FPP 7.3 is released!

[caniac]

FPP 7.3 is released!

This is mostly a collection of fixes/enhancements that were collected while running our Halloween shows as well as support for some newer hardware. (No, not Pi 5 yet)
NOTE: The OS level has changed. To get all of the updates, you will need to use the fppos upgrade method or use a new image.

Enhancements

• Add some Realtek WIFI 6 drivers based on 8852bu and 8852au chips (OS update required)
• Update rpi_ws281x to support newer Raspberry Pi 3B+ hardware
• Don't keep eeprom mounted as a file to prevent any overwriting of the file
• Allow FPP to be added to the home screen as a progressive web app
• BBB Support for 80x40 10scan Outdoor P4 panels
• Update testing.php to default to RGB Cycle

Bug Fixes

• Give Pi Zero W 2 devices more GPU memory (OS update required)
• Set a max requests for php-fpm children to all periodic cleanup of processes and memory (OS update required)
• Preserve unicode character for media information sent to plugins
• Make sure the "Expand media" banner is visible if media has significant unallocated space
• Add a bunch of missing API to help docs
• Fix long-distance preview of Odd/Even schedule entries
• css tweak to fix issue with some browsers causing incorrect display of hidden items
• Delay warning of MQTT disconnect for 10 seconds to see if it reconnects automatically
• Display all eth* interfaces in troubleshooting

Installation Instructions

If you have a system running 7.x, you can go to the FPP about page (about.php) and click on the "Manual Update" button. At that point, a big green "Upgrade" bar should appear on the main status page. Click on that to start the update process. It may take a long time to upgrade. Likely 5-10 minutes. You will need to reboot after the upgrade is complete to finish the upgrade process.

For users of FPP 6.x or older, it is strongly recommended to do a full "OS Level" upgrade or re-image instead of attempting to upgrade directly from any older FPP version. There are several new features that will not work if an OS level upgrade is not done. There are two ways to do so:

• Re-image - you can backup your 5.x/6.x configuration, create a new image, and restore the configuration.
• In-place upgrade - this requires you to have FPP 5.5 and all the updates for 5.5 or FPP 6.3 already running on the device. Download the appropriate "fppos" file to your computer. Make sure the file extension is still fppos (some browsers will rename it). Upload it to the "File Manager" on the FPP instance. Then go to the about page. Under the normal "Manual Upgrade", a new Upgrade OS button should appear. Click it and wait a LONG time. When done, it should reboot into 7.3. At that point, go to the Uploads tab of the FPP File Manager and delete the fppos file. An alternate method to do an in-place upgrade if you are only upgrading one device AND the device has internet connectivity, is to select the 7.3 fppos (download) file and then click on the Upgrade OS button. This will download the fppos file and then install it as mentioned above. This will still take a LONG time and if you are doing this on more than one device, you will essentially be downloading the same file multiple times so is probably not the best way.

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.

SELECTING AN IMAGE
For Raspberry Pi series including Pi B, Pi B+, Pi 3, Pi 3+, Pi 4 and Pi Zero use this image

• https://github.com/FalconChristmas/fpp/releases/download/7.3/FPP-v7.3-Pi.img.zip

For Beaglebone Black, Beaglebone Green, PocketBeagle, and Beaglebone Green Gateway use this image

• https://github.com/FalconChristmas/fpp/releases/download/7.3/FPP-v7.3-BBB.img.zip

can't find the Pi release, get NOT FOUND when this is clicked on

[Poporacer]

You can always go to the Releases page and find the most current version there: 
https://github.com/FalconChristmas/fpp/releases
Here is the correct link:
https://github.com/FalconChristmas/fpp/releases/download/7.3/FPP-v7.3.1-Pi.img.zip

[JonD]

7.3 had a few issues and there is a newer 7.3.1 version.  Make sure you update to 7.3.6 from the about menu after installing.

https://github.com/FalconChristmas/fpp/releases/download/7.3/FPP-v7.3.1-Pi.img.zip

[lrhorer]

Is there an image for an Orange Pi, specifically an Orange Pi Zero 3, out there somewhere?  If not a pre-compiled image, then at least a guide for installing on an OPi running Debian or Ubuntu?  I prefer the Raspberry Pi for several reasons in general, but for one of my applications, the features of the Orange Pi zero - particularly the cost and the ability to use an external WiFi antenna make the OPi a better solution.

[darylc]

No there are not images for Orange Pi. Some of the files in this directory might get you started, but only a subset of FPP features will end up working.

https://github.com/FalconChristmas/fpp/tree/master/SD

Be aware if you go down this path though - Orange Pi is an unsupported platform for FPP so you are on your own.  Of course we would welcome any sensible pull requests for changes that make FPP work on Orange PI's.

[lrhorer]

Understood.  It would be nice if someone would take up support for platforms other than just BBB and Raspberry Pi, but c'est la vie.  Another thought occurs to me.  I could use a Raspberry Pi Zero, which is well supported, and add a USB / Wifi adapter.  In fact, now I think of it, I like the idea rather well.  Does anyone know of a WiFi adapter that:

• Works with FPP
• Has a detachable antenna
• Is inexpensive

[K-State Fan]

Understood.  It would be nice if someone would take up support for platforms other than just BBB and Raspberry Pi, but c'est la vie.  Another thought occurs to me.  I could use a Raspberry Pi Zero, which is well supported, and add a USB / Wifi adapter.  In fact, now I think of it, I like the idea rather well.  Does anyone know of a WiFi adapter that:

• Works with FPP
• Has a detachable antenna
• Is inexpensive

I use this one with my F8-PBs and FPP on a PI

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019SRBUNG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

[CeP]

Understood.  It would be nice if someone would take up support for platforms other than just BBB and Raspberry Pi, but c'est la vie.  Another thought occurs to me.  I could use a Raspberry Pi Zero, which is well supported, and add a USB / Wifi adapter.  In fact, now I think of it, I like the idea rather well.  Does anyone know of a WiFi adapter that:

• Works with FPP
• Has a detachable antenna
• Is inexpensive

Not sure if this will work for you...
I have used this redbear hat with good success.
It is not USB but can be used with an external antenna. I have 2 more unopened if interested. I paid less than $5 or each. PM me your address and I will send you one.
That makes it very inexpensive. :-)

I have not used a pi zero with any FPP builds beyond v6.3, I am not sure it has enough horsepower.

It is just the red hat shown, not the USB/Ethernet adapter which only works with the v1.3 pi zero. FYIYou cannot view this attachment.

[lrhorer]

I use this one with my F8-PBs and FPP on a PI

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019SRBUNG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

The price seems reasonable, and that unit would work very well using a short Micro-USB male - USB-A female cable.  Thanks!

[lrhorer]

Not sure if this will work for you...
I have used this redbear hat with good success.
It is not USB but can be used with an external antenna. I have 2 more unopened if interested. I paid less than $5 or each. PM me your address and I will send you one.
That makes it very inexpensive. :-)

Definitely!  Thanks!  I don't see an external antenna port.  Is it on the underside? What does it use for communication?  SPI?  I2C?

I have not used a pi zero with any FPP builds beyond v6.3, I am not sure it has enough horsepower.

Oh, I would think so.  I am not running V7+ on anything, yet, but V5.5 is running under 15% of CPU and about the same on memory on a Pi Zero W.  Surely V7 isn't that much of a resource hog, is it?

[lrhorer]

Does V7 still support two native string outputs on a Raspberry Pi?  Which GPIO ports does it use for the string outputs?

[CaptainMurdoch]

Does V7 still support two native string outputs on a Raspberry Pi?  Which GPIO ports does it use for the string outputs?

Yes, it still works.  Pinout info is on the help page for the strings channel output page.  You can also mouse over the output number on the page and probably see the GPIO pin listed.

[CaptainMurdoch]

Surely V7 isn't that much of a resource hog, is it?

I just installed the latest FPP code on a couple original Pi 1 Model B systems and set them up as digital picture frames.  FPP runs fine but can't drive 50K channels and compile times are slow but it does run.  The BeagleBone is a single core system just like the original Pi although the beagle does run at a higher clock speed.