The infinite mirror effect

What is the infinite mirror effect?

The infinite mirror effect is an effect you sometimes see when sharing your screen. It's completely normal and happens with many screen sharing technologies.

You will see your screen getting smaller and smaller until you can't see it anymore; the following image is an example of the infinite mirror effect.

What causes it?

The infinite mirror effect is caused when the Broadcaster looks at the content they are sharing. Most typically, this will happen when you share your full screen or share the web browser you are using to start your Broadcast. 

Why does it happen?

When you share your screen, that screen is captured and sent out to the viewers. If you then look at what you are sharing, it will capture that as well. This will keep happening until you get an infinitely smaller and smaller recording of your screen (similar to what happens when you place two mirrors in front of each other!). 

Is this something to worry about?

No, it's completely normal. Most screen sharing applications experience this effect.

How do I avoid this effect?

The easiest way to avoid the effect is to move away from the Broadcast window. As a Broadcaster, the Broadcast window is not where you are going to run your lesson. You will want to move to your presentation, web page or other document. 

Once you make this move away from the Broadcast window, the infinite mirror effect will disappear, and your viewers will see the content as you expect.

But I need the Broadcast window to access the annotation tools.

We have created the Broadcast extension to avoid this. When you are Broadcasting, you can use the extension to capture your content instead of having to return to the Broadcast window. You can get the extension here:

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/broadcast-extension/bmhcendgjgiiefjecalhckfbllblngag

Is there a way to make sure my viewers see what I want them to?

Yes. Once you start a Broadcast, activate the PIP mode (see this guide on activating PIP mode). Then when you move to your lesson content, you can keep an eye on what your viewers are seeing. 

I am still not sure I follow.

That's ok. If you need help understanding the Infinite mirror effect, please reach out to our Broadcast team who will be happy to explain or demonstrate the infinite mirror effect. You can get in touch at:

broadcast@displaynote.com

You can also watch this video, where Broadcast product manager Luke will talk you through the effect.