Controlling FPP from xlights

Controlling FPP from xlights

Assuming you have the fpp fully up and running with DNS resolved if not see the wiki's concerning installing fpp.

Xlights makes configuring the fpp very easy

If you have your networks all set up in xlights on the setup tab, and are running the latest version of xlights, under tools in xlights is fpp connect. Use this to upload your networks directly to the fpp, this will fully set up your show to run. You also can use fpp connect to upload the sequences and audio files.

If you do not have your networks setup in xlights or are running an older version of xlights that does not have fpp connect.

In the pi gui, under Input/Output settings you want Channel Outputs. Here if you are using e1.31 that is the first tab, the universe count is default to 0, set it to the desired number of universes. Adjust them as necessary paying attention to start channels for the next universe. NOTE: a trick to setting this up if you are using different sized universes is to set the universes up 1 at a time (add one to the number of universe count to add 1 more universe) and change one universe at a time, REMEMBER to save before adding another universe. The fpp will then keep the start channels flowing correctly. Make sure to enable e1.31 output (little check box at the top easily missed)

If you are using p10 panels that is set up under the led panels tab, Channel outputs - led panels Set the panel correctly... 2x4 is 2 wide 4 high, a 4x2 is 4 wide and 2 high Make sure the start channel of the grid matches the start channel in xlights/vix 3... even if you have a different fpp doing other things the data still starts at that point for the p10 panel. There is now a drop down box in fpp that asks top left or bottom left start position this was added for vixen 3 users where there is an issue with text and vixen 3 using top left for its start position. xlights users make sure its set to top left. ok setting up the grid in fpp is the biggest source of confusion... first and foremost... the set up in fpp is looking at the front of the panel, so your hookups are reversed left/right when connecting at the back... the top right panel in fpp is the top right panel looking at the front of the display so connecting at the back that would be the top left one. note the arrows on the falcon player must match the arrows on the boards as viewed from the front (left/right flip when looking at the back does apply)

If you are wanting to test the matrix with a feed from xlights/vix 3 you will need to define the matrix in e1.31 Each panel is 512 pixels and each pixel is 3 channels so 3 512 universes per panel. A 36 panel matrix is 108 universes of 512 channels just for reference. A quick way of doing the universes is to set the universe count to 1, use your start channel as that start channel and number of channels set to 512. you can use multicast or unicast doesnt matter. Click save then set the number of universes to the number needed fpp will auto fill the rest of them in. click save again then restart the fppd. Note - you do not need to enable e1.31 output for this to work (unless you have other things your outputting e1.31 for in which case just uncheck the box next to these universes that are defined for the panel)

Just a quick followup on the post....

the raspberry pi matix adapter has 3 outputs and a max of 12 panels per output for a total of 36 panels the octoscroller for beaglebone has 8 outputs and a max of 8 panels per output for a total of 64 panels

When running the p10 make sure you direct your fpp away from the status page this updates every second and causes a blink on the panels if you navigate away from it then close the browser it will remember that you are not on the status page.

for best picture in xlights set the contrast to 1.2 to 1.25 and the brightness to -30%. In vix 3 add a dimming curve to the matrix in the display setup set to 70.

A more advanced way of doing it is shown here in this video (DO AT YOUR OWN RISK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtsncYoUl30

Here is a picture of my setup in xlights fpp and physical to show everything recapped

Click image for larger version.

Name: P10 layout.jpg

Pi hat/usb serial outputs are done from the other tab Add then select the appropriate type from the drop down

for dmx your wanting dmx open ... this can control renard, lor. and other dmx boards for the pi hat (pixel output) you will need to select RPIWS281X and then set the number of pixels per output (there are 2) as well as the correct start channel

Please note, BBB's do not have onboard sound, using either a pi hat or pi matrix adapter will disable the onboard sound card, in all these instances if you are wanting sound output you must add a usb sound card.