FPP 5.2 Released!

[dkulp]

This is mostly a bug fix release as well as some updates to support some different hardware options (real time clocks, etc...) on various boards that the global component shortage has required. 

Full release notes and downloads are available from: https://github.com/FalconChristmas/fpp/releases/tag/5.2


Enhancements

• Selecting hash in ChangeLog will now prompt to revert to that version or view the changes on GitHub
• About page can now download the fppos update files directly
• Support for new capes (new RTC clock chips, Panel/pixel combination capes, etc...)
• Add description fields to some of the outputs on the Other page
• Adds Sensor information to about page

Bug Fixes

• Fix "Command Failed" message on Reboot/Shutdown
• Fix UI password not working for various endpoints
• Fix bugs with string page allowing fractional channels
• Fix UDP de-duplication not working correctly when configuration pushed from xLights
• Fix "Force HDMI Display" not forcing the second port on a Pi4

Installation Instructions
If you have a system running 5.x, you can go to the FPP about page (about.php) and click on the "Manual Update" button. At that point, a big green "Upgrade" bar should appear on the main status page. Click on that to start the update process. It may take a long time to upgrade. Likely 5-10 minutes. You will need to reboot after the upgrade is complete to finish the upgrade process.

NOTE: there are no OS level updates in this release. The "FPP OS Build" will remain v5.0.

For users of FPP 4.x or older, it is strongly recommended to do a full "OS Level" upgrade or re-image instead of attempting to upgrade directly from any older FPP version. There are several new features that will not work if an OS level upgrade is not done. There are two ways to do so:

Re-image - you can backup your 4.x configuration, create a new image, and restore the configuration.
In-place upgrade - this is new and requires you to have FPP 3.6.2 (or 4.0-alpha2) or newer already running on the device. Download the appropriate "fppos" file to your computer. Make sure the file extension is still fppos (some browsers will rename it). Upload it to the "File Manager" on the FPP instance. Then go to the about page. Under the normal "Manual Upgrade", a new Upgrade OS button should appear. Click it and wait a LONG time. When done, it should reboot into 5.0. At that point, go to the Uploads tab of the FPP File Manager and delete the fppos file. Note: In SOME cases, the reboot will fail due to library replacement. In that case, a power cycle may be required to get it back up and running.

[drlucas]

Panel pixel combination capes...this is what happens when I am not paying attention..new hardware comes out that could be super helpful in my show!! will I see such a cape in the future at Kulplights?

[dkulp]

Panel pixel combination capes...this is what happens when I am not paying attention..new hardware comes out that could be super helpful in my show!! will I see such a cape in the future at Kulplights?

Already there:  https://kulplights.com/product/k8-b-scroller/

[pixelpuppy]

For anyone using the .fppos update method, you will note this comment in the instructions:

Click it and wait a LONG time.

Many people have asked... how long is "a LONG time"?   

The FPP testing team has done a lot of experimenting with this and the time varies depending on several factors so we can't say exactly.  For some devices its very quick (just a few  minutes) and for others it takes longer.  But in all cases we've not seen it take more than 30 minutes.   

Typically what happens is you see a screen of scrolling text while the update is progressing.   At various points of the upgrade, the text may pause for a bit and then continue and pause again later.   When it gets to the end, the software must restart and since you're watching it via a web browser, this doesn't always refresh the screen when the software restarts.   If it has stopped scrolling text for more than 30 minutes, that usually means its done (but the session disconnected and your screen has not refreshed).  At this point, the best thing is to open a 2nd browser window to confirm if the upgrade has completed.

That applies when using .fppos upgrades to v5.1 and earlier.   V5.2 includes enhancements to this process which attempts to check for a software restart and refresh the webpage when its done.   However you need to already be running 5.2 for this enhancement.  After you successfully upgrade to v5.2 then future .fppos updates will be a little better letting you know when the .fppos update has completed.

[Aaron Maue]

For users of FPP 4.x or older, it is strongly recommended to do a full "OS Level" upgrade or re-image instead of attempting to upgrade directly from any older FPP version. There are several new features that will not work if an OS level upgrade is not done. There are two ways to do so:

Forgive what may be a silly question.  Does an .fppos upgrade constitute a "full OS level" upgrade?  I have about 30 FPP devices that I'm planning to re-image using the .fppos method to keep from having to physically access all the uSD cards.  If necessary, I'll do the physical access, but would rather not.

[k6ccc]

As I understand it, yes.

[pixelpuppy]

Does an .fppos upgrade constitute a "full OS level" upgrade?

yes

I have about 30 FPP devices that I'm planning to re-image using the .fppos method

If you do one of the first, then that one will have a new feature to "Copy OS Upgrade Files" to all the others.  You still have to connect to each one to click the "Upgrade OS" button, but at least that gives you a one-click way to get the .fppos file copied to 29 Remotes. 

to keep from having to physically access all the uSD cards.  If necessary, I'll do the physical access, but would rather not.

Yep, the .fppos upgrade method has proven to be extremely helpful in this regard.  No physical access needed as long as it has a reliable network connection

[marx1]

Thanks for all the hard work and changes with 5.x I was an early adopter and haven't looked back since.

EDIT: Well it looks like wireless is broken on PI model 2 boards... I opened an issue...

[th182]

Just wanted to say THANK YOU to the FPP team!! I put this season on the back burner all summer. What an awesome surprise to come and find this flashy new UI for FPP!

You guys are amazing!

[lrhorer]

Yes, thanks once again for all the hard work.  I can't say I particularly like the new UI, but there are a few nice features in it.  I do have three requests:

1. Can we get the colors of the information banners changed?  It is nice to be able to change the top banner, but I do not see a way to change the information banners, and those colors are horrible.  Not only is the bright orange a bit nauseating, it is almost impossible (for me, at least) to read the white on orange text.  White on green or a less lurid red would be nice.

2.  Previous versions showed the version number on the status screen.  Can we get that back?  Also, is there a notice when there is a new version available?  I started with the latest 5.2, so I don't know if there is a banner which comes up when a new version is available.

3.  Can we get the Plug-in list alphabetized?

[pixelpuppy]

Previous versions showed the version number on the status screen. 

Its there in the upper left corner if you widen the screen.  Certain items get removed from the banner when you shrink the width and this is one of those items.

You cannot view this attachment.

Also, is there a notice when there is a new version available

If you click on the version number, or go to the Help->About screen, then it will show you if a new version is available and you can click to preview the changes and update

[k6ccc]

Pixelpuppy beat me to it.  Also, it's a dim white, but if you run your mouse over the version number, it gets brighter.

Obviously I'm on the Master branch...

[lrhorer]

Previous versions showed the version number on the status screen.

Its there in the upper left corner if you widen the screen.  Certain items get removed from the banner when you shrink the width and this is one of those items

Ah.  It wasn't shrunk.  It is just so dim I didn't notice it.  If one hovers over it, it brightens, but until then it is quite unnoticeable to my poor, tired old eyes.

Also, is there a notice when there is a new version available

If you click on the version number, or go to the Help->About screen, then it will show you if a new version is available and you can click to preview the changes and update

Yes, but there is more than plenty of real estate on the page to put up a notice.  I know I am lazy, but I have always enjoyed being notified, rather than having to check every few weeks.

[lrhorer]

Oh, also, the remote Git version says "Unknown", so I can't really tell, even now, if an upgrade is available.  I presume not, since I just upgraded yesterday.

[pixelpuppy]

It wasn't shrunk.  It is just so dim I didn't notice it.

but there is more than plenty of real estate on the page to put up a notice.

Sounds like two good feature requests.  Seems reasonable.   Open a ticket in github so it can get tracked and assigned
https://github.com/FalconChristmas/fpp/issues/new?assignees=&labels=enhancement&template=feature_request.md&title=