Direct Stream Deck
Use the included Downstage plugin for transport, outputs, timers, guarded video, messages, and setup navigation without running Companion.
Choose
Start with the simplest path that fits the show.
Bitfocus Companion
Use Companion when it is already part of the production system or when you need preset banks, variables, feedbacks, web buttons, or shared control of other show devices.
OSC, UDP, or TCP
Use authenticated direct commands for a console, automation system, media server, or custom controller. These listeners are optional and off by default.
Reliability model: the surface sends commands; Downstage owns state, targeting, retries, interlocks, and Main/Backup validation. Closing Companion or unplugging Stream Deck does not stop presentation playback.
Connect
Connect on the tested show LAN.
Keep Control, Main, Backup, Companion, and Stream Deck host devices on the same private network. Internet access is not required during the show.
01Downstage
Open Remote
On Control, open the Remote menu and start Remote Director. Downstage shows the Control address, port, and remote password.
02Surface
Add the connection
Install the direct Stream Deck plugin or add the Downstage module in Companion. Enter the Control address, port, and remote password.
03Targets
Choose recipients
Use Main, Backup, Both, All, Auxiliary, Selected, or Local. Normal redundant operation targets Main and Backup together.
04Verify
Watch feedback
Confirm online state, active slideshow, current slide, content readiness, and target feedback before using the surface in rehearsal.
What you can try
Control transport, outputs, cues, and timing.
Presentation transport
Next, Previous, Go to Slide, Load, start or stop a slideshow, and close the active deck.
Presenter outputs
Open or close Downstage Presenter, native Presenter View, and Teleprompter on each machine’s saved display.
Guarded video
Roll a click-triggered video cue across synchronized Main and Backup machines. Downstage keeps it locked if presenting machines disagree.
Timers and messages
Set, start, stop, or reset the countdown and send persistent presenter messages.
Teleprompter
Start or stop speech tracking, apply forward or reverse impulses, and use emergency stop.
Configuration
Open setup panels on Control and navigate visible choices. Configuration commands are rejected by Show Machine mode.
Direct command examples
Use the token shown in Show Machines Setup.
Enable direct control only when needed and keep token authentication on.
UDP text
TOKEN BOTH NEXT
Send one UTF-8 datagram to the UDP/OSC port shown in Downstage. Default: 3334.
TCP text
TOKEN MAIN VIDEO GO
Send one newline-terminated command to the TCP port shown in Downstage. Default: 3335.
OSC
/downstage/both/next
Send the token as the first string argument to the UDP/OSC port.
Targets: LOCAL, MAIN, BACKUP, BOTH, AUX, ALL, and SELECTED. Setup shows copyable examples using the current token and ports.
Before show day
Prove the complete control path.
- Disconnect the surface. Confirm the active presentation keeps running and Control remains usable.
- Exercise every target. Verify Main-only, Backup-only, and Both reach exactly the intended machines.
- Test rejection states. Put Backup out of presentation mode or on another slide and confirm guarded video will not roll on a disagreement.
- Restart components. Restart Companion, reconnect Stream Deck, and reopen Downstage to confirm credentials and feedback recover.
- Freeze the rig. Keep tested ports, passwords, tokens, network, plugin/module versions, and button pages unchanged through the show.
Keep control private. Do not expose listeners to the public internet. Leave router port forwarding off and rotate credentials if they leave the show team.