Final Cut Pro X: View playback on an external video monitor
Final Cut Pro includes an A/V Output option to send video and audio from your computer to an external video monitor. The A/V Output feature shows you how video and audio look and sound on an NTSC/PAL, HD, or 4K monitor. In addition, this feature allows you to test output with sophisticated external devices such as vectorscopes and waveform monitors.
NTSC or PAL output requires compatible third-party video interface hardware and software. 4K output requires a third-party video interface or a 4K-capable Mac with an HDMI output. FireWire DV devices are not supported. For more information about third-party devices and software, contact the device manufacturer or go to the Final Cut Pro X Resources webpage.
View playback on an external monitor using a third-party video interface
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Install the video interface hardware and software according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
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Connect an external video monitor to the video interface, and make sure the monitor and all other external devices are connected to power and turned on.
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To select an A/V output device, choose Final Cut Pro > Preferences (or press Command-Comma), click Playback, and choose the external monitor from the A/V Output pop-up menu.
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In Final Cut Pro, choose Window > A/V Output.
The Viewer contents appear on the broadcast monitor. Viewer features (such as onscreen controls and the title-safe and action-safe overlays) can be viewed only in Final Cut Pro.
Note: Video and audio are synced at the video frame (not audio sample) level.
To turn off A/V output, choose Window > A/V Output.
View playback on an external monitor using HDMI
If you’re using Final Cut Pro 10.1 or later on a 4K-capable Mac with an HDMI port, you can play 4K or HD 1080 video on an external video monitor connected to the HDMI port.
For a list of compatible Mac computers, see Final Cut Pro X 10.1: Mac Computers Capable of Monitoring 4K Video via HDMI.
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Use an HDMI cable to connect the external (HDMI) video monitor to the HDMI port on your Mac, and make sure the monitor is connected to power and turned on.
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To configure the HDMI monitor, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, and click Displays.
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In Displays preferences, set the HDMI monitor to be a secondary display.
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Select Scaled, and in the list that appears, select 4096 x 2160, 3840 x 2160, 1080i, or 1080p.
Note: You may need to press the Option key while you click Scaled to see additional resolutions for the HDMI monitor. -
To select the monitor in Final Cut Pro, choose Final Cut Pro > Preferences (or press Command-Comma), click Playback, and choose the HDMI monitor from the A/V Output pop-up menu.
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In Final Cut Pro, choose Window > A/V Output.
The Viewer contents appear on the HDMI monitor. Viewer features (such as onscreen controls and the title-safe and action-safe overlays) can be viewed only in Final Cut Pro.
Note: Video and audio are synced at the video frame (not audio sample) level.
To turn off A/V output, choose Window > A/V Output.