Setting up full screen output devices

Reeltime supports using HDMI/DisplayPort/USB-C/Thunderbolt monitoring devices as “full screen output devices”, enabling high-quality video signal distribution directly from your Mac’s built-in HDMI or Thunderbolt output ports. The feature enables flexible, low-latency monitoring on computer monitors, TVs, or via converters for SDI-based setups.

macOS display configuration#

Before enabling full screen outputs in Reeltime:

  1. Connect your target monitor or device to your Mac using an HDMI or Thunderbolt/DisplayPort cable.
  2. Open System Settings > Displays and:
    • Set the desired resolution for the connected display.
    • Adjust the refresh rate to 60 Hz or 50 Hz for optimal low-latency performance. Lower refresh rates are supported, but will result in increased delay.
    • Disable True Tone to avoid unwanted color shifts on video outputs.

Reeltime configuration#

  1. Go to Reeltime > Settings > Devices.
  2. Enable the desired HDMI/DisplayPort/USB-C/Thunderbolt-connected display as full screen output device.
  3. Select a layout:
    • Single view: one “FSO” (full screen output) will be available in the slot manager.
    • Quad view: four individual “FSO” outputs will be available in the slot manager.
  4. In the slot manager:
    • Assign one or more of the “FSO” outputs to your output slots.
    • Set the desired source for each slot.
Note: Important Note: Avoid changing a display’s resolution while it is being used as a full screen output device. If you adjust macOS display settings, restart Reeltime to ensure stable output behavior.

In the devices settings, there is also an option to automatically reset the mouse cursor to the main display window if it is moved into a full screen output.

  • The “Auto-reset cursor to main window” option is enabled by default.
    • If the cursor remains inactive in the full screen output area, it is automatically repositioned to the main interface after a short delay.

Configured full screen output devices in the devices settings

Quad view for converter integrations#

Full screen outputs configured as quad view support splitting a 4K signal into 4 HD-SDI signals using HDMI or DisplayPort to SDI converters.

Supported converters#

Full screen outputs configured as quad view allow outputting a single 4K HDMI/DisplayPort signal that can be split into four independent HD-SDI outputs using supported converters:

  • AJA HA5-4K: Converts a 4K HDMI signal into four 3G-SDI outputs.
Note: Important Note: The AJA HA5-4K requires an HDMI 2.1 compatible HDMI port, which are usually available on Macs with an M2 chip (or newer).

Last updated: June 12, 2025