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Understanding Start Overlay as Hidden

Start Overlay as Hidden is a stream-creation setting that keeps graphics off until an operator manually shows them from the Control Room.

Overview

Start Overlay as Hidden is a setting configured during stream creation that prevents the overlay from appearing automatically when the stream starts. When this setting is enabled, the overlay remains hidden until an operator manually shows graphics from the Control Room.


This setting only affects LIGR-hosted streams. It does not apply when using external software (vMix, OBS, etc.) with the production URL.


[SCREENSHOT: the ADD STREAM configuration screen with the Start Overlay as Hidden toggle visible]


When to Use Start Overlay as Hidden

Enable this setting when you want complete control over when graphics first appear on your stream. Common scenarios include:


• You need to start the stream early but don't want graphics visible during pre-match setup.


• You want to verify the stream is running correctly before showing any overlays.


• You need time to prepare graphics or check data before displaying them to viewers.


How to Enable Start Overlay as Hidden

This setting is configured during stream creation and cannot be changed while the stream is live. To enable it, first navigate to the Matches section and find your match, then click the three-dot Actions menu for that match and select ADD STREAM. Next, configure your stream settings, including the name, input, destinations, and overlay, and scroll down to find the Start Overlay as Hidden toggle. Toggle it ON, then click CREATE to create the stream with the setting applied.


What Happens When Start Overlay as Hidden is Enabled

When you start a stream with Start Overlay as Hidden enabled, the following occurs:


• The stream starts and begins broadcasting to destinations.


• The overlay exists and is assigned to the stream.


• No graphics appear on the output — viewers see only the clean video feed.


• The overlay indicator shows the overlay is active (red indicator).


• Graphics remain hidden until you manually show them from the Control Room.


How to Show Graphics After Stream Starts

Once your stream is running with the overlay hidden, you can manually show graphics whenever you're ready. First, open the Control Room for your overlay, which can be accessed from the overlay Actions menu or the expanded match view. From there, use the Control Room to manually show the graphics you want displayed, and they will then appear on the live stream output.


[SCREENSHOT: the Control Room with the manual show graphics controls highlighted]


Important Limitations

LIGR-Hosted Streams Only


Start Overlay as Hidden only affects LIGR-hosted streams. When using external software like vMix or OBS with the overlay production URL, this setting has no effect. The overlay production URL displays graphics immediately when loaded in external software, regardless of this setting.


Cannot Change While Live


You cannot enable or disable Start Overlay as Hidden while a stream is running. To change this setting, you must first stop the stream, then navigate to stream settings by selecting Configure from the stream Actions menu. From there, change the Start Overlay as Hidden toggle and click Save, then restart the stream for the change to take effect.


Relationship to Hide Graphics Toggle

Start Overlay as Hidden is different from the Hide Graphics toggle found on the Stream Monitor page.


Start Overlay as Hidden: Configured during stream creation. Determines whether graphics appear automatically when the stream starts.


Hide Graphics toggle: Available on the Stream Monitor page. Allows you to temporarily hide all graphics during a live LIGR-hosted stream and show them again later.


Both settings only apply to LIGR-hosted streams. Neither affects overlays used in external software via the production URL.


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