You’ve set out your layout, put a good number of pixels on your verts & horizontals – then you import a vendor prop and the scale all looks wrong… what gives ? – In this weeks video we demonstrate how to tell xLights the real size of your background image so you can setup your props correctly from the start!
Category: Beginners-26
Terminating Pixel Strings – ’26 Newbies Course #7
In this short video we look at different options for terminating (finishing) strings when you have excess pixels. We run through the options & then demonstrate a method of cutting pixels from the end of a string and sealing it with heat shrink.
Repairing Pixels – ’26 Newbies Course #6
At some point you’re going to have a pixel fail. Never at a convenient moment, or location – you need to be ready & practiced to fix such an eventuality, In this weeks video we explain which pixels to change, why and then run through cutting out the old ones and fixing the break with solder seals for a complete and permanent fix.
xLights models, sub-models & groups! ‘Newbies 26 #5
This week we continue with our layout – taking a look at xLights models, sub-models & groups – running through each & explaining why they should appear in a certain order. I also fix a problem with my string of fairy lights running the wrong direction!
Beginners Course ’26 #004 – Adding Multiple Controllers in xLights
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.
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