Before you can configure the SDI Module, you need to register the module on your Mac. SDI Module codes are 25-digits long and start with SDI. The SDI Module is also available if you purchased the Advanced Module in ProPresenter 4 and have upgraded. Once you've activated your module code, you need to register it in ProPresenter. To do this, open ProPresenter's Preferences, then go to the Modules tab. Enter your 25-digit code in the "New Module Code" box and then click the plus button to add the code. You may be asked to enter your administrator password. When the code is successfully registered, you will see a green check next to your module.
Configuring the Blackmagic Design settings
As of January 2014, there are a number of Blackmagic Design hardware options that support SDI output. Options are available for as low as $145 USD with the UltraStudio Mini Monitor.
After you have installed or connected your Blackmagic device, you will need to install the software to make your device operational. You can download the latest driver software from Blackmagic here. After you have installed the driver, open System Preferences and click on the Blackmagic Design control panel. The settings shown below use the UltraStudio 4K preferences, so your settings may vary depending on which device you're using. There may not be any changes that you need to make to these settings.
There are a few settings you need to configure to ensure the device is setup properly to work with your video system and ProPresenter. The marked fields are the only ones you should need to adjust on this screen. You want to make sure that Set default video standard as matches your video signal requirement. The other settings should be the same for your setup, with the exception of the Set input option at the top.
Switch to the Processing tab and make sure that the output and input processing are both set to Off. There are no other settings that need to be configured.
Blackmagic updated their Desktop Video utility, so if you are using the new version of their software, the instructions below are for you.
If you have not already done so, you will need to first install the Blackmagic Desktop Video Utility from the Blackmagic Support page. The software is listed in the Laste Downloads column below the Product Family grid. Click the link for the Mac or Windows version of the software. You can ignore the form and just click the Download Only link the bottom left corner of the pop-up window unless you want to register a new device. Install and then launch the software. On Windows, just search for "Blackmagic Desktop Video Utility". On Mac, it's added at the bottom of System Preferences.
Your device will show up on the window when the Desktop Video Utility opens. Click the device image to adjust your settings.
These settings may vary depending on your device. In general, you will select the proper Video Input, set your Output Format, and uncheck the Remove Field Jitter On Pause. All other settings can be left alone unless you have been told to specifically change them by your system integrator or someone from Renewed Vision.
Configuring ProPresenter Display Settings
One important thing to know when setting up the SDI Module is that your needed output resolution has to be equal to or lower than the resolution of an attached monitor. If you need to output 1920x1080, but your computer doesn't have a monitor with that resolution or higher, then ProPresenter won't be able to send the signal. This is due to how the output signal being sent from ProPresenter to the SDI output is rendered.
Open ProPresenter's Preferences and go to the Display tab. At the top of the screen, uncheck the box for Scale to Fit Output Display. You will need to manually enter your Output Screen settings at the bottom. The most common resolutions are:
NTSC: 720x480
720p: 1280x720
1080i: 1920x1080
After you have typed in your resolution, click the Update box.
The reason for unchecking the Scale to Fit Output Display is so that you are sending the exact resolution to SDI. When this option is checked, it will distort the output if the detected screen size is larger. Since you aren't outputting to the same display that this is being detected with, you don't want this to happen.
If your 4K output looks distorted, confirm that these settings are correct before troubleshooting anything else.
Configure SDI Module Settings
In ProPresenter Preferences, click on the Advanced tab. This is where you enable the settings for the SDI Module.
The Output Device Settings is where you select your Blackmagic device and the output mode. The output mode needs to be the same that is required by your video system. Compression should be "None".
You should now be able to test your settings. If you have configured everything properly, then you should see your content shown over your live video source. If anything doesn't look correct, double-check all of your settings.