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Using Playback Markers in ProPresenter

In ProPresenter 7.10 and later, you can add Playback Markers to video and audio files. Playback Markers allow you to mark specific moments within a media file so you can quickly jump to those points, trigger actions automatically, or use the marker information to track timing during playback.

Playback Markers can be especially useful when you want ProPresenter to handle time-sensitive cues automatically rather than requiring an operator to trigger each action manually.

 

Markers_in_Inspector_Playback_Area.png

Playback Markers are supported with Video and Audio media elements. Images are not supported. Media applied as Slide Elements are also not supported.

 

Adding and Managing Markers

Playback Markers are managed from the media file's Inspector.

  1. Right-click the video or audio file in the Media Bin.
  2. Select Inspector.
  3. Select the Playback Markers tab.

 

The Playback Markers tab allows you to view, add, and edit markers for the selected media file.

To add a marker:

  1. Move the playhead in the preview area to the point where you want the marker.
  2. Click Add Marker.

 

The new marker will be created at the current playhead position. You can also right-click in the timeline to add a marker at that location.

Each marker displays:

  • The marker icon and its assigned color
  • The timecode where the marker is located
  • The marker's name, if one has been assigned
  • Any Actions assigned to the marker

 

Markers_Tab.png

 

Right-click a marker to access its context menu. From here, you can:

  • Rename the marker
  • Change the marker's color
  • Add, edit, or remove Actions
  • Cut, copy, paste, or duplicate the marker
  • Delete the marker
  • Move the marker to the current playhead position

 

The Move to Playhead option is particularly useful when you need to fine-tune the timing of an existing marker. Move the playhead to the desired location, then use Move to Playhead to reposition the selected marker.

You can also drag Actions onto a marker to quickly assign them.

 

Adding Actions

One of the most powerful features of Playback Markers is the ability to attach Actions to them. When media playback reaches a marker, any Actions assigned to that marker will be triggered automatically.

Actions can be added to Playback Markers in several ways:

  • Right-click the marker and choose Add Action
  • Drag an Action from the Action Palette onto the marker
  • Drag Show Controls, such as Props or Timers, directly onto the marker
  • Drag media or audio from outside of ProPresenter onto the marker to create a Media or Audio Action

 

You can also create a new marker and Action at the same time. Drag an Action into the blank space beneath the list of markers or between existing markers. ProPresenter will create a new marker at the current playhead position with that Action attached.

 

Markers_Tab_Contextual_Menu.png

 

Playback Marker Actions can be used for a variety of workflows.

  • Lighting automation: Place a marker at the beginning of a video and attach a lighting-related Macro so the room lights change automatically whenever the video begins.
  • Stage display layouts: Trigger a Stage Layout at a specific point in a video. For example, you could switch to a layout containing a large countdown clock when a video reaches a particular segment.
  • Presenter cues: Place a marker near the end of a video and give it a name such as "Enter Stage Now." The marker name can then be displayed on a Stage Layout to provide a visible cue for presenters.
  • End-of-segment automation: A final marker could switch the Stage Layout back to a presenter view, start an elapsed timer, and restore house lighting automatically.
  • Graphics and media: Attach a graphic or other media Action to a marker so it appears at exactly the right moment, such as displaying a lower-third introducing the next speaker.

 

Viewing Markers During Playback

Once a video or audio file with Playback Markers has been triggered, the markers can also be viewed from the Transport Controls. Configured markers appear along the scrub bar as small icons using their assigned colors.

 

The Transport Controls also provide a Marker menu that displays the configured markers along with their timecodes and names, when applicable. Selecting a marker from this menu will move the playhead directly to that marker's timecode. Any Actions assigned to that marker will also be performed.

 

This makes Playback Markers useful not only for automation, but also for quickly navigating through a media file during a live event.

 

Marker_Icon_Menu_in_Transport_Controls.png

 

Playback Marker Data Links

Playback Marker information can also be displayed on Stage Layouts using Playback Marker Data Links. These links can display information such as:

  • Time to Marker
  • Marker Name

 

For example, you could use a Stage Layout to display the name of the most recent marker as a cue for a presenter, or display a countdown showing the amount of time remaining until a specific marker is reached.

Playback Marker Data Links can be added in several ways.

 

Using Stage Layout Objects

  1. Open the Stage Editor.
  2. Click the Playback Marker icon.
  3. Select the use of the data link that you would like to apply.
  4. Configure the object to display the desired marker information.

 

You can also add a Playback Marker Data Link from the Edit menu in the menu bar.

 

Using Linked Text

Playback Marker information can also be displayed using a Text Object.

  1. Add a Text Object to your Stage Layout.
  2. Enable Linked Text for the Text Object.
  3. Select Playback Marker as the linked data source.
  4. Choose the Playback Marker information you want to display.

 

This allows your Stage Layout to dynamically display information from the media currently playing.

 

Playback_Marker_Data_Links.png

 

Summary

Playback Markers provide a way to create precise timing references and automate actions during video and audio playback.

You can use them to:

  • Mark important moments in media
  • Quickly jump to specific points during playback
  • Trigger Actions automatically
  • Display marker names and timing information on Stage Layouts
  • Show the time until or since a marker
  • Create presenter cues
  • Coordinate graphics, media, lighting, timers, and Stage Layouts
  • Create accurate countdowns based on meaningful points within a media file

 

By combining Playback Markers with Actions and Playback Marker Data Links, you can build highly automated workflows that keep your production team, presenters, and backstage displays synchronized with the media that is playing.

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