Need some expert advice to see if this is possible....

[Atljim965]

Soooooo, I'm a complete newbee when it comes to pixels and using xlights and sequencing but I'm learning fast, thanks to all the messages and replies and trials and errors that everyone posts!
I've ordered, and it just shipped today, a Falcon F16v4.  I already received an expansion board, several differential receivers (I'm planning ahead and will probably get either an F48 or another F16 when they become available) and a differential expansion board.
I've been setting up a plan on my lights, but one of the things I would REALLY like to put together is a matrix display to include:
 - Current Date
 - Countdown days to Christmas (or whatever holiday I want to countdown to)
 - Current outside temperature (taken from a sensor on the property that I'd have to set up)
 - Tune to information
 - Happy Holiday message
 - An additional message to say something to the effect of "Press the button to start the show" (or something similiar).  Once the button is pressed, the current light show continues for a few moments, then a stored sequence with music and lights begins and plays.
Can someone tell me if this type of matrix display is possible, and, if so, what do I need to do to build it, or where I could find information on such a beast??
Thank you!!
Jimbo

[jnealand]

Everything is possible, but not necessarily easy.  There are some FPP plugins that might help you.

Does your handle indicate you are in the Atlanta area?

[Atljim965]

Well, kinda...I'm actually in Conyers.

[Poporacer]

I've been setting up a plan on my lights, but one of the things I would REALLY like to put together is a matrix display to include:

Here are some options that might work.

Countdown days to Christmas (or whatever holiday I want to countdown to)

There are 2 plugins in FPP that will do this exact thing- Event Date and Simple Countdown. Event date is a little more difficult to configure but they both do what you are looking for.

Current outside temperature (taken from a sensor on the property that I'd have to set up)

There is a Weather Plugin that will get your local weather, but if you want from a sensor, that would require something to be created.

Current Date

You could modify the code in either of the mentioned plugins to display the current date.

Tune to information
 - Happy Holiday message
 - An additional message to say something to the effect of "Press the button to start the show" (or something similiar).  Once the button is pressed, the current light show continues for a few moments, then a stored sequence with music and lights begins and plays.

All aof thes can be done by creating a sequence and then playing it.

[Atljim965]

This is going to be a stupid question, but what is the link to the plugin section for fpp?
Thanks! 

[darylc]

go to your fpp, then content setup -> plugin manager

[Atljim965]

Is that where I download the plugins at?
Sorry for all the questions....I'm VERY new to all this!!
Thanks for all the help!
Jimbo

[Poporacer]

Is that where I download the plugins at?

Did you look?

[Atljim965]

Yes I did and found them.  Thanks!