FPP Connect?

[Santacarl]

Hey All,

I noticed that the FPP has a new version out and as I was reading the thread over there I saw Dan make the following comment. 

"The next build of xLights will have a new "FPP Connect" dialog that will do this for xLights users."

As usual I'm lagging behind the technology curve....I've always just uploaded my fseq files from the UI in the FPP.....  From what I read it seems as though fseq files are going to a new version......

Can someone explain how all this works?  Is XL/NC now creating this new type fseq? Can they be uploaded the old way or is it required to use this new "FPP Connect" feature to upload to the FPP?

Thanks.....I sometimes feel like the kid on the bike who says....."I'm peddlin' as fast as I can".....   

[dkulp]

You can still upload the old way, that's fine.  You just won't be able to fully take advantage of the new file format, but it might not be necessary anyway.  You also will need to be careful about the FPP version on each FPP instance, but if you update them all to 2.6, that's not a concern.

By default now, (settable) xLights saves fseq files in the new format.  If you do a batch render of your show, you should see the size of your fseq files drop dramatically.   My show went from 11GB down to around 400MB.  Thus, if you upload those the "old way", you will be able to transfer them there MUCH faster than you used to be able to as they are a lot smaller. 

FPP Connect takes it even further and creates optimized fseq files specifically for that remote.   If that remote doesn't need the data for you P5 matrix, for example, it removes that data.  Thus, the files that are sent to each remote is MUCH MUCH smaller.   It also uploads them to ALL the remotes at once so you don't need to go back and do that.   

[Santacarl]

You can still upload the old way, that's fine.  You just won't be able to fully take advantage of the new file format, but it might not be necessary anyway.  You also will need to be careful about the FPP version on each FPP instance, but if you update them all to 2.6, that's not a concern.

By default now, (settable) xLights saves fseq files in the new format.  If you do a batch render of your show, you should see the size of your fseq files drop dramatically.   My show went from 11GB down to around 400MB.  Thus, if you upload those the "old way", you will be able to transfer them there MUCH faster than you used to be able to as they are a lot smaller. 

FPP Connect takes it even further and creates optimized fseq files specifically for that remote.   If that remote doesn't need the data for you P5 matrix, for example, it removes that data.  Thus, the files that are sent to each remote is MUCH MUCH smaller.   It also uploads them to ALL the remotes at once so you don't need to go back and do that.

Thanks Dan..... I understand most of that....LOL....

I do have a question though..... What is a "Batch render"?

[poporacer]

Batch Render is in the Tools where you can select all, or a portion of your sequences, and render them without having to open them all up one at a time. Nice tool if you make changes to your layout or network. Be warned, if your sequences are large or you have a lot of them, it will take a while, but they will all get done at once!

[Santacarl]

Batch Render is in the Tools where you can select all, or a portion of your sequences, and render them without having to open them all up one at a time. Nice tool if you make changes to your layout or network. Be warned, if your sequences are large or you have a lot of them, it will take a while, but they will all get done at once!

Thanks for the explanation "Pop"....

So, in order for file size to be reduced as Dan mentioned, do you have to use the batch render to achieve that or does that advantage (smaller file size) happen when you just save 1 sequence at a time?

[dkulp]

Whenever you save the file, providing you have the "FSEQ Version" set to V2  in the Settings menu.

[poporacer]

From my understanding, the compressed version of the FSEQ files is the default, and if you want to use the sparse version, then you can use FPP connect to upload those "customized by controller" FSEQ files.

[Santacarl]

Whenever you save the file, providing you have the "FSEQ Version" set to V2  in the Settings menu.

Ahhhh, didn't even know that option was there.  I can't keep up with you guys! 

Thanks for the 'education' Dan..... when you're not involved more in the latest/greatest tech issues sometimes thing slip right past you.......zip....zing!  As usual I'm a day late and dollar short but thanks to you guys I can get remedial training!