Projection
Crash Course
Windows Display · VideoPsalm · BibleShow · Best Practices
8 MODULES · 30 SLIDES · COMPLETE GUIDE
1
Module 1 — Windows Display Basics
What is a "display"
in projection?
Your computer has one built-in screen — Windows calls this Display 1. When you connect a projector via cable, Windows detects it as Display 2.
Projection software like VideoPsalm and BibleShow do not control the projector directly. They output to a screen number. If Windows does not see the projector as a screen, the software cannot send anything to it.
First rule: Always connect the projector and turn it on before opening any projection software. Windows must detect Display 2 first.
1
Module 1 — Windows Display Basics
Connection types
| Type | Description | Note |
|---|
| HDMI | Most common. Audio + video. | Trapezoid port. Use this first. |
| VGA | Blue 15-pin connector. | Video only — separate audio cable needed. |
| DisplayPort | High-quality digital. | Needs adapter for most projectors. |
| USB-C | Found on slim/new laptops. | Confirm your USB-C port supports video output. |
| Wireless | No cable. Miracast/WiDi. | Slight lag — not ideal for live service. |
1
Module 1 — Windows Display Basics
Resolution & aspect ratio
HD
1280 × 720
Budget & older projectors. 16:9 widescreen.
Full HD
1920 × 1080
Most modern projectors. 16:9 widescreen.
XGA (legacy)
1024 × 768
Very old church projectors. 4:3 square-ish.
Rule: Always set your laptop output resolution to match the projector's native resolution. A mismatch causes blurry text — especially visible in lyrics and scripture.
To set resolution: right-click desktop → Display settings → click Display 2 → select the matching resolution.
2
Module 2 — Win+P Display Modes
The Win + P
shortcut
Press Windows key + P simultaneously. A panel slides in from the right with four display mode options.
You will use this shortcut constantly. Memorise it before your first service.
What it does: Tells Windows how to use your laptop screen and the connected projector together.
PC Screen Only
Duplicate
Extend ✓
Second Screen Only
2
Module 2 — Win+P Display Modes
The four display modes
Mode 1
PC Screen Only
Laptop active, projector blank. Use before service or for private work.
Mode 2 — Avoid
Duplicate
Both screens mirror. Congregation sees your mouse, taskbar, everything. Never use in a live service.
Mode 3 — Always use this ✓
Extend
Laptop = your private control. Projector = clean output. VideoPsalm & BibleShow send output to the projector screen only.
Mode 4 — Rarely
Second Screen Only
Projector only. Laptop screen goes dark. Only for dedicated projection PCs.
2
Module 2 — Win+P Display Modes
Configuring extended display
1
Right-click desktop → Display settings. You'll see two numbered rectangles.
2
Click Identify — a large number appears on each screen. Note which is the projector.
3
Drag the Display 2 rectangle to the right of Display 1 to match your physical setup.
4
Click Display 2 → set Resolution to match the projector's native resolution.
5
Set Refresh rate to 60 Hz.
6
Do NOT check "Make this my main display" for Display 2. Your taskbar must stay on the laptop.
3
Module 3 — VideoPsalm
VideoPsalm
overview
Free, fully-featured worship projection software. Handles songs, Bible passages, images, videos, announcements, and stage displays — all from one interface.
| Panel | Location | Purpose |
|---|
| Library | Left | Songs, schedules, Bible, media files |
| Schedule | Centre-left | Today's order of service |
| Thumbnails | Bottom centre | Slides for the selected item |
| Preview | Centre | Next slide before going live |
| Live indicator | Top right | What is currently on the projector |
3
Module 3 — VideoPsalm
Output screen setup
Do this once before your first service — and whenever you use a new projector.
1
Go to Settings → Screens (or press F10)
2
Under Presentation Screen, select your projector (Display 2)
3
Under Preview Screen, select Display 1 (your laptop)
4
Click OK — output now goes to the projector only
If projector is not listed: Close VideoPsalm. Reconnect the projector. Set Win+P to Extend. Reopen VideoPsalm.
3
Module 3 — VideoPsalm
Building a schedule
A Schedule is your order of service — songs, scripture, images, videos in order.
1
Right-click Schedules in the Library → New Schedule. Name it (e.g., "Sunday 13 April").
2
Click the Songs section. Use the search box. Drag songs into the Schedule, or double-click to add.
3
Click the Bible tab to add scripture. Select translation, book/chapter/verse, then drag to Schedule.
4
Drag items up/down to reorder. You can reorder at any time — even during a live service.
5
Press Ctrl+S to save. Save often.
3
Module 3 — VideoPsalm
Going live
| Action | Result |
|---|
| Click a thumbnail | Loads into Preview — not live yet |
| Double-click a thumbnail | Goes live immediately on projector |
| Space or Enter | Advances to next slide (live) |
| → | Next slide |
| ← | Previous slide |
| ↑ / ↓ | Navigate between schedule items |
| F5 | Go live with selected slide |
Tip: Always stay one slide ahead of the worship leader. Advance before the congregation finishes reading the current slide.
3
Module 3 — VideoPsalm
Critical shortcuts
BBlack screen (blank)
WWhite screen
LLogo/church screen
F5Go live
EscStop presentation
Ctrl+FQuick search songs
Ctrl+SSave schedule
F10Screen settings
Space / EnterNext slide
← →Prev / Next slide
The most important key: B — Blank the screen instantly when anything goes wrong.
3
Module 3 — VideoPsalm
Themes & formatting
A Theme is a template controlling font, size, colour, background, and text position for all slides.
| Setting | Recommended value |
|---|
| Background | Dark (black, deep blue, or dark image) |
| Font | Arial, Calibri, or Segoe UI |
| Font size (lyrics) | 40–48pt minimum |
| Font size (scripture) | 36–40pt minimum |
| Text colour | White or soft yellow |
| Text shadow | Enabled — dark, 2–3px offset |
Create/edit themes: Settings → Themes → New Theme. Set a default theme: Settings → Default Theme.
4
Module 4 — BibleShow
BibleShow
overview
Purpose-built for Bible verse projection. Faster than VideoPsalm for spontaneous verse lookup. Supports bilingual (dual-language) display natively.
| Area | Purpose |
|---|
| Reference input (top) | Type Bible reference here — e.g. John 3:16 |
| Verse list (centre) | All verses matching your search |
| Live preview (right) | Real-time preview of the projector output |
| Translation selector | Switch Bible version instantly |
Output setup: Options → Display Settings → Output Display → select Display 2
4
Module 4 — BibleShow
Finding & projecting verses
Press F2 to focus the search box from anywhere, then type:
Single verse
John 3:16
Book, chapter:verse
Verse range
John 3:16-18
Hyphen between start and end verse
Abbreviated
Ps 23:1-3
Short book names work
Press Enter to search. Click a verse to project it. Use ↑ ↓ arrow keys to move through verses — the projector updates live as you press.
4
Module 4 — BibleShow
BibleShow shortcuts
F2Focus reference search box
EnterProject selected verse
↑ / ↓Prev / Next verse (live update)
F5Blank/clear the screen
Ctrl+DToggle display on/off
Ctrl+BSwitch Bible translation
Ctrl+FFull-text keyword search
EscClear current display
Bilingual mode: Options → Layout → Dual Language. Show two translations simultaneously for multilingual congregations.
4
Module 4 — BibleShow
BibleShow vs VideoPsalm
| Situation | Use |
|---|
| Full planned service — songs, media, announcements | VideoPsalm |
| Pre-loaded sermon passage sequence | VideoPsalm |
| Spontaneous verse mid-sermon | BibleShow (faster) |
| Dual-language congregation | BibleShow (built-in bilingual) |
| Background videos behind scripture | VideoPsalm |
| Quick single verse lookup | BibleShow |
Using both together: Keep VideoPsalm open for worship. Open BibleShow for the sermon. Use Alt+Tab to switch. Blank one before switching to the other for a clean transition.
5
Module 5 — Running a Live Service
Pre-service checklist
Connect projector cable firmly — both ends
Power on projector — fully warm up (2–3 min)
Set projector to correct input (HDMI 1, VGA…)
VideoPsalm output set to Display 2
BibleShow output set to Display 2
Today's schedule loaded — song order confirmed
Test slide projected — confirmed on screen
Text readable from the back of the room
Keystone correction applied if needed
5
Module 5 — Running a Live Service
Before you start (cont.)
Welcome/logo slide active on projector
Unnecessary apps closed (browser, email, Teams)
Laptop charger plugged in — never run on battery
Focus Assist / Do Not Disturb enabled (Win+A)
Screen saver and sleep disabled
Arrive 30–45 minutes early. Setup always takes longer than expected. Never rush the pre-service checklist.
5
Module 5 — Running a Live Service
Worship segment flow
1
When worship begins, load the first song and project slide 1
2
Advance slides with → or Space — stay one slide ahead of the singer
3
For repeating choruses, click directly on the chorus thumbnail to jump to it
4
At the end of each song, press B (blank), then load the next song
5
If the worship leader goes off-schedule, use Ctrl+F to search and add the song quickly
The golden rule: A black screen is never wrong. A wrong slide is always a distraction. When in doubt — press B.
5
Module 5 — Running a Live Service
Sermon segment flow
1
When sermon begins, press B in VideoPsalm to blank
2
Bring BibleShow to foreground (Alt+Tab)
3
Have the opening passage typed and ready before the preacher begins
4
As verses are called out, press F2, type reference, press Enter
5
Use ↑↓ arrows to move through a passage verse by verse
6
When sermon ends, press F5 in BibleShow to blank, switch back to VideoPsalm
5
Module 5 — Running a Live Service
Handling the unexpected
| Problem | Immediate action |
|---|
| Wrong slide is live | Press B immediately → find correct slide |
| Song not in schedule | Ctrl+F → search → drag to schedule |
| Software freezes | Press B first if possible, Alt+F4, reopen |
| Projector goes black | Win+P → re-select Extend |
| Preacher skips passage | Stay calm, F2 in BibleShow, type new reference |
| Notification on projector | Win+A → enable Focus Assist |
6
Module 6 — Best Practices
Readability rules
Contrast
White on dark
Most readable in any lighting. Always use light text on dark backgrounds.
Font size
40pt minimum
For lyrics. 36pt for scripture. Test from the back of the room.
Font choice
Sans-serif only
Arial, Calibri, Segoe UI. Never decorative or script fonts for text.
Density
4 lines max
Per slide for lyrics. 2–3 verses max for scripture.
The 3-second rule: Every slide should be readable in 3 seconds. If it takes longer, split it across two slides.
6
Module 6 — Best Practices
Screen discipline
The projector screen should always show either a slide you intended, or a clean black screen. Nothing else.
The congregation should never see:
✕
Your laptop desktop, taskbar, or icons
✕
A browser window, email, or any unrelated application
✕
An error message, Windows Update prompt, or crash dialog
✕
Your mouse cursor moving across the screen
✕
A loading spinner or progress bar
6
Module 6 — Best Practices
Preparation & backup
Prepare in advance
1
Build the full schedule before Sunday
2
Confirm song order with worship leader
3
Check spelling of all names and references
4
Save + backup the schedule file
Have a backup plan
1
Keep a printed song sheet
2
Know how to restart software quickly
3
Have the logo slide as your safe fallback
4
Know where the projector power is
7
Module 7 — Troubleshooting
Common problems
| Problem | First thing to check |
|---|
| "No Signal" on projector | Cable firmly plugged in? Correct input selected? Win+P → Extend? |
| Output on laptop, not projector | Settings → Screens → set Presentation Screen to Display 2 |
| Text is blurry | Resolution mismatch — match output to projector native. Also check projector focus ring. |
| Image is trapezoidal | Keystone distortion — use projector Keystone button or adjust mount angle |
| Software is lagging | Plug in charger. Close other apps. Reduce background video to 720p. |
| Notifications on projector | Enable Focus Assist. Ensure laptop is the main display, not projector. |
7
Module 7 — Troubleshooting
Fixing "No Signal"
1
Check cable is firmly plugged at both ends
2
On projector remote, press Source / Input → cycle through inputs until you find HDMI 1 or VGA
3
Press Win+P on laptop → reselect Extend
4
Unplug and replug the cable
5
Try a different cable if available — cables do fail
6
Restart laptop with projector cable already connected
7
Module 7 — Troubleshooting
The nuclear reset
When everything has gone wrong and you cannot identify the cause — do this. Resolves ~80% of unexplained projection failures.
1
Press Win+P → PC Screen Only (stops projector seeing anything)
2
Close VideoPsalm and BibleShow
3
Unplug and replug the projector cable
5
Reopen VideoPsalm / BibleShow
6
Re-configure output screen → resume
This resets the entire display chain from Windows downward. If this doesn't work, restart the laptop.
REF
Quick Reference
Win+P quick ref
| Mode | What it does | When to use |
|---|
| PC Screen Only | Laptop only, projector blank | Setup, private work |
| Duplicate | Both show the same | Never in live service |
| Extend ✓ | Independent screens | Always during service |
| Second Screen Only | Projector only | Dedicated projection PC |
| Display setting | Value |
|---|
| Main display | Display 1 (your laptop) |
| Projector display | Display 2 |
| Projector resolution | Match projector native (e.g. 1920×1080) |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz |
REF
Quick Reference
All shortcuts
VideoPsalm
BBlack screen
WWhite screen
LLogo screen
F5Go live
EscStop presentation
Ctrl+FSearch songs
Ctrl+SSave schedule
← →Prev / Next slide
BibleShow
F2Focus search box
EnterProject verse
↑ / ↓Prev / Next verse
F5Blank screen
Ctrl+DToggle display
Ctrl+BSwitch translation
Ctrl+FKeyword search
You're ready.
Arrive early. Plug in your charger. Press Win+P → Extend. Set the output to Display 2. And remember — when in doubt, press B.
PROJECTION CRASH COURSE · COMPLETE