HDMI Share is the application that can be used to display web cams, connected laptops, TVs and wireless display devices.  The FAQ gives an overview of the HDMI Share application and how to use it.




What can I do with HDMI Share?


HDMI Share can display most any kind of USB Video Class device (UVC).  This includes: web cams and HDMI capture cards (for TVs, laptops, wireless display devices).  Although we have not tested all UVC cameras, most should work.  For recommended HDMI capture cards, please see: Supported HDMI Capture Devices for more information.


With HDMI Capture devices, HDMI Share can either start from an action tile, or automatically start when video is being displayed (e.g. when a laptop is plugged in).


With UVC Cameras (web cams), HDMI Share can start with an Action tile.


HDMI Share can display many feeds on one screen with Picture in Picture or Tabbed display.  It can also have a prompt for a user to plug in their own device.



 



Common Setups with HDMI Share

Here are instructions for a number of common setups with HDMI Share:


Use HDMI Share to Show and Hide a Camera with an Action Tile


Use HDMI Share to Show a Laptop when Plugged In


Use HDMI Share to Prompt Users to Plug in their Laptop


Use HDMI Share to Show a Device with an Action Tile


Use HDMI Share with Barco ClickShare


Using Audio in HDMI Share with HDMI Capture Devices



Requirements for using HDMI Share

Sharing video requires specific hardware requirements and needs the best performance possible.  HDMI Share requires:




Getting the Best Performance from your HDMI Capture Card

To get the best performance from your USB HDMI Capture card, follow  the tips:

  • Always plug into a USB 3 port - they are blue
  • Always use a USB 3 cable
  • Do not plug into a USB hub





HDMI Share Settings

The above links tell how to set up HDMI Share for specific use cases.  This section describes the settings screen for setting up HDMI Share.


HDMI Share Settings: General

The General screen allows you to turn on and off HDMI share, as well as show HDMI Share screens in the taskbar.





HDMI Share Settings: Screens


When setting up HDMI Share ,you will need to define the screens HDMI Share will use to display devices.  These screens are the same as your displays in Quicklaunch. You are able to define defaults for the screen, such as:

  • always show the screen or to wait for a video feed to become live;
  • use the screen for a single video feed or multiple feeds with Picture in Picture or Tabbed display;
  • to force full screen or windowed;
  • to display close or minimize buttons.



The main fields on this page are:

  • Display Name - this is the title that is displayed on the screen.
  • Allow Close - this will allow the user to close the window.  CAUTION only use this for always on devices or else your users may end up hiding plugged in devices!
  • Resize Options - force full screen or allow the user to grow, shrink and move the window.
  • Viewing Options - you can display multiple devices on a single screen.  You can have Picture in Picture or have a Tabbed mode where users can click buttons for each of the video feeds.
  • Default Visibility - 
    • Always Show - the HDMI Share screen will always show.  This is useful when presenting instructions on how to plug in a device.
    • Show only when device is showing - Used when an Action tile will display a device or sometimes used when showing when a device is plugged in.
  • Background Image - this image will be shown when the screen is showing but there is no video feed.  Often used to display instructions to the user on how to plug in a device.








HDMI Share Settings: Devices


You need to define what devices you want to use and what screen to display them on as a default.  Some options are:

  • the video quality;
  • to show the device with an Action tile or to show when there is a video feed;
  • what screen to display the device on;



The main field on this page are:

  • Is Enabled - allows the device to be used for Action tiles and or when plugged in;
  • Default Screen - this sets which HDMI Share screen will be used as the default for the device to be displayed on. Make sure to set it to and enable screen (see above).
  • Video Quality - three choices of low, medium and high.  On high quality, make sure to have a powerful processor with outboard GPU and lots of memory.
  • Default Visibility:
    • Use Action tile to show the device - the device will not display until triggered by an Action tile.
    • Always show the device  - the device will always show.
    • Show device when plugged in - the device will show when it starts streaming.  Often used for when plugging in a laptop to an HDMI capture card.



HDMI Share Settings for Action Tiles


Sometimes you will want to use an Action tile to display a video device (such as with web cams).  An Action tile is setup and connected to HDMI Share to trigger specific devices to show.



The main fields when setting up an Action tile are:

  • Visibility:
    • Show - show video stream of the device.
    • Hide - hide the video stream of the device.
    • Toggle - toggle between showing and hiding the video stream of the device each time the action tile is pressed.
    • NoChange - use default setting from the HDMI device page (typically not used).
  • Screen - this is to override the default screen set in the HDMI Device settings.



Common Issues:


1. HDMI Share does not start automatically when HDMI cable is connected to the video source.

  • Make sure the Default Screen ID matches the Screen ID enabled under HDMI Share Settings


2. HDMI Share does not start with an Action Tile.

  • Incorrect HDMI Share->Devices Settings
  • Incorrect HDMI Share Action Tile Settings


3. HDMI Share Window starts but displays no image (black screen).

  • Video Quality does not meet the video quality streamed by the USB Capture device. 
    • The setting is located under HDMI Share->Devices tab. Change video quality from "medium" to "high" or "low".  
  • Antivirus software is blocking access to video hardware. 
    • Configure audio stream protection settings to grant Quicklaunch HDMI Share access to Video devices.
  • Issues with a graphics card. 
    • Update drives