How to Use Timers

This guide shows you how to add and use countdown timers, stopwatches, and time displays in your broadcast.

Quick Steps

1. Find the Timer feature in the interface
2. Configure the timer type (countdown or count-up)
3. Set the starting time
4. Position on scene and start

Timer Types

Type	Direction	Use Case
Countdown	Down	Time until event, breaks
Count-up	Up	Elapsed time, duration
Clock	Current time	Show current time
Stopwatch	Up from trigger	Timing activities

Method 1: Using Apps & Widgets

Timer functionality may be available through the Apps & Widgets feature:

Step 1: Add Timer Widget

1. In Layers panel, click Add New Layer
2. Select Apps & Widgets from the menu
3. Look for a timer or countdown widget
4. Add the widget to your scene

Step 2: Configure Timer

1. Select the timer widget
2. Open settings/properties
3. Configure:
   • Starting time (for countdown)
   • Direction (count up or down)
   • Display format

Method 2: Using Web Source

You can use an external timer via Web Source:

Step 1: Add Web Source

1. Click Add New Layer > Web Source
2. Enter URL of an online countdown timer
3. Size the web source appropriately

Popular Timer Sites

• timeanddate.com/countdown
• Online countdown generators

Setting Up a Countdown

Starting Countdown

1. Add/select timer layer
2. Set Direction: Down or Mode: Countdown
3. Enter starting time (e.g., 5:00 for 5 minutes)
4. Click Start to begin countdown

Common Countdown Settings

Duration	Use Case
00:05	Quick 5-second countdown
01:00	1-minute break
05:00	5-minute intermission
10:00	Starting soon countdown
15:00	Extended break

When Countdown Reaches Zero

Options may include:

• Stop at 00:00
• Flash/blink
• Hide timer
• Trigger action (sound, scene change)
• Start counting up

Setting Up a Count-Up Timer

For Elapsed Time

1. Add timer layer
2. Set Direction: Up or Mode: Count-up
3. Start at 00:00
4. Click Start to begin

Use Cases

• Show how long you’ve been live
• Time an activity or challenge
• Track segment duration

Timer Controls

Basic Controls

Control	Action
Start	Begin the timer
Pause	Freeze current time
Resume	Continue from pause
Reset	Return to starting value
Stop	End and reset

Keyboard Shortcuts

Configure in Settings > Hotkeys for quick control:

• Start/Stop timer
• Reset timer
• Pause timer

Timer Display Formats

Time Formats

Format	Example
HH:MM:SS	01:23:45
MM:SS	23:45
SS	45
M:SS	5:00

Styling Options

• Font family and size
• Text color
• Background color/opacity
• Border and shadow
• Alignment

Current Time Display

Show Clock

1. Add timer/clock layer
2. Set Mode: Clock or Current Time
3. Select time zone if needed
4. Choose 12 or 24-hour format

Time Zone Options

• Local time (your computer)
• Specific time zone
• Multiple time zones for global shows

Common Timer Setups

“Starting Soon” Countdown

Duration: 5-10 minutes
Format: MM:SS
Position: Center screen
Style: Large, visible
End action: Hide or show 00:00

Break Timer

Duration: 5 minutes
Format: MM:SS
Position: Prominent
Style: Match branding
End action: Alert sound

Stream Duration

Mode: Count-up
Start: When going live
Format: HH:MM:SS
Position: Corner, subtle
Style: Smaller text

Segment Timer

Mode: Countdown
Duration: Segment length
Position: Corner
Visibility: Toggle as needed

Using AI to Control Timers

With the AI assistant:

"Start a 5-minute countdown"
"Add a timer counting down from 10 minutes"
"Show the current time on screen"
"Reset the timer"

Multiple Timers

You can have multiple timers for different purposes:

• Main countdown (center)
• Stream duration (corner)
• Segment timer (hidden until needed)

Managing Multiple Timers

• Name timers descriptively
• Control each independently
• Show/hide as needed

Troubleshooting

Timer not counting?

• Ensure timer is started, not just added
• Check if timer is paused
• Verify timer settings are correct

Timer not visible?

• Check layer visibility (eye icon)
• Bring timer to front
• Verify position is on-screen
• Check if font color matches background

Wrong time format?

• Check format settings
• Adjust display format
• Verify starting time entered correctly

Timer resets unexpectedly?

• Check for scene change resets
• Verify reset triggers
• May be related to layer reload

Timer and clock out of sync?

• Check system time is correct
• Verify time zone settings
• Allow for slight display delay

Best Practices

1. Test before going live - Verify timer works correctly
2. Position strategically - Visible but not distracting
3. Match your branding - Consistent style
4. Have quick controls - Set up keyboard shortcuts
5. Plan end actions - What happens when timer finishes
6. Communicate - Tell viewers what timer is for

Timer Ideas

Scenario	Timer Type
Pre-show	Countdown to start
Q&A segment	Count-up for fairness
Speed challenge	Countdown to zero
Cooking/crafting	Segment timer
Giveaway	Countdown to winner
Break	Return countdown

Related

• Timers & Countdowns Concept
• Layers System
• How to Add a Text Overlay

Related articles

• Layers
• Text Layer