These instructions will guide you through the entire process of setting up Windows Display Settings and MediaShout 7 properly. If you are having issues configuring the screen layout in MediaShout after you have followed these steps, please email Support@mediashout.com.

Troubleshooting: If you are having trouble with screens going to black after launching MediaShout 7 or firing a cue, see this article.

1. Close MediaShout

Make sure that MediaShout is completely closed before you begin.

2. Open Display Settings

Right-click on your desktop and select Display Settings from the drop-down menu.

3. Set Multiple Displays to "Extend"

Under Multiple Displays, select Extend these displays. Do NOT set it to Duplicate these displays.

4. Identify Your Audience Screen

Click Identify and note which number appears on the screen your audience sees. Write this down—you'll need it later.

5. Determine Your Screen Resolution

Determine what size your physical TV or projector is, then select the matching resolution. (If your resolution is higher than 1920x1080, lower it to that.)

• 4:3 ratio (square) = 1024x768
• 16:9 ratio (rectangle) = 1280x720 OR 1920x1080
• 16:10 ratio (rectangle, slightly taller) = 1280x800

6. Set Resolution for Your Audience Screen

Click on the numbered box for your audience screen and change its resolution to one of the options from Step 5.

7. Apply and Keep Changes

Click Apply and choose Keep Changes.

8. Verify Wallpaper Fills the Screen

Make sure your Windows wallpaper or background color spans the entire screen with no black bars on the top, bottom, or sides. If you see black bars, you chose the wrong resolution. Go back to Step 6 and try again.

9. Set All Screens to 100% Scaling (VERY IMPORTANT)

Under the numbered screen boxes, you'll see Scale and Layout with an option to Change the size of text, apps, and other items. Make sure every numbered screen is set to 100%.

If you changed any of these, restart your computer before continuing.

10. Open MediaShout Display Settings

Open MediaShout 7 and click Settings to open the Settings Window. Go to Display Settings.

11. Select Your Main Display

Under Select Video Output, click the dropdown for Main Display and choose the correct screen number for your main presentation screen.

12. Select Your Stage Display

Do the same for Stage Display so it also shows the correct screen number.

13. Set Display Resolution

Change the Display Resolution (for both Main and Stage) to the resolution you set in Windows in Step 6.

14. Set Scaling to "Resize"

To the right, make sure the setting is set to Resize.

15. Save Changes

Click Save Changes.

16. Verify in Viewers Tab

On the right side of MediaShout 7, click the Viewers Tab. Double-check that the Main Resolution and Stage Resolutions match what you entered in the Settings Window.

Note: These Screen Resolutions in the Viewers section are saved to the current script. This allows you to easily build services for different presentation systems (like Youth Room Projectors and Main Sanctuary Screens).

17. Test by Firing a Cue

Click the blue Fire Button on any cue. It should go to your screens. If the output covers your Control Screen, press F2 (Function + F2 on a laptop) to toggle the screen output on and off.

If the output is going to the wrong display, go back to Settings and try a different option for Main Display. Keep trying (there should only be 2–3 options max) until the output goes to the right screen.

Keyboard shortcuts:

• F2 = Toggle Main Display on/off
• F3 = Toggle Stage Display on/off

1. Close MediaShout

Close MediaShout completely.

2. Disable Mission Control Spaces

Go to Apple Menu > System Preferences > Mission Control.

Make sure Displays Have Separate Spaces is unchecked.

3. Log Out and Back In

Once unchecked, log out of your computer and log back in.

4. Check Display Arrangement

Open Apple Menu > System Preferences > Displays and click the Arrangement tab. Make sure Mirror Displays is NOT checked.

5. Open MediaShout

Open MediaShout.

6. Configure Display Count

Click the Settings tab. Set your Displays dropdown to:

• 2 Displays if you have a Control and Presentation Screen
• 3 Displays if you also have a Stage screen

7. Correct Flipped Displays

If the Main and Stage screens are flipped, use the dropdown boxes in the Settings tab to reassign them to the correct monitors. Fire a test cue after each adjustment until they display correctly.

8. Set Resolution (If Content Doesn't Fit)

If the picture isn't fitting the frame or you're experiencing performance issues, go to Settings > General Settings > Cue Setup. For both Main Display and Stage Display, select the resolution marked as "Current." Click OK, then go to File > Repaginate and fire a test cue.

9. Choose a Specific Resolution (Mac OS Level)

If you still have performance issues or the content doesn't fit, you may need to tell macOS which resolution to use instead of letting it choose automatically.

Close MediaShout and go to System Preferences > Displays again.

10. Gather Windows

Click Gather Windows to bring all windows representing your individual displays into view.

11. Change Resolution Setting

You'll see a bullet point for Resolution set to "Default for display." Change it to Scaled.

12. View All Available Resolutions

To see all available resolutions, hold down the OPTION key and click the "Scaled" bullet point again.

13. Select Your Resolution

With all resolutions visible, pick one based on your screen type:

• 1280x720 for widescreen/rectangle projectors or most TVs
• 1024x768 for square screens

Exit the window when done.

14. Apply Current Resolution in MediaShout

Open MediaShout again. Go to Settings > General Settings > Cue Setup and select the resolution settings marked as "Current." Click OK, then go to File > Repaginate.

15. Test

Fire a cue to your screens. You should be all set.

Need Help?

Our support team is here for you. Email Support@mediashout.com with any questions.