blend of live and pre-produced content.
How can I create reusable templates and styles for consistency across presentations?
ProPresenter facilitates consistency by allowing you to create and save custom templates and style sets. You can define default font styles, color palettes, layout structures, and even specific media behaviors within a template.
Once created, these templates can be applied to new presentations, ensuring that all your content adheres to a predefined visual identity. You can also save specific style sets for individual elements, such as a consistent look for all song lyrics or scripture passages, which can then be easily reapplied to different parts of your presentation.