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Screen Sync For Windows Devices

This guide explains how to set up a Screen Sync server on Windows and connect multiple screens using NowSignage Screen Sync.

 

Note - This guide is for syncing Windows devices. One of your Windows devices runs the Screen Sync server (the method below); no separate machine is needed. An Android media player can also be used as the server instead of a Windows device; see Alternative Method at the bottom of this guide.

⚠️ IMPORTANT INFORMATION ⚠️

App Version 5.3.31+

📌 This is the new best practice method for Screen Sync. Customers on app version 5.3.31 or above should follow this approach.

In version 5.3.31+, Screen Sync support has been extended to multizone layouts. The new standard approach uses a single playlist combined with the platform's tagging functionality to deliver the correct content to the correct screens — no separate playlists per screen required.

How it works:

  1. Create a single playlist containing all content required across your synced screens.
  2. Use the Tag Manager to tag relevant content items and screens. This tells the platform which content should display on which screen. See the guide: Tag Manager — Setting Up Targeted Tags
  3. Add the screens to a Sync Group within the Screen Sync app
  4. Reboot all devices to activate the sync.

 

 

  • Setting Up the Screen Sync Server

Step 1 — Install Node.js

  1. Download the latest version of Node.js: nodejs.org
  2. Run the installer using default settings.
  3. Verify the install by opening Command Prompt and running: 
    node -v A version number confirms Node.js installed correctly.

 

Step 2 — Download the Screen Sync Script

  1. Download the script: screen_sync.js
  2. Save the file as screen_sync.js.

 

Step 3 — Create a Server Folder

  1. Create a folder to run the sync server from, e.g.: 
    C:\NowSignage
  2. Copy screen_sync.js into this folder.

 

Step 4 — Start the Screen Sync Server

  1. Open Command Prompt.
  2. Navigate to your folder: 
    cd C:\NowSignage
  3. Initialise Node: 
    npm init -y
  4. Install the WebSocket dependency: 
    npm install ws
  5. Start the sync server: 
    node screen_sync.js

Leave this Command Prompt window open — this device is now acting as the Screen Sync Server.

 

Step 5 — Find the Server's IP Address

  1. Open a second Command Prompt window (leave the first one running).
  2. Run: 
    ipconfig
  3. Look for IPv4 Address, e.g. 192.168.1.95.

This is your Screen Sync server IP. (You can also find this in the device's network settings.)

 

Step 6 — Configure Screen Sync in NowSignage CMS

  1. Open the NowSignage CMS.
  2. Go to Screen Sync.
  3. In WebSocket Server Address, enter: 
    <Server-IP>:5001 Example: 192.168.1.95:5001
  4. Click Update.

 

Step 7 — Add Screens to a Sync Group

  1. Open your Screen Sync Group.
  2. Add the Master screen first, then add the remaining screens (use search or the navigation arrows, and click the + icon next to each screen).
  3. Click Update.

 

Step 8 — Reboot the Screens

  1. Reboot all screens in the sync group.
  2. Wait 1–3 minutes.
  3. Screens will connect and synchronise automatically.

 

⚠️ Important Notes ⚠️

  • The device running the server must remain powered on at all times.
  • Do not close the Command Prompt window running the server.
  • All screens and the server device must be on the same network.
  • Port 5001 must be open on the server.

 

Optional: Auto-Start the Server After a Reboot

If the server device is rebooted (or has a daily reboot policy), use this method so the sync server restarts automatically instead of needing to be started manually each time.

  1. Open Notepad and paste the following: 
    @echo offcd C:\NowSignage\node screen_sync.js
  2. Save the file as start_screen_sync.bat inside C:\NowSignage\.
  3. Press Win + R, type shell:startup, and press Enter.
  4. Copy start_screen_sync.bat into the Startup folder that opens.

The server will now launch automatically each time the device starts.

Note — The device must be set to log in automatically (no login prompt required). If a login is required, the script won't run until someone manually logs in.

 

Alternative Method: Using an Android Media Player as the Server

Instead of one of your Windows devices, you can use a separate Android media player running only the NowSignage RDM app as the WebSocket server.

  1. Set up an Android media player with only the NowSignage RDM app installed, and enable WebSocket Server in the RDM settings. See: Android Remote Device Management (RDM)
  2. Note the IP address shown in the RDM UI.
  3. Create a Sync Group containing only your Windows screens, and enter the IP into the WebSocket Server Address field.
  4. Reboot all devices and confirm they're on the network.

Note — Allow at least 5 minutes after rebooting for the connection to establish.

 

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