After last weeks video on setting up a new controller in xLights, a few folks asked how you go about adding multiple controllers in xLights. All covered this week.
Greg Macaree
Beginners Cource ’26 #03 – Setup a Controller in xLights
This week we take the layout we setup in Week 2 & start allocating strings to controller ports, push the config to the controller and test !
Thanks to Build a Light Show ( https://buildalightshow.com ) for sending me the Baldrick 8 Controller and Build Kit used in this video.
Beginners Course ’26 #2 – xLights Intro
In our first look at xLights for ’26, we install the software (and QMVamp Plugins) then take a quick look at the three main tabs, Controller, Layout & Sequencer.
We then import an image of a house to help design our layout and finish up by starting to add some props.
xLights download from: https://xlights.org/
QM Vamp Plugins from: https://www.vamp-plugins.org/download.html
Background image from https://gregmacaree.com/assets/
Setup a new SD Card for FPP with Raspberry Pi Imager v2 and FPP v9.5.1
In this video we run through how to setup a Micro-SD card with FPP v9.5 for Raspberry Pi & Beaglebone Black.
Although this topic has been covered before, the Raspberry Pi Foundation recently updated their imager software & the differences have tripped a few folks up.
Raspberry Pi Imager can be downloaded from: https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/
Beginners Course ’26 – #1 What do I need ?
Welcome to my first video of 2026.
This starts the new ’26 Training Course to help you get up & running in pixel lighting ready for the 2026 autumn season (Halloween and Christmas). Over the next 20ish weeks we’ll take you from Zero to Hero so you’re proficient and ready to take on your own show.
xLights software is available from https://xlights.org
Our Raffall Competition to win a Baldrick B17 Controller runs until the end of Feb ’26. Find our more at https://raffall.com/408576/enter-raffle-to-win-baldrick-b17-pixel-controller-hosted-by-gregmacaree
It’s a Wrap! – the end of the year – Well done everyone!
A quick wrap-up show for the end of the year…
I’ll be back on the 18th Jan with a new starter series to get the newbies up & running.
Have a great Christmas & New Year with family & friends and don’t forget to like, share subscribe – and tick that notifications bell so you know when we get going again!.
Merry Christmas!
Greg
Native 12v volt pixels for bigger props ?
If you’ve bought a new HD prop and are struggling with power distribution around the prop, then 4-Wire GS8208 Pixels might be the answer.
We look at the current utilisation between legacy WS2811 Resistor pixels vs the 4-wire versions and then setup a 500 node string using power balancing to complete the setup.
Thanks to Build a Light Show ( https://buildalightshow.com ) for sending me the pixels used in this video.
DNS – Domain Name System & xLights
Hey everyone, and welcome! Ever wonder how you type in https://www.google.com/and your computer instantly knows where to find Google’s massive server? It’s not magic, it’s the DNS—the Domain Name System! Think of it as the internet’s phonebook. In this video we discuss how it works and how in might be useful in your show setup.
DHCP Reservations > Static IPs (Here’s Why)
If you’ve ever set a static IP on a device and later wondered why your network suddenly stopped working… this video is for you.
Today I’ll show you why using a DHCP reservation is almost always smarter than manually setting a static IP address.
What You’ll Learn:
The difference between static IPs and DHCP reservations.
Why static IPs can cause conflicts and connection issues
How DHCP reservations keep your network organized
Why troubleshooting is way easier with reservations
Re-Commissioning – Preparing your Controllers for the new Season.
In this weeks video we take a look at re-commissioning (preparing) your controllers for the new season. We run through what to check to ensure the controllers are safe, working and ready to go – before they go outside & get hooked up to their props.