Livestorm Tip 👉 If you need to share your entire screen, move the event room to a second monitor and share the other one.
Infinite Screens & Mirror Effects
Who can use it? Host, Moderator, External Speaker
On which plans? All
Have you ever shared your screen and watched your event room repeat itself again and again, like two mirrors facing each other? Or noticed that the text behind you looks backwards on your camera? Don't worry, neither one is a bug 😊
This article explains where both effects come from and how to avoid them.
In this article
Why Do I See an Infinite Screen?#
The infinite screen effect happens when you share the screen that displays your own event room. Livestorm shows your screen share in the room, your screen captures the room again, and so on, endlessly.
This happens with every video conferencing tool. Your attendees only see it while the event room is visible on the screen you share: as soon as you switch to another tab or app, it disappears.
Share Your Screen Without the Infinite Effect#
The easiest fix is to share only what you want to present, a browser tab or an application window, instead of your entire screen.
1In the event room, click Share in the dock at the bottom of the screen, then select Share screen.
2In your browser's sharing window, choose what to share:
Chrome tab: shares a single tab, like your slides in Google Slides. This is the best option to avoid the infinite effect.
Window: shares a single application window, like PowerPoint or Keynote.
Entire screen: shares everything on your screen, including the event room. Avoid this option unless the event room is on another monitor.
3Select the tab or window you want to present, then click Share.
4That's it, your attendees now see your content without the infinite effect 👌
Having trouble sharing your screen or its audio? Check out our article on microphone, camera and screen sharing.
Why Is My Camera Image Inverted?#
When you turn on your camera, your own preview is mirrored, just like when you look at yourself in a mirror. That's why text behind you, like a logo, a poster or a book title, looks backwards to you.
Your attendees see you the right way round: the text behind you reads normally on their screen.
Livestorm Tip 👉 Want to check? Hold up a sheet of paper with a word written on it. It looks reversed in your preview, but a colleague who joins as an attendee will read it normally.
Frequently Asked Questions#
Is the infinite screen effect a bug?
No. It's a well-known visual effect that happens in every video conferencing tool when a screen shows itself.
Will the infinite effect appear in my replay?
The replay shows what your attendees saw. If the event room was visible on your shared screen during the event, the effect will also appear in the replay.
Do attendees see my camera image inverted?
No. Only your own preview is mirrored. Everyone else sees you as if they were sitting in front of you.
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