> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://captivatehelp.newbluelive.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://captivatehelp.newbluelive.com/get-started/chapter-index-2/program-monitor-panel.md).

# Program Monitor panel

The Program Monitor panel shows what Captivate is sending to Program. Use it to monitor one or more channels, check live output, and listen to local monitor audio. Press **F5** to show or hide the panel, or click **Program** on the top bar.

If your project has more than one channel, the Program Monitor can show multiple channels at the same time. Click a channel to make it the primary view. The selected channel fills as much of the monitor area as possible, and the remaining channels appear along the side.

**❗ IMPORTANT**

The Program Monitor does not create the output. Closing the panel does not stop Program or disconnect any configured output. Captivate continues sending output even when the Program Monitor is hidden.

## Video monitor

The video monitor shows the current Program output for the visible channel or channels. It updates at the project frame rate, and the panel’s title bar shows the project’s format — for example, **\[3840 x 2160, 29.97 fps, Progressive]**.

### Monitor multiple channels

When a project has more than one channel, the Program Monitor shows the channel outputs at the same time, each labeled with its channel name.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://352477438-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFCWMxradHcVjURnrXSYX%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-1c967226002dd6050e999c22fa5c12c10dabf2ef%2Fmulti-channel-grid.jpg?alt=media" alt="The Program Monitor showing Channel 1 and Channel 2 side by side"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

Click a channel to focus on it. The selected channel fills as much of the monitor area as possible, and the other channels move to the side. Click one of the side channels to make it the primary view.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://352477438-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFCWMxradHcVjURnrXSYX%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-4b96cf1bcc307fcd7f478a35107ed5b02bf6d814%2Fmulti-channel-focused.jpg?alt=media" alt="The Program Monitor with Channel 1 focused as the primary view, and Channel 2 along the side"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

## Output destination button

The button at the bottom right of the panel shows the current Program Out destination — **NDI**, for example. Click it to choose a different destination from the menu.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://352477438-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFCWMxradHcVjURnrXSYX%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-40d60aea57f8bc28773da45a4248e5e4d2f99f73%2Foutput-destination-menu.jpg?alt=media" alt="The output destination menu — No Monitor, NDI, OMT, Display, Watch Folder, OBS, and Virtual Webcam"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

This button changes the live output, not just the monitor view — it is the same selection as the **Program Out** menu. See [Set up graphics output](/set-up-your-production/chapter-index.md).

## Monitor strip

A horizontal monitor strip sits in the control row under the program video. It controls what you hear through your speakers or headphones without changing the audio sent to Program:

* **Speaker button** — click to mute local monitoring; click the arrow beside it to open the output menu — **Mute Audio**, **Show Output Meter**, and the list of audio output devices to monitor through. Captivate remembers the selected device between sessions.
* **Volume slider** — the handle sets monitor volume, and the slider’s track doubles as a live output-level meter.

If the project includes a Zoom Mix audio source, a separate control appears for the Zoom Mix with its own fader and mute.

For the meter scale, fader increments, and reset controls, see [Program Monitor audio controls](/reference/program-monitor-audio-controls.md).

## When the panel is hidden

The Program Monitor panel is present in both the Setup and Live workspace presets by default. Press **F5** to show or hide it. The Program Monitor is included in every Captivate license.

## Related

* [Tour the Captivate interface](/get-started/chapter-index-2/the-playout-interface.md)
* [Channels](/get-started/chapter-index-2/channels.md)
* [The Audio Mixer](/set-up-your-production/chapter-index-5/the-audio-mixer.md)
* [Preview panel](/get-started/chapter-index-2/preview-panel.md)


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