new piCaps in the works?

[virgil1]

I was reading the post about the new FPP license, and I felt like it indicated there might new new piCaps in the works?  I might just be reading too much into it.  Anyone know when some more might be available?  I have a buddy that wants to get into it, and he has Raspberry Pis, but just needs the cap.  

[JonB256]

The "new" PiCap will probably be one to support the full 24 outputs available using DPIPixels.
While there have been a few DIY builds for this, we are expecting one from PixelController.com
It should have the usual sets of fuses and Phoenix connectors used on other Falcon controllers.

I can verify that the OLD PiCaps (2 outputs) will not need any changes to run FPP 6.0 and support DPIPixels so that onboard sound works.

For example, I have been running a very small (same footprint as the actual RasPi) DPIPixel-24 board built by Don Julien. While it works great, some of the things it lacks don't make it "newbie" friendly. It also does not have an EEPROM that would support the new FPP 6.0 setup. To continue using it, I'll need to use the Virtual EEPROM option. This is all running in Master Branch since FPP 5.5 doesn't (and won't) support DPIPixels, not the 2-output or 24-output version.

[CaptainMurdoch]

David and I have been working together (he the hardware, me the software) on a 24-port Pi cape that will use the new DPIPixels Channel Output to support 24 strings of pixels on a Raspberry Pi.  We will post more when we have more details.

The current plan is to sell the 24-port cape through the new https://shop.falconplayer.com shop.  We have also been discussing a new version of the PiCap although we haven't finalized any details on that yet.  The new version would have an EEPROM, but we are discussing what other features and even how many string ports it might have since we aren't limited at 2 on the Pi any more.

[CaptainMurdoch]

To continue using it, I'll need to use the Virtual EEPROM option.

Right now our plan for FPP v6 is that all string capes will either use a physical EEPROM or a virtual EEPROM.  We have been moving the JSON string cape config files into virtual EEPROMs and are doing a bunch of testing on that right now to make sure things are working as expected.

[Bwinter]

Has there been any new development/release of PiHats that utilize the DPI protocol?

I've checked a few sites (including shop.falconplayer.com) and can't find anything yet.

[james-s]

I think a cape like controller that is not directly connected to the RPi would be a good hardware configuration.  I know this is nothing much different than say a standalone FxxV4 controller but using a gpio ribbon connection would free up a controller for ethernet ports for remote smart controllers. 

I am toying right now to move my cape off the RPi and sitting it by itself with standoffs and use a ribbon to connect back to the RPi.  I already power the RPi and cape separately so doing this configuration would allow a larger footprint to do more.

[Bwinter]

Has there been any new development/release of PiHats that utilize the DPI protocol?

I've checked a few sites (including shop.falconplayer.com) and can't find anything yet.

So wasn't really sure when (or if) any new PiHats/Capes were going to come out for this season (that take advantage of the DPI protocol), so I went ahead and rolled my own (for use on PiZero as shown, or also any of the regular Pi).  I'll be making the extras available on my Tindie site.

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[Bwinter]

If anyone is interested, I have a few extra PiCaps (8-port) for sell on my tindie shop (along with a handful of other useful items):

https://www.tindie.com/products/bwinter/pi-cape-8p/

[JonB256]

Ordered two. I probably will just solder my RayWu pigtails to the board rather than order the terminal blocks. Will depend on spare parts I have on hand from earlier unfinished DIY projects. I've got a few Pi2B+ just gathering dust and this will get them back in business.

[Cureck]

If anyone is interested, I have a few extra PiCaps (8-port) for sell on my tindie shop (along with a handful of other useful items):

https://www.tindie.com/products/bwinter/pi-cape-8p/

Would you be willing to sell a completed board? I would gladly pay for the add parts and your time? Or could you provide links to the necessary hardware?

[Bwinter]

If anyone is interested, I have a few extra PiCaps (8-port) for sell on my tindie shop (along with a handful of other useful items):

https://www.tindie.com/products/bwinter/pi-cape-8p/

Would you be willing to sell a completed board? I would gladly pay for the add parts and your time? Or could you provide links to the necessary hardware?

Unfortunately, I don't keep a stock of the hardware (and it would take me about a week to get anything).

I've provided a component list in the description (on Tindie), and you can use that to order from Mouser.com or Digikey.com (or possibly even Amazon?).

[sirdevan]

I was excited to see this post, until I realized it's 9 months old. I have 4 of the Falcon picaps and I love them because they are small. I have F48s and 16 ports and 32 ports for larger applications. 

So, while bumping a picap to 4 would be ok, making a 16-24 output isn't a big need for me.

I just wish you still sold the old one, but it says in stock Oct 2020 or sooner. Kind of a late delay?

[jnealand]

@sirdevan  I also like the original Picaps and did buy two more earlier this year. I don'y think they are going away.  But without more Pi availability there is not much market for them.

[xGROMx]

I wanted to add to the thread and show support for the original PiCap.  I would like to order another or two of the original for the Pi3.  I don't use mine for pixels, yet I use them to send serial data out to my Arduino for the high current controller. I have not been able to use an f16 for this as there isn't a way to setup basic serial like with FPP.

[Plasmadrive]

David and I have been working together (he the hardware, me the software) on a 24-port Pi cape that will use the new DPIPixels Channel Output to support 24 strings of pixels on a Raspberry Pi.  We will post more when we have more details.

The current plan is to sell the 24-port cape through the new https://shop.falconplayer.com shop.  We have also been discussing a new version of the PiCap although we haven't finalized any details on that yet.  The new version would have an EEPROM, but we are discussing what other features and even how many string ports it might have since we aren't limited at 2 on the Pi any more.

Any more news on this?