Windows 11 | OpenLP GUI, Font, and Scaling Issues.

CarlosJTorres

Hello, folks, maybe this is a simple issue but I have not found an article for it so far. And for a lack of better words, allow me to describe the following problem.

I am using OpenLP 3.1.1 in Windows 11 Pro Version 23H2 (OS Build 22631.3672). My Scale & Layout settings is at 100% for that is what I use. and when you open OpenLP it uses the scaling of your OS for showing you its UI. Allgood with that, as shown on attached image 1 (img_o_1). You can see how it "visually" looks good and in perfect size, nothing really out of order.

Now the issue is that when I plug in an HDMI Cable that connects to a basic 32' TCL tv, it automatically increases its layout and font, and I would say it messes up scaling. see image 2 (img-o-2)

So the "issues" it creates are just about the following.

Live Service: It seems to optimze for second screen to much, and srops quaity for screen 1.
GUI: Everything looks big in the GUI and it gets difficult to use because you need to scroll up/down a lot.
Media: Since this started happeing, it makes it take a long time (some 3-7 min) to load up a slide presentation or pdf.
Songs: My already created songs get split into an extra verse that is only there when presenting live.
I.E. If my verse is created and shows per what image 3 indicates, (img-o-3), while connected to the TV it will make it show as Image 4 indicates (img-o-4).

I hope the detail is clear. In this case, I did not make that verse to be so extense in size, so thatthe live service will breake it into 2. But because I amconnected to the TV it would do so. And at random, to a single verse, or to every verse.

And well, 😃 any assistance you can provide with this I will certainly appreciate it.

PaulRowell

Just checking that you are extending your desktop in display settings and not cloning your screens?

CarlosJTorres

PaulRowell

Hello, I quickly needed to leave town and I just got back.

Yes, I am extending screens, and I would then have the issue I show in there.

rrygle

I agree. Try pressing the 'windows key'+ P (think Projector to remember that) and see if it is mirroring or extending (you need to have the external screen connected when you do this). You want it to extend, that is, to show different information on the external screen, not the same as the main screen. The resolution of the main screen should not change when you extend to a second screen that can have its resolution set independently. The scaling factor may affect both at once, so leave the scaling at 100% to suit the main screen, but you should be able to change the resolution of each screen independently to suit. Right click on the desktop and choose 'display' to change resolutions and screen alignments (external to left, right, above or below the primary).

I believe the line breaks for text on the external screen will generally only change when you change the aspect ratio from wide screen 16:9 (e.g. 1366x768, 1920x1080) or similar like 16:10 (e.g. 1200x800, 1920x1200) to non-wide like 4:3 (e.g. 1024x768, 1600x1200) or vice versa. Just pick the resolution and aspect that works best with the line breaks you have set up, or if you really want to change aspect be prepared to redo some line breaks.

CarlosJTorres

rrygle

Well, that is what happens, the resolution from the main screen breaks, somehow.

This bit:
"I believe the line breaks for text on the external screen will generally only change when you change the aspect ratio from wide screen 16:9 (e.g. 1366x768, 1920x1080) or similar like 16:10 (e.g. 1200x800, 1920x1200) to non-wide like 4:3 (e.g. 1024x768, 1600x1200) or vice versa. Just pick the resolution and aspect that works best with the line breaks you have set up, or if you really want to change aspect be prepared to redo some line breaks."

somehow makes sense, I will revisit this matter.

rrygle

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-connect-and-set-multiple-monitors-windows-10

CarlosJTorres

I will consider the resolution for each screen and try it again earnestly. I should tell you how it went this coming sunday, afternoon (CEST).

CarlosJTorres

@PaulRowell, @rrygle,

So after tinkering with the TV and make sure that both the TV and the Laptop PC are using compatible resolutions the situation has improved a bit. Out of all the problems I mentioned before, only these remain.

Live Service: It seems to optimize for second screen to much, and drops quality for screen 1.
GUI: Everything looks big in the GUI and it gets difficult to use because you need to scroll up/down a lot.

So the main issue, I now present like this:

In windows 11 I am Extending my Display, I am using Scale 100%, and I am using Resolution of 1920 * 1080.
If I just start OpenLP, it looks like I want it to look. (looks all good)↓↓↓↓

But then, I plug in the TV, still the same basic, generic TCL 32' TV, and the GUI resolution changes visually, without me telling it to change, and changing into something the OS is not using. (the issue look) ↓↓↓↓

Everything else beside that, works like a a charm.

Now, is this supposed to happen like that or what can we do about it?
I mean, in the way that I am under the impression that OpenLP is supposed to keep my preset scale and resolution for its GUI, regardless of what device I plug into PC via HDMI cable. Because visually the GUI still grows a bit big and you can no longer operate easily in that state of things.

PaulRowell

What resolution is the TV?

There are a few settings in the Advanced section that might be worth experimenting with.

The accepted wisdom is to plug in your screens BEFORE starting OpenLP.

I'm not using Windows 11 but have seen a similar GUI on with screens with very high DPI.

rrygle

Plug in the external screen, then configure the displays before starting OpenLP.

When you do Windows + P, is it still set to extend with the screen plugged in? Windows will remember different configurations for different screens, so make sure you have it set to extend with the external screen active.

Tell us what resolution each screen is after the external screen is plugged in and you right click on the desktop and choose display settings. You probably want both set to wide screen, i.e. a multiple of 16x9, like 1920x1080.

CarlosJTorres

Hey good news, @PaulRowell , @rrygle .

It was actually a bug with the TV that had to fix. So, the TV is quite basic, for resolution it shows either 16:9 or 4:3 only.

So the bug was that it was continuously transitioning between resolutions, until I updated it. After that I have none of the issues I just reported. Yaay!

One other thing though, now when on live service, whatever i display, dims down, until i move my mouse cursor, then it slowly goes back bright. I cant seem to pinpoint it in options. Any ideas for that?

rrygle

If I had to guess I would say that you are using a laptop and there is some sort of power saving setting with your display.