In ye olden days tape suites we had two monitors - one for the 'Record' VTR and and a second (generally on the left) for Switcher Output - i.e. the 'Source'.

Thus the Source/Record paradigm we see in Media Composer.

Then preview switchers got to be built in & monitors more expensive & facilities were tighter for cash and in the tape suites we went down to 1 monitor - which toggled source/record as necessary via the preview switcher.

If you were playing the record VTR then it showed you that, if you were cueing up a source then it showed that (either 'clean' or via the switcher programme out, so you could see any CCR / keys etc etc).

I'd love to see that sort of functionality on an Avid.

I don't always need to see a 2-up source/record side by side and would rarther see a larger 1-up composer monitor window (or even just be looking at my main broadcast monitor).

Currently I can arrange the source/record to be just record by adjusting the size of that window - but any clips I then try and view open in multiple small pop-ups.

Better if I load a clip it loads in the 1-up viewer. If I hit 'esc' it toggles to view timeline at CTI, 'esc' again toggles back to the clip last loaded at the point it was left on (or point it is now at should 'gang' be on). Timecodes / last clip list etc all toggle at the same time

Match frame should call up the clip in the 1-up display.... etc

Isn't it exactly what the external monitor do ?

If you don't have one, maybe could you minimize the composer window (just show the buton bar) and use one of your computer monitor in full screen playback, and it will automaticly toggle, isn't it ?

I believe I had a senior moment there... it is exactly what the main monitor does...

Still a valid request for a laptop though... (i.e. only 1 monitor)