I’m in the process of launching a new project for the stage, so I’ve been on the lookout for an app that not only makes it easy to play video via a projector but also doesn’t display my MacOS screen, gives me full control over the video clips, and makes it as easy as possible for the person running the show.
I tried to work some magic with MacOS, but every time a video clip would end, either the Quick Time player or the desktop would be revealed — not ideal. My search for a professional piece of software finally ended with QLab.
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QLab was designed specifically for playing back sound, video, and light- and show-control cues for all types of situations. It may be overkill for movie night, but with the holidays fast approaching, you might want to impress your family and friends with a seamless, professional video presentation. QLab will not let you down.
The only caveat to using QLab is that it’s only available for MacOS. For me (and most consumers), the free version is enough, but the paid version, which is $119, adds features like network, MIDI, MIDI File, Pause, Devamp, Target, Arm & Disarm, Script Timecode, and Timecode trigger cues. The paid version also bumps up the audio support with 128 channels of output, 24 channels of audio per audio file, effects, fading, and mic cues.
How to use QLab for projecting video
QLab does have a slight learning curve, but I’ll demonstrate how it’s used. The QLab workflow essentially goes like this:
- Set your trigger (what will activate the videos).
- Add your video files (one at a time).
- Connect your MacBook or iMac to the projection source.
- Hit your trigger to start the magic.
What you’ll need: The only things you’ll need for this are a MacOS device, the QLab app, and your video files.
Once you’ve installed it on your Mac, open QLab. Open Setting by clicking the gear icon at the bottom right of the main window.
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When you first open QLab, you should automatically be in a new, empty workspace. If not, click File > New Workspace. You can create as many workspaces as needed. For example, you might have a workspace for Halloween, one for Thanksgiving, and one for Christmas.
Once you’ve done that, click the Controls tab in the left navigation, and you’ll see the GO trigger at the top. Click the text area and then whatever key or key combination you want to use as the trigger (which starts playing the next file in the queue). Once you’ve done that, click Done.
QLab is easy to use, once you understand the workflow.
Jack Wallen/ZDNET
On the main window, first click the small film icon under the Notes text area to add a new entry to the cue sheet. Once you’ve added the entry, you can give it a name, add notes, and then either drag and drop the file from Finder or double-click the Target text field and locate the file you want to add.
You can get by with just configuring the Controls section at first.
Jack Wallen/ZDNET
Continue adding files to the cue sheet. You can add as many as needed for your event. If you see an X beside a cue, that means you’ve not added the required details. Once you’ve added everything necessary, the red X disappears and the cue is ready.
Build your cue sheet to include every file you need.
Jack Wallen/ZDNET
You might have already set your Hotkey trigger for the app as a whole, but you can customize the trigger on a per-workspace basis. You can also set the Continue options for one of the following:
- Do not continue
- Auto-continue
- Auto-follow
If you’re just playing several movies for a party, select Auto-continue. Once you trigger the first cue, every cue will automatically play (in sequential order) until the end. If this is part of a presentation, make sure to select “Do not continue,” so you have control of the flow.
Once you’ve added all your cues, you can click the Show button at the bottom left corner to switch to the show controls, where you don’t have to worry about accidentally making any changes to the cue sheet, hit your Hotkey trigger, and start the show.
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With QLab, you’ll only see a black screen between cues, so there’s no worry that your desktop or any open apps will appear on the screen.
And that is how easy it is to set up a movie night for the holidays or even a presentation with QLab. This app is one of the best I’ve tried for this purpose. I hope it helps relieve a bit of frustration for you.