Syncplay
What is Syncplay?
Syncplay is a program that synchronizes playback of media across different computers over the Internet. It can help you watch local video files or streams with your friends in real time. Importantly, Syncplay is not a file sharing service. Everyone must download the file that will be played separately.
Synchronization relies on a server. Foxnet provides one such server at syncplay.foxnet.systems:8999 (it won’t work in your browser).
How Do I Use Syncplay?
In order to use Syncplay, you must first download the client, which you can find here. Use the appropriate release for your operating system, or find out whether your Linux distribution of choice packages the Syncplay client in its repositories instead.
The Syncplay client requires a supported media player to function. For the purpose of this guide, Foxnet recommends mpv or VLC.
Connecting to the Server
The client first launches to the Syncplay configuration window. these options must be configured as follows:
- Server address:
syncplay.foxnet.systems:8999 - Server password: (must be obtained from the host)
For your username, you can enter anything that does not violate the code of conduct. If someone is already using the username you selected, an underscore (_) will be added at the end.
The “default room” is the room that will be joined when you connect to the server. Room names are case sensitive (MOVIE, Movie, and movie are all different rooms). If you are initiating a session, you can choose a room name that you will then share with other viewers. Otherwise, enter the room name that was agreed upon.
If you already know what file you’re going to play, you can click Browse next to “path to video” and select your file. Otherwise, you can continue without it.
Once you’ve configured Syncplay, click Store configuration and run Syncplay if you would like to restore this configuration the next time you run the client, otherwise click Run Syncplay. This will connect you to the server and launch your media player.
Playing Back Files
In the Syncplay window, you can see a list of other viewers in the room and their selected files. If you didn’t select a file during configuration, you can do so now either by navigating to File > Open media file or by dragging a file into the Syncplay window (but not over the shared playlist tab).
Ideally, every viewer must select the same file with the same size, length, and name. Differently named files will work as long as they are the same length.
When you’re ready, you can check I'm ready to watch! and wait for everyone else to ready up. The play button can be pressed once everyone has readied up, which is indicated in the Syncplay window with a green checkmark next to each viewer’s name. Pausing, unpausing, and seeking will be synchronized with other viewers.
Shared Playlists
Either during configuration or directly in the Syncplay window, you can choose to enable shared playlists. Files can be added to a room’s shared playlist either by right clicking the shared playlist tab and selecting Add file(s) to bottom of playlist or by dragging a file onto the shared playlist tab.
Files in a room’s shared playlist will be played sequentially as long as every viewer has a file by that name. If Syncplay says you’re missing a file from the shared playlist, you can add it by following the same procedure as selecting a file for playback.