External monitor via DVI (Windows Graphics Card)

If your Windows desktop is extended across multiple displays, you can use one of those displays to preview the timeline with no A/V synchronization drift — perfect for ADR and Foley work.

IMPORTANT If you intend to deliver your project in an interlaced format, previewing on a computer monitor is not a substitute for previewing on an interlaced broadcast monitor.

Preview requirements:

  • A multiple-output graphics card that supports 3D acceleration (or multiple graphics cards: you could install AGP and PCI video cards in your system, for example).

    You can also use the Windows Graphics Card device on a computer with a single monitor. When you enable the external monitor, the video preview will fill your screen.

  • A CRT, LCD, or projector connected to your computer's secondary video output.

    If you have a video card with DVI outputs, you can use a DVI-to-HDMI converter to connect to an HDMI monitor.

  • The Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor checkbox must be selected on the Settings tab of the Display Properties dialog (Start | Settings | Control Panel | Display).

NOTE

  • VEGAS Pro allows you to use one external video device at a time. The external monitor display will be unavailable during video capture.

  • When using an external video monitor, you need to enable external-monitor preview each time you start VEGAS Pro. This change was made to prevent the possibility of hiding the main VEGAS Pro window behind the secondary display when monitors are improperly configured.

  1. Use the Preview Device tab in the Preferences dialog to configure the display you want to use as a video preview monitor. For more information, see Preferences - Preview Device Tab

  2. Select the Preview on External Monitor button in the Video Preview window.

    You can turn off external preview by pressing Alt+Shift+4 or by clicking the secondary display and pressing Esc.

    TIP Video is sent to your secondary display and the Video Preview window at the same time. If you experience dropped frames, try clearing the Display frames in Video Preview window during playback checkbox on the Preview Device tab in the Preferences dialog.