The On-Stage feature in TokBox is an option for a better program flow while in the studio. This feature allows you to choose who should be live on-screen without turning off the other speakers' cameras and microphones, which are not supposed to be seen by attendees.
This feature intends to allow session moderators more control over who will be seen and heard by the attendees at a particular moment while allowing everyone in the studio to see and hear each other.
How to Use the On-Stage Feature
1. Access the Studio
The on-stage option is only available while accessing the Tokbox Studio Link.
There are no settings from the admin console.
It will only be available once the broadcast starts.
2. Start the Broadcast
Click the Ready to Start button, then click Start Broadcast.
3. Open the Participants Tab
Click Participants from the left side menu.
This menu will show you the list of people in the studio.
As a default, everyone with cameras turned on will be seen by attendees.
4. Hide or Show Speakers
Click Hide from the Participants menu to hide the speaker from attendees.
You will see an OFF Stage status under the speaker's name if they are hidden from attendees.
Attendees will not see or hear them., even if their camera and microphone is turned on.
Click Show to show them to attendees.
You will see an ON Stage status under the speaker's name if they are shown to attendees.
5. Hide or Show the Shared Screen or Shared Video
If a speaker shares their screen or a video file, another entry in the Participants menu will appear.
Click Participants from the left side menu.
Look for the entry of the speaker sharing the screen or video. It will indicate whether they are sharing their screen or a video file.
Click Hide to hide the shared screen or video from attendees.
If the screen or video is hidden from attendees, you will see OFF Stage under the shared screen or video entry in the Participants tab.
If the shared screen or video is hidden, this does not automatically hide the speaker sharing. The speaker has a separate hide/show button.
Click Show to show the shared screen or video to attendees.
You will know attendees can see the screen or video when you see ON Stage under the shared screen or video entry in the Participants menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I use this feature instead of turning off or on the other speakers' camera and mic?
This feature makes it faster to bring them on stage. It's easy to turn off someone's camera and microphone. However, if you need the speaker to be on stage and they're not on cam yet, you will have to ask them to turn it on, which may cause delays. If you try to turn on their camera, it will not turn on automatically; it will ask for the speaker's permission to turn it on, which will again cause delays. If they're already on camera, you already have their consent to show them on stage, and with one click, attendees can see them right away. This feature allows you to transition from one speaker to another smoothly. It also allows you to coordinate with the other speakers in the studio without them having to turn off their cameras/mics.
If the speaker's camera is turned on, but they are hidden, who can see them?
Only those who are in the studio can see that speaker. Attendees will not see them.
Who can hear if the speaker's mic is turned on and they talk while hidden?
Only those who are in the studio can hear them. Attendees will not hear them.
What happens if everyone is hidden?
Attendees will see a dark blank screen.
People in the studio can still see and hear each other.
Who can hide or show speakers in the studio?
Only moderators can hide or show speakers in the studio
Can I hide a speaker before broadcasting?
No, that option is only available after clicking the Start Broadcast button.
If you want to avoid the speaker showing when the broadcast starts, you can turn off the camera before starting the broadcast.
Will the speaker's camera turn on if the moderator clicks the show button for that speaker?
No, the speaker still has to turn on their camera. The moderator can also click the camera icon next to the speaker's name in the Participants menu to ask permission to turn on their camera.