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📝 Last updated: January 19, 2021.

Table of content

1. What is this? How to install it?
   • How to install Alpha on your Shadow Box V1
   • How to install Alpha on your Desktop (Windows, Mac and Linux)
   • Inside Shadow configuration
2. Limitations
   • Number of screens and network
   • Screen configuration
   • Display Management
   • Linux Configuration

 

1) What is this? How to install it? 

Most users use their PC with a second screen plugged in, so we wanted to bring this feature over to Shadow. You can find this functionality starting with the Alpha Version of the Shadow application (Box V1 and Desktops). 

 

How to install Alpha on your Shadow Box V1

1. When you are connected to your Shadow Box V1, on the Launcher, in the Preferences section, switch your Box to the Beta version.
2. When your Box restarted, please disconnect yourself if you are automatically connected.
3. Press Ctrl + Shift, then enter “alpha” on your keyboard.
4. An update will start and your Box will be restarted to the Alpha version.
   

You can go back to the Official or Beta version through the Preferences settings.

When your Shadow Box V1 is set to the Alpha launcher, you can choose on Testing parameters the Multiscreen functionality:

 

Then plug your second screen into the second display port, behind the Box.

 

Your screens should be plugged into the Shadow Box V1 like this:

 

How to install Alpha on your Desktop (Windows, Mac and Linux)

You can download Alpha application for Desktop depending of your Operating System:

Windows :
32 Bits : https://update.shadow.tech/launcher/testing/win/x86/ShadowAlphaSetup.exe
64 Bits : https://update.shadow.tech/launcher/testing/win/x64/ShadowAlphaSetup.exe

Mac Alpha :
x64 : https://update.shadow.tech/launcher/testing/mac/ShadowAlpha.dmg
ARM M1 : https://update.shadow.tech/launcher/testing/mac/arm64/ShadowAlpha.dmg

Linux Alpha:
https://update.shadow.tech/launcher/testing/linux/ubuntu_18.04/ShadowAlpha.AppImage

 

Inside Shadow configuration

In Shadow, using Windows configuration, it is possible to change the management and the configuration of those screens: 

 

2) Limitations

As this feature is still under development, there are limitations and specifications we have to implement. You can find the current limitations and known issues listed below, this will be updated regularly depending on the progress we make:

 

Number of screens and network

We recommend you to test the functionality with 2 screens on 1080p 60Hz. We are aware of tearing issues on this configuration for Box V1 and we are working on it.

For now, the Multi-Screen will not work with 4K screens on Box V1.

Concerning Desktop, you should check that your local machine is capable of decoding 4K resolution. 

Your bitrate will be divided by the number of screens. So if you have a 70Mbit/s connection, it will be divided into two screens, with 35Mbit/s per screen. Please check that your connection is sufficiently powerful and stable. If you need assistance with network optimization, please check out our article here.

 

Screen configuration

The second screen should be plugged in before starting Shadow. You can plug in your second screen when you are on the Launcher, but not when you are connected to your Shadow. Hotplug is not yet supported, you should go back to the Launcher if you want to change your configuration.

The second screen takes some time to load up (around 10 seconds after the launch of the first screen). Do not try to restart your application and / or your Shadow, please wait until both screens start normally. 

Sometimes, the second screen doesn’t start at all. If the second screen doesn't load, please quit Shadow, come to the Launcher, and restart. 

The sound used is on the first screen for Box V1. If you would like to use any headsets or speakers, please plug those into your first screen.

The framerate on Desktop application should be configured to the same framerate, especially on Windows.

 

Display Management

The Display Management only works on the first screen. So if you have one screen at 144Hz and one screen at 60Hz, you should plug the 144 on the first port, and the 60 on the second one. If you don’t do that, all your screens will be automatically set to 60Hz and you will not be able to set the 144Hz to the correct frequency. 

The Display Management does not save the configuration of your second screen. You should reconfigure it at each restart. We are working on fixing this problem.

 

Linux Configuration

You should add your local user to the correct group:

sudo adduser $USER input

You should unlog / relog from your session to save the change.