Managing Multi-Output Devices

Multi-output devices are managed much like standard, single-output devices in the Videri Platform. However, some device information and settings can be viewed or configured independently for each output.

This article highlights the primary differences when managing a multi-output device, covering:

• Viewing Device and Output Details
• Schedule Modes, and Switching Between Modes
• Configuring Device Settings
• Renaming an Output
• Assigning Tags to An Output
• Configuring Display Settings
• Adjusting Display Settings Across Multiple Devices
• Managing Brightness Schedules

For general device-management instructions, refer to the existing Device Management articles linked throughout this guide.

Overview

Watch this short video for an overview about managing multi-output displays:

Viewing Device and Output Details

For standard devices, information such as display status, resolution, and orientation is associated with the device's single display. See The Devices Page, Device Statuses, and Display Statuses For Devices In Portal3 for more information about viewing device information and statuses.

For multi-output devices, applicable display information is shown per output in the devices list and device drawer. This allows you to view the status and configuration of each connected output independently.

Per-output information may include:

• Display settings
• Resolution
• Orientation
• Tags

Schedule Modes

Multi-output devices can operate in one of two modes: Independent or Mirrored.

In Independent mode, each output can be managed separately, allowing different content schedules and supported output settings to be configured for each display. In Mirrored mode, all outputs use the same configured settings and content schedule. 

The current mode of a multi-display device can be viewed in the device 'Statuses' column (as long as the column is configured to show device type):

	Device is in Independent mode.
	Device is in Mirrored mode.

By default, multi-output devices operate in Mirrored mode. Access to Independent mode depends on your active licensing agreement.

Switching Between Modes

If enabled via your licensing agreement, you can switch between Independent and Mirrored mode. To do so:

1. Click "Devices" in the left sidebar to navigate to the Devices page.
2. Click the target device to open the device drawer.
3. Click the "Display" tab.
4. In the 'Output Settings' section, locate the ''Schedule mode' field. Click on either "Mirrored" or "Independent" to switch between modes. 

Hardware Limitations Affecting Independent Mode

Even with an active license for Independent mode, some multi-output devices limit independent configuration of certain display settings. 

1. SparkBridge+ does not support per-output display settings. Display settings apply to the device as a whole.
2. On supported AllSee dual-display devices RGB offsets and saturation can be configured for the primary output only. Brightness is unaffected, and can be configured independently for each output.

For additional hardware-specific limitations, see Supported Multi-Output Devices.

Configuring Device Settings

Device settings for multi-output devices are generally accessed and modified in the same way as those for standard, single-output devices. 

The primary difference is that per-output settings are configured from the "Display" tab in the device drawer or the "Display Settings" tab in Advanced Settings. Changes made from the secondary "Overview" tab apply to all outputs. To modify settings for a specific output only, first select the desired output:

1. Navigate to the Devices page.
2. Click the target device to open the device drawer.
3. Click the "Display" tab.
4. Click on first output tab, located under the "Display" tab, to the right of the selected "Overview" tab.
5. Modify settings as needed.

For general guidance configuring device settings, see Configuring Basic Device Settings.

Renaming an Output

In addition to the device name, each output on a multi-output device can be assigned a unique output name. Unique names can help distinguish between outputs when managing, scheduling, or monitoring a device with multiple outputs.

Output names can be changed via the device drawer or from the device's Advanced Settings page. To rename outputs via the drawer:

1. Select the desired output, as described in Configuring Device Settings above.
2. Click into the 'Name' field.
3. Type a new name and click anywhere outside of the text field to save.

To rename outputs via the Advanced Settings page:

1. Click "Devices" in the left sidebar to navigate to the Devices page.
2. Click the target device to open the device drawer.
3. Click the "Advanced Settings" button, located in the top-right corner.
4. Click the "Display Settings" tab.
5. Click on the target output tab, located under the "Display Settings" tab, to the right of the selected "Overview" tab. 
6. Click into the 'Name' field.
7. Type a new name and click anywhere outside of the text field to save.

Assigning Tags to An Output

In addition to tagging the device itself, you can assign tags to individual outputs on a multi-output device. This allows each display to be identified and organized independently. To tag outputs via the drawer:

1. Open the drawer for the target device and navigate to the "Display" tab.
2. To tag the device as a whole, modify tags in the 'Tags' field.
   To tag individual outputs, first select the target output secondary tab, as described in Configuring Device Settings above. Then, modify tags. 
3. Click anywhere outside of the text field to save.

Configuring Display Settings

Display settings for multi-output devices are generally accessed and modified in the same way as those for standard, single-output devices. 

The primary difference is that changes made from the secondary "Overview" tab apply to all outputs. To modify settings for a specific output only, first select the desired output, as described in Configuring Device Settings above.

For general guidance modifying individual settings, see Modifying Device Display Settings. 

Adjusting Display Settings Across Multiple Devices

Display settings can also be adjusted in batch for multiple multi-output devices from the Actions menu on the Devices page.

When applying supported display settings to a selection of multi-output devices, you can choose whether to target:

• A specific output across the selected devices
• All outputs across the selected devices

To modify display settings in batch:

1. Navigate to the Devices page. 
2. Select all target devices and/or outputs:
   1. To select a device as a whole, click the checkbox in its row.
   2. To select specific outputs, first click the down arrow next to a device name to see its outputs, then click the checkboxes for the specific outputs.
3. Click the "Actions" button, located at the top-right of the page, above the table headers.
4. Click "Edit display settings". Note: If you selected some but not all of the outputs of a device in Mirrored mode, you will be prompted to include or exclude the device in the batch action, as individual outputs cannot be modified when being mirrored, as described in Schedule Modes above.
5. Adjust settings as needed.
6. Click "Apply" to save your changes.

Managing Brightness Schedules

Like other display settings, brightness schedules can be managed for the device as a whole or independently for each output on a multi-output device.

The process for creating and managing schedules is otherwise the same as for a standard device, the primary difference being whether the action is initiated from the "Display" > "Overview" tab, or from a specific output tab, as described above.. See Brightness Scheduling for guidance on creating, editing, and managing brightness schedules.