I'm Stumped

[saleencb]

Hi all. I'm new to the forums and also my first year trying to create a Holiday Lights display and I am truly stumped at this point on trying to get sequences to run on FPP and would appreciate any help please. I apologize if this is in the wrong heading. 

Using a Raspberry Pi Model B (trying to at least) and Falcon F16V4 and layout consists of Megatree, Star Topper, Boscoyo singing tree, and Boscoyo Candy Canes

My goal is to setup everything to run off of Raspberry Pi

• Used xLights to create and save sequences - Completed and believe I set up the controller info correctly
• Falcon Controller - I believe is configured correctly and will allow me to "Enable" and run tests and pixels respond correspondingly. However, instead of being able to test individual ports, even if I just pick a random port, all of the ports will light up. 
• Falcon Player - Having issues getting to run sequences as they were saved in xLights. Doesn't even look like its running the same sequence. Reviewed and went through Network settings and FPP and Falcon controller seem to be communicating. When I use FPP connect, through xLights, I initially tried to upload with FSEQ Type "V1" and UDP Out as "None". This uploaded and ran but it didn't even look like the same sequence and the uploaded fseq files seems small at only 36.3 mb. Then I tried changing UDP Out to "All" and then I get Abnormal Conditions - May Cause Poor Performance, cannot ping e1.31 Channel Data Target 192.168.1.50. I enabled E1.31 output and tried setting outputs count to 1 and also 16 but running into same problem. It has also stopped allowing me to do channel testing from FPP. 

Stumped at this point and my wife just keeps glaring at me LOL. Thank you in advance for any help as it is greatly appreciated!!!

[Poporacer]

Completed and believe I set up the controller info correctly

How about some screenshots so we can veriify?

Falcon Controller - I believe is configured correctly

Again, let us help you, show us what you got, but you shouldn't be configuring your controller, let xLights do it for you.

Falcon Player - Having issues getting to run sequences as they were saved in xLights...I initially tried to upload with FSEQ Type "V1" and UDP Out as "None".

You do not want to use V1, those files are HUGE. V2 Sparse is what is usually recommended. But you do want UDP out to All.

Then I tried changing UDP Out to "All" and then I get Abnormal Conditions - May Cause Poor Performance, cannot ping e1.31 Channel Data Target 192.168.1.50

That means that your FPP cannot communicate with whatever device is at 192.168.1.50 which is likely your F16, explain how you have everything connected and like I mentioned, screenshots of all of your network settings.

I enabled E1.31 output and tried setting outputs count to 1 and also 16 but running into same problem.

Shotgun troubleshooting usually causes more problems in the long run. Like I mentioned, xLights will do all of that configuration for you.

The Zoom Room is the best resource out there BTW.

[saleencb]

I appreciate the response Poporacer! Thank you

I'm including screenshots that I think may help but not sure if further may be needed. 

Also, Yes the device at 192.168.1.50 is the F16 but the odd part is that it was communicating earlier in the evening but not playing the sequences as they were saved. I very easily could have changed a setting and not even realized it.

Related to trying to configure multiple pieces of software instead of just xLights, I think I have watched too many How-to videos and have overwhelmed myself. I was having trouble figuring out how to get xLights to configure everything. 

[Poporacer]

I'm including screenshots that I think may help but not sure if further may be needed.

Those really help, but you didn't provide an explanation of how everything is connected...
Something like:
Computer to Home network via Wi-Fi
FPP to Switch that is connected to Home Router
F16 connected to toaster via eth0...


There are some of the common network examples in the manual https://falconchristmas.github.io/FPP_Manual(6.0).pdf#page=162

[Poporacer]

I'm including screenshots that I think may help

YES! Those help tremendously! Thanks

Also, Yes the device at 192.168.1.50 is the F16

 are you sure? The webpage for the F16 shows that it is 192.168.0.151 those addresses are in different worlds.

but not playing the sequences as they were saved

And I wouldn't expect then to since your port configurations are way off as well.

I think I have watched too many How-to videos and have overwhelmed myself.

And from the looks of it, some very old videos that don't even relate to the controller you are using.
You have so many things not quite right, where do I start? LOL

Are you really lighting 32,000 lights?
Do you really have 1024 pixels connected to every single port?
Is every port displaying the exact same thing?

In the lighting hobby, numbers have to match exactly, you can't just add more, "just in case" that isn't how they work.
You are spamming your own network with things configured like you have.

Let's start with your Network... you didn't describe how everything was connected so I can only assume based on your screenshots.

It looks like you have your FPP wired to your home router and the F16 wired to your home network as well?
It looks like your home network's IP address is 192.168.0.1? Have you verified that? It is important that this, and all numbers, are 100% correct.

If and ONLY IF my assumption above is correct, make these changes, if my assumption is not 100% accurate, don't make these changes and let us know how everything is actually connected.

In your F16, change the Gateway to 192.168.0.1
In your FPP change one of the DNS servers to 8.8.8.8

Now let's move on to some observations... It looks like you might be trying to associate Output Universes with ports on your controller? I say that because it looks like you configured 16 Universes in FPP. (In reality, it looks like you are only using 9)

I was having trouble figuring out how to get xLights to configure everything. 

Probably because you didn't have things configured quite correctly..
Let's fix that.

In xLights, you have your F16's IP address configured as 192.168.1.50 but in reality, it looks like it is 192.168.0.151, change the IP here to the correct one. Also, in this section enable Full xLights Control and as it looks like you are using a Brightness of 80%, set your default brightness to 80.
Save this and then click on the Open button at the bottom of the screen to make sure that xLights is communicating with your controller. 

If that worked, then open the Visualizer and make sure that your models are assigned to the correct ports in the correct order. Close the visualizer and click the Save button.

Click on the Upload Output button.

Then go to Tools>FPP Connect
Put a checkmark next to your FPP and then set the UDP Out to All. Select your sequence from the list in the lower window. and then upload.

That should get you pretty close. Let us know if this worked.

[saleencb]

I'm including screenshots that I think may help but not sure if further may be needed.

Those really help, but you didn't provide an explanation of how everything is connected...
Something like:
Computer to Home network via Wi-Fi
FPP to Switch that is connected to Home Router
F16 connected to toaster via eth0...


There are some of the common network examples in the manual https://falconchristmas.github.io/FPP_Manual(6.0).pdf#page=162

Poporacer,

Was trying to initially run some tests and had the F16 and Raspberry Pi, running FPP, plugged into network switch, which was then plugged into house ethernet. Then was using Windows based PC to try and get everything set up. I was able to access both FPP and Falcon controller via this method. 

My ultimate goal is to place the Raspberry Pi (unattached to house ethernet) in the garage and run an ethernet cable from the Pi to the F16 outside. Was thinking to leave the Raspberry Pi on all the time and have the F16 on a timer to come on about 15 min prior to show start. 

Would love to hook the Pi to to Wi-Fi but the Raspberry Pi B I have doesn't have built-in Wi-Fi and wasn't sure if a Wi-Fi router would work in that configuration or if it was even worth attempting. Have FPP on a 32 GB SD card on the Raspberry Pi that I was also hoping to place the fseq and audio files on as well. Looked into getting one of the newer model Raspberry Pi but I haven't had any luck with anything decently priced. 

[saleencb]

Poporacer,

Oh boy!!!! Just read your post...looks like I have all kinds of items running every which way but the correct way.  Just getting home form work and going to work through the changes you recommended.

Definitely not running 32,000 lights. Posting a screenshot of what I have and how I was trying to port them.

I definitively didn't realize the numbers needed to match exactly and I did put all of them at 1024 pixels. 

At this point and I'm not sure this is even an option, would it make more sense to try and "reset" FPP and the Falcon controller back to factory settings and just start over?

Thank you again!!!

[saleencb]

Poporacer,

I reconfigured following your recommended changes and everything seems to be communicating over a wired connection now.  Now tomorrow, or rather later today, get this running on the main display to see if it works correctly, then set the schedule and then try to get the Raspberry Pi (unattached to house ethernet) in the garage and run an ethernet cable from the Pi to the F16 outside.

Thank you!!!

[Poporacer]

Was trying to initially run some tests and had the F16 and Raspberry Pi, running FPP, plugged into network switch, which was then plugged into house ethernet. Then was using Windows based PC to try and get everything set up. I was able to access both FPP and Falcon controller via this method.

The configuration to make them "talk to each other" would be different if you connect them to your computer (which usually requires some additional configuration of your computer) than it would be for in your home network. I suggest setting things up connected how you are going to use it. Makes things easier.

My ultimate goal is to place the Raspberry Pi (unattached to house ethernet) in the garage and run an ethernet cable from the Pi to the F16 outside. Was thinking to leave the Raspberry Pi on all the time and have the F16 on a timer to come on about 15 min prior to show start.

Why unattached to house internet? This could cause some issues, especially with timing. You can turn the F16 off, many people do not and let it run 24/7 but that is totally a preference call.

Would love to hook the Pi to to Wi-Fi but the Raspberry Pi B I have doesn't have built-in Wi-Fi and wasn't sure if a Wi-Fi router would work in that configuration or if it was even worth attempting.

You can add a Wi-Fi adapter and if you get one that supports AP mode like this one  Wi-Fi Adapter it can help get out of a bind in some cases. Configuring your FPP to access the internet will allow it to keep accurate time, if not, then you have to take other measures.