Falcon Player (FPP) plays .fseq sequence files. Pixel LED Animator 3 can export FSEQ directly, so you can design an animation in the editor and hand the result to an FPP show without rebuilding it in a sequencer.
The important part is not the export button. It is making the channel count, pixel order, and wiring layout agree between Pixel LED Animator, the FSEQ file, and whatever FPP drives. Get those three right and the sequence plays on the first try.
What an FSEQ File Contains
An FSEQ file is a flat stream of channel values, one block per frame. The header records the frame count, step time, channel count, and optional compression. Pixel LED Animator writes FSEQ v2 with optional block indexing and Zstd compression.
It does not store the physical shape of your matrix. A 64 x 32 serpentine panel and a 64 x 32 progressive panel can produce the same FSEQ file if the channel order is the same. Wiring is applied by the receiver: FPP’s LED Panels output, or the controller that receives the universes.
Match the Channel Count First
Count the channels before exporting:
width x height x 3 = total RGB channels
| Matrix | Pixels | Channels |
|---|---|---|
16 x 16 | 256 | 768 |
32 x 32 | 1,024 | 3,072 |
64 x 32 | 2,048 | 6,144 |
64 x 64 | 4,096 | 12,288 |
128 x 64 | 8,192 | 24,576 |
Set the FPP output to the same total. If FPP expects more channels than the file contains, the extra channels stay at zero. If it expects fewer, the end of the sequence is truncated.
Step 1: Design at the Final Matrix Size
Set the Pixel LED Animator canvas to the matrix resolution, not to a video resolution. A 64 x 32 matrix should be designed at 64 x 32.
Choose a frame rate that FPP can play reliably. 30 FPS is a safe default; 40 or 50 FPS is fine for smaller matrices but increases file size and network load. Keep the duration to what the show actually needs.
Remember that one FSEQ frame contains every pixel in the matrix. A long sequence at a high frame rate grows quickly:
channels x frames = bytes
At 64 x 32 and 30 FPS, ten seconds is about 1.8 MB before compression. A 128 x 64 matrix at the same settings is about 7.4 MB.
Step 2: Export FSEQ
- Open the export panel and select the FSEQ profile.
- Choose FSEQ compression:
- None for the widest compatibility with older FPP builds and tools.
- Zstd for smaller files when the target FPP build supports Zstd.
- Set the output filename and folder.
- Export and confirm the
.fseqfile exists and has a plausible size.
If the file is only a few kilobytes for a long animation, the export did not render the frames. Check the duration, canvas, and output path.
Step 3: Upload to Falcon Player
- Open the FPP web interface.
- Go to Content Setup → File Manager.
- Open the FSEQ tab.
- Upload the
.fseqfile. - Confirm the file appears with the expected size.
File Manager places sequences in the FPP media directory. If you copy files manually, use the sequences folder inside the FPP media directory, not the root of the USB stick.
Step 4: Configure the Output
FPP has to know how the channels map to physical outputs.
- Direct matrix output: use Input/Output Setup → Channel Outputs → LED Panels. Set the panel size, panel layout, and serpentine or progressive wiring to match the physical build.
- External controller: configure E1.31 or Art-Net output and set the start channel and universe count. The controller applies pixel order and wiring.
- Mixed rig: keep the first pixel on channel 1 and document the start channel of every output.
Pixel order matters. Pixel LED Animator writes RGB. If the strip or controller expects GRB, set that on the controller or in the FPP output configuration. Changing it in the FSEQ after export is not the right fix.
Step 5: Test, Then Play
Before playing the sequence, use Display Testing in FPP to fill the matrix and run a chase. This verifies power, data, and wiring without involving the sequence file.
Then:
- Go to Content Setup → Playlists.
- Create a playlist and add the FSEQ entry.
- Save the playlist.
- Start the playlist from the FPP status page or the playlist editor and watch the first ten seconds.
Check the first frame, the colors, and the orientation. If the image is rotated or mirrored, fix the panel layout or wiring pattern rather than re-exporting.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| FPP does not list the file | Confirm it is in the FSEQ area, has a .fseq extension, and is not still uploading |
| Sequence plays but nothing lights | Check the output configuration, start channel, and total channel count |
| Colors are swapped | Set RGB/GRB order on the controller or FPP output |
| Image is shifted by one pixel | Check the start channel and the first pixel index |
| Half the matrix is black | Channel count is too low, or the universe count is wrong |
| Playback is too fast or slow | Match the sequence FPS to the FPP timing and the export frame rate |
| Zstd file will not play | Re-export with compression set to None |
| File is too large | Lower FPS, shorten the sequence, or enable Zstd |
FAQ
Is FSEQ the same format xLights uses? Yes. FSEQ is the sequence format xLights exports and Falcon Player plays. Pixel LED Animator writes FSEQ v2 directly, so xLights is optional.
Do I need xLights to use FPP? No. You can export FSEQ from Pixel LED Animator, upload it, and play it. xLights is useful if you want to edit the sequence further or manage a larger show.
Does FSEQ include audio? No. The FSEQ file contains channel data. Audio is handled separately by FPP or the show controller.
Can FPP send the sequence to WLED? Yes. Configure FPP to output E1.31 to WLED, and set WLED as an E1.31 receiver. The FSEQ still contains the full channel stream.
Can I use a Raspberry Pi matrix instead of a controller? Yes. FPP’s LED Panels output drives a Raspberry Pi RGB matrix directly. Set the panel layout and wiring to match the physical build.
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