No RPIW281x on FPP 7.5?

[Steve]

Hi, I have a PiCap on a Pi3 which has been working great using V3 of FPP, however I have just upgrade the FPP to V7.5 and when configuring the outputs in other outputs I am unable to find the option for RPIW281x ?

I assume i'm missing something here, help very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance
 
 

[CaptainMurdoch]

On the FPP Channel Outputs page, you need to install the Virtual PiHat EEPROM and then you can use the PiCap the same as you previously used it.  Newer FPP versions require either Physical or Virtual EEPROMs for all pixel and matrix channel outputs.  The EEPROM files have configuration info in them to tell FPP what outputs exist and how to set them up.

If you use the "PiHat" cape config, the PiCap will work as it always has.  The optional newer DPIPixels config allows re-enabling the Pi's onboard audio, but this config option does require a license key.  If you are happy with the way the PiCap works now, just use the default 'PiHat' config.

[Steve]

Thanks CaptainMurdock

So options are 1. Install the PiHat or 2. use the new DPIPixels option but with a licence

Assuming I go with the first option, adding the PiHat will allow me to just use my Pi with the PiCap as I previously did when I was running FPP v3...... I assume i'll also be able to output the audio track on my xlights sequence and sync with a second Pi+PiCap running in remote?

If so how do i install the virtual PiHat EEPROM?

Really grateful for your help and advice 

[tbone321]

No, what he said was to use the PiHat config to continue to use your PiCap as you always did.  If you want to use the PI for sound output as well, you will either need to use a USB sound card or switch to DDP output which allows you to use the PI's internal sound output but to use DDP, you would need to license it.  

[MikeKrebs]

No, what he said was to use the PiHat config to continue to use your PiCap as you always did.  If you want to use the PI for sound output as well, you will either need to use a USB sound card or switch to DDP output which allows you to use the PI's internal sound output but to use DDP, you would need to license it. 

Not DDP but DPIPixels. 

Were you running a piHat before? Did you output pixel data or did you just use it as "master" (now called player) sending data to other devices?

[Steve]

I was previously running the PiCap with FPP v3 wo control a length of pixels using the RPIW281x output option but without sound. This years project is to add sound and sync to it so i thought it would be a good ideal to upgrade to FPP v7.5........ and thats when I ran into issues.

So because I want to output the audio and sync to it then it looks like i need to go with the licenced DPIPixels.......... where\how do i install it?

All the help and advice is really great, thanks all......... my project is very different to most on here, I will of course share with the group once I have this resolved. Thanks

[Poporacer]

So because I want to output the audio and sync to it then it looks like i need to go with the licenced DPIPixels

Not necessarily. You can add a Soundblaster and use that for your sound output.

where\how do i install it?

https://falconchristmas.github.io/FPP_Manual.pdf#page=150

my project is very different to most on here, I will of course share with the group once I have this resolved

Please do

[Steve]

Afternoon all, 

So I have been able to install DPIPixels and because I need to use the audio I've also purchased and installed the licence. 

I want to light all my pixels and in the previous version of FPP I was using (v3) once I set up the output using  RPIW281x, I could just turn on the testing function and they would all light. That's no longer the case and i'm only able to get the first 50 pixels (300 in total) to light no matter what settings I change.

I know the pixels are all good and it clearly something I need to change...... any advise?

Thanks to all that are slowly helping through the stages of upgrading to FPP7.5 and the new DPIPixels protocol 

[Poporacer]

no matter what settings I change.

Can you post a screenshot of your pixel output page? (a screenshot and not a picture of the screen please)

[Steve]

Screenshot Attached
You cannot view this attachment.

[tbone321]

If you look at your definitions, they are all set to 50 pixels and are all starting at the same channel.  If they are all on the same port, then you need to set the pixel count on that port to 300.  Make sure that when you are using the second port, that you set the start channel correctly.

[Poporacer]

they are all set to 50 pixels and are all starting at the same channel.

LOL, I was pretty sure that was the problem, that is why I asked for the screenshot!

[Steve]

Sure, I did have a play but it didn't make much difference so.... Its a PiCap which means I only have x2 channels anyway. If i want to pop a single string of 300 leds on the first of the PiCap outputs I just need to set the following on the first line.....

• Description - call it something
• Start Channel - Leave as 1
• Pixel Count - Set to 300 as i have x300 leds
• Group Count - Not sure what this is.....?
• Direction - Believe this is in relation to where the initial pixel is, so in this case its next to the input so thats forward
• Colour Order - Mine are actually GRB

Do I then need to change all the other lines to a different channel so they are not sat on channel 1?

I assume that when I click test and select a patten it will then light all x300 leds?

Thanks all

[Steve]

I've had a little more of a play and I can set the number of pixels and get them to light..... but only on port 3.
So when I change the pixel count and RGB to GRB it responds and lights the pixels as expected.
If i put the same information into 1 and obvs change port 3 so its not the same..... it fails to respond.

Below shows config where only channel 3 causes the pixels to actually light.

Pls note I only purchased a x2 channel licence and if i try to change the pixel number past x50 on port 3, as expected it will not let me.

You cannot view this attachment.

Thanks

[Poporacer]

Group Count - Not sure what this is.....?

Group count is used if you want several pixels to act as one. This should normally be set to 1

Do I then need to change all the other lines to a different channel so they are not sat on channel 1?

That is correct if you want Port 2 to be different than Port 1.

I assume that when I click test and select a patten it will then light all x300 leds?

That is correct, but there are several different ways to do a test. Which one you are using will make a difference in identifying the problem.

I've had a little more of a play and I can set the number of pixels and get them to light..... but only on port 3.

I am confused, most Pi-Caps only have 2 ports. What Pi-Cap are you using?

So when I change the pixel count and RGB to GRB it responds and lights the pixels as expected.

So it is working correctly then? It sounds like it isn't from your other comments, but you state it is working as expected, so I am confused.

If i put the same information into 1 and obvs change port 3 so its not the same..... it fails to respond.

If you put what "same information into 1"?

Your statements are very confusing as to what you are doing and what is happening.
Let's back up a bit and get a better description of what you have and what is going on.

What Pi Cap do you have?
How many pixels connected to port 1?
 How many pixels connected to port 2?
 How many pixels connected to port 3? 
Are you using xLights?
How are you testing? (show screenshot of this testing page)
With your controller configured as you have it in the screenshot you posted, on the same page there is a testing option, describe the pattern that you get when you select the Port # option