Preferences

FloSync's preferences allow you to customize sync behavior and other settings. This guide covers all available options and when you might want to adjust them.

Accessing Preferences #

macOS:

• Menu: FloSync > Preferences
• Keyboard: ⌘,

Windows:

• Menu: File > Settings
• Keyboard: Ctrl+,

Screenshot: The preferences window showing all available settings including sync tolerance sliders.

Sync Tolerance Settings #

Sync tolerance determines how much drift is acceptable before FloSync corrects playback position. These are the most important settings for fine-tuning sync behavior.

Local Sync Tolerance #

What it controls: Synchronization between multiple screens connected to the same computer (used in Mirrored and Spanned modes during Go Live).

Default: 30ms

Range: 10ms - 200ms

When to adjust:

Network Sync Tolerance #

What it controls: Synchronization between computers connected over the network (server/client mode).

Default: 50ms

Range: 10ms - 200ms

When to adjust:

Note: Network sync automatically calibrates when clients connect. After a few seconds, sync becomes stable and imperceptible. Setting tolerance below 40ms is rarely needed and may cause unnecessary corrections.

Understanding Tolerance Values #

What the Number Means #

The tolerance value (in milliseconds) is the maximum acceptable difference between:

• Local sync: The primary screen and secondary screens
• Network sync: The server's position and the client's position

If drift persists beyond this threshold, a correction occurs.

Lower vs. Higher Tolerance #

Lower tolerance (10-40ms):

• Tighter sync - screens are more precisely aligned
• More corrections may occur
• Requires good hardware/network performance
• Best for side-by-side screens where differences are obvious

Higher tolerance (80-200ms):

• More lenient sync - allows larger drift before correction
• Fewer corrections, smoother playback
• Better for older hardware or unreliable networks
• Acceptable when screens aren't viewed simultaneously

The Default Values #

Local sync (30ms): Local sub-windows on the same machine can achieve tight synchronization because there's no network latency involved. 30ms provides excellent sync for video walls and mirrored screens.

Network sync (50ms): After a brief calibration period when clients first connect, network sync maintains tight synchronization that's imperceptible in practice. The 50ms default works well for most wired networks.

Recommended Settings by Use Case #

Video Wall (Spanned Mode) #

Local Sync Tolerance: 20-30ms (default 30ms works well)

Video walls benefit from tight sync since all screens are viewed as one image. The default 30ms is appropriate for most systems.

Retail Digital Signage (Mirrored Mode) #

Local Sync Tolerance: 30-50ms
Network Sync Tolerance: 50-80ms

Viewers typically only see one screen at a time, so perfect sync is less critical. Defaults work well.

Conference Room (Mirrored Mode) #

Local Sync Tolerance: 30ms (default)

Attendees may see multiple screens. The default 30ms provides good sync without issues.

Large Event Installation (Network Sync) #

Network Sync Tolerance: 50ms (default)

The default settings work well for most installations. Only increase if you see frequent corrections in the status bar.

Art Installation (Any Mode) #

Local Sync Tolerance: 20-25ms
Network Sync Tolerance: 50ms

For local screens, you can use tighter tolerance (20-25ms). For network sync, the 50ms default provides reliable performance.

Global Canvas Extension #

The Global Canvas Extension setting is used for multi-computer video walls. It defines how your local screens fit within a larger global canvas.

What It Does #

Canvas extension specifies the pixel distance from your local screens to the edge of the global canvas in each direction:

• Left: Pixels to the left of your leftmost screen (other computers' screens)
• Top: Pixels above your topmost screen
• Right: Pixels to the right of your rightmost screen
• Bottom: Pixels below your bottommost screen

How to Configure #

1. Click the canvas extension icon (grid) in the toolbar
2. Enter values in pixels for each direction
3. Use preset buttons for quick adjustments (±1920 for 1080p, ±3840 for 4K)
4. Click Apply to save

Visual Preview #

Enable the Global Canvas Preview (zoom icon) to see:

• Your local screens positioned within the global canvas
• Dark areas representing other computers' space
• Grid lines for uniform screen configurations
• Labels showing extension directions

You can drag your local screens within the preview:

• Regular drag snaps to grid cells
• Hold Shift for free positioning

Configuration Files #

FloSync can save and load your complete setup (schedule, content assignments, display mode, and canvas extension) to .flo files. This is separate from preferences, which are machine-specific.

For details on importing and exporting configurations, see Getting Started - Saving and Loading Configurations.

Startup Settings #

FloSync can automatically launch when you log in to your computer and optionally start playing content immediately.

Launch at Login #

What it controls: Whether FloSync starts automatically when you log in to your computer.

Default: Off

How to enable:

1. Open Preferences (⌘, on macOS, Ctrl+, on Windows)
2. Scroll to the Startup section
3. Toggle Launch FloSync at login on
4. Click Save

Platform notes:

• macOS 13+: Uses the system's Login Items feature (visible in System Settings > General > Login Items)
• macOS 12 and earlier: Creates a LaunchAgent in ~/Library/LaunchAgents/
• Windows: Adds a registry entry to start FloSync on login

Auto Go Live #

What it controls: Whether FloSync automatically starts playing content when the app launches.

Default: Off

Options:

How it works:

1. When FloSync launches with Auto Go Live enabled, a 5-second countdown dialog appears
2. You can click Cancel to stop the countdown and stay in the composer
3. If the countdown completes, FloSync goes live using your configured schedule
4. For Interval mode: Starts from scene 1 and cycles through scenes
5. For Time-of-Day mode: Plays the scene for the current time

Controller mode requirements:

• FloSync must be running as a server for Controller mode to work
• If you have Controller mode selected but connect as a client, you'll be prompted to change the setting
• Controller mode is ideal for operating remote video walls from a laptop

Tip: Auto Go Live is perfect for digital signage that needs to start playing immediately after a power outage or system restart.

Video Playback Settings #

FloSync offers two video playback backends. You can choose which one works best for your content.

Video Player Backend #

What it controls: Which video decoding engine FloSync uses for playback.

Options:

When to switch backends:

How to change:

1. Open Preferences (⌘, on macOS, Ctrl+, on Windows)
2. Scroll to Video Playback
3. Select either FFmpeg or Native
4. Click Save
5. Restart FloSync - the change takes effect after restart

Note: A restart is required because the video backend is initialized when the app launches.

MIDI Settings #

FloSync supports MIDI controllers for triggering interval scenes during live performances. Enable MIDI in preferences to use pads or buttons on your controller to switch between scenes.

MIDI Controller #

What it controls: Whether FloSync listens for MIDI input and provides LED feedback.

Default: Off

How to enable:

1. Open Preferences (⌘, on macOS, Ctrl+, on Windows)
2. Scroll to the MIDI section
3. Toggle Enable MIDI Controller on
4. Select your MIDI device from the Device dropdown
5. Click Save

MIDI Device Selection #

What it controls: Which MIDI device FloSync connects to for input and LED feedback.

Options: Shows all connected MIDI devices. Click the refresh button to rescan for newly connected devices.

Auto-Reconnect: When you disconnect and reconnect your MIDI controller, FloSync automatically reconnects if it was previously selected.

LED Feedback #

What it controls: Whether FloSync sends LED color commands to your controller's pads.

Default: On (when MIDI is enabled)

How it works:

• Active scene's LED lights up brightly
• Other mapped scenes show at lower brightness
• Unmapped pads are not affected
• Colors can be customized per-scene in the schedule panel

Supported Controllers for LED Feedback:

Mapping Scenes to MIDI #

To map a scene to a MIDI pad/button:

1. Enable MIDI in Preferences
2. Open the Schedule Panel (click the calendar icon)
3. Switch to Interval Mode
4. Click the Learn button (antenna icon) on any scene
5. Press a pad or button on your controller
6. The mapping is saved automatically

To change the LED color:

1. Click the palette icon next to a mapped scene
2. Choose from preset colors or use the slider for custom values
3. Different controllers interpret colors differently - experiment to find what works best

To clear a mapping:

1. Click the unlink icon next to a mapped scene

MIDI Message Types #

FloSync recognizes these MIDI message types for triggering scenes:

MIDI and Network Sync #

When using FloSync in server/client mode:

• MIDI triggers on the server broadcast scene changes to all clients
• Clients do not process local MIDI input during live mode
• This ensures all computers stay synchronized when using MIDI control

Danger Zone #

Reset Everything #

To clear all content and start fresh while keeping your preferences:

1. Go to File > Reset Everything
2. Confirm in the dialog that appears

This clears schedule scenes, content assignments, and canvas extension settings. Your sync tolerance preferences are preserved.

Full Reset (Including Preferences) #

The Preferences screen includes a "Danger Zone" section where you can perform a complete reset:

1. Open Preferences
2. Scroll to the Danger Zone section
3. Click Reset All Data & Quit
4. Confirm in the dialog

This will delete all data including schedules, video assignments, canvas configurations, and preferences. FloSync will quit after the reset.