How to Display Stagetimer on a Screen

You control Stagetimer on your laptop or tablet. But the presenter needs to see the countdown on a separate screen — a confidence monitor on stage, a TV in the green room, or a display at the back of the venue. This guide covers every common way to get the timer onto that screen.

Diagram showing a laptop running Stagetimer controller connected to a stage monitor displaying the Viewer countdown — The basic idea — control from your device, display on a separate screen

How It Works

Stagetimer runs in two modes. Each display method in this guide is tagged so you can see which mode it supports:

Web You use stagetimer.io in a browser. Requires internet on every device that displays the timer. Best for most setups.

Desktop App You run the Stagetimer desktop app on your computer. It creates a local server that other devices on the same network connect to — no internet required. Best for venues with unreliable or restricted internet.

Both modes work the same way: you open a Viewer link on the display device, and it syncs with your controller in real-time. The difference is just where that link points — to stagetimer.io (web) or to a local IP address like 192.168.1.100:3000 (desktop app).

To get the Viewer link, open Output Links on the controller page, select the Viewer output, and copy the link. See Output Links for details.

Video Cable from Your Computer

Web Desktop App

The most reliable method. Connect a screen directly to your computer with a cable. No extra devices, no wireless issues, no browser compatibility concerns.

Opening the Viewer on a Second Screen

Once your screen is connected and your computer recognizes it as a second display:

Copy your Viewer link — In your Stagetimer room, click Output Links, select the Viewer output, and copy the link.
Open a new browser window — Press Ctrl+N (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+N (Mac) to open a fresh window. Paste the Viewer link and press Enter.
Move the window to the second screen — Drag the browser window onto your connected display. On Windows, you can also use Win+Shift+Arrow to move it quickly.
Go fullscreen — Press F11 (Windows/Linux/Chrome) or Ctrl+Cmd+F (Mac/Chrome) to hide the browser toolbar. The timer now fills the entire screen.

Tip: Make sure your operating system is set to “Extend” displays, not Mirror. On Windows, press Win+P and select “Extend”. On Mac, go to System Settings > Displays and make sure “Mirror Displays” is unchecked.

Screenshot showing Windows display settings set to Extend, and Mac display settings with Mirror unchecked — Set your display to “Extend” so you get a separate screen for the Viewer

HDMI

The most common video cable. Nearly every TV, monitor, and projector has an HDMI port.

Maximum cable length: About 15 meters (50 feet) for a standard passive cable. Active HDMI cables or fiber-optic HDMI cables can reach 30m or more.
Adapters: Many laptops only have USB-C or Thunderbolt ports. A USB-C to HDMI adapter or dock solves this. Make sure it supports your desired resolution.

Photo of HDMI cable and a USB-C to HDMI adapter — HDMI cable and USB-C to HDMI adapter — the most common setup

HDMI works great for small to medium venues where the screen is close to the operator. For longer distances, read on.

SDI

For longer cable runs, SDI (Serial Digital Interface) is the event-industry standard. SDI cables can carry a signal over 100 meters (300+ feet) without signal loss, using standard BNC coaxial cables.

Most computers don’t have SDI outputs and most TVs don’t have SDI inputs. You use converters at each end:

Computer (HDMI out) → HDMI-to-SDI converter → SDI cable → SDI-to-HDMI converter → Screen (HDMI in)

Diagram showing the HDMI-to-SDI conversion chain: laptop with HDMI output connected to a small converter box, long SDI/BNC cable running to a second converter box, then HDMI into the TV — HDMI-to-SDI conversion for long cable runs

Compact HDMI-to-SDI converters (like the Blackmagic Micro Converter) cost around $50-100 each. You need one at each end. SDI is a go-to in live event production because BNC cables are rugged, lockable, and cheap for long runs.

NDI

NDI (Network Device Interface) sends video over a standard ethernet or WiFi network — no dedicated video cable needed. It’s widely used in live event production and broadcast environments.

Like SDI, you can use HDMI-to-NDI converters at the source and NDI-to-HDMI converters at the screen. The advantage over SDI is that you use existing network infrastructure instead of running a dedicated cable, and you can easily send the same signal to multiple screens.

Diagram showing HDMI-to-NDI conversion: laptop with HDMI output connected to an NDI encoder, network switch or router in the middle, NDI decoder connected to the TV via HDMI — NDI sends video over your existing network — no dedicated video cable needed

NDI is also common in larger production setups where Stagetimer feeds into an ATEM switcher, vMix, or OBS.

Tablet or Phone

Web Desktop App

An iPad, Android tablet, or even a phone can work as a confidence monitor — especially for smaller events, rehearsals, or as a backup display. Just open the Viewer link in the browser and go fullscreen.

Tablet on a stand showing the Stagetimer Viewer in fullscreen — An iPad on a stand makes a quick confidence monitor for smaller setups

iPad (Safari): Open the Viewer link, tap the fullscreen button in the overlay controls. Safari on iPad supports fullscreen and keeps the screen awake while the Viewer is active.

iPad (Chrome/Firefox): These browsers don’t support fullscreen on iPadOS. Use Safari, or add the Viewer to your Home Screen: tap Share > “Add to Home Screen”. Opening from the Home Screen icon runs it in fullscreen.

iPhone: No browser supports fullscreen. Use the Home Screen workaround described above.

Android: Open the Viewer link in Chrome and tap the fullscreen button. Most Android devices support this without issues.

Prevent screen sleep: Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock and set it to Never. Keep the device plugged in — low battery can override the wake lock. See the Viewer docs on mobile fullscreen for more details.

Smart TV with Built-in Browser

Web

Many modern Smart TVs include a web browser. If yours does, you can open the Stagetimer Viewer directly on the TV without any extra hardware.

Open the browser on your Smart TV (check your TV’s app menu)
Navigate to your Viewer link — use a short link like stagetimer.io/o/ABC1234 to make typing easier with a remote
Enable fullscreen if the browser supports it

Entering a Stagetimer URL in a TV browser — Enter your Viewer URL in the TV’s browser — use a short link to make typing easier

Limitations: Smart TV browsers vary wildly in quality. Some work perfectly, others are slow or don’t support fullscreen. Samsung (Tizen) and LG (webOS) TVs tend to work well. Test yours before your event. If the browser doesn’t cut it, consider a Fire TV Stick for a more reliable experience.

Apple TV / AirPlay

Web Desktop App

If you have an Apple TV connected to your screen and a Mac as your control computer, AirPlay lets you use the TV as a wireless second display.

On your Mac, go to System Settings > Displays
Click ”+” and select your Apple TV under “Mirror or extend to”
Choose “Use as Extended Display” (not Mirror)
Open the Viewer in a new browser window and move it to the Apple TV display
Go fullscreen with Ctrl+Cmd+F

Mac display settings showing Apple TV as an extended display — Use Apple TV as an extended display from your Mac

This works the same as a cable connection — your Mac treats the Apple TV as a second monitor. The Viewer runs in a browser on your Mac and the screen content is streamed to the TV.

Note: AirPlay adds a small amount of latency (typically under 100ms), which is imperceptible for timer displays. Make sure both devices are on the same WiFi network.

Chromecast / Google Cast

Web

Chromecast lets you cast a Chrome browser tab to a TV. The Viewer runs in Chrome on your computer and the tab content is streamed to the Chromecast.

Open the Viewer link in a Chrome browser tab on your computer
Click the three-dot menu (⋮) in Chrome and select “Cast…”
Select your Chromecast device
Choose “Cast tab” (not “Cast screen”)

Chromecast dongle plugged into the HDMI port on the back of a TV — A Chromecast plugs into your TV’s HDMI port and receives a browser tab cast from your computer

Tip: Keep the tab open on your computer while casting — closing it stops the cast. You can switch to other tabs; the cast continues from the Viewer tab.

Note: Chromecast adds noticeable latency (up to 0.5-1 second) compared to a direct connection. For a countdown timer this is usually fine, but be aware of it.

Amazon Fire TV Stick

Web

The Fire TV Stick (around $30-60) turns any TV with an HDMI port into a dedicated Stagetimer display. It runs its own browser, so your computer doesn’t need to stay connected.

Fire TV Stick displaying a Stagetimer countdown on a TV — Fire TV Stick displaying a Stagetimer countdown

Fire TV Stick plugged into a TV's HDMI port — The Fire TV Stick plugs directly into any HDMI port

Open the Silk browser on the Fire TV Stick, navigate to your Viewer link, and enable fullscreen. The timer runs independently on the Fire TV Stick — you control it from any other device.

Best for: A cheap, portable, dedicated display that doesn’t tie up your computer. Great for festivals, churches, and recurring events.

Full step-by-step guide: Fire TV Stick setup →

Raspberry Pi

Web Desktop App

A Raspberry Pi is a small, affordable computer (starting at ~$35) that can run Stagetimer either in a browser (web version) or as a standalone server (desktop app). Connect it to any screen via HDMI.

Raspberry Pi connected to a monitor showing the Stagetimer Viewer — Raspberry Pi as a dedicated Stagetimer display

With kiosk mode, the Pi boots directly into a fullscreen Viewer — no manual interaction needed. It’s ideal for permanent installations or “set it and forget it” setups.

Best for: Permanent timer displays, venues without internet (using the desktop app), and production kits where you want a dedicated, reliable device.

Full step-by-step guide: Raspberry Pi setup →

Which Method Should You Use?

Scenario	Recommended method	Mode
Simplest setup	HDMI cable from your computer	Web Desktop
Quick and portable	Tablet (iPad, Android) on a stand	Web Desktop
Screen is far away (30m+)	SDI or NDI converters	Web Desktop
No extra hardware	Smart TV browser or HDMI cable	Web
No internet at venue	HDMI cable + desktop app, or Raspberry Pi + desktop app	Desktop
Dedicated portable display	Fire TV Stick (cheapest) or Raspberry Pi (most flexible)	Web
Permanent installation	Raspberry Pi with kiosk mode	Web Desktop
Multiple screens, same timer	Open the Viewer link on each device	Web Desktop

When in doubt, start with an HDMI cable. It’s the simplest, most reliable option with zero latency and no dependencies. Add complexity only when the venue demands it.

General Tips

Use short links for manual URL entry. Typing a full output URL on a TV remote is painful. Generate a short link like stagetimer.io/o/ABC1234 instead — much easier to type or scan as a QR code.

Test before your event. Whatever method you choose, test the full setup before show day. Check that the screen displays correctly, fullscreen works, and the connection is stable.

Prevent screen sleep. Most devices will turn off the screen after a period of inactivity. Disable sleep or screen timeout in your device settings. Stagetimer requests a “wake lock” to keep the screen on, but not all devices respect this.

One controller, many screens. You can open the same Viewer link on as many devices as you want. A backstage monitor, a stage-left screen, and a green room TV can all show the same timer simultaneously. Each counts toward your plan’s live connection limit.

Related documentation: Viewer · Output Links · Desktop App · Fire TV Stick Guide · Raspberry Pi Guide · System Requirements