This ain't your daddy's PowerPoint

Every day new users become frustrated trying to figure out how to get the MediaShout presentation up on the projection screen. So they make the call. The conversation usually goes like this, " I connected my laptop to the projector and then I hit the fn+F7 keys to get the picture on the projector." Those of you who are still using PowerPoint can rest assured that MediaShout can still play your PPT files but the setup for this is done differently.

PowerPoint is typically set up using the cloning feature usually activated using the fn+F? feature. This setup does not allow MediaShout to display separate images, one control screen, one display screen. MediaShout requires Extended Desktop mode so that the computer is sending out 2 separate outputs from the computer. This cannot be done by using a splitter to send one image to a monitor and another to the projector.

How to set up Extended Desktop mode:

Windows XP- Right Click on the desktop of you computer and choose Properties. From that menu choose Display Settings. There will be two boxes in the Windows Display Settings a 1 and a 2. Click on display 2 and check the box that says Extend my windows desktop onto this monitor.
Note: Be sure that your display resolution on monitor 2 is at least 800X600. Resolutions higher that 1024X768 could result in a lag if your video card cannot handle it.

Once these settings have been made click the OK button. Yous should now see the same desktop image without the icons.

Windows Vista - Right Click on the desktop and choose Personalize. Choose Display Settings and you will see the same window as in Windows XP.

Once the Extended Desktop mode has been set, Open MediaShout and your projector screen should go black and the control screen will be displayed on the primary monitor.

If your computer sends the primary screen to the projector you will need to set the laptop screen as the primary using your video card's control panel. These settings are usually found under the heading of Multiple Monitor Set Up.

So there you have it, now go Shout!!