diff --git a/classes/core/posterMetadataDb.js b/classes/core/posterMetadataDb.js
index 91774c8..5ce37f4 100644
--- a/classes/core/posterMetadataDb.js
+++ b/classes/core/posterMetadataDb.js
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 const fs = require("fs");
+const os = require("os");
+const crypto = require("crypto");
 const path = require("path");
 const Cache = require("./cache");
 const MediaCard = require("../cards/MediaCard");
@@ -22,6 +24,15 @@ const MAX_ENTRIES = 100000;
 const MIN_FILE_BYTES = 256;
 const DEFAULT_FALLBACK_COUNT = 24;
 
+const POSTER_PICK_INSTANCE_OFFSET = (() => {
+  const host = String(os.hostname() || "");
+  let h = 0;
+  for (let i = 0; i < host.length; i++) {
+    h = (Math.imul(31, h) + host.charCodeAt(i)) >>> 0;
+  }
+  return (h + crypto.randomInt(0, 1000000)) >>> 0;
+})();
+
 const SCHEMA_SQL = `
 CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS poster_entries (
   cache_file TEXT PRIMARY KEY NOT NULL,
@@ -1067,6 +1078,10 @@ function pickRandomEntries(count, serverKindOpt, hideContentRatings, serverIdsOp
     const j = Math.floor(Math.random() * (i + 1));
     [shuffled[i], shuffled[j]] = [shuffled[j], shuffled[i]];
   }
+  const rotateBy = POSTER_PICK_INSTANCE_OFFSET % shuffled.length;
+  if (rotateBy > 0) {
+    return shuffled.slice(rotateBy).concat(shuffled.slice(0, rotateBy)).slice(0, Math.min(count, shuffled.length));
+  }
   return shuffled.slice(0, Math.min(count, shuffled.length));
 }
 
diff --git a/classes/core/utility.js b/classes/core/utility.js
index fc307cb..516b26e 100644
--- a/classes/core/utility.js
+++ b/classes/core/utility.js
@@ -1,203 +1,225 @@
-/**
- * @desc utility class for string and object handling
- * @returns {<object>} utility
- */
-class utility {
-  /**
-   * @desc Returns true is null, empty or undefined
-   * @param {string} val
-   * @returns {Promise<boolean>} boolean - true empty, undefined or null
-   */
-  static async isEmpty(val) {
-    if (val == undefined || val == "" || val == null) {
-      return true;
-    } else {
-      return false;
-    }
-  }
-
-  static createUUID() {
-    return 'xxxxxxxx-xxxx-4xxx-yxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx'.replace(/[xy]/g, function(c) {
-       var r = Math.random() * 16 | 0, v = c == 'x' ? r : (r & 0x3 | 0x8);
-       return v.toString(16);
-    });
-  }
-
-  /** Escape text for safe insertion into HTML attribute or body context */
-  static escapeHtml(str) {
-    if (str == null || str === "") return "";
-    return String(str)
-      .replace(/&/g, "&amp;")
-      .replace(/</g, "&lt;")
-      .replace(/>/g, "&gt;")
-      .replace(/"/g, "&quot;");
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * Normalize official content ratings for hide-list matching
-   * (e.g. "R", "Rated R", "us:R", "R - Restricted" → "r"; keep "pg-13").
-   */
-  static normalizeContentRating(raw) {
-    let s = String(raw || "")
-      .toLowerCase()
-      .trim();
-    if (!s) return "";
-    s = s.replace(/^rated\s+/i, "").trim();
-    // Country prefix only when followed by : or / (not hyphen — that breaks pg-13).
-    s = s.replace(/^[a-z]{2,3}\s*[:\/]\s*/i, "").trim();
-    s = s.split(/\s+[\-–—]\s+/)[0] || s;
-    s = s.split(/\s*\(/)[0] || s;
-    return String(s).trim();
-  }
-
-  /** Parse Hide Ratings setting → lowercase normalized tokens. */
-  static parseHideContentRatings(raw) {
-    return String(raw || "")
-      .split(",")
-      .map((s) => utility.normalizeContentRating(s))
-      .filter(Boolean);
-  }
-
-  /** True if itemRating matches any hide-list entry after normalization. */
-  static contentRatingIsHidden(itemRating, hideList) {
-    if (!hideList || !hideList.length) return false;
-    const cr = utility.normalizeContentRating(itemRating);
-    if (!cr) return false;
-    return hideList.some(
-      (r) => utility.normalizeContentRating(r) === cr
-    );
-  }
-
-  /** Plex Genre/Role/Director-style entries: { tag } or { Tag } */
-  static _plexTagNames(tagged, max) {
-    if (tagged == null) return "";
-    const arr = Array.isArray(tagged) ? tagged : [tagged];
-    const names = arr
-      .map((r) => (r && (r.tag != null ? r.tag : r.Tag)) || "")
-      .filter(Boolean);
-    return names.slice(0, max).join(", ");
-  }
-
-  /** Comma-separated actor names from Plex Role metadata */
-  static formatCastFromPlexRole(role) {
-    return utility._plexTagNames(role, 12);
-  }
-
-  /** Comma-separated director names from Plex Director metadata */
-  static formatDirectorsFromPlexDirector(director) {
-    return utility._plexTagNames(director, 8);
-  }
-
-  static _embyPeopleByType(people, typeName, max) {
-    if (!people || !Array.isArray(people)) return "";
-    const names = people
-      .filter((p) => (p.Type || p.type || "").toString() === typeName)
-      .map((p) => p.Name || p.name)
-      .filter(Boolean);
-    return names.slice(0, max).join(", ");
-  }
-
-  /** Comma-separated actor names from Jellyfin/Emby People array */
-  static formatCastFromEmbyPeople(people) {
-    return utility._embyPeopleByType(people, "Actor", 12);
-  }
-
-  /** Comma-separated director names from Jellyfin/Emby People array */
-  static formatDirectorsFromEmbyPeople(people) {
-    return utility._embyPeopleByType(people, "Director", 8);
-  }
-
-  static _embyPeopleByTypes(people, typeNames, max) {
-    if (!people || !Array.isArray(people) || !typeNames.length) return "";
-    const set = new Set(typeNames);
-    const names = people
-      .filter((p) => set.has((p.Type || p.type || "").toString()))
-      .map((p) => p.Name || p.name)
-      .filter(Boolean);
-    return names.slice(0, max).join(", ");
-  }
-
-  /** Jellyfin/Emby book & audiobook: AlbumArtist plus Writer/Author from People */
-  static formatAuthorsFromEmbyBookItem(item) {
-    if (!item) return "";
-    const album = (item.AlbumArtist || item.albumArtist || "").trim();
-    const fromPeople = utility._embyPeopleByTypes(item.People, ["Writer", "Author"], 8);
-    if (album && fromPeople) return album + ", " + fromPeople;
-    return album || fromPeople;
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * @desc Returns an empty string if undefined, null or empty, else the submitted value
-   * @param {string} val
-   * @returns {Promise<string>} string - either an empty string or the submitted string value
-   */
-  static async emptyIfNull(val) {
-    if (val == undefined || val == null || val == "") {
-      return "";
-    } else {
-      return val;
-    }
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * @desc Gets a random item from an array
-   * @param {Array} items - a given array of anything
-   * @returns {Promise<object>} object - returns one random item
-   */
-  static async random_item(items) {
-    return items[Math.floor(Math.random() * items.length)];
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * @desc builds random set of on-demand cards
-   * @param {number} numberOnDemand - the number of on-demand cards to return
-   * @param {object} mediaCards - an array of on-demand mediaCards
-   * @returns {Promise<object>} mediaCard[] - an array of mediaCards
-   */
-  static async build_random_od_set(
-    numberOnDemand,
-    mediaCards,
-    recentlyAdded,
-    options
-  ) {
-    if (Number(numberOnDemand) <= 0) {
-      return Array.isArray(mediaCards) ? mediaCards.slice() : [];
-    }
-    if (options && options.includeAll === true) {
-      return Array.isArray(mediaCards) ? mediaCards.slice() : [];
-    }
-    // Recently-added pool: still honor Number to Display as a cap (0 = all matching).
-    const pool = Array.isArray(mediaCards) ? mediaCards.slice() : [];
-    if (pool.length === 0) {
-      return [];
-    }
-    const requested = Math.max(0, Math.floor(Number(numberOnDemand)));
-    const want = Math.min(requested, pool.length);
-    if (want === 0) {
-      return [];
-    }
-    // Fisher–Yates shuffle, then take first `want` — always unique (reference equality per slot).
-    for (let i = pool.length - 1; i > 0; i--) {
-      const j = Math.floor(Math.random() * (i + 1));
-      const t = pool[i];
-      pool[i] = pool[j];
-      pool[j] = t;
-    }
-    if (requested > pool.length && pool.length > 0) {
-      const d = new Date();
-      console.log(
-        d.toLocaleString() +
-          " *On-demand — requested " +
-          requested +
-          " unique title(s) but only " +
-          pool.length +
-          " match the current library/filters; showing " +
-          pool.length +
-          ". (Lower “number to display” or widen libraries/filters.)"
-      );
-    }
-    return pool.slice(0, want);
-    }
-}
-
-module.exports = utility;
+/**
+ * @desc utility class for string and object handling
+ * @returns {<object>} utility
+ */
+class utility {
+  /**
+   * @desc Returns true is null, empty or undefined
+   * @param {string} val
+   * @returns {Promise<boolean>} boolean - true empty, undefined or null
+   */
+  static async isEmpty(val) {
+    if (val == undefined || val == "" || val == null) {
+      return true;
+    } else {
+      return false;
+    }
+  }
+
+  static createUUID() {
+    return 'xxxxxxxx-xxxx-4xxx-yxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx'.replace(/[xy]/g, function(c) {
+       var r = Math.random() * 16 | 0, v = c == 'x' ? r : (r & 0x3 | 0x8);
+       return v.toString(16);
+    });
+  }
+
+  /** Fisher–Yates in-place shuffle; returns the same array reference. */
+  static fisherYatesShuffle(items) {
+    const arr = Array.isArray(items) ? items : [];
+    for (let i = arr.length - 1; i > 0; i--) {
+      const j = Math.floor(Math.random() * (i + 1));
+      const t = arr[i];
+      arr[i] = arr[j];
+      arr[j] = t;
+    }
+    return arr;
+  }
+
+  /** Return a new array rotated left by offset (wraps). */
+  static rotateArray(items, offset) {
+    const arr = Array.isArray(items) ? items.slice() : [];
+    const len = arr.length;
+    if (len <= 1) return arr;
+    const n = ((Number(offset) || 0) % len + len) % len;
+    if (n === 0) return arr;
+    return arr.slice(n).concat(arr.slice(0, n));
+  }
+
+  /** Escape text for safe insertion into HTML attribute or body context */
+  static escapeHtml(str) {
+    if (str == null || str === "") return "";
+    return String(str)
+      .replace(/&/g, "&amp;")
+      .replace(/</g, "&lt;")
+      .replace(/>/g, "&gt;")
+      .replace(/"/g, "&quot;");
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Normalize official content ratings for hide-list matching
+   * (e.g. "R", "Rated R", "us:R", "R - Restricted" → "r"; keep "pg-13").
+   */
+  static normalizeContentRating(raw) {
+    let s = String(raw || "")
+      .toLowerCase()
+      .trim();
+    if (!s) return "";
+    s = s.replace(/^rated\s+/i, "").trim();
+    // Country prefix only when followed by : or / (not hyphen — that breaks pg-13).
+    s = s.replace(/^[a-z]{2,3}\s*[:\/]\s*/i, "").trim();
+    s = s.split(/\s+[\-–—]\s+/)[0] || s;
+    s = s.split(/\s*\(/)[0] || s;
+    return String(s).trim();
+  }
+
+  /** Parse Hide Ratings setting → lowercase normalized tokens. */
+  static parseHideContentRatings(raw) {
+    return String(raw || "")
+      .split(",")
+      .map((s) => utility.normalizeContentRating(s))
+      .filter(Boolean);
+  }
+
+  /** True if itemRating matches any hide-list entry after normalization. */
+  static contentRatingIsHidden(itemRating, hideList) {
+    if (!hideList || !hideList.length) return false;
+    const cr = utility.normalizeContentRating(itemRating);
+    if (!cr) return false;
+    return hideList.some(
+      (r) => utility.normalizeContentRating(r) === cr
+    );
+  }
+
+  /** Plex Genre/Role/Director-style entries: { tag } or { Tag } */
+  static _plexTagNames(tagged, max) {
+    if (tagged == null) return "";
+    const arr = Array.isArray(tagged) ? tagged : [tagged];
+    const names = arr
+      .map((r) => (r && (r.tag != null ? r.tag : r.Tag)) || "")
+      .filter(Boolean);
+    return names.slice(0, max).join(", ");
+  }
+
+  /** Comma-separated actor names from Plex Role metadata */
+  static formatCastFromPlexRole(role) {
+    return utility._plexTagNames(role, 12);
+  }
+
+  /** Comma-separated director names from Plex Director metadata */
+  static formatDirectorsFromPlexDirector(director) {
+    return utility._plexTagNames(director, 8);
+  }
+
+  static _embyPeopleByType(people, typeName, max) {
+    if (!people || !Array.isArray(people)) return "";
+    const names = people
+      .filter((p) => (p.Type || p.type || "").toString() === typeName)
+      .map((p) => p.Name || p.name)
+      .filter(Boolean);
+    return names.slice(0, max).join(", ");
+  }
+
+  /** Comma-separated actor names from Jellyfin/Emby People array */
+  static formatCastFromEmbyPeople(people) {
+    return utility._embyPeopleByType(people, "Actor", 12);
+  }
+
+  /** Comma-separated director names from Jellyfin/Emby People array */
+  static formatDirectorsFromEmbyPeople(people) {
+    return utility._embyPeopleByType(people, "Director", 8);
+  }
+
+  static _embyPeopleByTypes(people, typeNames, max) {
+    if (!people || !Array.isArray(people) || !typeNames.length) return "";
+    const set = new Set(typeNames);
+    const names = people
+      .filter((p) => set.has((p.Type || p.type || "").toString()))
+      .map((p) => p.Name || p.name)
+      .filter(Boolean);
+    return names.slice(0, max).join(", ");
+  }
+
+  /** Jellyfin/Emby book & audiobook: AlbumArtist plus Writer/Author from People */
+  static formatAuthorsFromEmbyBookItem(item) {
+    if (!item) return "";
+    const album = (item.AlbumArtist || item.albumArtist || "").trim();
+    const fromPeople = utility._embyPeopleByTypes(item.People, ["Writer", "Author"], 8);
+    if (album && fromPeople) return album + ", " + fromPeople;
+    return album || fromPeople;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * @desc Returns an empty string if undefined, null or empty, else the submitted value
+   * @param {string} val
+   * @returns {Promise<string>} string - either an empty string or the submitted string value
+   */
+  static async emptyIfNull(val) {
+    if (val == undefined || val == null || val == "") {
+      return "";
+    } else {
+      return val;
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * @desc Gets a random item from an array
+   * @param {Array} items - a given array of anything
+   * @returns {Promise<object>} object - returns one random item
+   */
+  static async random_item(items) {
+    return items[Math.floor(Math.random() * items.length)];
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * @desc builds random set of on-demand cards
+   * @param {number} numberOnDemand - the number of on-demand cards to return
+   * @param {object} mediaCards - an array of on-demand mediaCards
+   * @returns {Promise<object>} mediaCard[] - an array of mediaCards
+   */
+  static async build_random_od_set(
+    numberOnDemand,
+    mediaCards,
+    recentlyAdded,
+    options
+  ) {
+    if (Number(numberOnDemand) <= 0) {
+      return Array.isArray(mediaCards) ? mediaCards.slice() : [];
+    }
+    if (options && options.includeAll === true) {
+      return Array.isArray(mediaCards) ? mediaCards.slice() : [];
+    }
+    // Recently-added pool: still honor Number to Display as a cap (0 = all matching).
+    const pool = Array.isArray(mediaCards) ? mediaCards.slice() : [];
+    if (pool.length === 0) {
+      return [];
+    }
+    const requested = Math.max(0, Math.floor(Number(numberOnDemand)));
+    const want = Math.min(requested, pool.length);
+    if (want === 0) {
+      return [];
+    }
+    // Fisher–Yates shuffle, then take first `want` — always unique (reference equality per slot).
+    for (let i = pool.length - 1; i > 0; i--) {
+      const j = Math.floor(Math.random() * (i + 1));
+      const t = pool[i];
+      pool[i] = pool[j];
+      pool[j] = t;
+    }
+    if (requested > pool.length && pool.length > 0) {
+      const d = new Date();
+      console.log(
+        d.toLocaleString() +
+          " *On-demand — requested " +
+          requested +
+          " unique title(s) but only " +
+          pool.length +
+          " match the current library/filters; showing " +
+          pool.length +
+          ". (Lower “number to display” or widen libraries/filters.)"
+      );
+    }
+    return pool.slice(0, want);
+    }
+}
+
+module.exports = utility;
diff --git a/index.js b/index.js
index ecbaad0..ea19635 100644
--- a/index.js
+++ b/index.js
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 const express = require("express");
+const crypto = require("crypto");
+const os = require("os");
 const path = require("path");
 const app = express();
 const multer = require("multer");
@@ -97,6 +99,17 @@ let csbCards = [];
 let trivCards = [];
 let linkCards = [];
 let globalPage = new glb();
+/** Per-process offset so multiple ScreenStage containers desync poster rotation. */
+let deckBuildGeneration = 0;
+const INSTANCE_DISPLAY_OFFSET = (() => {
+  const host = String(os.hostname() || "");
+  let h = 0;
+  for (let i = 0; i < host.length; i++) {
+    h = (Math.imul(31, h) + host.charCodeAt(i)) >>> 0;
+  }
+  return (h + crypto.randomInt(0, 1000000)) >>> 0;
+})();
+console.log(" Display instance offset: " + INSTANCE_DISPLAY_OFFSET);
 let nowScreeningClock;
 let onDemandClock;
 let triviaClock;
@@ -957,9 +970,73 @@ function libraryCardsWithoutArrOverlap(libraryCards, arrCards) {
 }
 
 function shuffleCardArray(cards) {
-  return (Array.isArray(cards) ? cards.slice() : []).sort(
-    () => Math.random() - 0.5
-  );
+  return util.fisherYatesShuffle(Array.isArray(cards) ? cards.slice() : []);
+}
+
+function cardTypeLabel(card) {
+  const ct = card && card.cardType;
+  return Array.isArray(ct) ? String(ct[0] || "") : String(ct || "");
+}
+
+function isNowScreeningHomeCard(card) {
+  const n = cardTypeLabel(card).toLowerCase();
+  return n === "now screening" || n === "playing";
+}
+
+function instanceTimerJitterMs(baseMs) {
+  const base = Math.max(1000, Math.floor(Number(baseMs) || 0));
+  const cap = Math.max(1, Math.floor(base * 0.2));
+  return base + (INSTANCE_DISPLAY_OFFSET % cap);
+}
+
+/** Keep Now Playing pinned first; shuffle and rotate the rest per instance. */
+function finalizeHomeDeck(cards) {
+  if (!Array.isArray(cards) || cards.length <= 1) return cards;
+  deckBuildGeneration += 1;
+  const pinned = [];
+  const rest = [];
+  for (const c of cards) {
+    if (isNowScreeningHomeCard(c)) pinned.push(c);
+    else rest.push(c);
+  }
+  if (rest.length <= 1) return cards;
+  let varied = util.fisherYatesShuffle(rest.slice());
+  const offset = (INSTANCE_DISPLAY_OFFSET + deckBuildGeneration) % varied.length;
+  varied = util.rotateArray(varied, offset);
+  return pinned.concat(varied);
+}
+
+/** Library count for on-demand slide cap validation (main settings no longer posts plexLibraries). */
+function countOnDemandLibrariesForSaveValidation(req) {
+  const body = req && req.body ? req.body : {};
+  const legacy = body.plexLibraries;
+  if (legacy !== undefined && legacy !== null && String(legacy).trim() !== "") {
+    return String(legacy)
+      .split(",")
+      .map((s) => s.trim())
+      .filter(Boolean)
+      .length;
+  }
+  const settings = loadedSettings || {};
+  const servers = mediaServersUtil.listSyncMediaServers(settings);
+  let total = 0;
+  for (const server of servers) {
+    total += String(server.libraries || "")
+      .split(",")
+      .map((s) => s.trim())
+      .filter(Boolean)
+      .length;
+  }
+  if (total > 0) return total;
+  const savedLibs = String(settings.onDemandLibraries || "").trim();
+  if (savedLibs) {
+    return savedLibs
+      .split(",")
+      .map((s) => s.trim())
+      .filter(Boolean)
+      .length;
+  }
+  return 1;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -1541,7 +1618,7 @@ async function warmCachedPosterDeckEarlyIfPossible() {
     displayIds.length ? displayIds : null
   );
   if (!cached.length) return;
-  globalPage.cards = cached.slice();
+  globalPage.cards = finalizeHomeDeck(cached.slice());
   try {
     await globalPage.OrderAndRenderCards(
       BASEURL,
@@ -1581,7 +1658,7 @@ async function warmCachedPosterDeckEarlyIfPossible() {
         ? loadedSettings.displayPosterArtist
         : "false"
     );
-    globalPage.slideDuration = loadedSettings.slideDuration * 1000;
+    globalPage.slideDuration = instanceTimerJitterMs(loadedSettings.slideDuration * 1000);
     globalPage.playThemes = loadedSettings.playThemes;
     globalPage.playGenericThemes = loadedSettings.genericThemes;
     globalPage.fadeTransition =
@@ -1883,13 +1960,13 @@ async function loadNowScreening() {
   if (adsOnlyOn) {
     mCards = adSlideCards.slice();
     if (loadedSettings.shuffleSlides !== undefined && loadedSettings.shuffleSlides == "true") {
-      mCards = mCards.sort(() => Math.random() - 0.5);
+      mCards = shuffleCardArray(mCards);
     }
     globalPage.cards = mCards;
   } else if (nowShowingListOnlyOn) {
     mCards = tmdbNowShowingPosterCards.slice();
     if (loadedSettings.shuffleSlides !== undefined && loadedSettings.shuffleSlides == "true") {
-      mCards = mCards.sort(() => Math.random() - 0.5);
+      mCards = shuffleCardArray(mCards);
     }
     globalPage.cards = mCards;
   } else {
@@ -1950,7 +2027,7 @@ async function loadNowScreening() {
     } else {
       if (csCards.length > 0) {
         if (loadedSettings.shuffleSlides !== undefined && loadedSettings.shuffleSlides == "true") {
-          mCards = csCards.concat(csrCards.concat(cslCards).concat(picCards).concat(csbCards).concat(linkCards).concat(trivCards)).sort(() => Math.random() - 0.5);
+          mCards = shuffleCardArray(csCards.concat(csrCards.concat(cslCards).concat(picCards).concat(csbCards).concat(linkCards).concat(trivCards)));
         }
         else {
           mCards = csCards.concat(csrCards);
@@ -1964,7 +2041,7 @@ async function loadNowScreening() {
       } else {
         if (csrCards.length > 0) {
           if (loadedSettings.shuffleSlides !== undefined && loadedSettings.shuffleSlides == "true") {
-            mCards = csrCards.concat(cslCards.concat(picCards).concat(csbCards).concat(linkCards).concat(trivCards)).sort(() => Math.random() - 0.5);
+            mCards = shuffleCardArray(csrCards.concat(cslCards.concat(picCards).concat(csbCards).concat(linkCards).concat(trivCards)));
           }
           else {
             mCards = csrCards.concat(cslCards);
@@ -1980,7 +2057,7 @@ async function loadNowScreening() {
         else {
           if (cslCards.length > 0) {
             if (loadedSettings.shuffleSlides !== undefined && loadedSettings.shuffleSlides == "true") {
-              mCards = cslCards.concat(picCards.concat(csbCards).concat(linkCards).concat(trivCards)).sort(() => Math.random() - 0.5);
+              mCards = shuffleCardArray(cslCards.concat(picCards.concat(csbCards).concat(linkCards).concat(trivCards)));
             } else {
               mCards = cslCards.concat(picCards);
               mCards = mCards.concat(csbCards);
@@ -1990,7 +2067,7 @@ async function loadNowScreening() {
             globalPage.cards = mCards;
           } else if (csbCards.length > 0) {
             if (loadedSettings.shuffleSlides !== undefined && loadedSettings.shuffleSlides == "true") {
-              mCards = csbCards.concat(picCards.concat(trivCards)).concat(linkCards).sort(() => Math.random() - 0.5);
+              mCards = shuffleCardArray(csbCards.concat(picCards.concat(trivCards)).concat(linkCards));
             }
             else {
               mCards = csbCards.concat(picCards);
@@ -2002,7 +2079,7 @@ async function loadNowScreening() {
           else {
             if(picCards.length > 0) {
               if (loadedSettings.shuffleSlides !== undefined && loadedSettings.shuffleSlides == "true") {
-                mCards = picCards.concat(trivCards).concat(linkCards).sort(() => Math.random() - 0.5);
+                mCards = shuffleCardArray(picCards.concat(trivCards).concat(linkCards));
               }
               else {
                 mCards = picCards.concat(trivCards);
@@ -2012,7 +2089,7 @@ async function loadNowScreening() {
             }
             else {
               if (loadedSettings.shuffleSlides !== undefined && loadedSettings.shuffleSlides == "true") {
-                mCards = trivCards.concat(linkCards).sort(() => Math.random() - 0.5);
+                mCards = shuffleCardArray(trivCards.concat(linkCards));
               }
               else {
                 mCards = trivCards;
@@ -2110,6 +2187,7 @@ async function loadNowScreening() {
 
   // put everything into global class, ready to be passed to poster.ejs
   // render html for all cards
+  globalPage.cards = finalizeHomeDeck(globalPage.cards);
   await globalPage.OrderAndRenderCards(
     BASEURL,
     loadedSettings.hasArt,
@@ -2150,7 +2228,7 @@ async function loadNowScreening() {
       ? loadedSettings.displayPosterArtist
       : "false"
   );
-  globalPage.slideDuration = loadedSettings.slideDuration * 1000;
+  globalPage.slideDuration = instanceTimerJitterMs(loadedSettings.slideDuration * 1000);
   globalPage.playThemes = loadedSettings.playThemes;
   globalPage.playGenericThemes = loadedSettings.genericThemes;
   globalPage.fadeTransition =
@@ -2165,7 +2243,7 @@ async function loadNowScreening() {
   globalPage.rotate = loadedSettings.rotate !== undefined ? loadedSettings.rotate : "false";
 
   // restart the clock
-  nowScreeningClock = setInterval(loadNowScreening, pollInterval);
+  nowScreeningClock = setInterval(loadNowScreening, instanceTimerJitterMs(pollInterval));
   return nsCards;
 }
 
@@ -2465,7 +2543,7 @@ async function loadOnDemand() {
     const nextMs = isNaN(odCheckMinutes)
       ? 30 * 60 * 1000
       : Math.max(10, odCheckMinutes) * 60000;
-    onDemandClock = setInterval(loadOnDemand, nextMs);
+    onDemandClock = setInterval(loadOnDemand, instanceTimerJitterMs(nextMs));
     return odCards;
   }
   // stop the clock
@@ -2484,7 +2562,7 @@ async function loadOnDemand() {
     odCheckMinutes = 1;
     console.log("✘✘ WARNING ✘✘ - Next on-demand query will run in 1 minute.");
     // restart interval timer
-    onDemandClock = setInterval(loadOnDemand, odCheckMinutes * 60000);
+    onDemandClock = setInterval(loadOnDemand, instanceTimerJitterMs(odCheckMinutes * 60000));
 
     return odCards;
   }
@@ -2497,15 +2575,13 @@ async function loadOnDemand() {
   }
 
   // restart interval timer
-  onDemandClock = setInterval(loadOnDemand, odCheckMinutes * 60000);
+  onDemandClock = setInterval(loadOnDemand, instanceTimerJitterMs(odCheckMinutes * 60000));
 
   // randomise on-demand results for all libraries queried
   if (loadedSettings.shuffleSlides !== undefined && loadedSettings.shuffleSlides == "true") {
-    return odCards.sort(() => Math.random() - 0.5);
-  }
-  else {
-    return odCards;
+    return finalizeHomeDeck(shuffleCardArray(odCards));
   }
+  return finalizeHomeDeck(odCards);
 
 }
 
@@ -6496,9 +6572,7 @@ app.post(
       .isEmpty()
       .withMessage("'Number to Display' must be 0 or more. (setting default)")
       .custom((value, { req }) => {
-        if (value !== undefined && value !== "" && parseInt(value) !== "NaN") {
-          // make sure there are limited slides requested
-          let numOfLibraries = 0;
+        if (value !== undefined && value !== "" && !isNaN(parseInt(value, 10))) {
           let themeMessage;
 
           // double the slide count if tv and movie themes are off
@@ -6509,39 +6583,56 @@ app.post(
             themeMessage = "";
           }
           else {
-            maxSlide = MAX_OD_SLIDES;
+            maxSlides = MAX_OD_SLIDES;
             themeMessage = "(when themes enabled)";
           }
 
-          if (req.body.plexLibraries !== undefined || req.body.plexLibraries !== "") {
-            numberOfLibraries = req.body.plexLibraries.split(",").length;
-            if (parseInt(value) * numberOfLibraries > maxSlides) {
+          try {
+            const numberOfLibraries = countOnDemandLibrariesForSaveValidation(req);
+            if (
+              numberOfLibraries > 0 &&
+              parseInt(value, 10) * numberOfLibraries > maxSlides
+            ) {
               let estimatedNumber = parseInt(maxSlides / numberOfLibraries);
               throw new Error("'Number to Display' cannot be more than '" + estimatedNumber + "' for '" + numberOfLibraries + "' libraries " + themeMessage);
             }
+          } catch (e) {
+            if (e && e.message && String(e.message).indexOf("Number to Display") !== -1) {
+              throw e;
+            }
+            // Ignore unexpected validation-shape errors (e.g. missing legacy form fields).
           }
         }
-        // Indicates the success of this synchronous custom validator
         return true;
       }),
     check("enableSleep")
       .custom((value, { req }) => {
-        if(value == "true"){
-          if(req.body.sleepStart.length == 0) throw new Error("You must specify sleep start and end times if the sleep timer is enabled");
-        }
-        if(value == "true"){
-          if(req.body.sleepEnd.length == 0) throw new Error("You must specify sleep start and end times if the sleep timer is enabled");
+        if (value == "true") {
+          const start = req.body.sleepStart != null ? String(req.body.sleepStart) : "";
+          const end = req.body.sleepEnd != null ? String(req.body.sleepEnd) : "";
+          if (start.length == 0) {
+            throw new Error("You must specify sleep start and end times if the sleep timer is enabled");
+          }
+          if (end.length == 0) {
+            throw new Error("You must specify sleep start and end times if the sleep timer is enabled");
+          }
         }
         return true;
       }),
     check("sleepStart")
-      .custom((value, { req }) => {
-        if(isNaN(Date.parse("2100-01-01T" + value)) == true && value.length !== 0) throw new Error("Sleep start time must be in 24 hour format hh:mm (eg. 07:15 or 23:30)");
+      .custom((value) => {
+        const v = value != null ? String(value) : "";
+        if (isNaN(Date.parse("2100-01-01T" + v)) == true && v.length !== 0) {
+          throw new Error("Sleep start time must be in 24 hour format hh:mm (eg. 07:15 or 23:30)");
+        }
         return true;
       }),
     check("sleepEnd")
-      .custom((value, { req }) => {
-        if(isNaN(Date.parse("2100-01-01T" + value)) == true && value.length !== 0) throw new Error("Sleep end time must be in 24 hour format hh:mm (eg. 07:15 or 23:30)");
+      .custom((value) => {
+        const v = value != null ? String(value) : "";
+        if (isNaN(Date.parse("2100-01-01T" + v)) == true && v.length !== 0) {
+          throw new Error("Sleep end time must be in 24 hour format hh:mm (eg. 07:15 or 23:30)");
+        }
         return true;
       }),
     check("sonarrUrl")
diff --git a/myviews/posters/posters.ejs b/myviews/posters/posters.ejs
index e75954d..4dbad0b 100644
--- a/myviews/posters/posters.ejs
+++ b/myviews/posters/posters.ejs
@@ -337,6 +337,7 @@ function startInactivityCheck(element, delay, callbackInactivity, callbackActive
         });
 
         $(".cardHolder").html(cardHtml);
+        startCarouselAtRandomSlide();
         initialLoad();
 
         // check if there is only one card showing and if so, schedule a data refresh after the slide duration period has passed.
@@ -427,6 +428,19 @@ function startInactivityCheck(element, delay, callbackInactivity, callbackActive
   };
 
   // apply styles to cards and manage audio
+  function startCarouselAtRandomSlide() {
+    var items = $(".carousel-item");
+    if (items.length <= 1) {
+      curPlayID = 1;
+      return;
+    }
+    var startIdx = Math.floor(Math.random() * items.length);
+    items.removeClass("active");
+    items.eq(startIdx).addClass("active");
+    var slideId = items.eq(startIdx).attr("id");
+    curPlayID = slideId ? slideId : 1;
+  }
+
   function initialLoad() {
     <%if(globals.hideSettingsLinks !== undefined && globals.hideSettingsLinks == 'true'){ 
       // do nothing
@@ -449,8 +463,8 @@ function startInactivityCheck(element, delay, callbackInactivity, callbackActive
     StopAllAudio();
     
     //trigger initial audio play if present
-    if (document.getElementById("audio1")) {
-      var x = document.getElementById("audio1");
+    if (document.getElementById("audio" + curPlayID)) {
+      var x = document.getElementById("audio" + curPlayID);
       // set volume to 0 and position 1 second in
       x.volume = 0;
       x.currentTime = 0;
@@ -463,12 +477,12 @@ function startInactivityCheck(element, delay, callbackInactivity, callbackActive
       aud_fadeIn(x);
 
       // check if trivia slide and if so, pause carousel and start timer
-      isQuiz(1);
+      isQuiz(curPlayID);
     }
 
     // check if marquee is needed
-    var marquee = document.getElementById("marquee1");
-    var tagLine = document.getElementById("tagLine1");
+    var marquee = document.getElementById("marquee" + curPlayID);
+    var tagLine = document.getElementById("tagLine" + curPlayID);
     if(tagLine !== null){
       if(tagLine.scrollHeight > tagLine.clientHeight || tagLine.scrollWidth > tagLine.clientWidth){
         marquee.start();
@@ -478,7 +492,7 @@ function startInactivityCheck(element, delay, callbackInactivity, callbackActive
       }
     }
 
-    Resize(1);
+    Resize(curPlayID);
   }
 
   $(function () {
diff --git a/myviews/settings.ejs b/myviews/settings.ejs
index 36eab7f..9976169 100644
--- a/myviews/settings.ejs
+++ b/myviews/settings.ejs
@@ -1314,7 +1314,7 @@
     var savedCategories = [];
     // load posted form data
     <%if(typeof formData !== 'undefined' && errors){%>
-      formCategories = '<%=formData.triviaCategories%>'.split(',')%>;
+      formCategories = <%- JSON.stringify(String(formData.triviaCategories || "")) %>.split(',')%>;
       formCategories.forEach(function(id){
         $('[name="triviaCategories"]').each( function() {   
           if ( $(this).val() ==   id ){
@@ -1330,7 +1330,7 @@
       });
     <%}else{%>
       // load saved trivia selections
-      savedCategories = '<%=settings.triviaCategories%>'.split(',')%>;
+      savedCategories = <%- JSON.stringify(String(settings.triviaCategories || "")) %>.split(',')%>;
       savedCategories.forEach(function(id){
         $('[name="triviaCategories"]').each( function() {   
           if ( $(this).val() ==   id ){