Can I use more than one extra monitor with FCP?

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Ian R. Brown Author

Level 7

24,102 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 3:17 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 30, 2023 3:22 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 2

Jun 30, 2023 3:43 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

Jun 30, 2023 5:36 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 4

Jun 30, 2023 6:16 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 5

Ian R. Brown Author

Level 7

24,102 points

Jun 30, 2023 3:34 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 6

Ian R. Brown Author

Level 7

24,102 points

Jun 30, 2023 4:02 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 7

Ian R. Brown Author

Level 7

24,102 points

Jun 30, 2023 4:51 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 8

Ian R. Brown Author

Level 7

24,102 points

Jun 30, 2023 6:02 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 9

Ian R. Brown Author

Level 7

24,102 points

Jun 30, 2023 6:36 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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