Displays
MediaShout is designed as a multiple-screen application to provide both a professional presentation appearance and flexible real-time editing capabilities.
Main Display
The visual presentation seen by your audience. Never again display your editing tools to the audience.
Control Display
The user workspace Determines what your audience sees and hears, and most importantly is seen only by you on your monitor.
Stage Display
An additional display of song lyrics, Bible verses or text for on-stage personnel. Automatically utilize foreground text or your own custom content and display full screen over black background for maximum clarity.
NOTE: Stage Display requires a third video card. More information can be found here
User Workspace
A three-pane workspace for a streamlined workflow. This workspace is comprised of Decks, the Script and Viewers, with additional built-in playback controls and panic buttons. While the layout may be customized to suit your preferences, the default workflow moves from left to right as you Build, Edit and Present.
Decks
Simple playback tools for various types of media within MediaShout. Similar to the individual components of a home theater system, decks each perform a specific function unique to the type of media used. In addition to immediate media playback, decks can also be used to build scripts, or MediaShout presentations. You can drag-and-drop a piece of media to the script, or even drag a piece of media ONTO an individual cue in the script in some cases. Decks can be opened and closed as needed.
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Script
In theater, the script is the blueprint to the production, describing what, when and how things happen. The script is supported by cues that tell cast and crew when to enter, deliver a line or drop the curtain. In MediaShout, the script is a presentation file that contains cues specifically designed for the type of media being played. You can present the script's cues in a linear or non-linear fashion by using the spacebar, hotkeys or point-and-click.
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Viewers
Virtual displays, showing media being edited or presented in MediaShout. Two viewers are open by default, but more or less may be opened as needed, and even tabbed, if you choose. The Viewer Properties menu provides you with options for selecting what that particular viewer will display - Program, Preview, Next, an Active or Specific Deck and Main or Stage Display.
Workspaces
Because MediaShout is commonly used by both editors and presenters with varying degrees of computer skills, Version 4 provides multiple workspaces to give each user the tools they need without extra clutter. MediaShout's 'View' menu includes a Workspace option for recalling and saving workspace layouts. Close Decks, move Viewers, resize Script thumbnails and more, and save these settings for next time.
Playback Controls
MediaShout's Control Display provides multiple playback controls and panic buttons for various uses.
Playbox
The Playbox is located below the script and contains master playback controls for playing time-based media as well as a Playback Mode drop-down for Normal, Manual, Slide Show, Loop, Shuffle and other playback options.Firebox
The Firebox is located below the Viewers in the lower-right corner of the Control Display. The Firebox contains panic buttons for Logo, Black, Color Bars and Stop All, as well as controls for Keyed Instant Messaging (KIM) and nursery alerts. Edit your panic button media and KIM settings from the Firebox drop-down menu.
Decks
Decks are simple playback tools for various types of media within MediaShout. Similar to the individual components of a home theater system, decks each perform a specific function unique to the type of media used. In addition to immediate media playback, decks can also be used to build scripts, or MediaShout presentations. You can drag-and-drop a piece of media to the script, or even drag a piece of media ONTO an individual cue in the script in some cases. Decks can be opened and closed as needed, and you may open multiple instances of a particular deck for advanced use.
Element Deck
Quick access to cues (and later commands) used in a Script. To insert a cue, simply drag and drop an element from this deck to the Script.
While the default Elements Deck view shows thumbnails and a limited set of choices, click the Deck Menu drop-down to add or remove elements (from the Deck Properties) and/or switch to a List View.
Song Deck
Quick access to your entire song library. Search for songs by Title, Author, Lyrics, Song ID and other fields and play immediately to the screen or drag-and-drop to your Script. Song, Bible, Text, Files and Web Decks also feature Template drop-down menus to quickly format cues to your favorite settings.
Version 4 adds a 'Song Library Tools Menu' to the Songs Deck. Add songs (from scratch, SongSelect and other formats), Export, Edit, Print and Backup your song library all from this menu.
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Bible Deck
Quick access to over 50 Bible translations. Use the Passage Picker, key in a specific reference or use Text Search to search Scriptures by keywords or phrases. If you need to extend the passage, simply click the up or down Extension Arrow to add previous or next verses. Play from the Bible Deck or drag-and-drop to the Script. Bible, Song, Text, Files and Web Decks also feature Template drop-down menus to quickly format cues to your favorite settings.
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Audio Deck
Quick access to audio playback. Use the File Menu to toggle between CD Player and Cue Player mode, insert sound files and save playlists. Also use the Playback Mode menu at the bottom of Audio Deck to switch between Normal, Manual, Auto, Loop and Shuffle modes.
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File Deck
Quick access to files and folders on your computer or network. In addition to standard browsing features, File Deck's menu utilizes FastFolders to keep track of your favorite locations, as well as a filter to narrow your list to specific media-types. Play media from File Deck, drag-and-drop to add to your script, or drag media files on top of existing cues to instantly replace the background.
File Deck is also one home of Background Mode - the VJ-ready feature allowing you to switch backgrounds on the fly behind programmed text. While playing a presentation, simply turn on Background Mode to play media straight from the File Deck behind your text. To go back to your pre-programmed media, switch back to Normal Mode.
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Cue Deck
Quick access to script files and cues while another script is open in the Script Pane. Use the File Menu to open and save scripts and either play media directly from this deck or drag-and-drop to your script.
Cue Deck is also one home of Background Mode - the VJ-ready feature allowing you to switch backgrounds on the fly behind programmed text. While playing a presentation, simply turn on Background Mode to play media straight from the Cue Deck behind your text. To go back to your pre-programmed media, switch back to Normal Mode.
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Cues
The basic building blocks of a MediaShout presentation or script. They are generally comprised of one or more types of media as well as formatting and playback settings, although some cues may be simple placeholders or advanced commands that tell MediaShout to perform a specific function at a specific time.
Lyric Cues
MediaShout includes a lyric management system specially designed for ministries. Because songs need to be both added and accessed easily, we've designed tools to provide the easiest lyric importing, editing and display. Add lyrics from multiple sources, including SongSelect, PowerPointTM Import, a myriad of third-party files or type your own using our New Song Wizard. Once added to the song library, play them to the screen from the Songs Deck or drag-and-drop to your Script. Edit font & layout for the entire song at once or word-by-word, and set a single background for the entire song or stanza-by-stanza.
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Bible Cues
Display Scripture passages without copying and pasting text using our built-in library of over 50 Bible translations. Point-and-click or type the needed passage into Passage Picker, or use Search Mode to find a list of matching passages by a word or phrase in the verse to pull a list of matching passages. Display Scripture passages verse-by-verse, in a paragraph form, with or without verse numbers and reference/translation information. Use BookBacks to automatically pick book-specific backgrounds to match your selected passage.
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Text Cues
Create announcements, sermon notes and other custom text, or use external text files. Using common word processing layout and style options, MediaShout provides easy creation and editing of on-screen text. Align text perfectly with your background media using drag-and-drop margins, available in all text-based Cues.
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Graphic Cues
Display images (including native Photoshop .psd files) as graphic cues and cue backgrounds. Version 4 now includes drag-and-drop sizing for custom placement in addition to the basic full screen options. Insert multiple graphic cues, add a soundtrack and auto-advance settings to create a slideshow in less than a minute.
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Animation Cues
Play Flash animations (.swf files) as animation cues or as cue backgrounds. Select in- and out-points as well as frame-specific thumbnails for customized playback.
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Video Cues
Video Files
Play video files as stand-alone video cues or as cue backgrounds. Select in- and out-points as well as frame-specific thumbnails for customized playback.Video DVD
Play DVDs directly from your DVD drive as a video DVD cue or as cue backgrounds. Quickly navigate DVD menus and select specific in- and out-points to safely play movie clips for your ministry.Video Feed
Connect a camera or other live source to your computer via FireWire or USB to use external devices as video feed cues and cue backgrounds.See also
Slideshow Cues
Play native PowerPointTM files as slideshow cues and edit existing slideshows using our external application links. MediaShout utilizes the full version of PowerPointTM installed on your computer, or the PowerPointTM 97 Viewer for most accurate playback of your files.
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PDF Cues
Display single or multi-page PDFs as cues in your presentation. You can play the document in its entirety or choose a smaller segment of pages to play.
Sound Cues
Play audio files as audio cues or as soundtracks for other cues. Set in- and out-points as well as loop and fade options.
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Section Cues
Group multiple cues to be into collapsible sections, providing for a simplified script view. Perfect for announcement loops and lengthy groups of photos.
Control Cues
Script Control
Manage loops and other automated cue playback with this behind-the-scenes cue. In addition to defining announcement loop settings, script control cues also allow for clock-based script playback - perfect for starting your announcements rolling automatically while you're in that pre-service meeting.See also
Sound Control
Manage scripted audio playback with this behind-the-scenes cue. Pause, unpause, change volume and fade specific audio files currently playing in your script. An ideal use for this cue is automatically pausing an audio playlist to play a video to the screen and resuming playback at the end of the video.See also
Comment Cues
Divide and label portions of your script with this behind-the-scenes cue. Add notes about a specific group of cues and mark placeholders for external events in your service.
Cue Editor
Your palette for customizing MediaShout presentations. Format and place text and/or media, adjust add transition, playback and timed advance settings and even add special commands to automate portions of your presentation.
Cues are generally made up of 3 basic layers: foreground, background and soundtrack and the Cue Editor is divided into tabs based on these layers and other attributes related to a cue. Version 4 features three new views - Simple, Standard and Advanced - based on your editing needs. These views show or hide buttons and features to meet your specific use.
Cue Tab
An overview of the main properties of a cue. Easily change foreground, background and soundtrack files, as well as transition, advance and view settings from this tab.
Foreground
Edit the foreground layer of your cue. For text-based cues, this is where you edit your text (including outline/drop-shadow), and for simple media-based cues, this tab shows playback options for that particular type of media. Also adjust templates, play order and sizing here.
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Background
Edit the background layer of your cue. Change sizing and placement options and select multiple backgrounds for the pages in your cue for maximum creativity. If you have an external editing application linked with MediaShout, you can also edit the actual background file in that particular editor and refresh the cue to use the most recent version.
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Soundtrack
Edit the soundtrack layer of your cue. Change in and out points, as well as volume and looping options for the soundtrack. Version 4 also allows for multiple soundtracks to be used with various pages of the cue.
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Command
Program loops, automatic playback, audio controls and time triggers for cues. Time Triggers record your advancement through a script and allow this recording to be played back automatically. For example, add an mp3 soundtrack to your lyric cue and set the cue to automatically display lyric stanzas in time with the music.
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Stage
An additional display of song lyrics, Bible verses or text for on-stage personnel. Automatically utilize foreground text or your own custom content and display full screen over black background for maximum clarity. In addition to large-format text, the stage tab optionally displays the current page name in the header and the next page name and first words from that page in the footer, keeping your team one step ahead.
NOTE: Stage Display requires a third video card. More information can be found here
Data
A page of the cue editor specific to song lyrics. This tab manages the Title, Author, Copyright and Song ID data from the song library as well as song groups.
Song Groups are special categories to help in managing and quickly using sets of song lyrics. A song may be a member of any number of groups or non at all. For example, one group may include Christmas hymns, another contains youth group songs and yet another includes songs by a favorite worship leader.
External Editors
Although MediaShout is primarily a presentation system and not a media editor, MediaShout does provide direct links with external editing applications to make last minute tweaks much easier. Look for the 'Edit' button on the foreground, background and soundtrack tabs of the cue editor and click to open the file in your preferred editor.
To designate external applications to edit and create media, choose Tools > Settings > Applications from the main toolbar and select your preferred program.
Extra Tools
MediaShout provides a number of extra features to make your presentation experience seamless and smooth, whether delivering scripted media or VJ-ing on the fly.
Background Mode
The VJ-ready feature allowing you to switch backgrounds on the fly behind programmed text. While playing a presentation, simply turn on Background Mode to play media straight from the File and Cue Decks behind your text. To go back to your pre-programmed media, switch back to Normal Mode.
BookBacks
Assign a book-specific background to any passage automatically using the BookBack feature. When the background of a Bible Cue is set to a specific BookBack library, MediaShout finds the media matching the book of the selected passage and assigns it to the Cue for a creative, consistent look.
Convert / Export
Foregrounds to Backgrounds And Back Again
The foreground of a simple media cue (graphic, video, animation, etc) can be moved to the background layer to allow you to place a Bible passage or other text in the foreground layer. Conversely, the background of a text-based cue can be moved to the foreground layer, converting the cue to a simple media cue.Exporting Cues
The composited image of a cue (i.e. - what the audience sees) can be captured like a screenshot and saved as JPEG files - perfect for grabbing still thumbnails from videos. In addition, the text content of a text-based cue can be exported to an RTF text document - a feature that comes in handy when copying text to handouts, outlines or sermon notes.Find these convert/export tools in the Edit > Convert menu of the main toolbar.
Countdown Clock
Play keyed countdown clocks to your audience and/or stage team. Perfect for letting your audience know how much time is left until your event starts, or giving your on-stage teams a reminder of how much time they have left.
KIM
MediaShout provides superimposed or "keyed" text over any cue on the main display utilizing the KIM toolbar. Text is displayed using standard formatting options, similar to other text-based cues and can be displayed with or without solid-color backgrounds.
Packer
A simple way of consolidating a presentation for distribution to another computer. It does this by making a copy of the script file and every media file used in the presentation, then placing these copies in the presentation folder you designate. This presentation folder can then be copied to a jump drive or other device and loaded onto another computer. Packer can be found under the File menu of the main toolbar.
PowerPoint Import
Guides you through the process of converting a PowerPoint file into a lyric, text or graphic cue, with the added option of saving the existing backgrounds as separate graphic files. PowerPoint Import requires a full installation of PowerPoint on your computer, and may be found under the File > Import menu of the main toolbar.
To import song lyrics:
- Select the slides you want to import & resulting Cue Type (lyric, text, graphic)
- Tag the resulting text as song data (title, author, copyright, CCLI number)
- Tag the remaining text by stanza and determine Play Order
Templates
To simplify the process of creating a presentation, the default settings of a cue are taken from a cue template. Multiple cue templates can be created for cues, providing you with one-click setup of text formatting and effects, background content, soundtracks, transitions and any other settings used with that cue on a regular basis.
Time Triggers
Record your advance through a script and allow this to be played back automatically. For example, add an mp3 soundtrack to a lyric cue and set the cue to automatically send lyrics to the screen in time with the music.