ErnieHorning: Created Falcon Player (FPP) page describing its role as a dedicated show player, supported hardware and protocols, integration with xLights, scheduling capabilities, and common Christmas lighting applications.

2026-07-25T16:58:03Z

Created Falcon Player (FPP) page describing its role as a dedicated show player, supported hardware and protocols, integration with xLights, scheduling capabilities, and common Christmas lighting applications.

New page

= Falcon Player (FPP) =

'''Falcon Player (FPP)''' is free, open-source software that plays animated lighting sequences without requiring a dedicated computer during a show.

FPP runs on small single-board computers, such as the Raspberry Pi, as well as specialized hardware designed for Christmas lighting. It reads exported sequence files and transmits lighting data to controllers using industry-standard protocols.

FPP is widely used in both residential and commercial animated lighting displays.

== Features ==

Falcon Player provides tools for:

* Playing scheduled lighting shows
* Synchronizing music and lighting
* Scheduling playlists
* Remote management through a web browser
* Multi-player synchronization
* Controller testing

Because the show is stored locally, a full-time sequencing computer is not required during playback.

== Hardware ==

FPP commonly runs on:

* Raspberry Pi computers
* BeagleBone Black
* PocketBeagle
* Supported commercial lighting controllers with built-in FPP capability

The hardware used depends on the size and complexity of the display.

== Sequence Playback ==

Lighting sequences are typically created in [[xLights]] and exported to Falcon Player.

During playback, FPP reads the sequence files and transmits lighting data to controllers using supported communication protocols.

== Supported Protocols ==

Falcon Player supports numerous lighting protocols, including:

* [[DDP]]
* [[E1.31]]
* [[DMX]]
* [[Renard]]

Support varies depending on the hardware platform and configuration.

== Advantages ==

* Free and open source
* Eliminates the need for a dedicated show computer
* Reliable scheduled playback
* Supports multiple synchronized players
* Web-based configuration
* Widely supported by the Christmas lighting community

== Typical Christmas Lighting Applications ==

Falcon Player is commonly used to:

* Schedule nightly lighting shows
* Play synchronized music and lighting
* Coordinate multiple controllers
* Synchronize multiple Raspberry Pi players across large displays
* Operate displays without a permanently connected computer

== xLights and Falcon Player ==

Although often used together, xLights and Falcon Player serve different purposes.

{| class="wikitable"
! xLights
! Falcon Player
|-
| Creates sequences
| Plays sequences
|-
| Builds display models
| Schedules shows
|-
| Designs lighting effects
| Outputs controller data
|-
| Runs on a computer
| Typically runs on dedicated show hardware
|}

== Related Articles ==

* [[xLights]]
* [[DDP]]
* [[E1.31]]
* [[DMX]]
* [[Renard]]
* [[Pixel Controllers]]

Falcon Player (FPP) - Revision history

ErnieHorning: Created Falcon Player (FPP) page describing its role as a dedicated show player, supported hardware and protocols, integration with xLights, scheduling capabilities, and common Christmas lighting applications.