IT Support Knowledge Base

ProPresenter Connectivity and Troubleshooting Guide (2014-2015)

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2014-2015 ProPresenter Connectivity outline and general troubleshooting steps to ensure connections and settings are set correctly.

The 2014-2015 ProPresenter configuration runs on a iMac system with several specific peripheral devices.

The 2014-2015 ProPresenter configuration runs on a iMac system with several specific peripheral devices.

We will discuss each peripheral that should be connected to the ProPresenter iMac's built in ports.

We will discuss each peripheral that should be connected to the ProPresenter iMac's built in ports.

Primary Output Device - Blackmagic UltraStudio Mini Monitor

Primary Output Device - Blackmagic UltraStudio Mini Monitor

This devices utilizes the SDI Output module available in ProPresenter 5. We use this for the Program output from the ProPresenter Machine.

Connecting the SDI Output Device to the iMac

Connecting the SDI Output Device to the iMac

The BlackMagic unit is connectes to the iMac with a thunderbolt cable, it can be connected to either of the 2 Thunderbolt ports on the back of the iMac.

Connecting the ProPresenter output to the Video System

Connecting the ProPresenter output to the Video System

Once the Thunderbolt Cable is connected, you can connect an HD/SDI cable from the BNC Post on the BlackMagic device to the HD/SDI Router located in the FOH Video Rack.

Connecting the Confidence Monitor

Connecting the Confidence Monitor

The Concidence monitor is a connected to the Pro Presenter machine through a MDP (Mini DisplayPort/Thunderbolt) to HDMI adapter, this will be seen as an additional monitor on the iMac.

Connecting the Confidence Monitor output to the Video System

Connecting the Confidence Monitor output to the Video System

Once the MDP to HDMI Adapter is connected to the iMac's 2nd Thunderbolt port, you can connect an HDMI Cable to the adapter and then run the HDMI cable to the HDMI to HD/SDI converter

HDMI to HD/SDI Converter

HDMI to HD/SDI Converter

This converter allows the StageDisplay from Propresenter to be routed through the main Video system.

Connecting the StageVDisplay output to the Video System

Connecting the StageVDisplay output to the Video System

Once the HDMI Cable is connected, you can connect an HD/SDI cable from the BNC Post on the AJA HA5 device to the HD/SDI Router located in the FOH Video Rack.

Connecting the Web Stream output

Connecting the Web Stream output

The Backup WebStream is run through the VLC application on the desktop of the iMac, the video output for the stream is run through a StarTech USB 3.0 to HDMI converter.

Connecting the Stream output to the Video System

Connecting the Stream output to the Video System

The HDMI cable is connected to the Siig adapter and then to one of the 3 available HDMI inputs on the back of the Sony Video Switcher.

Connecting the Spotify Audio output

Connecting the Spotify Audio output

connect the 3.5mm to stereo XLR cable from the headphone jack on the iMac to one of the stereo inputs on the back of the Yamaha CL5 audio console.

General Notes:

Thats it! you should be fully connected! Here are a few things to keep in mind before we get into the ProPresenter specific items:

  1. ProPresenter Video and Audio are both passed through the BlackMagic Mini Monitor through the HD/SDI Cable
  2. Backup Stream Video and Audio are both passed through the Siig USB 3.0 to HDMI Adapter
  3. StageDisplay Video is the only thing that is passed through the MDP to HDMI Adapter
  4. Spotify Audio is the only thing that is passed through the iMac's Headphone Jack.

ProPresenter and OSX application Settings

Loading content into ProPresenter

Loading content into ProPresenter

All Content should be loaded to the "CONTENT" folder on the "Media" drive accessible on the Desktop of the iMac.

Load all content to the correct folder on the "Media" Drive.

Load all content to the correct folder on the "Media" Drive.

Importing Content into ProPresenter

Importing Content into ProPresenter

Always use the import feature when loading content into ProPresenter, there are 2 options that you should be aware of:

  1. Use the "Import File" option for .pro5x files (LifeKids, or prepackaged content bundles)
  2. Use the "Import Video/Image" for all general content (videos, motion graphics, name slides, etc.)

ProPresenter Preferences

ProPresenter Preferences

Now that you have your content, lets make sure your preferences are set up correctly! You can enter the ProPresenter Preferences pane by navigating to the menu shown.

General Preferences Tab

General Preferences Tab

Other than uploading a custom logo, the only thing to verify on the General tab is that the "Application Data" and "Media Repository" are mapped to the "DO NOT DELETE" folder located on the Media Drive, and the box for "Manage Media Automatically" is checked.

Display Tab

Display Tab

There are just a few things to look at on the Display tab:

  1. Make sure the "Scale to Fit Output Display" box is NOT checked
  2. Make sure the "Enable Stage Display" box IS checked
  3. Make sure the "Out" box is on the iMac monitor (this will be toggled off since you are using the SDI output)
  4. Make sure the "Stage Display" box is on the correct display
  5. Make sure the "Output Screen" resolution is set to 1280x720

Toggle Display output to "Off"

Toggle Display output to "Off"

When the Output is toggled to "Off" you will see an icon like this in the ProPresenter Toolbar.

DVD Tab

DVD Tab

Since there are not DVD players on the iMacs, this feature should be disabled as shown above.

Live Tab

Live Tab

Since we do not have a Video input available on the iMac, this feature should be disabled as shown above.

Advanced Tab

Advanced Tab

To ensure high video quality and optimal playback, you should have a check in the "High Quality" and "Play Every Frame" boxes on this tab.

This is also where you will confirm the SDI output Resolution, you will need to have a check in the "Enable Output Device" box, and have "Blackmagic Video Output" selected with a resolution of "HD 720p 59.94"

Modules Tab

Modules Tab

As long as you see a green check mark next to the "SDI Output" module here you are good to go!

System Preferences

System Preferences

Now we need to make sure that a few Key system preferences line up with ProPresenter to make sure all the signals are flowing properly! You can access system preferences by clicking the apple logo in the top left of your screen.

Display Pane

Display Pane

In this pane, you should see 3 total displays (imac screen, Stream output, and Stage Display output)

Sound Pane

Sound Pane

In the sound pane, all you need to confirm is that the system audio output is set to "Blackmagic Audio"

BlackMagic Pane

BlackMagic Pane

There are 2 settings to take note of on this pane:

  1. Set Default Video Standard as: should be set to "HD 720p 59.94"
  2. When not playing video, send: should be set to "Black"
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