Explain this FPP to me in simple words

[bwinter]

Would this b ezr if i get a pi3 that has wifi in it already?

Not really.  Pi2 w WiFi adapter or Pi3 with built-in WiFi; both will still have to be configured as described above.

[George34]

Ok... I can't get this stupid thing to work.  Let me ask this?  Does the pi have to be wireless?  I mean can i dwnload all my sequences on my memory stick and just run it off the pi like that?  I can hook the pi up with my modem using the cat5 cable and get send my sequences like that.  Would it work?

[bwinter]

No, the PI doesn't have to be wireless.

[George34]

Ok...  I got 30days to get this going.
Now do i need that puddy program for anything on doing this?

[bwinter]

Huh?

[George34]

The PuTTY configuration i think is what he said on the Vid

[aknflyer]

No, the PI doesn't have to be wireless.

The pi would have to be wireless if he is using the ethernet port connected to the F16.
That is only true unless he used a Ethernet switch to tie them together. Seems like it would be simpler to explain to a newbie if he had a pi3. This is my exact setup for my tree. I could send my saved config. But you would have to get the wireless working first with a usb wireless dongle if you keep the current pi.
If it is a F16V3, there is supposed to be updated firmware coming out that would eliminate the pi and make the F16 the wireless remote. I am hoping for that so I can eliminate my pi for the tree.

[babybear]

Lets setup a basic setup.   that's with out wifi. But first why wifi. when the show is running there is a lot of traffic running down the Ethernet cables. when tied into you home system it bogs down the internet commutations to the point it is useless.  So the easiest way to get around this is a switch. Not a modem.  so out of your modem mount a switch from the switch you have your Pi and your F16v2/3. Now just normal IP addresses. At this point everything will talk to each other. Once that is working either set up the FPP with times to run the show or manually start the show. Now you can unplug your modem from the switch.  Once my show starts Thanksgiving day I don't touch it again until after the new year. After 10:30 at night it runs with a dim twinkle  and the matrix displays the show times. In the morning once the sun comes up the twinkle goes to a 100% until 4:30 then show time.
 Link for the switch I use, amazon 20.00
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00002EQCW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[bwinter]

He already suggested that he’s wanting to connect his Pi to his modem (which is interpreted as a router).

[jnealand]

If it is a F16V3, there is supposed to be updated firmware coming out that would eliminate the pi and make the F16 the wireless remote. I am hoping for that so I can eliminate my pi for the tree.

The updated firmware when it comes will allow the Pi to be a player but you have to remove the uSD and take it to a computer to get the files on it.  There will be no wireless updating.

[aknflyer]

If it is a F16V3, there is supposed to be updated firmware coming out that would eliminate the pi and make the F16 the wireless remote. I am hoping for that so I can eliminate my pi for the tree.

The updated firmware when it comes will allow the Pi to be a player but you have to remove the uSD and take it to a computer to get the files on it.  There will be no wireless updating.

I understand that. Not a problem, everything is tested and wont change for this year. It is just hard waiting for the release. I do have a backup pi running it now.

[George34]

Well...thanks for all that info.   I started to set up my elements today praying i get this resovled b4 dec1.   
Now to respond to what you all said..my show dosent have to be wireless.  I just thought it had to be if i wanted the PI running my show.   I can get a switch and go that route if it will work.   Right now i can use the pi interface when its connected to my modem thru cat5.   I just ordered a small clock for the pi and was going to try to set times for it to run.  Download all my stuff to the pi using the interface.  Set up a time /schedule and run it Like that.   Not sure if that was going to work but I'm desperate.   
I'll order the switch and get it to run it that way. 

[George34]

Worse case... I can have my computer run the show using the schedular right?

[Boof63]

yes, computer> cat 5 > switch> cat 5 to controllers> to lights.
This is how i run my show, have had similiar problems with Pi and wireless.
 So using Xl-schedular , you can run the show - easy peasy!!!
Cheers Boof63

[wftxlites]

I like to ask why you are not using the FPP scheduler to run your show? Why do you need a clock for the PI? I also noticed you mention Putty. This is confusing to me as I use the FPP Webpage front end on the PI. Since I don't have a F16V3 then maybe I am missing something.

Here is your Simple!
Load the FPP OS on the PI SD Card using your PC, Plug it into the PI, plug in a usb stick to your PI, plug in the network cable from your router, power it on, open a webpage http://fpp, load your xlight sequences from your PC on it to the flash drive plugged in the PI using the web frontend, plug your F16V3 int the network, setup your channels on the PI, setup a schedule on the FPP. Test your channel config, sequences. You can also upload your sequences using xlights. This will take you to http://fpp or http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx (ip address of the PI). Finally, make sure to use static IP addresses on your show equipment not dhcp from the router.