OpenLP
This guide covers OpenLP 3, the free, open-source release line (3.0 and 3.1). It shows how to use a BeforePreach still (JPG) or loop (MP4) behind song lyrics and how to play a five-minute countdown. The steps follow the OpenLP 3.0 manual and OpenLP's release notes. Where the manual does not name a control, we describe what to do instead.
Steps
- 1
Check your display and download the matching shape
In Settings, Configure OpenLP, Screens, tick Use this screen as display for your projector and choose Full Screen. Then download the BeforePreach file in the same shape as that screen, for example 16:9 for a 1920×1080 projector.
- 2
On a Mac, install VLC first
The OpenLP 3.1 release notes say VLC is not bundled on macOS. Install VLC before you play videos in OpenLP on a Mac.
- 3
Use a still as the theme background
In the Theme Manager, click New Theme to open the Theme Wizard and click Next. Choose Image from the Background type list, click the Open button and pick the JPG. Finish the wizard, then set the theme as the global default or choose it for your service.
- 4
Use a loop as the theme background
OpenLP 3 added motion (video) backgrounds to themes. In the Theme Wizard, choose the video option for the background and pick the MP4. Song lyrics then appear over the moving loop.
- 5
Make sure it keeps looping
Keep OpenLP up to date. In 3.0.1, theme videos played once and stopped. The OpenLP team's workaround was to play a media item and turn on the loop control in its media toolbar, which then applies to theme backgrounds too, and 3.1.0 fixed how videos stop and loop. One more known limit: a video background and audio linked to a song do not work together, so leave linked song audio off. BeforePreach loops are silent, so there is nothing to mute.
- 6
Swap a still in while live
In the Images library, select a still and click Replace live background. It stays until the theme changes or you remove it, which is handy when one song needs a different background this Sunday.
- 7
Play the countdown
In the Media library, click Load new media, choose the countdown MP4 and add it to the top of the service. Make sure the loop control is off so it stops at zero. Five minutes before the service, send it live by double-clicking it, pressing Enter, or right-clicking and choosing Go Live. If it does not start on its own, turn on Start Live items automatically in Settings, Configure OpenLP, Media.
Tips
- The OpenLP manual advises using images the same size as your projector's output. The 1080p file matches most projectors.
- Choose text-safe loops so lyrics stay readable over the motion.
- The OpenLP manual notes that JPG images can make previews slower than PNG. If previews lag, use the 1080p still rather than 4K.
Checked against: manual.openlp.org, manual.openlp.org, manual.openlp.org, manual.openlp.org, openlp.org, openlp.org, discuss.openlp.org