Falcon Player - Official v1.5 release is now available

The Falcon Player v1.5 is now officially available for download via github.
Thanks to all of those who helped us test by downloading the beta images.


The new v1.5 images are available for download on github at:
https://github.com/FalconChristmas/fpp/releases/tag/1.5


Direct downloads links for the three images:
FPP-v1.5-Pi.zip - Raspberry Pi image (compatible with all Pi models)
FPP-v1.5-BBB-SD.img.zip - BeagleBone image for running off microSD card
FPP-v1.5-BBB-eMMC.img.zip - BeagleBone image for running off eMMC


For support, please visit the Falcon Player support forum at
http://falconchristmas.com/forum/index.php/board,8.0.html and the
v1.5 release announcement thread at
http://falconchristmas.com/forum/index.php/topic,2880.0.html


Changes in v1.5 include:


* New install images
- Updated Raspbian base image w/ support for the Raspberry Pi v2 B.
- New SD/eMMC images for BeagleBone Black (BBB) and Green (BBG)
NOTE: BBB/BBG are only supported for sequence playback, we do not yet
support playing video or audio on the BeagleBone. Future FPP
versions will support audio and video on the Beaglebone.
E1.31 bridge mode is functional on the BeagleBone in FPP v1.5.


* Channel Output drivers
- New Channel Outputs
- BBB48String - Direct-attached WS281x/TM180x strings to the BeagleBone
- RF24 - Transmit 1 universe of data wirelessly to Komby receivers from Pi
- LEDscapeMatrix - Connect up to 64 LED panels to the BeagleBone.
- RGBMatrix - Connect up to 4 LED panels to the Pi
- VirtualMatrix - Virtual Matrix on Raspberry Pi's HDMI Video Output
- Open Lighting Architecture - output through OLA daemon
- USBRelay - Allows control of USB attached relay devices
- PixelNet Open output support for CH34x and other chipset USB dongles
- Conversion of most of Channel Output code to C++ including a common base
class to ensure that all Channel Outputs behave the same way for included
functionality.
- Converted Channel Outputs execute in their own thread where possible
to eliminate one output holding up another while the first waits
on hardware.
- Start channel offset is now adjustable for Falcon Pixelnet/DMX dongle.


* MultiSync
- New 'Sync Files' ability to distribute files from Master to Remotes
- Syncs music, sequences, and video files to configured Remotes.


* General
- New Backup/Restore screen to allow backing up and restoring
settings, playlists, schedules, etc..
- Command-line network setup utility to allow wireless-only setups.
- Added ability to set local NTP server
- Added ability to use SD card for media storage when running BeagleBone off eMMC.


* Plugins
- New Projector Control plugin added to plugin list.

Hi Chris,


Thanks for the announcement.


Is it recommended for any of us currently on the Stage branch to actually use a clean image?


Cheers
Phil

good question phil..
im on the beta of v1.5 myself
but knowing the falcon team im sure it will update once i put it online

You are better off using the new image, there were a few fixes to the images themselves. You could switch to the v1.5 release branch using the developer.php page but that wouldn't fix those minor issues in the image. One was related to virtual matrix GPU scaling on the Pi, another on the BBB was related to using microSD for storage when booting off eMMC. I don't think there was anything major. I was surprised how many downloads we had for the beta images. The numbers were cleared when I changed the release info on github but I think we were over 130 downloads for the beta images.

Thanks guys.

You're the man/guys.
With all the changes that are happening you must be really overworked

Please excuse my GitHub ignorance, but do I have to do anything except a restart to get my fpp to change from the beta version to v1.5?

I am doing a full reinstall following the instructions ie including formatting the sd cards etc.


i could not download from the ,link though - got an SSL error ..

gerry said:

I am doing a full reinstall following the instructions ie including formatting the sd cards etc.


i could not download from the ,link though - got an SSL error ..

Click to expand...

I downloaded it fine at 10PM, seemed slow though (probably Github issue). I'd just try it again. Maybe a different browser?

Personally I'd re-image the official 1.5, just so you have a clean slate.

Captain made a post over at falconchristmas about moving from the BETA to Official release and associated caveats as in what fixes you miss out on.
http://falconchristmas.com/forum/index.php/topic,2883.msg31704.html#msg31704

I was holding out for this news, however couldn't wait to try out my Pi so downloaded the Beta image a week ago, and now they release the official new version sad but extremely happy.


Formatted my SD card and flash drive, downloaded new image, copied to SD and installed without an issue.
Setup my wifi and connected to if from my laptop on wifi working great, now to learn how to really use it.


Awesome work Falcon Christmas team, really makes things easy to have great tools and support.

Does this new version support video playback through HDMI?

Just checking as I have video running to a projector.

Jimbo said:

Does this new version support video playback through HDMI?

Just checking as I have video running to a projector.

Click to expand...

Yes, it's how i played my video's last year


Cheers