> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.dfine.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# dfine.io Playout

> Put a Review room on a reference monitor: dfine.io Playout joins the room and sends the source you pick to a Blackmagic DeckLink output over SDI.

dfine.io Playout is the way back out of a Review room. It joins the room like a participant, takes the source you pick, and puts it on a Blackmagic DeckLink card. From there it goes over SDI to your reference monitor, colour-accurate and in sync with the room.

Sending your edit into a room is a different app: [dfine.io Desktop](/en/review/desktop/index).

<Card title="Download dfine.io Playout" icon="download" href="https://dfine.io/downloads#playout-app">
  Apple Silicon and Intel builds, macOS 13 or newer.
</Card>

<Note>
  Playout needs a **Blackmagic DeckLink** card and the Blackmagic **Desktop Video** driver on the Mac. Without the card you can connect and preview, but **Start Monitoring** has nowhere to send the picture.
</Note>

## How it is laid out

Playout has one window. The preview at the top shows what goes out. Below it sit three panels: **Audio Mixer**, **Offset** and **Playout**. The buttons at the bottom open **Options**, **Help** and **Stats**.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/dfineiogmbh/CJ7MBmBUVQc2TmXE/images/playout/connected.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=CJ7MBmBUVQc2TmXE&q=85&s=02d826c980677daf051691f37f2a862a" alt="dfine.io Playout connected to a room, with a source picked and its picture in the preview" width="1880" height="1856" data-path="images/playout/connected.jpg" />
</Frame>

## Monitor a room in five steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Get the meeting link">
    Copy an access link of the room. You find it in the room's **Accesses** in Review, or in the invitation you were sent. See [Conferencing](/en/review/conferencing).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect">
    In the **Playout** panel, paste the link into **Meeting Link**. Add the **Password** if the access has one, enter **Your Name** and click **Connect**. The status turns to **Connected** and names the room.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick the source">
    Choose what you want to see in the source list, for example the edit someone streams from dfine.io Desktop. The preview switches to it. Click **↻** if a source joined after you.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose the output">
    Click **Options**. Under **SDI Output**, pick your DeckLink **Device**, the **Mode** your monitor expects and the **Color range**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start monitoring">
    Click **Start Monitoring**. The picture now plays on your reference monitor. **Stop Monitoring** ends it.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/dfineiogmbh/CJ7MBmBUVQc2TmXE/images/playout/options.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=CJ7MBmBUVQc2TmXE&q=85&s=16b8128c1d3ec7082200d561ad938133" alt="The Options dialog with the SDI Output device, the mode and the colour range" width="936" height="856" data-path="images/playout/options.jpg" />
</Frame>

<Note>
  Playout joins the room as a participant under the name you entered, so everyone in the room can see that you are watching.
</Note>

## Colour range

**Legal range (64 to 940)** is the broadcast convention and right for almost every monitor. Use **Full range (0 to 1023)** only when your monitor is set up for full-range input. A wrong choice shows as lifted blacks or clipped highlights.

## Check the monitor chain

Tick **Monitor a b/w gradient for calibration** and click **Start Monitoring** to send a black-to-white gradient to your monitor instead of the room. It works without a room, so you can check the cabling and the range before a session starts. The gradient goes to the card only, and the preview keeps showing the room.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/dfineiogmbh/CJ7MBmBUVQc2TmXE/images/playout/gradient.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=CJ7MBmBUVQc2TmXE&q=85&s=db992848069c3456de86322e377c2eff" alt="Playout with the calibration gradient ticked and Start Monitoring ready to send it to the card" width="1880" height="1856" data-path="images/playout/gradient.jpg" />
</Frame>

## Offset

Some hosts send their picture behind their sound. The **Offset** panel delays the output so both line up again. **DaVinci** loads the measured value for DaVinci Resolve, which sends its picture about 250 ms behind its sound. **Adobe** fits Premiere Pro and After Effects, which send both together. **↺** returns to the default for the current source.

## When nothing plays

**Start Monitoring stays greyed out.** Connect to a room first, or tick the calibration gradient.

**No card selected.** Open **Options** and pick your DeckLink device under **SDI Output**.

**The device list is empty, or the SDI controls are missing.** Install the Blackmagic Desktop Video driver, connect the card and restart Playout.

**The source list is empty.** Nobody is sending into the room yet. Start the stream in dfine.io Desktop, then click **↻**.


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