Falcon Player 2.x Setup EP1 - Installation (2018)

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the installation of Falcon Player 2.x, focusing on imaging an SD card and performing initial configurations for Raspberry Pi and BeagleBone Black (BBB). This setup is vital for anyone looking to control lighting displays, making it a great starting point for beginners.

Step 1: Preparing the SD Card

1. Download Falcon Player Software

   • Visit the Falcon Player download link: Falcon Player Download.
   • Choose the appropriate version for your device (Raspberry Pi or BeagleBone Black).

2. Obtain Imaging Software

   • Download and install an imaging tool like Balena Etcher or Win32 Disk Imager.

3. Insert the SD Card

   • Use an SD card reader to connect your SD card to your computer.

4. Flash the SD Card

   • Open the imaging software.
   • Select the downloaded Falcon Player image.
   • Choose the SD card drive and start the imaging process.
   • Wait for the process to complete, then safely eject the SD card.

Step 2: Initial Configuration of Falcon Player

1. Insert the SD Card into the Device

   • Place the newly imaged SD card into your Raspberry Pi or BeagleBone Black.

2. Power Up the Device

   • Connect your device to power and wait for it to boot up.

3. Connect to Your Network

   • Use an Ethernet cable for a wired connection (recommended) or connect to Wi-Fi.
   • If using Wi-Fi, access the Falcon Player interface and enter your network credentials.

4. Accessing the Falcon Player Interface

   • Open a web browser on your computer.
   • Enter the IP address of your device (check your router’s connected devices list if unsure).
   • You should see the Falcon Player web interface.

Step 3: Configuring Falcon Player Settings

1. Set the Time Zone

   • Navigate to the settings menu.
   • Select your correct time zone to ensure accurate scheduling.

2. Configure Output Settings

   • Depending on your setup, configure the output settings for your lighting hardware.
   • Refer to the Falcon Player documentation for specifics related to your controller.

3. Save Your Configuration

   • After making changes, ensure you save the configuration settings.

Conclusion

You have successfully installed and configured Falcon Player 2.x on your Raspberry Pi or BeagleBone Black. Next steps may include setting up your lighting sequences, integrating with xLights for sequencing, or exploring additional features of Falcon Player. Stay tuned for further tutorials where we will dive deeper into advanced configurations and usage tips.