Keith Perez

ProPresenter-Church-Setup-Guide

9 min read

ProPresenter Church Setup Guide

Complete Configuration for Livestreaming, Confidence Monitors, and Audience Displays

Table of Contents

  1. Hardware Requirements
  2. Initial Setup & Configuration
  3. Screen Configuration
  4. Confidence Monitor (Stage Display) Setup
  5. Audience Screen Configuration
  6. Livestream Output Setup
  7. General Configuration & Best Practices
  8. Troubleshooting Tips

Hardware Requirements

Computer Specifications

Recommended Setup:

  • Mac: Mac Mini M4 (base model for basic setups, 10-core CPU/GPU version for 3+ screens)
    • Alternative: Mac Mini M2 Pro or Mac Studio M1 Max/Ultra
  • Windows: i7 or i9 processor with dedicated GPU
  • RAM: Minimum 16GB (32GB recommended for complex setups)
  • Storage: At least 512GB SSD (256GB minimum, but limited for media storage)

Performance Considerations:

  • Base Mac Mini M4 handles: lyrics, motion backgrounds, confidence monitors, and livestream graphics with ease
  • Upgrade to 10-core model if running more than three unique screens
  • Dedicated GPU essential for Windows systems

Display Hardware

For Stage Display/Confidence Monitor:

  • External monitor (can use existing TV or computer monitor)
  • Connection options:
    • HDMI port (direct connection)
    • Mini-Display Port/Thunderbolt adapter
    • USB video adapter (for computers with limited outputs)

For Livestreaming:

  • NDI network connection (recommended - requires gigabit Ethernet)
  • SDI output (requires Blackmagic DeckLink Card or UltraStudio 4K)
  • HDMI capture card (alternative)

Initial Setup & Configuration

First Launch Setup

  1. Open ProPresenter for the first time
  2. Welcome Screen Options:
    • Choose whether to enable House of Worship features
    • Enable/disable: Renewed Vision Media Store, Bibles, Planning Center Online integration
  3. Access Preferences:
    • Mac: Press Command + Comma
    • Windows: Press Control + Comma
    • Or: Click ProPresenter menu → Preferences

Essential Preference Settings

Display Tab

  1. Open Preferences → Display
  2. Click the Arrangement tab
  3. Uncheck “Mirror Displays” option
  4. Arrange your screens in the visual layout

Media Repository

  1. Set directory where purchased/imported media is stored
  2. Optional: Check “Manage Media Automatically” to copy all imported media to this location
  3. Ensure sufficient storage space on selected drive

House of Worship Settings

Toggle these features based on your needs:

  • Bible integration
  • Planning Center Online sync
  • Media Store access

Screen Configuration

Understanding Screen Types

ProPresenter uses two main screen categories:

  1. Audience Screens: All crowd-facing displays (sanctuary screens, lobby monitors)
  2. Stage Screens: Displays visible to performers/production team (confidence monitors, operator screens)

Basic Configuration Steps

  1. Open Screen Configuration:

    • Menu Bar → Screens → Configure Screens

  2. Add Screens:

    • Click the + button to add each physical display
    • Name each screen descriptively (e.g., “Main Sanctuary,” “Stage Left Monitor,” “Livestream Output”)

  3. Assign Screen Types:

    • Drag outputs to appropriate physical displays
    • Black “Output” box = Audience screens
    • Purple “SD” box = Stage Display screens

  4. Set Resolution & Frame Rate:

    • Match each screen’s native resolution for best quality
    • Standard: 1920x1080 @ 60fps
    • For livestreaming: Match your streaming resolution (typically 1080p or 720p)

Confidence Monitor (Stage Display) Setup

Hardware Connection

Step 1: Physical Connection

  • Connect monitor to computer using available port:
    • Direct HDMI/DisplayPort (preferred)
    • Thunderbolt/Mini-DisplayPort adapter
    • USB video adapter (for limited ports)

Step 2: Configure as External Display

  • Mac: System Preferences → Displays → Arrangement → Set up as extended display
  • Windows: Display Settings → Multiple Displays → Extend these displays

ProPresenter Stage Display Configuration

Step 1: Enable Stage Display

  1. ProPresenter menu → Preferences → Display tab
  2. Locate the box representing your stage monitor
  3. Drag the purple “SD” box to that display
  4. Check “Enable Stage Display”

Step 2: Customize Stage Display Layout

  1. Menu Bar → Screen → Edit Stage Layouts
  2. Available layout elements:
    • Current Slide: What’s showing now
    • Next Slide: Upcoming slide preview
    • Notes: Speaker notes and cues
    • Clocks: System time, countdown timers
    • Timers: Event/segment timers
    • Chord Charts: For worship team
    • Custom Messages: Live messages to stage talent

Step 3: Create Multiple Layouts Best practice: Create different layouts for different service segments:

  • Worship Layout: Current slide + Next slide + Chord charts
  • Sermon Layout: Current slide + Notes + Timer
  • Transition Layout: Clock + Next slide + Custom messages

Step 4: Layout Switching

  • Manual: Click layout dropdown during service
  • Automatic: Add Actions to presentations to switch layouts automatically

Stage Display Best Practices

  • Font Size: Use large, readable fonts (visible from 10-15 feet)
  • High Contrast: Dark background with white/bright text
  • Minimal Information: Don’t overcrowd—focus on essential info
  • Positioning: Place monitors in natural sightlines for performers
  • Customization: Ask your worship team what information they need most
  • Test Visibility: Stand where performers will be and verify readability

Audience Screen Configuration

Setup Process

  1. Screen Configuration Menu:

    • Screens → Configure Screens
    • Add audience screen(s)
    • Set to “Audience” type

  2. Resolution Settings:

    • Match your projector/display’s native resolution
    • Common settings: 1920x1080, 1280x720

  3. Layout Options:

    • Standard: Full-screen output
    • Split: Multiple content areas (not recommended for worship)

Output Best Practices

For In-Person Congregation:

  • Use full-screen slides for lyrics, scripture, announcements
  • High contrast (dark backgrounds, bright text)
  • Large, readable fonts (minimum 60pt for lyrics)
  • Test visibility from back of sanctuary

Image & Video Guidelines:

  • Use high-resolution backgrounds (1080p minimum)
  • Avoid overly busy backgrounds that make text hard to read
  • Test all media before services

Livestream Output Setup

Understanding Livestream Needs

Key Difference from Audience Screens:

  • In-person: Full-screen lyrics/scripture (covers whole screen)
  • Livestream: Lower-thirds (overlay at bottom, shows stage in background)

This allows online viewers to see both the content AND what’s happening on stage.

Requirements:

  • Gigabit Ethernet network
  • NDI-compatible streaming software (OBS, vMix, Ecamm Live)
  • NDI version 6 compatibility

Setup Steps:

  1. Configure NDI Output in ProPresenter:

    • Screens → Configure Screens
    • Click + to add new screen
    • Select “New NDI” from Output dropdown
    • Set resolution (typically 1920x1080)
    • Set frame rate (30fps or 60fps based on streaming specs)

  2. Enable Transparency (For Lower-Thirds):

    • Click Alpha Key tab in screen settings
    • Check “Enable” checkbox
    • This makes backgrounds transparent for overlay effects

  3. Audio Configuration:

    • ProPresenter Preferences → Audio tab
    • Under “SDI & NDI” subsection
    • Check “Enable” to send audio with NDI

  4. Connect to Streaming Software (OBS Example):

    • In OBS: Add Source → NDI Source
    • Select ProPresenter NDI output from list
    • Position/resize as needed

NDI Advantages:

  • No additional capture hardware required
  • Network-based (multiple devices can receive)
  • Includes embedded audio
  • Alpha channel support for lower-thirds

Output Method 2: SDI

Requirements:

  • Blackmagic DeckLink Card or UltraStudio 4K device installed
  • SDI cable to streaming switcher/encoder

Setup:

  1. Install Blackmagic drivers
  2. Connect SDI hardware to computer
  3. ProPresenter: Screens → Configure Screens
  4. Select SDI device from Output dropdown
  5. Configure resolution and frame rate

Audio over SDI:

  • Preferences → Audio → SDI & NDI
  • Enable audio output

Output Method 3: HDMI Capture

Requirements:

  • HDMI capture card (Elgato, Blackmagic, etc.)

Setup:

  1. Configure HDMI screen output in ProPresenter
  2. Connect HDMI to capture device
  3. Capture device feeds into streaming computer/software

Livestream-Specific Features

Lower-Thirds Configuration:

  1. Create separate “Livestream” output screen
  2. Design templates with transparent backgrounds
  3. Text positioned in lower third of frame
  4. Use Alpha Key output for transparency

Dual Output Strategy:

  • Audience screen: Full-screen content
  • Livestream screen: Lower-thirds overlay
  • Both update simultaneously from same presentation

General Configuration & Best Practices

Bible Setup

  1. Access Bibles:

    • View → Bibles (menu bar)
    • Or click Bibles button in toolbar

  2. Install Bibles:

    • Download desired translations
    • Register Bibles in preferences

  3. Bible Options:

    • Show Verse Numbers: Display verse numbers in passages
    • Break on New Verse: Create new slide for each verse
    • Display Translation: Show which translation is being used

Media Management

Best Practices:

  • Create folder structure: Worship Songs, Sermon Media, Announcements, Backgrounds
  • Use “Manage Media Automatically” to centralize media files
  • Regularly clean up unused media to save storage
  • Name files descriptively (not “IMG_1234.jpg”)

Planning Center Integration

If using Planning Center Online:

  1. Enable in House of Worship settings
  2. Link PCO account in preferences
  3. Auto-import service orders and song arrangements
  4. Reduces manual playlist creation

Presentation Organization

Folder Structure:

ProPresenter Library/
├── Worship Songs/
│   ├── Fast Songs/
│   ├── Slow Songs/
│   └── Seasonal/
├── Sermon Series/
│   ├── Current Series/
│   └── Archive/
├── Announcements/
└── Special Events/

Naming Conventions:

  • Songs: “Song Title - Artist”
  • Sermons: “YYYY-MM-DD - Sermon Title”
  • Announcements: “ANN - Topic - Date”

Keyboard Shortcuts

Essential shortcuts to know:

  • Space: Trigger next slide
  • Delete/Backspace: Previous slide
  • Esc: Clear all screens
  • Command/Ctrl + Comma: Preferences
  • Command/Ctrl + F: Search presentations

Template Creation

Create Consistent Look:

  1. Design master template with church branding
  2. Set default fonts, colors, backgrounds
  3. Save as reusable template
  4. Apply to all presentations for consistency

Troubleshooting Tips

NDI Issues

Problem: NDI source not appearing in streaming software

  • Verify both ProPresenter and streaming software use NDI version 6
  • Check network connection (must be on same network)
  • Restart NDI service in ProPresenter

Problem: NDI video choppy/laggy

  • Ensure gigabit Ethernet connection (not WiFi)
  • Check network bandwidth usage
  • Lower resolution or frame rate if needed

Stage Display Problems

Problem: Stage display not showing

  • Verify physical connection to monitor
  • Check Display preferences (computer recognizes monitor?)
  • Ensure “Enable Stage Display” is checked
  • Confirm purple “SD” box is on correct display

Problem: Text too small on stage display

  • Edit Stage Layout → Select text elements → Increase font size
  • Simplify layout to allow larger elements

Performance Issues

Problem: ProPresenter lagging/dropping frames

  • Check CPU usage (Activity Monitor/Task Manager)
  • Reduce number of simultaneous outputs
  • Lower resolution on less critical outputs
  • Upgrade hardware if consistently overloaded
  • Close unnecessary background applications

Problem: Video playback stuttering

  • Convert videos to ProPresenter-optimized codec (H.264)
  • Reduce video resolution if too high
  • Store videos on fast SSD, not external USB drive

General Issues

Problem: Media files not importing

  • Check file format compatibility (MP4, MOV, PNG, JPG recommended)
  • Ensure sufficient storage space
  • Verify media isn’t corrupted (test in other player)

Problem: Presentations not saving

  • Check storage space
  • Verify write permissions to ProPresenter library folder
  • Restart ProPresenter

Quick Start Checklist

For someone setting up ProPresenter for the first time:

  • Install ProPresenter on appropriate computer
  • Configure display arrangement (Preferences → Display)
  • Connect and configure audience screen(s)
  • Connect and configure stage display monitor
  • Set up livestream output (NDI/SDI/HDMI)
  • Install Bible translations
  • Set up media repository location
  • Create folder structure for organization
  • Build presentation templates with church branding
  • Configure stage display layouts for different service segments
  • Test all outputs before first service
  • Train operators on basic shortcuts and workflow
  • Create backup plan (what if ProPresenter crashes?)

Additional Resources

This guide created based on ProPresenter 7 best practices for church worship environments (2025)

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