Serato Video is specifically designed to output to a secondary display connected to your computer. Although there are a range of different graphics card and computer configurations, setting up a display for use with Serato Video is relatively straight forward. Across all systems, the following steps will be the same:
- Plug in your display.
- Choose the resolution of your display. The default values are usually the best, however you may like to experiment with different values until you find a setting that suits your display best. If you are unsure of what the correct resolution setting should be, check your computer and display documentation.
- Change your display to extended desktop / dual view mode. Make sure mirroring is not enabled.
In an attempt to simplify, this article is in two parts, covering three different popular graphics card and OS configurations. The first part explains how to set up a display using Mac OSX with an NVIDIA graphics card. The second part explains how to go about the same process using Windows, with both NVIDIA and ATI graphics cards.
Setting up a Secondary display on Mac OSX
(Macbook Pro with an NVIDIA graphics card)
All display preferences on Mac OSX are accessed from "Displays" in the hardware area of System Preferences. After connecting your monitor, this window is usually automatically opened.
If not, open System Preferences and choose Displays:
After choosing the appropriate resolution for each of your displays in theDisplay Tab, set your additional display to the extended desktop/dual view mode:
- Click on the Arrangement tab
- Uncheck Mirror Displays (this is important or else you will end up duplicating your Serato screen onto your secondary screen)
If you find that the window arrangement is backwards, (Your desktop is displayed on your secondary display) drag and drop the small menu bar onto the top of the other window (indicated above by the red arrow).
Troubleshooting
If your display is not detected:
- Go to Display preferences
- Recheck your monitor connections and power supply
- Click the Detect Displays button to detect your monitor
Mac computers are now configured to extend windows onto the secondary display. Scroll to the bottom of this article for information on how to set up Serato Video with a Mac.
Setting up a Secondary Display on Windows
On Windows, display settings can be changed and configured from the control panel of your video card.
To access the control panel of your video card:
- Right click on your desktop
- Select your graphics card control panel
On the left is an image of what you will see if you have an NVIDIA card, and on the right, is what you will see if you have an ATI card.
NVIDIA Graphics Cards (Windows)
Configuring the Display Mode
To configure the display mode:
- Select "Set up multiple displays" from the left hand menu.
- Select "Configure independently from each other (Dualview)"
- Select the displays you would like to use
- Finally, make sure that you select to use your Laptop display as primary
Changing the Resolution
If you are not happy with the default resolution, you can change the resolution of your displays:
- Select "Change resolution" from the left hand menu
- Select the display that you would like to change the settings for
- Choose the appropriate settings for your selected display. You may like to consult your display documentation for the preferred settings.
Troubleshooting
If your display is not detected by your computer:
- Recheck your monitor connections and power supply
- Click "My display is not shown on the list"
- Click "Rigorous Display Detection"
For further information on NVIDIA graphics cards, click here to visit the NVIDIA website:
ATI Graphics Cards (Windows)
The ATI graphics card control panel is slightly different to an NVIDIA control panel, however the concept is exactly the same. We suggest using the "basic" settings menu, and then run the configuration wizard.
- Select Extended Desktop
- Select Next
- Select the appropriate resolutions for each of your displays
- Select Next
- Finally, position the icons in the window to match your real life display arrangement
- Once you are satisfied with your settings, click Finish
For further information on ATI graphics cards, click here to visit the AMD website:
Windows 7 and Secondary Displays
You can use the standard Windows 7 display settings to adjust your configuration for outputting Serato to a secondary display.
Enabling the extended display
Windows should automatically detect external displays connected via HDMI or DVI, but you may still need to select the appropriate mode. Press 
+ P to select "Extend" as per the screenshot below. You can either use the mouse cursor to select the Extend mode, or repeatedly press the 'P' key to cycle through the available modes;
Once you've got your Extended display correctly detected and outputting, you may need to adjust the resolution of your secondary display or set your computer's monitor to be the "main display" in some circumstances. To do this, press the key from anywhere on your computer, and in the Search field, type "display settings" - then select "Change display settings" from the results;
From the "Display settings" screen, select your computer monitor which should labelled as 1, and ensure "This is currently your main display" is shown;
Finally you may need to adjust your secondary display's resolution. From the "Display settings" screen, select your secondary display, which should be labelled as 2, and adjust the resolution as required. You can also drop and drag the two 'virtual' monitors to match the position of your own displays;
Windows 8/8.1 and Secondary Displays
You may need to use this option if your installed driver package does not include the ATI Catalyst Control Center, or the Nvidia Control Panel. You can use this option even if do have those applications however, as the Windows settings will override the graphics utility settings.
Enabling the extended display
Windows should automatically detect external displays connected via HDMI or DVI, but you may still need to select the appropriate mode. Press + P to select "Extend" as per the screenshot below. You can either use the mouse cursor to select the Extend mode, or repeatedly press the 'P' key to cycle through the available modes;
Once you've got your Extended display correctly detected and outputting, you may need to adjust the resolution of your secondary display or set your computer's monitor to be the "main display" in some circumstances. To do this, press the key from anywhere on your computer, and in the Search field, type "Display" - then select "Display settings" from the results;
From the "Display settings" screen, select your computer monitor which should labelled as 1, and ensure "Make this my main display" is ticked. You can also drop and drag the two 'virtual' monitors to match the position of your own displays;
Finally you may need to adjust your secondary display's resolution. From the "Display settings" screen, select your secondary display, which should be labelled as 2, and adjust the resolution as required;
Setting up Serato Video
After installing and authorizing Serato Video:
- Go to the plugins tab of the setup menu and make sure the "enable Serato Video plugin" box is checked.
- Return to the main screen and click on the video tab to enable the Serato Video output window.
- Drag this window across to your secondary display
- Double click on the output window to make it fullscreen.
- Configure your output settings in the Serato Video setup menu (See manual for detailed information)
- Start mixing videos!