Settings Guide

This comprehensive guide explains all the settings available in M³, organized by category. Understanding these settings will help you configure M³ to work perfectly for your congregation's needs.

General

Display Language

Choose the language for M³'s interface. This is independent of the language used for media downloads.

Options: All available interface languages (English, Spanish, French, etc.)

Default: English

Dark Mode

Control the appearance theme of M³.

Options:

• Automatically switch based on system preference
• Always use dark mode
• Always use light mode

Default: Auto

First Day of Week

Set which day should be considered the first day of the week in the calendar view.

Options: Sunday through Saturday

Default: Sunday

Date Format

Format used to display dates in the app.

Example: D MMMM YYYY

Default: D MMMM YYYY

Auto-Start at Login

Automatically start M³ when the computer boots up.

Default: false

Congregation Meetings

Congregation Name

The name of your congregation. This is used for organization and display purposes.

Default: Empty (must be set during setup)

Meeting Language

The primary language for media downloads. This should match the language used in your congregation's meetings.

Options: All available languages from the official website of Jehovah's Witnesses

Default: English (E)

Fallback Language

A secondary language to use when media isn't available in the primary language.

Options: All available languages from the official website of Jehovah's Witnesses

Default: None

Midweek Meeting Day

The day of the week when your midweek meeting is held.

Options: Sunday through Saturday

Default: None (must be set during setup)

Midweek Meeting Time

The start time of your midweek meeting.

Format: HH:MM (24-hour format)

Default: None (must be set during setup)

Weekend Meeting Day

The day of the week when your weekend meeting is held.

Options: Sunday through Saturday

Default: None (must be set during setup)

Weekend Meeting Time

The start time of your weekend meeting.

Format: HH:MM (24-hour format)

Default: None (must be set during setup)

Circuit Overseer Week

The week of the next circuit overseer's visit.

Format: MM/DD/YYYY

Default: None

Memorial Date

The date of the next Memorial celebration.

Format: MM/DD/YYYY

Default: Automatically retrieved periodically

Meeting Schedule Changes

These settings allow you to configure temporary changes to your meeting schedule:

• Change Date: When the change takes effect
• One-time Change: Whether this is a permanent or temporary change
• New Midweek Day: New day for midweek meeting
• New Midweek Time: New time for midweek meeting
• New Weekend Day: New day for weekend meeting
• New Weekend Time: New time for weekend meeting

Automatic Meeting Schedule Updates

When enabled, M³ periodically checks the official website of Jehovah's Witnesses for meeting day and time changes and updates the current profile automatically.

This only works for profiles that were added with congregation lookup and whose congregation name has not been manually changed. If synchronization was disabled because the congregation name changed, use Enable schedule sync to link the profile again.

Enable Schedule Sync

Re-links the current profile to congregation lookup so automatic meeting day and time updates can resume. Only shown once the congregation name has been changed manually, since that's what breaks the link in the first place.

Refresh Meeting Schedule

Manually synchronize the current and future meeting schedule with the information from the official website.

Media & Playback

Metered Connection

Enable this if you're on a limited data connection to reduce bandwidth usage.

Default: false

Media Display

Enable the media display functionality. This is required to present media on a second monitor.

Default: false

Enable Media Preview

Show a live preview of the media window while an image or video is being displayed.

Default: true

Begin Playback Paused

Start videos in a paused state when playback begins.

Default: false

Background Music

Enable Music

Enable background music functionality.

Default: true

Auto-Start Music

Automatically start background music when M³ launches if appropriate.

Default: true

Meeting Stop Buffer

How many seconds before meeting start time to stop background music.

Range: 0-300 seconds

Default: 60 seconds

Music Volume

Volume level for background music (1-100%).

Default: 100%

Playback and Download Options

Enable Media Window Fade Transitions

Enable fade-in/out transitions when showing or hiding the media window.

Default: true

Enable Playback Speed Control

Allow audio and video playback speed to be adjusted from the media item's context menu.

Default: false

Hide Media Logo

Hide the logo in the media window.

Default: false

Maximum Resolution

Maximum resolution for downloaded media files.

Options: 240p, 360p, 480p, 720p, 1080p

Default: 720p

Include Printed Media

Include media from the printed publications in media downloads.

Default: true

Exclude Footnotes

Exclude footnote images from media downloads when possible.

Default: false

Exclude Additional Watchtower Study Videos

Exclude additional videos that are referenced in Watchtower Study paragraphs.

Default: false

Exclude Congregation Bible Study Videos

Choose publications whose referenced videos should not be shown during the Congregation Bible Study. Search by publication title or symbol.

Default: Walk Courageously With God (wcg)

Exclude media from the Teaching brochure

Exclude media from the Teaching (th) brochure from media downloads.

Default: true

Subtitles

Enable Subtitles

Enable subtitle support for media playback.

Default: false

Subtitle Language

Language for subtitles (can be different from media language).

Options: All available languages from the official website of Jehovah's Witnesses

Default: None

Cache Management

Cache Songbook Video Files

Cache all songbook videos ahead of time for better performance. Note that this increases the size of the media cache.

Default: false

Cache Folder

Custom location for storing cached media files.

Default: System default location

Enable Cache Auto-Clear

Automatically clear old cached files to save disk space.

Default: true

Pinyin Song Titles

Prefer Pinyin Songs

When a pinyin version of a meeting song is found in the pinyin song folder, use it instead of the standard song.

Default: false

Pinyin Song Folder

Folder containing pinyin video songs (e.g. sjjm_s-Pi_CHS_066_r720P.mp4). When a pinyin file matching the meeting song number is found, it will be played instead of the standard song.

Default: Empty

Media Export

Enable Media Auto-Export

Automatically export media files to a specified folder.

Default: false

Media Export Folder

Folder path where media files will be automatically exported.

Default: Empty

Convert Files to MP4

Setting: convertFilesToMp4

Convert exported media files to MP4 format for better compatibility.

Default: false

Shared Folder (Dropbox, OneDrive, iCloud Drive, Google Drive)

These settings are in the Integrations category.

M³ can add media to your meetings from a folder kept in sync by a cloud storage app, such as Dropbox, OneDrive, iCloud Drive or Google Drive. This is useful when others prepare media for their parts and share it with you, or when M³ is used on more than one computer. A folder on this computer or on your network works too.

M³ creates a folder inside the shared folder for each upcoming meeting, named with the meeting's date written as year-month-day (for example, 2026-03-25). Put photos, videos, audio files or JW Library playlists in a meeting's folder, and they're added to that meeting's media list automatically. To add files for another day, create a folder for it, named the same way. Anything else in the shared folder is ignored.

Tip

Create a new folder used only for this, such as "Meeting media", and set it to always stay on this computer in your cloud storage app (often called "available offline"), so the files are ready before the meeting starts.

Add Media From a Shared Folder

Add the files put in the shared folder to the right meeting automatically.

Default: false

Shared Folder

The folder to add media from. The setup wizard offers to set it up for you.

Default: Empty

Delete Past Meeting Folders

When a week is over, delete that week's dated folders, along with the files in them, to keep the shared folder tidy. Since the folder is shared, they're also deleted for everyone else who uses it. Turn this off to keep them.

Default: true

Meeting Timer

Enable Meeting Timer

Enable a separate timer window for timing meeting parts. This is a beta feature and should only be enabled if approved locally.

Default: false

Timer Window Behavior

Configure whether the timer window opens automatically, whether participant timers count up or down by default, whether the clock uses 12-hour or 24-hour time, and whether the current timer value is shown on the action island timer button.

Quick Access to the Timer

Choose how the timer is reached from the main window:

• Quick controls when hovering the timer button: hovering the timer button on the action island shows the part being timed, with Start, Pause, Stop and Next part buttons, without opening the full timer popup. On by default.
• Show a timer panel in the main window: keeps the whole list of meeting parts and the timer controls in a panel docked on the right side of the main window, always in view. The full popup remains available from the action island for the window and display settings.

Timer Remote

When turned on, M³ serves a read-only copy of the timer display as a web page on your local network, for a tablet or phone at the lectern: the speaker sees the remaining time without it being on the congregation's screen or in a Zoom share. The page follows the timer in real time, including the pre-meeting countdown, the clock, overtime colors and the hand alert, and all the controls stay in M³.

The addresses to open on the device are listed in the timer popup, with a copy button. Change the port only if another program already uses it. Note that anyone on the same network can open the page while this is on; it shows nothing but the timer.

Default: false, port 8787

Timer Display Formats

Choose analog or digital display formats for the time of day and countdown timers. The countdown warning indicator can shift the analog countdown ring toward a warning color during the final minute.

The Analog clock with time arc countdown format shows the time left for a part as a wedge on an analog clock face, from the minute hand to the planned end, so one glance shows both the time of day and what's left. Overtime shows as a second wedge in the overtime color. It also applies to the pre-meeting countdown and works in count-up mode.

Meeting Countdown and Schedule Status

Show a countdown before scheduled meetings and optionally display whether the meeting is ahead of or behind schedule. The meeting countdown appears only on the timer display, not on the main media display.

Timer Appearance and Overtime

Customize the timer text size and colors, and configure overtime indicators such as alternate colors, blinking, and showing only the elapsed overtime amount in count-up mode.

Integrations

This category also holds the shared folder settings, for adding media from Dropbox, OneDrive, iCloud Drive or Google Drive.

Zoom Integration

Enable Zoom

Enable Zoom meeting integration features.

Default: false

Screen Share Shortcut

Keyboard shortcut to trigger Zoom screen sharing.

Default: None

Auto-Focus Media Window

Automatically focus the media window after Zoom screen sharing starts. This is usually not required, but can help on some systems if the media window regularly loses focus after screen sharing starts.

Default: false

Zoom Meeting Manager

The Zoom Meeting Manager (beta, Windows only) operates the Zoom desktop app for you around each meeting. Its setup assistant, offered when you turn it on, walks you through each automation.

While M³ Operates Zoom

Zoom offers no proper automation interface, so M³ drives the Zoom app through its accessibility interface, which works without moving the mouse, even while Zoom hides its toolbar. Zoom still brings its window forward for a moment when M³ presses its buttons, and the mouse only moves as a last resort, should Zoom ignore every other way. Whenever M³ operates Zoom, it covers its own window with a "M³ is operating Zoom" notice naming what is going on, with a Cancel this automation button. The same notice shows during the setup assistant's checks and the self-test. A global keyboard shortcut (default Ctrl+Alt+Escape), active only while an automation runs, cancels it from anywhere, even while Zoom has the focus. Cancelling stops M³ at once; Zoom may then be left part-way, so check it.

Default: Ctrl+Alt+Escape

Raised-Hand Helper

During a meeting, M³ watches Zoom's participants list for raised hands. When someone raises their hand, a notification in M³ lets you unmute that participant with one click, and, once they are done speaking, mute them again and lower their hand with another. The Zoom button on the action island lists the raised hands with the same buttons. Every action goes to that participant's own row in Zoom, by their exact name; if two participants share a name, M³ touches neither.

If the meeting timer is enabled, a large hand with the participant's name also appears on the timer display for the chairman, and a Hand alert button in the timer and Zoom popups shows it by hand. This part needs the timer display; the notifications and buttons work without it.

Zoom marks raised hands in its own language, so M³ first needs to learn how: with your meeting open in Zoom, click Learn how Zoom marks raised hands. M³ raises your own hand, reads how Zoom marks it in the participants list and which menu entry lowers it, then lowers it again. The setup assistant offers this step too.

Default: false

Window Layout

M³ can put Zoom's meeting window, and its own main window, where you want them on your screens. The setup assistant asks where in two steps, which the Choose the layout button here opens again at any time:

1. On a map of your screens as they are arranged, pick the screen for Zoom's meeting. The screen the media window fills is never offered. If Zoom's screen isn't the one M³ is on, choose whether Zoom has it to itself or shares it with M³ (M³ then moves there too).
2. On a drawing of that screen at its real shape, drag the divider to share it between M³ and Zoom. It clicks onto the usual proportions (a half, a third, a quarter and so on); hold Alt to drag it freely. The divider never leaves a window smaller than it can be: Zoom needs more room while its participants list is open. On a portrait screen, the two windows go one above the other.

As soon as the meeting opens, M³ opens Zoom's participants list if you asked it to, then puts both windows in place. From then on, it keeps Zoom where it belongs: when Zoom moves or resizes its window by itself, after screen sharing or as its participants list opens or closes, M³ puts it back. If you move or resize Zoom yourself, M³ leaves it where you put it until the next meeting. Each time M³ moves Zoom by itself, a notification says so, with two buttons should that get in the way: Leave Zoom alone stops it until M³ restarts, and Turn off turns the window layout off until you turn it back on here. When screens are connected or removed, M³ arranges the windows again; if Zoom's screen is no longer there, Zoom shares M³'s screen and M³ tells you so.

While Zoom shares the media window, it hides its own meeting window, participants list included. With Show the participants list while sharing on, M³ then opens Zoom's participants list in a window of its own, in Zoom's place, so you still see who raises a hand to comment. If you close it, it stays closed until the next share; Zoom closes it by itself when sharing stops, and its meeting window comes back in place.

With Zoom's Meeting window view set to Dual window (Use dual monitors in older versions of Zoom), Zoom opens a second window (showing the shared screen or the speaker). M³ puts it full screen on the media window's screen, behind the media window: hide the media window to show it, for example to see the participants.

When Snap them with Windows is on, M³ snaps the two windows side by side with Windows' own snapping, as if you had dragged them to the edges of the screen, so dragging the border between them resizes both. To do so, M³ brings each window forward for a moment.

The Arrange windows button in the Zoom popup puts everything back in place at any time. The window layout is kept per computer, since it depends on its screens.

Default: off

OBS Studio Integration

Enable OBS

Enable OBS Studio integration for automatic scene switching.

Default: false

Important Note

Audio Configuration Required: The OBS Studio integration only handles screen sharing. Audio from M³ media is not automatically transmitted to Zoom participants when using OBS Studio. You must configure Zoom's Original Audio settings or use "Share Computer Sound" to ensure meeting participants can hear the media. See the User Guide for detailed audio setup instructions.

Note: The Zoom integration uses Zoom's native screen sharing which handles audio more seamlessly than OBS Studio integration.

OBS Port

The port number for connecting to OBS Studio WebSocket.

Default: None

OBS Password

The password for OBS Studio WebSocket connection.

Default: None

OBS Scenes

Configure which OBS scenes to use for different purposes:

• Camera Scene: Scene showing the camera/lectern
• Media Scene: Scene for displaying media
• Image Scene: Scene for displaying images (for example, a PIP scene showing both media and the speaker)

OBS Advanced Options

• Do Not Automatically Share Images: Delay sharing images to OBS until manually triggered
• Quick Toggle: Enable quick on/off toggle for OBS integration
• Switch Scene After Media: Automatically return to previous scene after media
• Remember Previous Scene: Remember and restore the previous scene
• Hide Icons: Hide OBS-related icons in the interface
• Recording Controls: Show controls that start and stop OBS recording from M³

Important Note

Audio Configuration Required: OBS Studio integration only handles video/scene switching. Audio from M³ media is not automatically transmitted to Zoom or OBS. The video stream works like a virtual camera without sound, just like a webcam. You must configure Zoom's Original Audio settings or use "Share Computer Sound" to ensure meeting participants can hear the media. See the User Guide for detailed audio setup instructions.

Alternative: Consider using the Zoom integration instead, as it uses Zoom's native screen sharing which handles audio more seamlessly.

Custom Events

Enable Custom Events

Enable custom shortcuts that will be triggered when a specific event is detected (e.g., media is played, paused, or stopped).

Default: false

Custom Event Shortcuts

Play Media Shortcut

Shortcut that is triggered when media is played.

Default: None

Pause Media Shortcut

Shortcut that is triggered when media is paused.

Default: None

Stop Media Shortcut

Shortcut that is triggered when media is stopped.

Default: None

Last Song Shortcut

Shortcut that is triggered when the last song is played during a meeting.

Default: None

Meeting Recordings

Enable External Recording App Integration

Let M³ control a separate recording application with keyboard shortcuts. This does not record inside M³; it sends the configured shortcuts when you press Start Recording or Stop Recording in the meeting recordings popup.

This option is hidden when OBS recording controls are enabled. If you use OBS Studio, use the OBS recording controls in the OBS integration instead.

Default: false

Recording Shortcuts and Folder

Configure the keyboard shortcut that starts recording, the optional shortcut that stops recording, and the folder where the external app saves recordings. If no stop shortcut is provided, M³ reuses the start shortcut. When a folder is configured, M³ shows a button to open it.

Interface & Shortcuts

Keyboard Shortcuts

Enable Keyboard Shortcuts

Enable customizable keyboard shortcuts for media control.

Default: false

Media Control Shortcuts

Configure shortcuts for media playback:

• Media Window: Open/close media window
• Previous Media: Go to previous media item
• Next Media: Go to next media item
• Pause/Resume: Pause or resume media playback
• Stop Media: Stop media playback
• Music Toggle: Toggle background music

Add More Media Button

Sections with an Add Media Button

Choose which meeting sections show their own button for adding your own media, in addition to the "Add media" button in the top toolbar, which always works for every section.

Default: Public Talk, Living as Christians, Circuit Overseer's Visit, and Custom sections

Compact Add Media Button

Only show an icon for the "Add more media"/"Add a song" button in section headers. When disabled, the button also shows text alongside the icon when there's enough room.

Default: true

Media Drag Handle

Show Drag Handle

Show a small handle on each media item for dragging it to reorder. Media items can always be reordered by dragging anywhere on them; this only affects whether the handle icon itself is shown.

Default: true

Before/After Meeting Quick Actions

Show Meeting Quick Actions

Show a before-meeting panel and an after-meeting panel with useful controls (background music, recording) and a customizable checklist for each.

Default: true

The checklist categories and tasks for both the before-meeting and after-meeting panels are managed from this same settings section: add, rename, reorder, or delete categories and tasks as needed for your congregation.

Advanced

Profile Settings Transfer

Export the current profile's settings to a JSON file or import a previously exported profile settings file. Importing replaces the current profile's settings.

Danger Zone

Warning

These settings should only be changed if you understand their implications.

Base URL

Base domain used to download publications and media.

Default: jw.org

Disable Hardware Acceleration

Disable hardware acceleration after restarting M³. This may help with graphical glitches or crashes on some systems, but is not otherwise recommended.

Default: false

Suppress Hardware Acceleration Reminder

Hide the reminder to re-enable hardware acceleration after it has been manually disabled.

Default: false

Disable Media Fetching

Completely disable automatic media downloads. Use this only for profiles that will be used for special events or other custom setups.

Default: false

Tips for Optimal Configuration

For New Users

1. Start with the setup wizard to configure basic settings
2. Turn on "Enable media playback" to access presentation features
3. Configure your meeting schedule accurately
4. Set up OBS integration if you use hybrid meetings

For Advanced Users

1. Use a shared folder to add media from cloud storage, such as Dropbox or OneDrive
2. Enable media auto-export for backup purposes
3. Configure keyboard shortcuts for efficient operation
4. Configure Zoom integration for automatic screen sharing

Performance Optimization

1. Cache songbook video files for better performance
2. Use appropriate maximum resolution for your needs
3. Configure cache auto-clear to manage disk space
4. Consider metered connection setting if on limited bandwidth

Troubleshooting

• If media isn't downloading, check your meeting schedule settings
• If OBS integration isn't working, verify port and password settings
• If performance is slow, try enabling extra cache or reducing resolution
• If you're having language issues, check both interface and media language settings
• If Zoom participants can't hear media audio, configure Zoom's Original Audio settings or use "Share Computer Sound"
• Tip: Consider using Zoom integration instead of OBS Studio for simpler audio handling