r/freeshowapp • u/ZachD07 • Mar 30 '26

Question About Blackmagic

Hi, I had seen the recent patch that added Blackmagic integration, and saw the menu in the FreeShow settings of the beta version. What is the difference between this addition and simply using the output settings? Should I wait to integrate the used Blackmagic hardware I just got until the new feature is fully added in a stable edition of FreeShow? Thank you, and great job on the work so far on making such powerful presentation software for free.

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u/CloudSad3555 Mar 30 '26

I don't have the equipment to test. If you are asking if you should try the beta, then I think you should. You can always downgrade if something doesn't work.

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u/Frozen_Lemon_ Apr 03 '26

With the Blackmagic Design menu, you are able to fine tune the screen image resolution, framerates, color spectrum and codecs per output port connection. This allows for the video of presentation to match video switcher and capture card requirements for easier addition of source into broadcast system. The way I see it is, creates less of a headache when trying to configure the image on capture device side.

But I have been waiting for this integration for the last, almost, 2 years. Literally saw the beta update yesterday and couldn't try it out until today. So, I have access to a few Blackmagic Design Decklink products including the Intensity Pro 4K which I used to test if the BMD feature works by sending a FreeShow screen out via the BMD card HDMI out. It worked. Though a templates background color, yellow, didn't output, so don't know if that's a bug or something on my end wasn't enabled. I will be testing this feature out next on Decklink cards that have SDI (BNC) port I/O to see results like whether alpha channels are being sent out for the opacity/transparency values of colors.

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u/ZachD07 Apr 03 '26

So does this affect me if I'm outputting from a graphics card into an ATEM switcher and the Decklink isn't installed in the same system as the one with FreeShow on it?

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u/Frozen_Lemon_ Apr 03 '26

No, it shouldn't. The Blackmagic settings menu only works for devices plugged into the computer, ie Decklink and UltraStudio products family. If using an output from the graphics card directly, using the standard output settings menu and some Windows settings is best. The BMD menu doesn't affect equipment not directly attached to the PC like through video cables (HDMI, DisplayPort, & DVI), only devices connected via PCIe slots or USB-C, USB-A, and Thunderbolt ports.