Stage stopwatch and countdown timer
Stage timing: counting, cues and the speaker’s display
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Model and scope
With the date, location, and intended use, we can review which equipment and combination can be offered. You can inquire before measurements, drawings, or the final schedule are ready.
A stopwatch shows elapsed time; a countdown timer can show remaining time. Before the event, define the required count, its operator and what happens at zero.
This guide uses the wired DSAN Limitimer PRO-2000, with PRO-2000T console and PSL-20V display, as its example. It does not identify event inventory. Bluetooth and Rackmount variants require their own documentation.
Console, cues and signal
- Console and display
- The example uses external 12 V power and proprietary Cat-5/XLR data connections carrying data and power. They are not Ethernet, PoE or audio. A compatible, configured display is required in addition to the console.
- Count and cues
- Total Time defines duration and Sum-up the closing warning. Count-Up shows elapsed time and Count-Down remaining time. Beep and Blink are set per program; the manual describes red blinking rather than yellow.
- Video on a DSM
- The wired console does not connect directly to an HDMI input. VideoClock combines an interface and Windows software to generate a timer picture on a computer; check that path separately.
System requirements
Identified console, display, power and cabling. Check display count and distance against the actual system: voltage drop may require additional power or distribution.
Agreement with show direction on duration, warning, pause, reset, sound and overtime. Check that the speaker can read the display from their position without obstructing circulation.
Basic preparation
- Identify console and display; connect manufacturer-specified power and links. Do not connect cue-system cable to a network switch.
- For the PRO-2000 example, select a program and set Total Time and Sum-up. Define minutes:seconds or hours:minutes.
- Check revision-specific DIP settings: 4 selects count direction and 5 controls whether the display continues past zero. Holding the display at zero does not stop the internal clock.
- Check which programs each display receives. Sound, lights and count behavior can be local settings; console selection does not replace this check.
- Run a short complete rehearsal: Start, pause/stop, yellow warning, zero, red and reset. Check speaker display and any video output with the actual operator.
Three technical questions
Why is the console counting while the display shows something else?
Check link, power and enabled programs on that display. A display enabled for multiple programs shows the console selection; a dedicated one may be following another count.
Compare program and state before changing times. If failure appears only after extending cable or adding displays, check system power conditions.
How do I stop the display from continuing past zero?
In the example manual, DIP 5 OFF holds the display at zero. The internal count continues and red remains until Stop is pressed; enabled Beep/Blink may continue.
Check console and display against their manuals. A zero display does not establish that the session has stopped.
Can I time individual speakers and the overall session together?
In the example, programs 1, 2 and 3 cannot run concurrently; switching between them stops the count. Program 4, Session, can run in the background.
Define the count for each display and rehearse changes. Several program numbers do not imply that all timers can run independently at once.
Checks by symptom
| Symptom | Check | What it separates |
|---|---|---|
| No time displayed | Received program, link and power. | Configuration versus power. |
| Yellow does not blink | Model-specific Sum-up and Blink behavior. | Expectation versus documented function. |
| Fixed zero with red | Stop and behavior past zero. | Display versus internal count. |
| No timer on DSM | Interface, software and computer output. | Timer data versus video. |
Limits and precautions
Use power supplies and connections for the exact system. Do not extrapolate power, display count or maximum distance between variants.
Agree on audible and visual warnings before the presentation. An available sound need not be enabled during a speech.
Preserve settings and rehearse readability, control and timing recovery with the operator. Confirm how to resume a speech after a pause.
Official documentation
- Limitimer PRO-2000: official wired system
- Example manual: console and displays
- DSAN FAQ
- VideoClock: video interface and software
Accessed October 22, 2026. Documented wired PRO-2000 example; check other systems against their own manuals.