When you hit the Play button, the Matrix begins to broadcast a bonjour service and will begin a server/client connection with any listening copies of The Matrix.  The iPad on which Play is hit is the server and has a light blue screen.  All other iPads are the clients and have a black screen. 

Delaying the connection until Play is tapped allows any of the iPads in the matrix to become the server.

This connection remains open until ‘Exit Play Mode’ is hit on either the client or the server.

The project name is shown on the server and can be changed by tapping ‘Choose Project’.  If a new project is chosen, all the client iPads will be updated.  This allows you to play several projects without having to reestablish a connection each time.  Note however that each iPad in the matrix must have been sent the project you want to play via the Broadcast button or the Email button.

The large numeral represents the device ID for that particular iPad.  Each iPad should be showing a unique number (although not necessarily -- if they have the same number, they will just play the same fraction of the animation) and the iPads should be arranged according to their number and the Rows and Columns setting for the project. 

     Make sure all your iPads have connected and are displaying the black Play screen shown below before hitting Start.  If not all your iPads are connecting, try toggling their ‘Play Signal’ listening button and/or review the Notes About Connecting page.

     The Countdown picker wheel allows you to choose how long the client iPads will count down before starting the animation. 

     Once you hit Start, all the client iPads will begin counting down.  When they reach zero you will need to hit the ‘Tap Here When Other Devices Hit Zero’ button to sync the server iPad to its clients.

     If you wish to cancel you can double-tap the server’s screen anytime after hitting Start to send all of the iPads back to the Play screen.   If you double-tap a client’s screen, only that particular iPad is affected.

     After the animation is finished you are returned to the play screen where you can hit start again or select another project to play.