Preview on a television monitor

Last updated on Jun 23, 2025

You can display the sequence on any monitor connected to your computer. Previewing on a television monitor requires video hardware that provides an appropriate video port for the monitor. 

Previewing on a television monitor via video card 

Some video cards and operating system software products support a television monitor independent of the computer desktop. Others support a second computer monitor that is contiguous with the computer desktop so that it can also function as additional space for the application. See the documentation that came with your video card and operating system. 

Preview on a television monitor via camcorder or deck 

If you're editing a DV project, you can preview the sequence on a television monitor via your IEEE 1394 connection and camcorder or video deck. 

Note:

You may not be able to preview on a TV monitor via camcorders or decks in HDV mode. Set these, instead, to DV or Auto mode. 

  1. Make sure that the monitor is connected to the DV camcorder or deck, and that the camcorder or deck is connected to your computer. 

  2. (For camcorder setup only) Set the camcorder to output to the monitor. Some devices detect this automatically, while others require you choose a menu option. 

  3. In the Source Monitor or Program Monitor, launch the panel menu button to the upper right, select Playback Settings, and then the desired options from the following: 

    • Desktop Video Display During Playback: Specifies whether or not to play back to the Program Monitor. Deselect this option to play back only through the external monitor specified in the External Device option. If the External Device option is set to None, Desktop Video is selected to ensure playback to the Program Monitor
    • External Device: Sets an external device through which to play back video. 
    • Aspect Ratio Conversion: Determines how pixel aspect ratio is converted for DV projects. 
    • Desktop Audio: Sets audio playback to the computer 
    • External Device Audio: Sets audio playback to a connected external audio device. 
    • External Device under Export: Enables export to tape for the specified device. This option doesn't affect playback to an external device during export. 
    • Disable Video Output When Premiere Pro is in the Background: Disables video to the external monitor if Premiere Pro is not the active application on your desktop. 
    • 24p Conversion Method: Specifies the conversion method for 24p footage. Learn more about setting 24p playback options.
Note:

There can be a slight delay between the playback on the desktop and the playback on a television via a camcorder/VCR. If the video and audio seem out of sync, try to preview both video and audio through the same device.