Can I use more than one extra monitor with FCP?

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Ian R. Brown Author

Level 7

23,712 points

Can I use more than one extra monitor with FCP?

I have got 2 monitors connected to my iMac but I seem to be able to use just one with FCP.

Is it possible to use both and if so, how?

iMac 27″ 5K, macOS 12.6

Posted on Jun 30, 2023 03:17 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Luis Sequeira1

Level 9

71,904 points

Jun 30, 2023 06:16 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

Hooray!!!

I guess the HDMI-only restriction may have been lifted, and maybe now it's "HDMI or USB-C".

I remember when this started, one had to have a specialized output card in order to view it on a reference monitor. I was very glad when I could use it in HDMI. For me, it helps a lot to see the final video in full screen, unemcumbered by all the FCP interface, while still being able to make adjustments at the same time.

I do not use it all the time, but more when I am close to finishing my editing, to make sure all the details look right in the big(-ish) screen.

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Answer 2

Jun 30, 2023 03:43 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

A/V Output will show the end result, without any interface elements - just the video of your production, in full screen. It can be useful to preview exactly how it will come out.

For example, here is FCP interface:

And here is a shot of A/V Output: basically what you'd see in the Viewer, but full screen and without any interface elements:

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Answer 3

Ian R. Brown Author

Level 7

23,712 points

Jun 30, 2023 04:51 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

In my FCP Preferences>Playback the A/V setting says "None found" and in the Window menu the A/V is greyed out.

Does this mean my setup is unsuitable for using A/V?

I do have another use for the third monitor . . . as a display for video tutorials . . . I can follow the lesson on the monitor whilst performing the actions on the app in question.

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Answer 4

Ian R. Brown Author

Level 7

23,712 points

Jun 30, 2023 06:02 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Well I'll be hornswoggled!

I don't know what has happened but suddenly I got A/V Output on the 16" Philips.

As you can see in the photo, the BenQ has the Browser, the iMac has the timeline etc. and the Philips is displaying A/V Out and is connected by USB-C to the iMac's Thunderbolt port. The iMac has no HDMI.

How do you explain that?

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Answer 5

Jun 30, 2023 03:22 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

Hi, Ian

You can use two for the interface, and one as "A/V Output".

The monitor used as A/V Output must be connected via HDMI and be set at 1080p or 4K resolution.

Getting this to work with the exact displays you want is a little game that I've learned over time.

Let me know if you want to pursue this and I can guide you through it.

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Answer 6

Ian R. Brown Author

Level 7

23,712 points

Jun 30, 2023 03:34 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

I don't understand what you mean by "A/V Output".

The 24" BenQ is an HDMI monitor but it is connected via a converter into USB-C/Thunderbolt on my iMac.

The 16" Philips is connected directly via USB-C.

As neither of them is connected directly by HDMI it looks as though the A/V Output (whatever that is) may not work?

Incidentally, these 2 were not bought specially for this task . . . the old BenQ has been used for 9 years with my Mac mini and the Philips was a free gift . . . I am just experimenting to find the various possibilities.

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Answer 7

Ian R. Brown Author

Level 7

23,712 points

Jun 30, 2023 04:02 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Thanks Luis. So the A/V Output is almost the same as the Viewer.

That means I could have the Browser on one, the Timeline on another and the A/V Output/Viewer on the third?

However, as both external monitors are plugged into my iMac's Thunderbolt ports, I probably can't get the A/V Output?

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Answer 8

Jun 30, 2023 05:36 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

Perhaps one display can be used as A/V Output if it is connected using HDMI (via an adapter), but I am thinking that it could be more useful in the way you describe, or to put other things - a manual in pdf, a Finder window, etc

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Answer 9

Ian R. Brown Author

Level 7

23,712 points

Jun 30, 2023 06:36 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

I don't know how useful it will be with FCP but it sure has been fun playing around.

Some people never grow up!

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Can I use more than one extra monitor with FCP?

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