Category: Uncategorized

Improving Wifi on Raspberry Pi running FPP.

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https://youtu.be/JOIMpAw_klc

In this weeks video we take a look at how the Raspberry Pi could be seen as having slightly limiting Wifi performance – especially when used in an enclosure with power supplies, controller etc.
We add an external USB wifi adapter, with a removable antenna which can then be mounted outside the case for optimal performance.
Finally, I demonstrate how to disable the internal (onboard) wifi in software so that it cannot inadvertantly come back into use.

Notes:

Look for a USB Ethernet adapter (preferably with removable antenna) based on the RTL8812BU Chipset.

Pi-Config change:
edit /boot/firmware/config.txt
and append:
dtoverlay=disable-wifi

Save & reboot.

Normalising your Audio Levels for FPP and xSchedule.

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In this weeks video we take a look at how music from different sources can end up at different volume levels and what we need to do to fix it – so that we have a nice quality audio level across the whole show.
We demonstrate the use of MP3Gain within FPP v9.2 and for more advanced users, or those running xSchedule we look at using Audacity to normalise the files before uploading.

Audacity is a freeware music editing tool and is available from: https://www.audacityteam.org/download/

FPP 9.2 Proxy Update !

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This week we revisit the setup of proxies within FPP v9.2

There have been a few updates in the way things are done since our last visit & it has led to confusion for both newbies & elders alike.

So we start from scratch & run through the setup on a Pi4, culminating in a demo of accessing a Baldrick DMX & lighting up a DMX flood via the proxy.

Which Ethernet Cable is best!

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In todays video we take a look at the different Ethernet categories, explain what they are and then go on to look at the wiring formats and make our own cable & test that it works.

Baldrick Input 8 – Introduction & Demo

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If you really want to put smiles on faces then audience participation is the way to go! The Baldrick Input 8 is an easy to use method to add buttons to either a standalone self prop or to drive FPP for full show control !

Repairing Pixel Strings

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What happens when a pixel in a string goes wrong ?

In this video we demonstrate the replacement of failed pixels on a string used on my house.
We show a connectiivty oddity, prove a failed pixel and why we would often cut that pixel & the one prior to it & then we spilce a couple of new pixels in using some solder seals to complete the task.

Tools of the Trade: The Multimeter

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In this first video in a new mini-series, we look at some of the tools a Newbie to the hobby will find useful.
The humble multimeter is a vital addition to the toolbox and can help in a multitude of ways as we find out.

xLights Advanced Moving Heads

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This week we take a look at the Moving Heads Advanced models & effect in xlights.
We run through adding a new Baldrick DMX controller, adding two different moving heads & the differences in their setup and then we get them running together in a short sequence to finish.

Setting up a DMX Moving Head via a Falcon F16v4 and using xLights 2025_08

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMcP5kKN1MU

This week we’re looking at how to configure a DMX moving head fixture in xLights & drive it via the DMX port on a Falcon F16 v4. We run through the wiring, configure the model – push the configuration to the F16 and finish up with some basic tests to confirm the fixture does what we are expecting. We also introduce our new website: https://gregmacaree.com which gives an overview of the channel, a handy video archive and there will be new content there soon! Finally, we also introduce our new Patreon offering, for a small subscription you can support the channel and get some exclusive perks too!

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