FPP 8.0 Released!

[dkulp]

FPP 8.0 Released!

Enhancements

• The primary change in FPP 8.0 is the upgrade from Debian 11 to Debian 12. This provides a newer kernel, newer libraries, and newer versions of software. This includes PHP 8.2, Python 3.10, and many other libraries. This also provides support for newer hardware such as the Raspberry Pi 5.
• Faster bootup - many of the bootup actions have been re-written to provide faster bootup
• Allow for a backup SSID to connect to alternative WIFI networks if primary SSID is not found
• Support for flashing FPP onto NVMe drives on Raspberry Pi 5
• Better integration with xLights for Proxies and Models
• Ability to be a DMX input device - FPP can accept channel data via serial input
• Playlist entries can specify a Time Code to associate with that entry when using various plugins that process timecodes (Advanced UI)
• New Screen DPMS timeout setting for Kiosk Mode
• UI Enhancements
  
  • New Tab Based Troubleshooting page
  • Sticky table headers throughout the UI to make it easier to understand long tables
  • New warning if exiting edited but unsaved playlist
  • New ability to upload authorized_keys file to configure SSH automatically
  • When starting playlists using a start/end positions, only display that section of the playlist when playing
  • Add ability to add Sequences/Media to Playlists directly from File Manager
  • Verify command presets and prevent saving of invalid entries
  • Show UP interfaces in status bar even if they don't have an IP address (ex: ColorLight connection)
  • Added option to disable volume slider on status page
  • Add configurable home page URL for kiosk mode
  • Add schedule entry info to scheduler preview
  • File Mangers colums are now sortable and filterable
  • Raspberry Pi - Lightning bolt indicator and warning if voltage drops too low
  • Filter available plugins and scripts to only those that have been tested with the current version of FPP
• Commands
  
  • New FPP Commands to switch between Player and Remote modes.
  • Allow scheduling FPP Commands on systems running in Remote Mode. (Advanced UI Mode)
• New features for Capes/Hats/Outputs
  
  • New "PWM" tab in channel outputs to allow for the configuration of PWM based outputs. This is useful for controlling servos, LEDs, and other PWM devices.
  • Raspberry Pi 5 can support two strings of pixels via DPIPixels driver without a license.
  • New "led_row_address_type" settings for Pi Matrix Hats to support additional "outdoor" panels
• New features for Developers/Plugins
  
  • Plugins can provide handlers for file extensions to provide actions/conversions when files with a given extension is uploaded. A dedicated tab in the FileManger is created for that extension.
  • Warnings can have an optional "id" number and more extensive Help (provided in markdown format)
• MQTT Updates
  
  • FPP version, Hostname, Description, and Platform added to fppd_status topic
  • Last Will and Testament sent to "/ready" Topic
  • Add option to publish output port information including current draw

Major Changes/Incompatibilities

• Due to the upgrade from Debian 11 to Debian 12, many libraries have been upgraded to new versions. Some incompatibilies are expected, primarily with plugins.
• PHP has been upgrade from PHP 7.4 to 8.2. Plugins that rely on 7.4 behavior may no longer work properly and will need to be updated.
• Video output device names have changed. The prior names of "fb0" and "fb1" no longer work and will need to be reconfigured to use the new names of HDMI-A-1, HDMI-A-2, DSI-1, DPI-1, or similar reflecting how the display is connected. Anything that outputs to a display (Virutal Matrix, Virtual Display, etc...) will need to be reconfigured.
• Many flags to /opt/fpp/src/fpp have been removed. Use of REST API is now required.

Upgrade Instructions
Due to incompatibilies with the libraries and versions in Debian 11, an "OS Level" upgrade is required.

• Re-image - you can backup your 7.x configuration, create a new image, and restore the configuration.
• In-place upgrade - This requires you to have the latest FPP 7.5 or newer and all updates already running on the device. On the "About" page in FPP, there is an "Upgrade OS" choice selection where the appropriate 8.0_2024-09 image can be selected. FPP will automatically download the fppos file and install the upgrade. It will take a LONG time. When done, it should reboot into 8.0. 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.

Images:
https://github.com/FalconChristmas/fpp/releases/download/8.0/FPP-v8.0-BBB.img.zip
https://github.com/FalconChristmas/fpp/releases/download/8.0/FPP-v8.0-Pi.img.zip

[Santacarl]

EDM RDS not working after upgrade to 8.0.  Don't know if this is related to the PHP upgrade as I have no clue if the EDM RDS plugin uses PHP.  I tried updating the EDM RDS plugin but the one I have installed seems current.  Is anyone else having this problem?   

[dkuntz]

For EDM Rds, did you try removing the plugin and then adding it back? That worked for me.

[vtpolak]

Are there any compatibility issues with Kulp-K8PB version 1.0?  I can't get it to USB tether or establish a wifi hotspot.  Trying to figure out if it is user error or a compatibility issue.  Leaning on user error, but thought I would ask.  Found out I was using a defective usb cable or a power only usb cable.  Everything is running well.  Great update

[Santacarl]

For EDM Rds, did you try removing the plugin and then adding it back? That worked for me.

Yepper....that did it!  Thanks for the response and the good advice.....  I should have thought of that....  I've just never had to do that before with an update as I recall....All good to go.... 

[greggsuter]

I think there's an issue with the scheduler.  I have the latest release of FPP8 and the latest updates.  It's a fresh install from a clean image of FPP8 then the update.  I have it on a test player for testing only and has just the base configuration and network settings so I can access it from WiFi.  I restored the schedule.json file from my production player running the latest FPP 7 release onto the test player, but the schedules do not show up in the scheduler itself, instead just shows one blank event I created.  But the status page shows errors on scheduled events that run playlists that aren't loaded onto the test player.  See attached screen shots.  The schedule.json file is 10.641 bytes in size but will drop to about 443 bytes if I update the scheduler page, but the errors still show on the main status page. So the events I have scheduled are there, but the're invisible in the scheduler page.

[Poporacer]

I think there's an issue with the scheduler. 

You really shouldn't reply to a thread that is not related to your issue and also no need to spam the Forum with multiple posts. I will address this in your other post.