# Using Looking Glass Bridge

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The latest version of Looking Glass Bridge is available [here](https://lookingglassfactory.com/software/looking-glass-bridge).
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Looking Glass Bridge is a **service** application, that means that for the most part, it runs in the background and provides interfaces for other user-facing applications. \
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This also means that Looking Glass Bridge is accessible via different methods than you might expect from a normal application.

### Windows 🪟

On Windows, Looking Glass Bridge is available in the Icon Tray. \
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This is located on the right side of the Windows Taskbar, next to the clock, volume and Wi-Fi settings. To access Bridge, click the Up arrow in the Icon Tray, then choose the Bridge application. 

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="files"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Bridge exists in the icon Tray. <br><br>To interact with Bridge select the Bridge icon. </td><td><a href="https://content.gitbook.com/content/PuCaeVAli72TiclYlEG5/blobs/qwOsG8kn99kVdBLE3xBA/image.png">image.png</a></td></tr><tr><td>The main menu of Looking Glass Bridge will show the Looking Glass displays that are connected to your computer.</td><td><a href="https://content.gitbook.com/content/PuCaeVAli72TiclYlEG5/blobs/wJVR68Wn7Q4oeFOxEeu2/image.png">image.png</a></td></tr><tr><td>When you select a display, you'll see a few options for actions you can perform. <br><br>These actions are the same across all platforms, we'll go over them below.</td><td><a href="https://content.gitbook.com/content/PuCaeVAli72TiclYlEG5/blobs/vKdKUegQbrpI7SYxvEZl/image.png">image.png</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

### MacOS 🍎

On MacOS, Looking Glass Bridge is available via the Menu Bar. \
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This is located at the top of your Mac's main screen.&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/PuCaeVAli72TiclYlEG5/blobs/0jKR7jkWS7qV18GG3NLS/image.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Once you click on the Bridge icon, you'll see the following menu.&#x20;

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th data-hidden></th><th data-hidden></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="files"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Once you select the Bridge icon in the Menu Bar, you'll see the following menu. </td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="https://content.gitbook.com/content/PuCaeVAli72TiclYlEG5/blobs/rYaOkzlXFkqKy6TufwAu/image.png">image.png</a></td></tr><tr><td>Selecting a Display from Bridge's menu will show you a series of actions you can perform. <br><br>Those actions are described in more detail below.</td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="https://content.gitbook.com/content/PuCaeVAli72TiclYlEG5/blobs/Mpx1pFajoGldLRXA6ksE/image.png">image.png</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

## Actions:

### Toggle Debug View

This action will toggle the debug view on and off. \
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The debug view is useful to ensure that Looking Glass Bridge is displaying content correctly on your Looking Glass display.&#x20;

### Toggle Window

This action will toggle the window created by Looking Glass Bridge on and off.&#x20;

### Set AutoStart Playlist

Introduced in Looking Glass Bridge 2.2, this option will allow you to play through a playlist created by Looking Glass Studio automatically when you start Looking Glass Bridge. When you click this option, a file browser window will open. \
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You'll want to navigate to your `Documents/HoloPlayStudio/New Playlist` folder, then choose your `playlist.json` file.&#x20;

Alternatively, you can supply [an `.m3u` playlist file](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M3U) that includes a list of image and video assets. However, this method will only work for quilt media that uses [the file naming convention to supply quilt settings](https://docs.lookingglassfactory.com/keyconcepts/quilts#file-naming-conventions).

Once you've selected a playlist, Bridge will start playing it. Bridge will also play that playlist each time it starts on that computer.&#x20;

Use [Clear AutoStart Playlist](#clear-autostart-playlist) to discontinue playback.

### Clear AutoStart Playlist

Introduced in Looking Glass Bridge 2.2, this option will allow you to clear a playlist set to automatically start. When you click this option, Bridge will clear the playlist from the Autostart option, while restarting Bridge will close the playlist if it's currently playing.&#x20;

In order to control the playlist, you can use the[ **Looking Glass Bridge API Library**](https://github.com/Looking-Glass/bridge.js). <br>

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Currently, hardware-accelerated video playback is only available on NVIDIA graphics cards. \
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This is highly recommended for proper playback of 8K quilts and other high-resolution content.
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