Connecting your laptop to venue audio and visuals

Running a karaoke night means getting your laptop's picture and sound to the venue's TV and speakers. Here's a simple way to do it.

Video (TV / projector)

1. HDMI – Use an HDMI cable from your laptop to the venue's TV or projector. If the TV has multiple HDMI ports, note which one you're using (e.g. "HDMI 1").
2. Second screen – In your OS, set the external display as an extended screen (not mirror) so you can keep the queue and controls on your laptop and send only the karaoke output to the TV.

Two venue screens (do not mix them up)

The gig toolbar (monitor and list icons) and the player itself open different windows.

1. Toggle Player (monitor icon) – Shows or hides the Karaoke Player on the gig page. Lyrics, visualizations, and playback live here. The player needs The Rig; during Rig beta, an active Controller subscription includes Rig. Plans: The Controller and The Rig.
2. Pop Out Window – On the player preview, hover and click Pop Out Window. Drag that window onto the TV and fullscreen it. That is the lyrics-and-visuals stage display. The main browser tab stays on your laptop for the queue and settings.
3. Queue Display (list icon) – A separate pop-out that shows the running order (who is up, who is next). Use this on a second TV or a list-only screen. It is not the lyrics player.

If you hide the player with Toggle Player, playback stops, any player pop-out closes, and Auto Host turns off. Turn Auto Host on again when you show the player if you still want it.

Audio

1. Headphone / line out – Run a cable from your laptop's headphone jack (or USB audio interface) to the venue's mixer or "line in" on the house system.
2. Mixer – Ask the venue how they want the feed (e.g. "line in" or a specific channel). Set your laptop volume to a steady level (e.g. 80%) and use the mixer for overall level.
3. Mic – Singers' mics usually go through the venue's own system. The laptop provides backing track and karaoke visuals only.

Tips

• Test before doors open – Check video on the TV and audio through the house system so you can fix cables or settings early.
• Resolution – If the picture looks stretched or cropped, adjust the resolution or scaling for the TV in your OS display settings.
• Labelling – Label your HDMI cable so the venue (or you next time) knows it's for karaoke.

Using the player Pop Out Window on the TV and keeping the gig page on your laptop gives you a clean stage display while you manage the queue from your seat. Add Queue Display only if you want a dedicated running-order screen.

Karaoke folder and BGM mount: Songbook and player folders. Beat Ring and Visualization Quality: Understanding Beat Detection and visualizations. Between songs on the player pop-out: Display Branding between songs.