Port Assignment Using DPIPixels-24

[Sinh2000]

Hey all,

I purchased a Falcon Pi Hat a while back and now trying to make it work for a 4th of July float.  Using the free version, I could have 2 ports, but no audio, so I purchased a 2-port EEPROM license to use DPIPixels-24.  I installed it but it only lets me increase the pixel count above 50 for the first 2 ports.  Randomly, it has assigned port 3 and port 23 to the 2 ports on the PiHat.  Any ideas on how I have the PiHat use ports 1 and 2 so the license will work?  Or change the license so it will use ports 3 and 23?

Thanks,
Brad

[JonD]

I don't own one, but it is my understanding the Falcon Pi Hats do not require a FPP license.  Confirming this is the device you are referring to?

https://pixelcontroller.com/store/pixel-controllers/47-falcon-picap.html

Do you have anything installed on the Pi other than the Falcon PiCap?

[Sinh2000]

Hello JonD,

Thanks for the reply.  The device you reference above is the one I have.  I don't have anything on the Pi other than the Falcon PiCap.  I did have a cpu fan plugged in before the PiCap that I had to remove when I put the PiCap on.  

The license is so you can have the on-board audio work along with the 2 strings.  

[Poporacer]

The device you reference above is the one I have.
  I installed it but it only lets me increase the pixel count above 50 for the first 2 ports.

I only see 2 ports on that board?

I installed it but it only lets me increase the pixel count above 50 for the first 2 ports

That sounds like it is what it is supposed to do.

Randomly, it has assigned port 3 and port 23 to the 2 ports on the PiHat.

Where are you seeing this information? Post a screenshot please so we know what you are talking about. (not a picture of your screen please)
Like I mentioned, the Pi-Cap only has 2 physical ports....but with the License you can use the GPIO pins for additional ports.

[Sinh2000]

Hello Poporacer,

Thanks for the response.  Yes, I was expecting it to only allow me to increase the pixel count on the first 2 ports since I only bought a 2-port license.  Also, you are correct, I only have 2 ports on the pihat.  I assumed it would be ports 1 and 2.  However, once I applied the license, it gave me 24 ports on the web page (screenshot attached).  The way I found out that ports 3 and 23 are the two that are "active" is through trial and error using "Display Testing" and seeing what channels would light up.  So... ports 3 and 23 are my active ports but I can only do more than 50 on ports 1 and 2.  To say it another way in hopes of being clear, I can only get pixels to light when I send tests to channels 301 to 450 and channels 3301 to 3450.  Those channels are attached to ports 3 and 23.
You cannot view this attachment.

[Poporacer]

However, once I applied the license, it gave me 24 ports on the web page (screenshot attached).

That is the expected behavior and added benefit with the license.

I can only get pixels to light when I send tests to channels 301 to 450 and channels 3301 to 3450

I don't know what configurations you have done, but ports 3 and 23 are the only ones with pixels configured.
Try this... Set the pixel count on port 1 to 5 hit F2, Port 2 to 10 hit F2, port 3 to 15, port 23 to 20 hit F2.
Save-Restart FPP and then do a Display testing with ALL channels and tell us how many lights are lit up on Port 1 and port 2.
Have you done any other configurations on this? Like something in Output Processors?

[dkulp]

I don't believe you should have signed the DPI24 eeprom.  You should have used the PiHat virtual eeprom and signed that.  It has a "Cape Config" setting to flip to the two port version of the DPI output stuff required for the PiHat. 

[Sinh2000]

Poporacer and Dkulp - Thank you both!  I greatly appreciate the time you both spent helping me solve this.  As Dkulp stated, once I selected the PiHat then there was a Cape Config option.  I totally missed this.

Thank you to all the developers who have spent so much time developing Falcon and xLights and all the hardware to support it.  It is a joy to use and makes our holidays so much more special!

-Brad

[Poporacer]

I am glad you got it working! Enjoy your obsession hobby!