Setting Up MediaShout with your AV System
We get questions all the time about setting up MediaShout in various environments. Of course, each setup is unique, so there is no cookie-cutter setup that works for all. However, there are some common ones that we see. We've decided to provide you guys with sample diagrams of those setups. We are happy to answer any questions about any of these setups and how it relates to MediaShout. However, if you have a more complex setup or you have questions beyond MediaShout, we recommend finding a quality AV Contractor who can sit with you and help you understand and figure out exactly what you need. We hope these are helpful to you.
How do I connect MediaShout to my video system?
At it's basic form, MediaShout can be used to display from your desktop computer or laptop to a projector or TV using Windows' Extended Desktop Mode. To do this, you will need a desktop computer with two discrete video outputs or a laptop with a secondary video output. This means that you can have a different image on each video output from your computer. See this article on how to setup Extended Displays. Below you will see a sample setup of connecting your desktop or laptop to your projector or TV.
So what if I have more than one projector or TV that I want to display to?
To do this, you simply need to add a Video Splitter (one input, multiple outputs) into your signal path from your computer to your video devices. This will take the same signal to all of your video devices. Some things to note: the splitter needs to be the same type of connection as what is coming from your computer (i.e. VGA, DVI, HDMI, etc.). Additionally, most splitters output the same video connection type as they are input, so you will want to make sure all of your video devices have an input of that same type. Finally, different video devices may have different resolutions. You may have to experiment with resolutions in Windows to find one that works for all devices. Below is a diagram of a Video Splitter being used.
What about the Stage Monitor function in MediaShout?
The stage monitor function requires a third output from your computer. This can best be accomplished with a video card that has three discrete outputs. Once you have the three discrete outputs setup in Windows Display Properties, then you will be able to utilize this in MediaShout. Below is a sample setup for this.
Alright, I get all of that. But we have video cameras for Image Magnification (IMAG) on our screens. What's the best way to do that with MediaShout?
MediaShout can also go into a video switcher where you can mix the camera feeds and the MediaShout output to your screens as you want. Most video mixers have a computer input (via VGA or DVI) as well as camera inputs and then that can output either directly to your projector/TV or to a splitter for multiple projectors/TVs. See below for an example.
So we have been talking about streaming our services to the web or to an overflow room. Can I use my MediaShout computer to stream or record? How would that work with MediaShout?
MediaShout is a resource-intensive program. You can do this, but we recommend using a separate computer to stream or record your services (as those types of programs are resource-intensive as well). The easiest thing to do is run an output from your video switcher (most have two outputs) to a computer designated for streaming or recording. Then connect your MediaShout computer and video cameras to the video switcher. See below for this setup.
So I've seen where MediaShout has a Live Video Feed cue and I don't have a video switcher. Can I run my camera through that?
You absolutely can! All you need is a Video Capture Device between your video camera and your MediaShout computer. This will convert it to the video type that the computer needs and that MediaShout can utilize. This capture device can be an external or internal card, but is not usually connected via USB or Firewire directly to your computer's standard ports, but instead some type of video format, like Composite, Component, HDMI, or even SDI on the device or card itself. Then, you can run your MediaShout out to another computer for streaming or recording. Below is a simple setup with this kind of gear.
So, I have an advanced setup with a Mixer, cameras, etc. and I want to stream through MediaShout where I can add my Lyrics and text over top of my Video. Can I do this?
You sure can. Taking the previous idea to the next level, you would again need a Video Capture Card in MediaShout and then run your video mixer into that. Then you can add the Live Video Cue in MediaShout and play anything from that mixer and output from MediaShout directly to your streaming or recording computer. Set it up like the picture below.