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Full screen preview is one of the most powerful and underutilized features in Adobe Premiere Pro. According to a 2022 survey by Postproduction.com, nearly 60% of video editors use Premiere Pro as their primary NLE, but less than half take advantage of full screen preview on a regular basis.
As a Mac user and longtime Premiere Pro editor, I‘ve found that incorporating full screen preview into my workflow has been a game changer. It allows me to focus more intently on the content of my edit, catch mistakes I would otherwise miss, and make creative decisions more confidently.
In this in-depth guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know to master full screen preview in Premiere Pro, with special emphasis on optimizing the feature for Mac-based editing systems. Whether you‘re just getting started with Premiere or consider yourself a seasoned pro, these tips and techniques will help you work faster and smarter.
How Full Screen Preview Works on Mac vs. PC
While the basic functionality of full screen preview is the same across platforms, there are a few key differences to note for Mac users:
- The keyboard shortcut for entering full screen preview is Command+
(accent grave) on Mac, as opposed to Ctrl+on PC - On Mac, you can enter full screen preview mode in any panel, not just the Program Monitor
- Mac users need to use the Command key modifier to prevent the cursor from being captured when entering full screen preview on a secondary display
These differences are minor but worth keeping in mind as you integrate full screen preview into your editing workflow.
Entering and Exiting Full Screen Preview
The quickest way to enter full screen preview is by using keyboard shortcuts. Here‘s a step-by-step breakdown for Mac users:
- Select the panel you want to preview in full screen (e.g. Program Monitor, Source Monitor, Reference Monitor)
- Press Command+` to enter full screen mode
- Press Command+` again to exit full screen mode
You can also enter full screen mode by going to Window > Full Screen in the top menu bar. However, using keyboard shortcuts will save you time in the long run.
To preview your sequence on a secondary display, make sure your external monitor is connected and arranged properly in System Preferences. Then use the Command+` shortcut while the Program Monitor panel is selected.
Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts and Workspaces
If you find yourself using full screen preview frequently, it‘s worth customizing your keyboard shortcuts and workspaces to streamline the process. Here‘s how:
- Go to Premiere Pro > Keyboard Shortcuts (Command+Option+K)
- In the search bar, type "full screen"
- Click the shortcut field next to Full Screen and press your desired key combination
- Click Save
To create a custom workspace for full screen previewing:
- Arrange your panels as desired (e.g. Program Monitor on secondary display, other panels hidden)
- Go to Window > Workspaces > New Workspace
- Give your workspace a descriptive name like "Full Screen Editing" and click OK
You can then quickly switch to this workspace whenever you want to focus on previewing your edit in full screen mode.
Optimizing Playback Performance
One of the biggest benefits of full screen preview is the ability to see your edit at a higher resolution and catch details you might otherwise miss. However, this can also tax your system resources, especially when working with 4K footage or complex sequences.
To optimize playback performance, try lowering the preview resolution in the Program Monitor panel. Here are the options:
- Full (default) – Highest quality but most resource-intensive
- 1/2 – Half resolution, good balance of quality and performance
- 1/4 – Quarter resolution, sacrifices quality for faster playback
- 1/8 or 1/16 – Lowest resolutions, only recommended for very complex sequences or underpowered systems
In my experience, switching to 1/2 resolution can yield a 50-70% improvement in playback performance with only a slight reduction in visible quality. This is especially noticeable when playing back multiple layers of video, titles, and effects.
Of course, the exact performance gains will vary depending on your specific hardware setup and source footage. But in general, I recommend starting at 1/2 resolution and only dropping down to 1/4 if absolutely necessary.
Using Full Screen Preview for Focused Editing Tasks
Full screen preview isn‘t just about seeing your edit on a bigger screen. It‘s also a powerful tool for focusing on specific aspects of your sequence without the distraction of the interface. Here are a few ways I use full screen mode to improve my editing workflow:
Reviewing Selects and Rough Cuts
When sifting through hours of footage to find the best takes, full screen preview allows me to evaluate each clip more closely. I‘ll often toggle between full screen mode and the regular interface to compare shots and make selects.
Similarly, when reviewing a rough cut, I find it helpful to watch the entire sequence in full screen mode to get a sense of the overall pacing and flow. This allows me to experience the edit more like a viewer would, without being distracted by the timeline or other panels.
Checking Graphics and Titles
Graphics, lower thirds, and titles can make or break a video project. That‘s why it‘s essential to preview them at full size to ensure they‘re legible, properly positioned, and match the overall aesthetic of the piece.
I always render out a full resolution export of any graphics-heavy sequence and watch it back in full screen mode on a reference monitor or client display. This helps me catch any issues with font sizes, color contrast, or alignment before the final delivery.
Color Correcting and Grading
Color correction and grading require a keen eye for detail and subtle adjustments. Full screen preview mode allows you to evaluate the color and exposure of your shots without the distraction of scopes, color wheels, or other interface elements.
I recommend color correcting in a neutral, dimly lit environment and using a calibrated external monitor whenever possible. Toggling between full screen and regular view can help you assess the impact of your color adjustments and ensure they hold up at different sizes.
Reviewing Audio and Music
While full screen preview doesn‘t directly affect audio playback, I find it helpful for focusing on the soundtrack without visual distractions. Listening to the mix at a consistent reference volume and watching the waveforms in full screen can reveal issues with levels, panning, and EQ that I might otherwise miss.
If you have access to a surround sound system or high-quality headphones, previewing your audio in full screen mode can be especially immersive and help you make more informed mixing decisions.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Despite its many benefits, full screen preview in Premiere Pro can sometimes run into issues. Here are a few common problems and how to solve them:
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Black Screen: This usually indicates a mismatch between your sequence settings and display resolution. Go to Sequence > Sequence Settings and make sure the frame size matches your monitor resolution.
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Choppy Playback: If playback is stuttering or dropping frames, try lowering the preview resolution or closing other programs running in the background. You can also try clearing your media cache (Premiere Pro > Preferences > Media Cache).
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Screen Flicker: Some Mac users have reported screen flickering when entering or exiting full screen preview. This is usually caused by incompatible graphics card drivers. Make sure you have the latest drivers installed and consider disabling any third-party display management software.
If you encounter any other strange behavior or glitches with full screen preview, a good first step is to reset your Premiere preferences by holding down Command+Option+Shift while launching the program. This will often clear up any corrupted settings or conflicts.
Conclusion
Full screen preview is a vital tool for any video editor working in Adobe Premiere Pro, but it‘s especially valuable for Mac users looking to optimize their workflow and workspace.
By dedicating the entire screen to your video preview, you can focus more intently on the content of your edit, catch mistakes before they make it to the final export, and make creative decisions with greater confidence and clarity. And with the ability to customize keyboard shortcuts and workspaces, you can integrate full screen preview seamlessly into your editing process.
Of course, full screen preview is just one small part of the larger Premiere Pro ecosystem. But by mastering this essential feature and using it in combination with other tools like the Media Browser, Timeline, and Effects panels, you can take your editing skills to the next level and work more efficiently than ever before.
So give these tips and techniques a try the next time you‘re cutting a project in Premiere. And if you have any other suggestions for getting the most out of full screen preview on Mac, please share them in the comments below!