Service check

The Service check is a checklist that proves this computer can run the service before it starts: outputs, displays, fonts, media, audio and drawing speed, each with the evidence it was judged on. It used to be called Preflight.

Where to find it

Open Present, click Settings in the top bar, then Service check (the last tab, under System). It works in the web app and in Tech Manager. Run it on the computer that drives the screens, because every result is about the computer it runs on.

Run the service check

1. In Present, click Settings, then Service check.
2. Click Run service check. The button reads "Running the service check…" and each row shows Running while it works.
3. Read each row's result: Pass, Warning, Fail or Skipped, with a sentence saying why.
4. Under some rows is the evidence (names, sizes, timings). Copy it into a support ticket if you need help.

"Last run" and the time appear beside the button. Run it again after you fix something.

What each check looks at

In Present > Settings > Service check, the rows are:

• Outputs: every output is set up and drawing healthily.
• Displays: how many displays the browser or app can see.
• Fonts: the built-in fonts and your church's fonts are all available.
• Media decodes: every video and image in Present plays its first and last second on this computer.
• Materialization: every media file kept only on this computer still has its data (the same test as Missing media on the Storage tab).
• Audio: sound devices are available for the test tone.
• Capacity: how fast this computer draws a text-heavy 1080p slide, against what 60 frames per second needs and against its own earlier runs.

Show a test pattern on the screens

1. In Present > Settings > Service check, run the check, then click Show test pattern on outputs under the Outputs row. Colour bars go to the real screens.
2. For another pattern, click Outputs, turn on Show advanced settings, and under Test patterns choose Colour bars, Grid, LED wall, Scrolling grid, Gradient cycle or A/V sync. For LED wall, set Panel size to one LED tile's size and choose 1 px grid lines.
3. When you are done, set Test pattern back to Off. While a pattern is on, Outputs says "A test pattern is on the screens. Set it back to Off before the service." and offers Turn it off.

A/V sync shows a count on every screen and plays a beep with a flash on 0 every 2 seconds. The number lit when you hear the beep is how many frames the sound is out: plus is late, minus is early. In a browser the timing is only a guide; measure in Tech Manager.

Play a test tone

1. In Present > Settings > Service check, run the check.
2. Under the Audio row, click Play test tone on the audio feed. It plays on the Speakers device chosen in Settings > Audio.

Troubleshooting

Outputs: "No output is drawing on a screen yet, so none of them can be checked on one"

Nothing is on the screens yet. Press Audience (and Stage) in Present's top bar, then run the check again.

Outputs: "At least one output is not configured or not healthy"

Open Settings > Outputs and look for a row with a triangle; hover it to read the problem and fix it there.

Media decodes: a list of assets that "did not decode on this machine"

Those files will not play on this computer. In the media bin, their tiles carry a mark such as "Can't play here" or "Needs conversion". Replace them with a common format, or re-import them.

Materialization: "stored media files are missing their bytes on this machine"

Some files kept only on this computer are gone. In Settings > Storage, click Show them, then right-click each file and re-import it.

Audio: "No audio output devices are listed; device labels need a one-time permission grant."

In Settings > Audio, open Speakers; when the browser asks, allow it. Then run the check again.

Capacity: "over the … ms budget for 60 Hz output"

This computer may not keep up with 60 frames per second on text-heavy slides. Close other programs and run it again. If it stays over, lower an output's Frame rate in Outputs (with Show advanced settings on) or use a faster computer.

Displays shows Skipped

In the web app the browser only lists displays after you allow it to manage your windows. Press Audience once and allow it, then run the check again.

A row says "This check could not finish."

Run the check again. If it repeats, send the evidence under the row with a support ticket.

Good to know

• The service check only reads; nothing on the screens changes unless you show a test pattern.
• Results are about the computer you run it on. In a room, run it on the computer that hosts the room.
• It is the same check in the web app and in Tech Manager, but browsers can see less of the computer's displays than Tech Manager can.