Virtual Matrix with FPP and Xlights Set Up

If you have an old TV or a projector laying around not doing anything, and you also have a Raspberry Pi, you can create a Virtual Matrix in a few minutes to add into your sequences.
Raspberry Pi's have an HDMI output and can run a television or projector that have an HDMI input on them. They make great tune-to signs or message boards that can either synchronize with your show or run completely stand-alone.

[@xTremeSequences]

This is one of the best tutorials I have seen on this process. Nicely done.

[@fppshorts]

Thank you for the kind words. Greatly appreciated.

[@edtdk]

I never expected it to be this simple. My lightshow this year just got an upgrade. Thanks for taking the time, much appreciated.

[@fppshorts]

Happy to help make it simple!

[@richardcdldriver]

very cool.

[@daytonlights-peterwine468]

Thanks for this. I have been using a virtual matrix for over a year, and recently the card in the rPi bit the dust. I thought I'd set it up as before, but it didn't work. (doing it the hard way.)
After watching your video, it was so simple, it was a little embarrassing. :)
As a bonus, using your numbers, I think I improved the resolution a bit as well.

[@fppshorts]

Xlights and FPP have made it a bit easier in the past couple years. Glad this video was able to help and make things easier for you!

[@jimbills7126]

Thanks Charlie! I was wondering how you did it…

[@randybaron5190]

Thanks for the video Charlie. I thought of using a 75 inch tv as a P5 matrix. I'm using a dedicated laptop for my show and have not used FPP and Raspberry Pi. Can I use my laptop to to control the TV or do I need a separate PI for the TV alone? What is the minimum GB of the Pi that you recommend. Thank you Charlie.

[@lightsonOrchard]

did you ever get an answer to this or figure it out? I run my show on a laptop as well and have never used fpp or a pi. Thanks

[@richmcbride3921]

nice video same ? as below you can run on the same pi your show is running on right ? and can you sequence video in xlights to alsorun to that old tv as well also what is the cheapest or easiest pi to get if i want a seperate pi from my show

[@ducebigalow8834]

Thanks for this video I think that I will try this in my show this year. I have a Pi-3 running FPP and my show already can I use this or do I have to get another PI? I assume you can also use this monitor not only for the Tune To Sign but also run videos in the show correct? Thanks again

[@fppshorts]

Sorry it took so long to respond, but yes, you can use it for almost any video file. Just upload an MP4 or other video file to the pi.

[@ducebigalow8834]

@@fppshorts no worries. I assume you have to flash the memory card on the pi zero for the latest version of FPP? Do you have a link to a pi zero I see there are different ones out there. My original pi (that plays the show) is in the basement, then I have an ethernet cable that comes up and connects to the falcon outside. Would I have to run another cable up to this new VM from the basement? Is there another way to connect this new pi to the VM without cables? Sorry for the questions.

[@dannygasca6898]

Awesome video!
I have a raspberry pi running my show. Can I use the same one or do I need to get another one to do the matrix?

[@fppshorts]

You can use the same PI that is your master to output to a virtual matrix. Personally I have never done it, but the only issue I could foresee would be a little more heat generated by the PI.

[@dannygasca6898]

@@fppshorts Awesome! Thanks for the info 👍🤜

[@jeffm739]

How big is the monitor you are using for your "Tune to" sign? I am looking to make one with a Pi Zero 2 W but need to find an old TV or monitor.

[@albertoterzo2993]

Hi, for fullHD resolution, should I set 1920 string and 1080 node ? Thanks

[@fppshorts]

Your render times will suffer, but other than that, give it a go.

[@6-Iron]

If I set up a projector as VM will I still have the ability to play videos with it? I just want to make sure that this doesn’t override that functionality.

[@fppshorts]

I guess I have never tried that. You should be able to play a mp4 or sequence through the HDMI. Now, if you have a sequence that is telling a virtual matrix to be black but also try to play a video at the same time, I am not too sure what would happen. I can try it, but may take me a couple weeks. If you try it, make sure to let me know what you figure out.

[@uphillbattle5827]

I run my show using xschedule (no FPP) so just all ethernet to my controllers. Will this work in that scenario? Thanks.

[@fppshorts]

Yes it should work just fine.

[@homersarcade5950]

I setup my virtual matrix following your video. But today i added another controller to my layout. Now my virtual matrix is split in the middle. How would I fix that?

[@fppshorts]

Sorry it took so long to reply. Just getting back into the swing of things after a busy summer.
More than likely you need to re-upload your outputs from XLights. The channels may have changed if you have changed things around in Xlights. Re-render the sequence, save it, then use FPP connect to re-upload everything.

[@homersarcade5950]

@@fppshorts I figured out my problem. My start channels got mixed up.

[@johnparkinson8155]

The output of my projector ends up having the first 1/3 of the display on th right end of the display, is there a way to fix this?

[@thesavvyninja885]

I have the same issue

[@fppshorts]

It is more than likely a channel issue. You will want to make sure you have the proper channels in FPP and Xlights. I have ran into this before as well and just re-uploading the outputs and sequence usually fixes it.

[@mdk4218]

I have no idea what you just did.

[@fppshorts]

I don't know how to take this. LOL