diff --git a/usermods/usermod_rotary_brightness_color/usermod_rotary_brightness_color.h b/usermods/usermod_rotary_brightness_color/usermod_rotary_brightness_color.h
index 85a9a1605..c3e1ce17b 100644
--- a/usermods/usermod_rotary_brightness_color/usermod_rotary_brightness_color.h
+++ b/usermods/usermod_rotary_brightness_color/usermod_rotary_brightness_color.h
@@ -95,9 +95,9 @@ public:
           }
           else
           {
-            fastled_col.red = col[0];
-            fastled_col.green = col[1];
-            fastled_col.blue = col[2];
+            fastled_col.red = colPri[0];
+            fastled_col.green = colPri[1];
+            fastled_col.blue = colPri[2];
             prim_hsv = rgb2hsv_approximate(fastled_col);
             new_val = (int16_t)prim_hsv.h + fadeAmount;
             if (new_val > 255)
@@ -106,9 +106,9 @@ public:
               new_val += 255; // roll-over if smaller than 0
             prim_hsv.h = (byte)new_val;
             hsv2rgb_rainbow(prim_hsv, fastled_col);
-            col[0] = fastled_col.red;
-            col[1] = fastled_col.green;
-            col[2] = fastled_col.blue;
+            colPri[0] = fastled_col.red;
+            colPri[1] = fastled_col.green;
+            colPri[2] = fastled_col.blue;
           }
         }
         else if (Enc_B == LOW)
@@ -120,9 +120,9 @@ public:
           }
           else
           {
-            fastled_col.red = col[0];
-            fastled_col.green = col[1];
-            fastled_col.blue = col[2];
+            fastled_col.red = colPri[0];
+            fastled_col.green = colPri[1];
+            fastled_col.blue = colPri[2];
             prim_hsv = rgb2hsv_approximate(fastled_col);
             new_val = (int16_t)prim_hsv.h - fadeAmount;
             if (new_val > 255)
@@ -131,9 +131,9 @@ public:
               new_val += 255; // roll-over if smaller than 0
             prim_hsv.h = (byte)new_val;
             hsv2rgb_rainbow(prim_hsv, fastled_col);
-            col[0] = fastled_col.red;
-            col[1] = fastled_col.green;
-            col[2] = fastled_col.blue;
+            colPri[0] = fastled_col.red;
+            colPri[1] = fastled_col.green;
+            colPri[2] = fastled_col.blue;
           }
         }
         //call for notifier -> 0: init 1: direct change 2: button 3: notification 4: nightlight 5: other (No notification)
diff --git a/usermods/usermod_v2_rotary_encoder_ui_ALT/usermod_v2_rotary_encoder_ui_ALT.h b/usermods/usermod_v2_rotary_encoder_ui_ALT/usermod_v2_rotary_encoder_ui_ALT.h
index 383c1193e..9533fa21b 100644
--- a/usermods/usermod_v2_rotary_encoder_ui_ALT/usermod_v2_rotary_encoder_ui_ALT.h
+++ b/usermods/usermod_v2_rotary_encoder_ui_ALT/usermod_v2_rotary_encoder_ui_ALT.h
@@ -518,7 +518,7 @@ void RotaryEncoderUIUsermod::setup()
 
   loopTime = millis();
 
-  currentCCT = (approximateKelvinFromRGB(RGBW32(col[0], col[1], col[2], col[3])) - 1900) >> 5;
+  currentCCT = (approximateKelvinFromRGB(RGBW32(colPri[0], colPri[1], colPri[2], colPri[3])) - 1900) >> 5;
 
   if (!initDone) sortModesAndPalettes();
 
@@ -920,17 +920,17 @@ void RotaryEncoderUIUsermod::changeHue(bool increase){
   display->updateRedrawTime();
 #endif
   currentHue1 = max(min((increase ? currentHue1+fadeAmount : currentHue1-fadeAmount), 255), 0);
-  colorHStoRGB(currentHue1*256, currentSat1, col);
+  colorHStoRGB(currentHue1*256, currentSat1, colPri);
   stateChanged = true; 
   if (applyToAll) {
     for (unsigned i=0; i<strip.getSegmentsNum(); i++) {
       Segment& seg = strip.getSegment(i);
       if (!seg.isActive()) continue;
-      seg.colors[0] = RGBW32(col[0], col[1], col[2], col[3]);
+      seg.colors[0] = RGBW32(colPri[0], colPri[1], colPri[2], colPri[3]);
     }
   } else {
     Segment& seg = strip.getSegment(strip.getMainSegmentId());
-    seg.colors[0] = RGBW32(col[0], col[1], col[2], col[3]);
+    seg.colors[0] = RGBW32(colPri[0], colPri[1], colPri[2], colPri[3]);
   }
   lampUdated();
 #ifdef USERMOD_FOUR_LINE_DISPLAY
@@ -950,16 +950,16 @@ void RotaryEncoderUIUsermod::changeSat(bool increase){
   display->updateRedrawTime();
 #endif
   currentSat1 = max(min((increase ? currentSat1+fadeAmount : currentSat1-fadeAmount), 255), 0);
-  colorHStoRGB(currentHue1*256, currentSat1, col);
+  colorHStoRGB(currentHue1*256, currentSat1, colPri);
   if (applyToAll) {
     for (unsigned i=0; i<strip.getSegmentsNum(); i++) {
       Segment& seg = strip.getSegment(i);
       if (!seg.isActive()) continue;
-      seg.colors[0] = RGBW32(col[0], col[1], col[2], col[3]);
+      seg.colors[0] = RGBW32(colPri[0], colPri[1], colPri[2], colPri[3]);
     }
   } else {
     Segment& seg = strip.getSegment(strip.getMainSegmentId());
-    seg.colors[0] = RGBW32(col[0], col[1], col[2], col[3]);
+    seg.colors[0] = RGBW32(colPri[0], colPri[1], colPri[2], colPri[3]);
   }
   lampUdated();
 #ifdef USERMOD_FOUR_LINE_DISPLAY
diff --git a/wled00/FX.h b/wled00/FX.h
index 3544e1fa7..1f8a315a6 100644
--- a/wled00/FX.h
+++ b/wled00/FX.h
@@ -676,8 +676,10 @@ typedef struct Segment {
     [[gnu::hot]] uint32_t getPixelColor(int i) const;
     // 1D support functions (some implement 2D as well)
     void blur(uint8_t, bool smear = false);
+    void clear();
     void fill(uint32_t c);
     void fade_out(uint8_t r);
+    void fadeToSecondaryBy(uint8_t fadeBy);
     void fadeToBlackBy(uint8_t fadeBy);
     inline void blendPixelColor(int n, uint32_t color, uint8_t blend)    { setPixelColor(n, color_blend(getPixelColor(n), color, blend)); }
     inline void blendPixelColor(int n, CRGB c, uint8_t blend)            { blendPixelColor(n, RGBW32(c.r,c.g,c.b,0), blend); }
diff --git a/wled00/FX_2Dfcn.cpp b/wled00/FX_2Dfcn.cpp
index 893123335..61d14a12b 100644
--- a/wled00/FX_2Dfcn.cpp
+++ b/wled00/FX_2Dfcn.cpp
@@ -684,9 +684,7 @@ void Segment::drawCharacter(unsigned char chr, int16_t x, int16_t y, uint8_t w,
       case 60: bits = pgm_read_byte_near(&console_font_5x12[(chr * h) + i]); break; // 5x12 font
       default: return;
     }
-    uint32_t c = ColorFromPaletteWLED(grad, (i+1)*255/h, 255, NOBLEND);
-    // pre-scale color for all pixels
-    c = color_fade(c, _segBri);
+    CRGBW c = ColorFromPalette(grad, (i+1)*255/h, _segBri, LINEARBLEND_NOWRAP);
     _colorScaled = true;
     for (int j = 0; j<w; j++) { // character width
       int x0, y0;
@@ -699,7 +697,7 @@ void Segment::drawCharacter(unsigned char chr, int16_t x, int16_t y, uint8_t w,
       }
       if (x0 < 0 || x0 >= (int)vWidth() || y0 < 0 || y0 >= (int)vHeight()) continue; // drawing off-screen
       if (((bits>>(j+(8-w))) & 0x01)) { // bit set
-        setPixelColorXY(x0, y0, c);
+        setPixelColorXY(x0, y0, c.color32);
       }
     }
     _colorScaled = false;
diff --git a/wled00/FX_fcn.cpp b/wled00/FX_fcn.cpp
index 65cb2640e..9acc36e7c 100644
--- a/wled00/FX_fcn.cpp
+++ b/wled00/FX_fcn.cpp
@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@ void Segment::startTransition(uint16_t dur) {
   _t->_briT           = on ? opacity : 0;
   _t->_cctT           = cct;
 #ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MODE_BLEND
-  swapSegenv(_t->_segT);
+  swapSegenv(_t->_segT); // copy runtime data to temporary
   _t->_modeT          = mode;
   _t->_segT._dataLenT = 0;
   _t->_segT._dataT    = nullptr;
@@ -282,6 +282,13 @@ void Segment::startTransition(uint16_t dur) {
       _t->_segT._dataLenT = _dataLen;
     }
   }
+  DEBUG_PRINTF_P(PSTR("-- pal: %d, bri: %d, C:[%08X,%08X,%08X], m: %d\n"),
+    (int)_t->_palTid,
+    (int)_t->_briT,
+    _t->_segT._colorT[0],
+    _t->_segT._colorT[1],
+    _t->_segT._colorT[2],
+    (int)_t->_modeT);
 #else
   for (size_t i=0; i<NUM_COLORS; i++) _t->_colorT[i] = colors[i];
 #endif
@@ -502,21 +509,17 @@ void Segment::setGeometry(uint16_t i1, uint16_t i2, uint8_t grp, uint8_t spc, ui
   #ifndef WLED_DISABLE_2D
   if (Segment::maxHeight>1) boundsUnchanged &= (startY == i1Y && stopY == i2Y); // 2D
   #endif
+
+  if (stop && (spc > 0 || m12 != map1D2D)) clear();
+/*
   if (boundsUnchanged
       && (!grp || (grouping == grp && spacing == spc))
       && (ofs == UINT16_MAX || ofs == offset)
       && (m12 == map1D2D)
      ) return;
-
+*/
   stateChanged = true; // send UDP/WS broadcast
 
-  if (stop || spc != spacing || m12 != map1D2D) {
-    _vWidth  = virtualWidth();
-    _vHeight = virtualHeight();
-    _vLength = virtualLength();
-    _segBri  = currentBri();
-    fill(BLACK); // turn old segment range off or clears pixels if changing spacing (requires _vWidth/_vHeight/_vLength/_segBri)
-  }
   if (grp) { // prevent assignment of 0
     grouping = grp;
     spacing = spc;
@@ -527,10 +530,7 @@ void Segment::setGeometry(uint16_t i1, uint16_t i2, uint8_t grp, uint8_t spc, ui
   if (ofs < UINT16_MAX) offset = ofs;
   map1D2D  = constrain(m12, 0, 7);
 
-  DEBUG_PRINT(F("setUp segment: ")); DEBUG_PRINT(i1);
-  DEBUG_PRINT(','); DEBUG_PRINT(i2);
-  DEBUG_PRINT(F(" -> ")); DEBUG_PRINT(i1Y);
-  DEBUG_PRINT(','); DEBUG_PRINTLN(i2Y);
+  DEBUG_PRINTF_P(PSTR("Segment geometry: %d,%d -> %d,%d\n"), (int)i1, (int)i2, (int)i1Y, (int)i2Y);
   markForReset();
   if (boundsUnchanged) return;
 
@@ -1156,6 +1156,26 @@ void Segment::refreshLightCapabilities() {
   _capabilities = capabilities;
 }
 
+/*
+ * Fills segment with black
+ */
+void Segment::clear() {
+  if (!isActive()) return; // not active
+    unsigned oldVW = _vWidth;
+    unsigned oldVH = _vHeight;
+    unsigned oldVL = _vLength;
+    unsigned oldSB = _segBri;
+    _vWidth  = virtualWidth();
+    _vHeight = virtualHeight();
+    _vLength = virtualLength();
+    _segBri  = currentBri();
+    fill(BLACK);
+    _vWidth  = oldVW;
+    _vHeight = oldVH;
+    _vLength = oldVL;
+    _segBri  = oldSB;
+}
+
 /*
  * Fills segment with color
  */
@@ -1175,42 +1195,45 @@ void Segment::fill(uint32_t c) {
 
 /*
  * fade out function, higher rate = quicker fade
+ * fading is highly dependant on frame rate (higher frame rates, faster fading)
+ * each frame will fade at max 9% or as little as 0.8%
  */
 void Segment::fade_out(uint8_t rate) {
   if (!isActive()) return; // not active
   const int cols = is2D() ? vWidth() : vLength();
   const int rows = vHeight(); // will be 1 for 1D
 
-  rate = (255-rate) >> 1;
-  float mappedRate = 1.0f / (float(rate) + 1.1f);
-
-  uint32_t color = colors[1]; // SEGCOLOR(1); // target color
-  int w2 = W(color);
-  int r2 = R(color);
-  int g2 = G(color);
-  int b2 = B(color);
+  rate = (256-rate) >> 1;
+  const int mappedRate = 256 / (rate + 1);
 
   for (int y = 0; y < rows; y++) for (int x = 0; x < cols; x++) {
-    color = is2D() ? getPixelColorXY(x, y) : getPixelColor(x);
+    uint32_t color = is2D() ? getPixelColorXY(x, y) : getPixelColor(x);
     if (color == colors[1]) continue; // already at target color
-    int w1 = W(color);
-    int r1 = R(color);
-    int g1 = G(color);
-    int b1 = B(color);
+    for (int i = 0; i < 32; i += 8) {
+      uint8_t c2 = (colors[1]>>i);  // get background channel
+      uint8_t c1 = (color>>i);      // get foreground channel
+      // we can't use bitshift since we are using int
+      int delta = (c2 - c1) * mappedRate / 256;
+      // if fade isn't complete, make sure delta is at least 1 (fixes rounding issues)
+      if (delta == 0) delta += (c2 == c1) ? 0 : (c2 > c1) ? 1 : -1;
+      // stuff new value back into color
+      color &= ~(0xFF<<i);
+      color |= ((c1 + delta) & 0xFF) << i;
+    }
+    if (is2D()) setPixelColorXY(x, y, color);
+    else        setPixelColor(x, color);
+  }
+}
 
-    int wdelta = (w2 - w1) * mappedRate;
-    int rdelta = (r2 - r1) * mappedRate;
-    int gdelta = (g2 - g1) * mappedRate;
-    int bdelta = (b2 - b1) * mappedRate;
+// fades all pixels to secondary color
+void Segment::fadeToSecondaryBy(uint8_t fadeBy) {
+  if (!isActive() || fadeBy == 0) return;   // optimization - no scaling to apply
+  const int cols = is2D() ? vWidth() : vLength();
+  const int rows = vHeight(); // will be 1 for 1D
 
-    // if fade isn't complete, make sure delta is at least 1 (fixes rounding issues)
-    wdelta += (w2 == w1) ? 0 : (w2 > w1) ? 1 : -1;
-    rdelta += (r2 == r1) ? 0 : (r2 > r1) ? 1 : -1;
-    gdelta += (g2 == g1) ? 0 : (g2 > g1) ? 1 : -1;
-    bdelta += (b2 == b1) ? 0 : (b2 > b1) ? 1 : -1;
-
-    if (is2D()) setPixelColorXY(x, y, r1 + rdelta, g1 + gdelta, b1 + bdelta, w1 + wdelta);
-    else        setPixelColor(x, r1 + rdelta, g1 + gdelta, b1 + bdelta, w1 + wdelta);
+  for (int y = 0; y < rows; y++) for (int x = 0; x < cols; x++) {
+    if (is2D()) setPixelColorXY(x, y, color_blend(getPixelColorXY(x,y), colors[1], fadeBy));
+    else        setPixelColor(x, color_blend(getPixelColor(x), colors[1], fadeBy));
   }
 }
 
@@ -1288,12 +1311,12 @@ uint32_t Segment::color_wheel(uint8_t pos) const {
  * Gets a single color from the currently selected palette.
  * @param i Palette Index (if mapping is true, the full palette will be _virtualSegmentLength long, if false, 255). Will wrap around automatically.
  * @param mapping if true, LED position in segment is considered for color
- * @param wrap FastLED palettes will usually wrap back to the start smoothly. Set false to get a hard edge
+ * @param moving FastLED palettes will usually wrap back to the start smoothly. Set to true if effect has moving palette and you want wrap.
  * @param mcol If the default palette 0 is selected, return the standard color 0, 1 or 2 instead. If >2, Party palette is used instead
  * @param pbri Value to scale the brightness of the returned color by. Default is 255. (no scaling)
  * @returns Single color from palette
  */
-uint32_t Segment::color_from_palette(uint16_t i, bool mapping, bool wrap, uint8_t mcol, uint8_t pbri) const {
+uint32_t Segment::color_from_palette(uint16_t i, bool mapping, bool moving, uint8_t mcol, uint8_t pbri) const {
   uint32_t color = getCurrentColor(mcol < NUM_COLORS ? mcol : 0);
   // default palette or no RGB support on segment
   if ((palette == 0 && mcol < NUM_COLORS) || !_isRGB) {
@@ -1303,9 +1326,15 @@ uint32_t Segment::color_from_palette(uint16_t i, bool mapping, bool wrap, uint8_
   const int vL = vLength();
   unsigned paletteIndex = i;
   if (mapping && vL > 1) paletteIndex = (i*255)/(vL -1);
-  // paletteBlend: 0 - wrap when moving, 1 - always wrap, 2 - never wrap, 3 - none (undefined)
-  if (!wrap && strip.paletteBlend != 3) paletteIndex = scale8(paletteIndex, 240); //cut off blend at palette "end"
-  CRGBW palcol = ColorFromPaletteWLED(_currentPalette, paletteIndex, pbri, (strip.paletteBlend == 3)? NOBLEND:LINEARBLEND); // NOTE: paletteBlend should be global
+  // paletteBlend: 0 - wrap when moving, 1 - always wrap, 2 - never wrap, 3 - none (undefined/no interpolation of palette entries)
+  // ColorFromPalette interpolations are: NOBLEND, LINEARBLEND, LINEARBLEND_NOWRAP
+  TBlendType blend = NOBLEND;
+  switch (strip.paletteBlend) { // NOTE: paletteBlend should be global
+    case 0: blend = moving ? LINEARBLEND : LINEARBLEND_NOWRAP; break;
+    case 1: blend = LINEARBLEND; break;
+    case 2: blend = LINEARBLEND_NOWRAP; break;
+  }
+  CRGBW palcol = ColorFromPalette(_currentPalette, paletteIndex, pbri, blend);
   palcol.w = W(color);
 
   return palcol.color32;
@@ -1487,7 +1516,7 @@ void WS2812FX::service() {
   _segment_index = 0;
 
   for (segment &seg : _segments) {
-    if (_suspend) return; // immediately stop processing segments if suspend requested during service()
+    if (_suspend) break; // immediately stop processing segments if suspend requested during service()
 
     // process transition (mode changes in the middle of transition)
     seg.handleTransition();
@@ -1518,6 +1547,11 @@ void WS2812FX::service() {
 #ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MODE_BLEND
         Segment::setClippingRect(0, 0); // disable clipping (just in case)
         if (seg.isInTransition()) {
+          // a hack to determine if effect has changed
+          uint8_t  m = seg.currentMode();
+          Segment::modeBlend(true);           // set semaphore
+          bool     sameEffect = (m == seg.currentMode());
+          Segment::modeBlend(false);          // clear semaphore
           // set clipping rectangle
           // new mode is run inside clipping area and old mode outside clipping area
           unsigned p = seg.progress();
@@ -1526,7 +1560,20 @@ void WS2812FX::service() {
           unsigned dw = p * w / 0xFFFFU + 1;
           unsigned dh = p * h / 0xFFFFU + 1;
           unsigned orgBS = blendingStyle;
-          if (w*h == 1) blendingStyle = BLEND_STYLE_FADE; // disable belending for single pixel segments (use fade instead)
+          if (w*h == 1) blendingStyle = BLEND_STYLE_FADE; // disable style for single pixel segments (use fade instead)
+          else if (sameEffect && (blendingStyle & BLEND_STYLE_PUSH_MASK)) {
+            // when effect stays the same push will look awful, change it to swipe
+            switch (blendingStyle) {
+              case BLEND_STYLE_PUSH_BR:
+              case BLEND_STYLE_PUSH_TR:
+              case BLEND_STYLE_PUSH_RIGHT: blendingStyle = BLEND_STYLE_SWIPE_RIGHT; break;
+              case BLEND_STYLE_PUSH_BL:
+              case BLEND_STYLE_PUSH_TL:
+              case BLEND_STYLE_PUSH_LEFT:  blendingStyle = BLEND_STYLE_SWIPE_LEFT;  break;
+              case BLEND_STYLE_PUSH_DOWN:  blendingStyle = BLEND_STYLE_SWIPE_DOWN;  break;
+              case BLEND_STYLE_PUSH_UP:    blendingStyle = BLEND_STYLE_SWIPE_UP;    break;
+            }
+          }
           switch (blendingStyle) {
             case BLEND_STYLE_FAIRY_DUST:  // fairy dust (must set entire segment, see isPixelXYClipped())
               Segment::setClippingRect(0, w, 0, h);
@@ -1572,7 +1619,7 @@ void WS2812FX::service() {
               Segment::setClippingRect(0, dw, h - dh, h);
               break;
           }
-          frameDelay = (*_mode[seg.currentMode()])();  // run new/current mode
+          frameDelay = (*_mode[m])();         // run new/current mode
           // now run old/previous mode
           Segment::tmpsegd_t _tmpSegData;
           Segment::modeBlend(true);           // set semaphore
@@ -1608,8 +1655,8 @@ void WS2812FX::service() {
   if (doShow) {
     yield();
     Segment::handleRandomPalette(); // slowly transition random palette; move it into for loop when each segment has individual random palette
-    show();
     _lastServiceShow = nowUp; // update timestamp, for precise FPS control
+    if (!_suspend) show();
   }
   #ifdef WLED_DEBUG
   if ((_targetFps != FPS_UNLIMITED) && (millis() - nowUp > _frametime)) DEBUG_PRINTF_P(PSTR("Slow strip %u/%d.\n"), (unsigned)(millis()-nowUp), (int)_frametime);
diff --git a/wled00/button.cpp b/wled00/button.cpp
index 5144f09f2..cf8fabe42 100644
--- a/wled00/button.cpp
+++ b/wled00/button.cpp
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ void longPressAction(uint8_t b)
 {
   if (!macroLongPress[b]) {
     switch (b) {
-      case 0: setRandomColor(col); colorUpdated(CALL_MODE_BUTTON); break;
+      case 0: setRandomColor(colPri); colorUpdated(CALL_MODE_BUTTON); break;
       case 1: 
         if(buttonBriDirection) {
           if (bri == 255) break; // avoid unnecessary updates to brightness
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ void handleAnalog(uint8_t b)
       effectPalette = constrain(effectPalette, 0, strip.getPaletteCount()-1);  // map is allowed to "overshoot", so we need to contrain the result
     } else if (macroDoublePress[b] == 200) {
       // primary color, hue, full saturation
-      colorHStoRGB(aRead*256,255,col);
+      colorHStoRGB(aRead*256,255,colPri);
     } else {
       // otherwise use "double press" for segment selection
       Segment& seg = strip.getSegment(macroDoublePress[b]);
diff --git a/wled00/colors.cpp b/wled00/colors.cpp
index 7bfd71c29..ba38d5a15 100644
--- a/wled00/colors.cpp
+++ b/wled00/colors.cpp
@@ -10,12 +10,13 @@
  */
 uint32_t color_blend(uint32_t color1, uint32_t color2, uint8_t blend) {
   // min / max blend checking is omitted: calls with 0 or 255 are rare, checking lowers overall performance
-  uint32_t rb1 = color1 & 0x00FF00FF;
-  uint32_t wg1 = (color1>>8) & 0x00FF00FF;
-  uint32_t rb2 = color2 & 0x00FF00FF;
-  uint32_t wg2 = (color2>>8) & 0x00FF00FF;
-  uint32_t rb3 = ((((rb1 << 8) | rb2) + (rb2 * blend) - (rb1 * blend)) >> 8) & 0x00FF00FF;
-  uint32_t wg3 = ((((wg1 << 8) | wg2) + (wg2 * blend) - (wg1 * blend))) & 0xFF00FF00;
+  const uint32_t TWO_CHANNEL_MASK = 0x00FF00FF;     // mask for R and B channels or W and G if negated (poorman's SIMD; https://github.com/wled/WLED/pull/4568#discussion_r1986587221)
+  uint32_t rb1 =  color1       & TWO_CHANNEL_MASK;  // extract R & B channels from color1
+  uint32_t wg1 = (color1 >> 8) & TWO_CHANNEL_MASK;  // extract W & G channels from color1 (shifted for multiplication later)
+  uint32_t rb2 =  color2       & TWO_CHANNEL_MASK;  // extract R & B channels from color2
+  uint32_t wg2 = (color2 >> 8) & TWO_CHANNEL_MASK;  // extract W & G channels from color2 (shifted for multiplication later)
+  uint32_t rb3 = ((((rb1 << 8) | rb2) + (rb2 * blend) - (rb1 * blend)) >> 8) &  TWO_CHANNEL_MASK; // blend red and blue
+  uint32_t wg3 = ((((wg1 << 8) | wg2) + (wg2 * blend) - (wg1 * blend)))      & ~TWO_CHANNEL_MASK; // negated mask for white and green
   return rb3 | wg3;
 }
 
@@ -28,8 +29,9 @@ uint32_t color_add(uint32_t c1, uint32_t c2, bool preserveCR)
 {
   if (c1 == BLACK) return c2;
   if (c2 == BLACK) return c1;
-  uint32_t rb = (c1 & 0x00FF00FF) + (c2 & 0x00FF00FF); // mask and add two colors at once
-  uint32_t wg = ((c1>>8) & 0x00FF00FF) + ((c2>>8) & 0x00FF00FF);
+  const uint32_t TWO_CHANNEL_MASK = 0x00FF00FF; // mask for R and B channels or W and G if negated
+  uint32_t rb = ( c1     & TWO_CHANNEL_MASK) + ( c2     & TWO_CHANNEL_MASK); // mask and add two colors at once
+  uint32_t wg = ((c1>>8) & TWO_CHANNEL_MASK) + ((c2>>8) & TWO_CHANNEL_MASK);
   uint32_t r = rb >> 16; // extract single color values
   uint32_t b = rb & 0xFFFF;
   uint32_t w = wg >> 16;
@@ -44,10 +46,10 @@ uint32_t color_add(uint32_t c1, uint32_t c2, bool preserveCR)
     //max = b > max ? b : max;
     //max = w > max ? w : max;
     if (max > 255) {
-      uint32_t scale = (uint32_t(255)<<8) / max; // division of two 8bit (shifted) values does not work -> use bit shifts and multiplaction instead
-      rb = ((rb * scale) >> 8) & 0x00FF00FF; //
-      wg = (wg * scale) & 0xFF00FF00;
-    } else wg = wg << 8; //shift white and green back to correct position
+      const uint32_t scale = (uint32_t(255)<<8) / max; // division of two 8bit (shifted) values does not work -> use bit shifts and multiplaction instead
+      rb = ((rb * scale) >> 8) &  TWO_CHANNEL_MASK;
+      wg =  (wg * scale)       & ~TWO_CHANNEL_MASK;
+    } else wg <<= 8; //shift white and green back to correct position
     return rb | wg;
   } else {
     r = r > 255 ? 255 : r;
@@ -77,8 +79,9 @@ uint32_t color_fade(uint32_t c1, uint8_t amount, bool video)
     addRemains |= B(c1) ? 0x00000001 : 0;
     addRemains |= W(c1) ? 0x01000000 : 0;
   }
-  uint32_t rb = (((c1 & 0x00FF00FF) * scale) >> 8) & 0x00FF00FF; // scale red and blue
-  uint32_t wg = (((c1 & 0xFF00FF00) >> 8) * scale) & 0xFF00FF00; // scale white and green
+  const uint32_t TWO_CHANNEL_MASK = 0x00FF00FF;
+  uint32_t rb = (((c1 & TWO_CHANNEL_MASK) * scale) >> 8) &  TWO_CHANNEL_MASK; // scale red and blue
+  uint32_t wg = (((c1 >> 8) & TWO_CHANNEL_MASK) * scale) & ~TWO_CHANNEL_MASK; // scale white and green
   scaledcolor = (rb | wg) + addRemains;
   return scaledcolor;
 }
@@ -95,7 +98,7 @@ uint32_t ColorFromPaletteWLED(const CRGBPalette16& pal, unsigned index, uint8_t
   unsigned red1   = entry->r;
   unsigned green1 = entry->g;
   unsigned blue1  = entry->b;
-  if(lo4 && blendType != NOBLEND) {
+  if (lo4 && blendType != NOBLEND) {
     if (hi4 == 15) entry = &(pal[0]);
     else ++entry;
     unsigned f2 = (lo4 << 4);
@@ -105,6 +108,7 @@ uint32_t ColorFromPaletteWLED(const CRGBPalette16& pal, unsigned index, uint8_t
     blue1  = (blue1 * f1 + (unsigned)entry->b * f2) >> 8;
   }
   if (brightness < 255) { // note: zero checking could be done to return black but that is hardly ever used so it is omitted
+    // actually color_fade(c1, brightness)
     uint32_t scale = brightness + 1; // adjust for rounding (bitshift)
     red1   = (red1 * scale) >> 8; // note: using color_fade() is 30% slower
     green1 = (green1 * scale) >> 8;
diff --git a/wled00/data/index.js b/wled00/data/index.js
index f3648d3b5..147abf389 100644
--- a/wled00/data/index.js
+++ b/wled00/data/index.js
@@ -409,7 +409,9 @@ function pName(i)
 
 function isPlaylist(i)
 {
-	return pJson[i].playlist && pJson[i].playlist.ps;
+	if (isNumeric(i)) return pJson[i].playlist && pJson[i].playlist.ps;
+	if (isObj(i)) return i.playlist && i.playlist.ps;
+	return false;
 }
 
 function papiVal(i)
@@ -775,8 +777,8 @@ function populateSegments(s)
 		}
 
 		let segp = `<div id="segp${i}" class="sbs">`+
-						`<i class="icons slider-icon pwr ${inst.on ? "act":""}" id="seg${i}pwr" onclick="setSegPwr(${i})">&#xe08f;</i>`+
-						`<div class="sliderwrap il">`+
+						`<i class="icons slider-icon pwr ${inst.on ? "act":""}" id="seg${i}pwr" title="Power" onclick="setSegPwr(${i})">&#xe08f;</i>`+
+						`<div class="sliderwrap il" title="Opacity/Brightness">`+
 							`<input id="seg${i}bri" class="noslide" onchange="setSegBri(${i})" oninput="updateTrail(this)" max="255" min="1" type="range" value="${inst.bri}" />`+
 							`<div class="sliderdisplay"></div>`+
 						`</div>`+
@@ -814,7 +816,7 @@ function populateSegments(s)
 		cn += `<div class="seg lstI ${i==s.mainseg && !simplifiedUI ? 'selected' : ''} ${exp ? "expanded":""}" id="seg${i}" data-set="${inst.set}">`+
 				`<label class="check schkl ${smpl}">`+
 					`<input type="checkbox" id="seg${i}sel" onchange="selSeg(${i})" ${inst.sel ? "checked":""}>`+
-					`<span class="checkmark"></span>`+
+					`<span class="checkmark" title="Select"></span>`+
 				`</label>`+
 				`<div class="segname ${smpl}" onclick="selSegEx(${i})">`+
 					`<i class="icons e-icon frz" id="seg${i}frz" title="(un)Freeze" onclick="event.preventDefault();tglFreeze(${i});">&#x${inst.frz ? (li.live && li.liveseg==i?'e410':'e0e8') : 'e325'};</i>`+
@@ -1666,13 +1668,17 @@ function setEffectParameters(idx)
 			paOnOff[0] = paOnOff[0].substring(0,dPos);
 		}
 		if (paOnOff.length>0 && paOnOff[0] != "!") text = paOnOff[0];
+		gId("adPal").classList.remove("hide");
+		if (lastinfo.cpalcount>0) gId("rmPal").classList.remove("hide");
 	} else {
 		// disable palette list
 		text += ' not used';
 		palw.style.display = "none";
+		gId("adPal").classList.add("hide");
+		gId("rmPal").classList.add("hide");
 		// Close palette dialog if not available
-		if (gId("palw").lastElementChild.tagName == "DIALOG") {
-			gId("palw").lastElementChild.close();
+		if (palw.lastElementChild.tagName == "DIALOG") {
+			palw.lastElementChild.close();
 		}
 	}
 	pall.innerHTML = icon + text;
@@ -1887,7 +1893,7 @@ function makeSeg()
 function resetUtil(off=false)
 {
 	gId('segutil').innerHTML = `<div class="seg btn btn-s${off?' off':''}" style="padding:0;margin-bottom:12px;">`
-	+ '<label class="check schkl"><input type="checkbox" id="selall" onchange="selSegAll(this)"><span class="checkmark"></span></label>'
+	+ '<label class="check schkl"><input type="checkbox" id="selall" onchange="selSegAll(this)"><span class="checkmark" title="Select all"></span></label>'
 	+ `<div class="segname" ${off?'':'onclick="makeSeg()"'}><i class="icons btn-icon">&#xe18a;</i>Add segment</div>`
 	+ '<div class="pop hide" onclick="event.stopPropagation();">'
 	+ `<i class="icons g-icon" title="Select group" onclick="this.nextElementSibling.classList.toggle('hide');">&#xE34B;</i>`
@@ -1901,15 +1907,16 @@ function resetUtil(off=false)
 	if (lSeg>2) d.querySelectorAll("#Segments .pop").forEach((e)=>{e.classList.remove("hide");});
 }
 
-function makePlSel(el, incPl=false)
+function makePlSel(p, el)
 {
 	var plSelContent = "";
 	delete pJson["0"];	// remove filler preset
 	Object.entries(pJson).sort(cmpP).forEach((a)=>{
 		var n = a[1].n ? a[1].n : "Preset " + a[0];
+		if (isPlaylist(a[1])) n += ' &#9654;'; // mark playlist
 		if (cfg.comp.idsort) n = a[0] + ' ' + n;
-		if (!(!incPl && a[1].playlist && a[1].playlist.ps)) // skip playlists, sub-playlists not yet supported
-			plSelContent += `<option value="${a[0]}" ${a[0]==el?"selected":""}>${n}</option>`;
+		// skip endless playlists and itself
+		if (!isPlaylist(a[1]) || (a[1].playlist.repeat > 0 && a[0]!=p)) plSelContent += `<option value="${a[0]}" ${a[0]==el?"selected":""}>${n}</option>`;
 	});
 	return plSelContent;
 }
@@ -1934,21 +1941,23 @@ function refreshPlE(p)
 	});
 }
 
-// p: preset ID, i: ps index
+// p: preset ID, i: playlist item index
 function addPl(p,i)
 {
-	plJson[p].ps.splice(i+1,0,0);
-	plJson[p].dur.splice(i+1,0,plJson[p].dur[i]);
-	plJson[p].transition.splice(i+1,0,plJson[p].transition[i]);
+	const pl = plJson[p];
+	pl.ps.splice(i+1,0,1);
+	pl.dur.splice(i+1,0,pl.dur[i]);
+	pl.transition.splice(i+1,0,pl.transition[i]);
 	refreshPlE(p);
 }
 
 function delPl(p,i)
 {
-	if (plJson[p].ps.length < 2) return;
-	plJson[p].ps.splice(i,1);
-	plJson[p].dur.splice(i,1);
-	plJson[p].transition.splice(i,1);
+	const pl = plJson[p];
+	if (pl.ps.length < 2) return;
+	pl.ps.splice(i,1);
+	pl.dur.splice(i,1);
+	pl.transition.splice(i,1);
 	refreshPlE(p);
 }
 
@@ -1965,6 +1974,13 @@ function pleDur(p,i,field)
 
 function pleTr(p,i,field)
 {
+	const du = gId(`pl${p}du${i}`);
+	const dv = parseFloat(du.value);
+	if (dv > 0) {
+		field.max = dv;
+		if (parseFloat(field.value) > dv)
+			field.value = du.value;
+	}
 	if (field.validity.valid)
 		plJson[p].transition[i] = Math.floor(field.value*10);
 }
@@ -1984,6 +2000,17 @@ function plR(p)
 	}
 }
 
+function plM(p)
+{
+	const man = gId(`pl${p}manual`).checked;
+	plJson[p].dur.forEach((e,i)=>{
+		const d = gId(`pl${p}du${i}`);
+		plJson[p].dur[i] = e = man ? 0 : 100;
+		d.value = e/10; // 10s default 
+		d.readOnly = man;
+	});
+}
+
 function makeP(i,pl)
 {
 	var content = "";
@@ -1997,12 +2024,17 @@ function makeP(i,pl)
 			r: false,
 			end: 0
 		};
-		var rep = plJson[i].repeat ? plJson[i].repeat : 0;
+		const rep = plJson[i].repeat ? plJson[i].repeat : 0;
+		const man = plJson[i].dur == 0;
 		content =
 `<div id="ple${i}" style="margin-top:10px;"></div><label class="check revchkl">Shuffle
 	<input type="checkbox" id="pl${i}rtgl" onchange="plR(${i})" ${plJson[i].r||rep<0?"checked":""}>
 	<span class="checkmark"></span>
 </label>
+<label class="check revchkl">Manual advance
+	<input type="checkbox" id="pl${i}manual" onchange="plM(${i})" ${man?"checked":""}>
+	<span class="checkmark"></span>
+</label>
 <label class="check revchkl">Repeat indefinitely
 	<input type="checkbox" id="pl${i}rptgl" onchange="plR(${i})" ${rep>0?"":"checked"}>
 	<span class="checkmark"></span>
@@ -2013,7 +2045,7 @@ function makeP(i,pl)
 <div class="sel-p"><select class="sel-ple" id="pl${i}selEnd" onchange="plR(${i})" data-val=${plJson[i].end?plJson[i].end:0}>
 <option value="0">None</option>
 <option value="255" ${plJson[i].end && plJson[i].end==255?"selected":""}>Restore preset</option>
-${makePlSel(plJson[i].end?plJson[i].end:0, true)}
+${makePlSel(i, plJson[i].end?plJson[i].end:0)}
 </select></div></div>
 </div>
 <div class="c"><button class="btn btn-p" onclick="testPl(${i}, this)"><i class='icons btn-icon'>&#xe139;</i>Test</button></div>`;
@@ -2086,25 +2118,26 @@ function makePUtil()
 
 function makePlEntry(p,i)
 {
+	const man = gId(`pl${p}manual`).checked;
 	return `<div class="plentry">
 	<div class="hrz"></div>
 	<table>
 	<tr>
 		<td width="80%" colspan=2>
 			<div class="sel-p"><select class="sel-pl" onchange="plePs(${p},${i},this)" data-val="${plJson[p].ps[i]}" data-index="${i}">
-			${makePlSel(plJson[p].ps[i])}
+			${makePlSel(p, plJson[p].ps[i])}
 			</select></div>
 		</td>
 		<td class="c"><button class="btn btn-pl-add" onclick="addPl(${p},${i})"><i class="icons btn-icon">&#xe18a;</i></button></td>
 	</tr>
 	<tr>
-		<td class="c">Duration</td>
+		<td class="c">Duration <i style="font-size:70%;">(0=inf.)</i></td>
 		<td class="c">Transition</td>
 		<td class="c">#${i+1}</td>
 	</tr>
 	<tr>
-		<td class="c" width="40%"><input class="segn" type="number" placeholder="Duration" max=6553.0 min=0.2 step=0.1 oninput="pleDur(${p},${i},this)" value="${plJson[p].dur[i]/10.0}">s</td>
-		<td class="c" width="40%"><input class="segn" type="number" placeholder="Transition" max=65.0 min=0.0 step=0.1 oninput="pleTr(${p},${i},this)" value="${plJson[p].transition[i]/10.0}">s</td>
+		<td class="c" width="40%"><input class="segn" type="number" placeholder="Duration" max=6553.0 min=0.0 step=0.1 oninput="pleDur(${p},${i},this)" value="${plJson[p].dur[i]/10.0}" id="pl${p}du${i}" ${man?"readonly":""}>s</td>
+		<td class="c" width="40%"><input class="segn" type="number" placeholder="Transition" max=65.0 min=0.0 step=0.1 oninput="pleTr(${p},${i},this)" onfocus="pleTr(${p},${i},this)" value="${plJson[p].transition[i]/10.0}">s</td>
 		<td class="c"><button class="btn btn-pl-del" onclick="delPl(${p},${i})"><i class="icons btn-icon">&#xe037;</i></button></div></td>
 	</tr>
 	</table>
@@ -2657,28 +2690,28 @@ function fromRgb()
 	var g = gId('sliderG').value;
 	var b = gId('sliderB').value;
 	setPicker(`rgb(${r},${g},${b})`);
-	let cd = gId('csl').children; // color slots
-	cd[csel].dataset.r = r;
-	cd[csel].dataset.g = g;
-	cd[csel].dataset.b = b;
-	setCSL(cd[csel]);
+	let cd = gId('csl').children[csel]; // color slots
+	cd.dataset.r = r;
+	cd.dataset.g = g;
+	cd.dataset.b = b;
+	setCSL(cd);
 }
 
 function fromW()
 {
 	let w = gId('sliderW');
-	let cd = gId('csl').children; // color slots
-	cd[csel].dataset.w = w.value;
-	setCSL(cd[csel]);
+	let cd = gId('csl').children[csel]; // color slots
+	cd.dataset.w = w.value;
+	setCSL(cd);
 	updateTrail(w);
 }
 
 // sr 0: from RGB sliders, 1: from picker, 2: from hex
 function setColor(sr)
 {
-	var cd = gId('csl').children; // color slots
-	let cdd = cd[csel].dataset;
-	let w = 0, r,g,b;
+	var cd = gId('csl').children[csel]; // color slots
+	let cdd = cd.dataset;
+	let w = parseInt(cdd.w), r = parseInt(cdd.r), g = parseInt(cdd.g), b = parseInt(cdd.b);
 	if (sr == 1 && isRgbBlack(cdd)) cpick.color.setChannel('hsv', 'v', 100);
 	if (sr != 2 && hasWhite) w = parseInt(gId('sliderW').value);
 	var col = cpick.color.rgb;
@@ -2686,7 +2719,7 @@ function setColor(sr)
 	cdd.g = g = hasRGB ? col.g : w;
 	cdd.b = b = hasRGB ? col.b : w;
 	cdd.w = w;
-	setCSL(cd[csel]);
+	setCSL(cd);
 	var obj = {"seg": {"col": [[],[],[]]}};
 	obj.seg.col[csel] = [r, g, b, w];
 	requestJson(obj);
diff --git a/wled00/data/settings_leds.htm b/wled00/data/settings_leds.htm
index 5effe0c6d..a45ed050e 100644
--- a/wled00/data/settings_leds.htm
+++ b/wled00/data/settings_leds.htm
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@
 			gId("ppldis").style.display = ppl ? 'inline' : 'none';
 			// set PPL minimum value and clear actual PPL limit if ABL is disabled
 			d.Sf.querySelectorAll("#mLC input[name^=MA]").forEach((i,x)=>{
-				var n = String.fromCharCode((x<10?48:55)+x);
+				var n = chrID(x);
 				gId("PSU"+n).style.display = ppl ? "inline" : "none";
 				const t = parseInt(d.Sf["LT"+n].value); // LED type SELECT
 				const c = parseInt(d.Sf["LC"+n].value); //get LED count
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@
 			// select appropriate LED current
 			d.Sf.querySelectorAll("#mLC select[name^=LAsel]").forEach((sel,x)=>{
 				sel.value = 0; // set custom
-				var n = String.fromCharCode((x<10?48:55)+x);
+				var n = chrID(x);
 				if (en)
 					switch (parseInt(d.Sf["LA"+n].value)) {
 						case 0: break; // disable ABL
@@ -401,7 +401,7 @@
 		}
 		function lastEnd(i) {
 			if (i-- < 1) return 0;
-			var s = String.fromCharCode((i<10?48:55)+i);
+			var s = chrID(i);
 			v = parseInt(d.getElementsByName("LS"+s)[0].value) + parseInt(d.getElementsByName("LC"+s)[0].value);
 			var t = parseInt(d.getElementsByName("LT"+s)[0].value);
 			if (isPWM(t)) v = 1; //PWM busses
@@ -508,7 +508,7 @@ mA/LED: <select name="LAsel${s}" onchange="enLA(this,'${s}');UI();">
 		function addCOM(start=0,len=1,co=0) {
 			var i = gEBCN("com_entry").length;
 			if (i >= maxCO) return;
-			var s = String.fromCharCode((i<10?48:55)+i);
+			var s = chrID(i);
 			var b = `<div class="com_entry">
 <hr class="sml">
 ${i+1}: Start: <input type="number" name="XS${s}" id="xs${s}" class="l starts" min="0" max="65535" value="${start}" oninput="UI();" required="">&nbsp;
@@ -562,7 +562,7 @@ Swap: <select id="xw${s}" name="XW${s}">
 
 		function addBtn(i,p,t) {
 			var c = gId("btns").innerHTML;
-			var s = String.fromCharCode((i<10?48:55)+i);
+			var s = chrID(i);
 			c += `Button ${i} GPIO: <input type="number" name="BT${s}" onchange="UI()" class="xs" value="${p}">`;
 			c += `&nbsp;<select name="BE${s}">`
 			c += `<option value="0" ${t==0?"selected":""}>Disabled</option>`;
@@ -586,8 +586,10 @@ Swap: <select id="xw${s}" name="XW${s}">
 		function checkSi() { //on load, checks whether there are custom start fields
 			var cs = false;
 			for (var i=1; i < gEBCN("iST").length; i++) {
-				var v = parseInt(gId("ls"+(i-1)).value) + parseInt(gN("LC"+(i-1)).value);
-				if (v != parseInt(gId("ls"+i).value)) {cs = true; startsDirty[i] = true;}
+				var s = chrID(i);
+				var p = chrID(i-1); // cover edge case 'A' previous char being '9' 
+				var v = parseInt(gId("ls"+p).value) + parseInt(gN("LC"+p).value);
+				if (v != parseInt(gId("ls"+s).value)) {cs = true; startsDirty[i] = true;}
 			}
 			if (gId("ls0") && parseInt(gId("ls0").value) != 0) {cs = true; startsDirty[0] = true;}
 			gId("si").checked = cs;
diff --git a/wled00/fcn_declare.h b/wled00/fcn_declare.h
index 6584d524e..cabbde95a 100644
--- a/wled00/fcn_declare.h
+++ b/wled00/fcn_declare.h
@@ -327,6 +327,7 @@ void serializePlaylist(JsonObject obj);
 
 //presets.cpp
 const char *getPresetsFileName(bool persistent = true);
+bool presetNeedsSaving();
 void initPresetsFile();
 void handlePresets();
 bool applyPreset(byte index, byte callMode = CALL_MODE_DIRECT_CHANGE);
diff --git a/wled00/hue.cpp b/wled00/hue.cpp
index 950c54896..d5fcb7cb9 100644
--- a/wled00/hue.cpp
+++ b/wled00/hue.cpp
@@ -195,9 +195,9 @@ void onHueData(void* arg, AsyncClient* client, void *data, size_t len)
   {
     switch(hueColormode)
     {
-      case 1: if (hueX != hueXLast || hueY != hueYLast) colorXYtoRGB(hueX,hueY,col); hueXLast = hueX; hueYLast = hueY; break;
-      case 2: if (hueHue != hueHueLast || hueSat != hueSatLast) colorHStoRGB(hueHue,hueSat,col); hueHueLast = hueHue; hueSatLast = hueSat; break;
-      case 3: if (hueCt != hueCtLast) colorCTtoRGB(hueCt,col); hueCtLast = hueCt; break;
+      case 1: if (hueX != hueXLast || hueY != hueYLast) colorXYtoRGB(hueX,hueY,colPri); hueXLast = hueX; hueYLast = hueY; break;
+      case 2: if (hueHue != hueHueLast || hueSat != hueSatLast) colorHStoRGB(hueHue,hueSat,colPri); hueHueLast = hueHue; hueSatLast = hueSat; break;
+      case 3: if (hueCt != hueCtLast) colorCTtoRGB(hueCt,colPri); hueCtLast = hueCt; break;
     }
   }
   hueReceived = true;
diff --git a/wled00/json.cpp b/wled00/json.cpp
index 200307464..24988be15 100644
--- a/wled00/json.cpp
+++ b/wled00/json.cpp
@@ -91,14 +91,20 @@ bool deserializeSegment(JsonObject elem, byte it, byte presetId)
     }
   }
 
-  uint16_t grp = elem["grp"] | seg.grouping;
-  uint16_t spc = elem[F("spc")] | seg.spacing;
-  uint16_t of  = seg.offset;
-  uint8_t  soundSim = elem["si"] | seg.soundSim;
-  uint8_t  map1D2D  = elem["m12"] | seg.map1D2D;
-  uint8_t  set = elem[F("set")] | seg.set;
-  seg.set      = constrain(set, 0, 3);
-  seg.soundSim = constrain(soundSim, 0, 3);
+  uint16_t grp       = elem["grp"] | seg.grouping;
+  uint16_t spc       = elem[F("spc")] | seg.spacing;
+  uint16_t of        = seg.offset;
+  uint8_t  soundSim  = elem["si"] | seg.soundSim;
+  uint8_t  map1D2D   = elem["m12"] | seg.map1D2D;
+  uint8_t  set       = elem[F("set")] | seg.set;
+  bool     selected  = getBoolVal(elem["sel"], seg.selected);
+  bool     reverse   = getBoolVal(elem["rev"], seg.reverse);
+  bool     mirror    = getBoolVal(elem["mi"] , seg.mirror);
+  #ifndef WLED_DISABLE_2D
+  bool     reverse_y = getBoolVal(elem["rY"]   , seg.reverse_y);
+  bool     mirror_y  = getBoolVal(elem["mY"]   , seg.mirror_y);
+  bool     transpose = getBoolVal(elem[F("tp")], seg.transpose);
+  #endif
 
   int len = (stop > start) ? stop - start : 1;
   int offset = elem[F("of")] | INT32_MAX;
@@ -200,20 +206,16 @@ bool deserializeSegment(JsonObject elem, byte it, byte presetId)
   }
   #endif
 
+  //seg.map1D2D   = constrain(map1D2D, 0, 7); // done in setGeometry()
+  seg.set       = constrain(set, 0, 3);
+  seg.soundSim  = constrain(soundSim, 0, 3);
+  seg.selected  = selected;
+  seg.reverse   = reverse;
+  seg.mirror    = mirror;
   #ifndef WLED_DISABLE_2D
-  bool reverse  = seg.reverse;
-  bool mirror   = seg.mirror;
-  #endif
-  seg.selected  = getBoolVal(elem["sel"], seg.selected);
-  seg.reverse   = getBoolVal(elem["rev"], seg.reverse);
-  seg.mirror    = getBoolVal(elem["mi"] , seg.mirror);
-  #ifndef WLED_DISABLE_2D
-  bool reverse_y = seg.reverse_y;
-  bool mirror_y  = seg.mirror_y;
-  seg.reverse_y  = getBoolVal(elem["rY"]   , seg.reverse_y);
-  seg.mirror_y   = getBoolVal(elem["mY"]   , seg.mirror_y);
-  seg.transpose  = getBoolVal(elem[F("tp")], seg.transpose);
-  if (seg.is2D() && seg.map1D2D == M12_pArc && (reverse != seg.reverse || reverse_y != seg.reverse_y || mirror != seg.mirror || mirror_y != seg.mirror_y)) seg.fill(BLACK); // clear entire segment (in case of Arc 1D to 2D expansion)
+  seg.reverse_y = reverse_y;
+  seg.mirror_y  = mirror_y;
+  seg.transpose = transpose;
   #endif
 
   byte fx = seg.mode;
@@ -392,35 +394,38 @@ bool deserializeState(JsonObject root, byte callMode, byte presetId)
 
   int it = 0;
   JsonVariant segVar = root["seg"];
-  if (!segVar.isNull()) strip.suspend();
-  if (segVar.is<JsonObject>())
-  {
-    int id = segVar["id"] | -1;
-    //if "seg" is not an array and ID not specified, apply to all selected/checked segments
-    if (id < 0) {
-      //apply all selected segments
-      //bool didSet = false;
-      for (size_t s = 0; s < strip.getSegmentsNum(); s++) {
-        Segment &sg = strip.getSegment(s);
-        if (sg.isActive() && sg.isSelected()) {
-          deserializeSegment(segVar, s, presetId);
-          //didSet = true;
+  if (!segVar.isNull()) {
+    // we may be called during strip.service() so we must not modify segments while effects are executing
+    strip.suspend();
+    const unsigned long start = millis();
+    while (strip.isServicing() && millis() - start < strip.getFrameTime()) yield(); // wait until frame is over
+    #ifdef WLED_DEBUG
+    if (millis() - start > 0) DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("JSON: Waited for strip to finish servicing."));
+    #endif
+    if (segVar.is<JsonObject>()) {
+      int id = segVar["id"] | -1;
+      //if "seg" is not an array and ID not specified, apply to all selected/checked segments
+      if (id < 0) {
+        //apply all selected segments
+        for (size_t s = 0; s < strip.getSegmentsNum(); s++) {
+          Segment &sg = strip.getSegment(s);
+          if (sg.isActive() && sg.isSelected()) {
+            deserializeSegment(segVar, s, presetId);
+          }
         }
+      } else {
+        deserializeSegment(segVar, id, presetId); //apply only the segment with the specified ID
       }
-      //TODO: not sure if it is good idea to change first active but unselected segment
-      //if (!didSet) deserializeSegment(segVar, strip.getMainSegmentId(), presetId);
     } else {
-      deserializeSegment(segVar, id, presetId); //apply only the segment with the specified ID
+      size_t deleted = 0;
+      JsonArray segs = segVar.as<JsonArray>();
+      for (JsonObject elem : segs) {
+        if (deserializeSegment(elem, it++, presetId) && !elem["stop"].isNull() && elem["stop"]==0) deleted++;
+      }
+      if (strip.getSegmentsNum() > 3 && deleted >= strip.getSegmentsNum()/2U) strip.purgeSegments(); // batch deleting more than half segments
     }
-  } else {
-    size_t deleted = 0;
-    JsonArray segs = segVar.as<JsonArray>();
-    for (JsonObject elem : segs) {
-      if (deserializeSegment(elem, it++, presetId) && !elem["stop"].isNull() && elem["stop"]==0) deleted++;
-    }
-    if (strip.getSegmentsNum() > 3 && deleted >= strip.getSegmentsNum()/2U) strip.purgeSegments(); // batch deleting more than half segments
+    strip.resume();
   }
-  strip.resume();
 
   UsermodManager::readFromJsonState(root);
 
diff --git a/wled00/led.cpp b/wled00/led.cpp
index 9731da655..2d2f5b6f2 100644
--- a/wled00/led.cpp
+++ b/wled00/led.cpp
@@ -9,10 +9,10 @@ void setValuesFromFirstSelectedSeg() { setValuesFromSegment(strip.getFirstSelect
 void setValuesFromSegment(uint8_t s)
 {
   Segment& seg = strip.getSegment(s);
-  col[0] = R(seg.colors[0]);
-  col[1] = G(seg.colors[0]);
-  col[2] = B(seg.colors[0]);
-  col[3] = W(seg.colors[0]);
+  colPri[0] = R(seg.colors[0]);
+  colPri[1] = G(seg.colors[0]);
+  colPri[2] = B(seg.colors[0]);
+  colPri[3] = W(seg.colors[0]);
   colSec[0] = R(seg.colors[1]);
   colSec[1] = G(seg.colors[1]);
   colSec[2] = B(seg.colors[1]);
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ void applyValuesToSelectedSegs()
     if (effectIntensity != selsegPrev.intensity) {seg.intensity = effectIntensity; stateChanged = true;}
     if (effectPalette   != selsegPrev.palette)   {seg.setPalette(effectPalette);}
     if (effectCurrent   != selsegPrev.mode)      {seg.setMode(effectCurrent);}
-    uint32_t col0 = RGBW32(   col[0],    col[1],    col[2],    col[3]);
+    uint32_t col0 = RGBW32(colPri[0], colPri[1], colPri[2], colPri[3]);
     uint32_t col1 = RGBW32(colSec[0], colSec[1], colSec[2], colSec[3]);
     if (col0 != selsegPrev.colors[0])            {seg.setColor(0, col0);}
     if (col1 != selsegPrev.colors[1])            {seg.setColor(1, col1);}
@@ -112,10 +112,11 @@ void stateUpdated(byte callMode) {
     }
   }
 
+  unsigned long now = millis();
   if (callMode != CALL_MODE_NO_NOTIFY && nightlightActive && (nightlightMode == NL_MODE_FADE || nightlightMode == NL_MODE_COLORFADE)) {
     briNlT = bri;
-    nightlightDelayMs -= (millis() - nightlightStartTime);
-    nightlightStartTime = millis();
+    nightlightDelayMs -= (now - nightlightStartTime);
+    nightlightStartTime = now;
   }
   if (briT == 0) {
     if (callMode != CALL_MODE_NOTIFICATION) strip.resetTimebase(); //effect start from beginning
@@ -141,7 +142,7 @@ void stateUpdated(byte callMode) {
   } else
     strip.setTransitionMode(true); // force all segments to transition mode
   transitionActive = true;
-  transitionStartTime = millis();
+  transitionStartTime = now;
 }
 
 
@@ -150,14 +151,14 @@ void updateInterfaces(uint8_t callMode) {
 
   sendDataWs();
   lastInterfaceUpdate = millis();
-  interfaceUpdateCallMode = 0; //disable further updates
+  interfaceUpdateCallMode = CALL_MODE_INIT; //disable further updates
 
   if (callMode == CALL_MODE_WS_SEND) return;
 
   #ifndef WLED_DISABLE_ALEXA
   if (espalexaDevice != nullptr && callMode != CALL_MODE_ALEXA) {
     espalexaDevice->setValue(bri);
-    espalexaDevice->setColor(col[0], col[1], col[2]);
+    espalexaDevice->setColor(colPri[0], colPri[1], colPri[2]);
   }
   #endif
   #ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
@@ -211,7 +212,7 @@ void handleNightlight() {
       nightlightDelayMs = (unsigned)(nightlightDelayMins*60000);
       nightlightActiveOld = true;
       briNlT = bri;
-      for (unsigned i=0; i<4; i++) colNlT[i] = col[i]; // remember starting color
+      for (unsigned i=0; i<4; i++) colNlT[i] = colPri[i]; // remember starting color
       if (nightlightMode == NL_MODE_SUN)
       {
         //save current
@@ -236,7 +237,7 @@ void handleNightlight() {
       bri = briNlT + ((nightlightTargetBri - briNlT)*nper);
       if (nightlightMode == NL_MODE_COLORFADE)                                         // color fading only is enabled with "NF=2"
       {
-        for (unsigned i=0; i<4; i++) col[i] = colNlT[i]+ ((colSec[i] - colNlT[i])*nper);   // fading from actual color to secondary color
+        for (unsigned i=0; i<4; i++) colPri[i] = colNlT[i]+ ((colSec[i] - colNlT[i])*nper);   // fading from actual color to secondary color
       }
       colorUpdated(CALL_MODE_NO_NOTIFY);
     }
diff --git a/wled00/mqtt.cpp b/wled00/mqtt.cpp
index 8cbe79093..a462881ec 100644
--- a/wled00/mqtt.cpp
+++ b/wled00/mqtt.cpp
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ static void onMqttMessage(char* topic, char* payload, AsyncMqttClientMessageProp
   //Prefix is stripped from the topic at this point
 
   if (strcmp_P(topic, PSTR("/col")) == 0) {
-    colorFromDecOrHexString(col, payloadStr);
+    colorFromDecOrHexString(colPri, payloadStr);
     colorUpdated(CALL_MODE_DIRECT_CHANGE);
   } else if (strcmp_P(topic, PSTR("/api")) == 0) {
     if (requestJSONBufferLock(15)) {
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ void publishMqtt()
   strcat_P(subuf, PSTR("/g"));
   mqtt->publish(subuf, 0, retainMqttMsg, s);         // optionally retain message (#2263)
 
-  sprintf_P(s, PSTR("#%06X"), (col[3] << 24) | (col[0] << 16) | (col[1] << 8) | (col[2]));
+  sprintf_P(s, PSTR("#%06X"), (colPri[3] << 24) | (colPri[0] << 16) | (colPri[1] << 8) | (colPri[2]));
   strlcpy(subuf, mqttDeviceTopic, MQTT_MAX_TOPIC_LEN + 1);
   strcat_P(subuf, PSTR("/c"));
   mqtt->publish(subuf, 0, retainMqttMsg, s);         // optionally retain message (#2263)
diff --git a/wled00/playlist.cpp b/wled00/playlist.cpp
index 1908334d7..2e51503e3 100644
--- a/wled00/playlist.cpp
+++ b/wled00/playlist.cpp
@@ -10,19 +10,19 @@ typedef struct PlaylistEntry {
   uint16_t tr;    //Duration of the transition TO this entry (in tenths of seconds)
 } ple;
 
-byte           playlistRepeat = 1;        //how many times to repeat the playlist (0 = infinitely)
-byte           playlistEndPreset = 0;     //what preset to apply after playlist end (0 = stay on last preset)
-byte           playlistOptions = 0;       //bit 0: shuffle playlist after each iteration. bits 1-7 TBD
+static byte           playlistRepeat = 1;        //how many times to repeat the playlist (0 = infinitely)
+static byte           playlistEndPreset = 0;     //what preset to apply after playlist end (0 = stay on last preset)
+static byte           playlistOptions = 0;       //bit 0: shuffle playlist after each iteration. bits 1-7 TBD
 
-PlaylistEntry *playlistEntries = nullptr;
-byte           playlistLen;               //number of playlist entries
-int8_t         playlistIndex = -1;
-uint16_t       playlistEntryDur = 0;      //duration of the current entry in tenths of seconds
+static PlaylistEntry *playlistEntries = nullptr;
+static byte           playlistLen;               //number of playlist entries
+static int8_t         playlistIndex = -1;
+static uint16_t       playlistEntryDur = 0;      //duration of the current entry in tenths of seconds
 
 //values we need to keep about the parent playlist while inside sub-playlist
-//int8_t         parentPlaylistIndex = -1;
-//byte           parentPlaylistRepeat = 0;
-//byte           parentPlaylistPresetId = 0; //for re-loading
+static int16_t        parentPlaylistIndex = -1;
+static byte           parentPlaylistRepeat = 0;
+static byte           parentPlaylistPresetId = 0; //for re-loading
 
 
 void shufflePlaylist() {
@@ -54,6 +54,12 @@ void unloadPlaylist() {
 
 
 int16_t loadPlaylist(JsonObject playlistObj, byte presetId) {
+  if (currentPlaylist > 0 && parentPlaylistPresetId > 0) return -1; // we are already in nested playlist, do nothing
+  if (currentPlaylist > 0) {
+    parentPlaylistIndex = playlistIndex;
+    parentPlaylistRepeat = playlistRepeat;
+    parentPlaylistPresetId = currentPlaylist;
+  }
   unloadPlaylist();
 
   JsonArray presets = playlistObj["ps"];
@@ -79,7 +85,7 @@ int16_t loadPlaylist(JsonObject playlistObj, byte presetId) {
   } else {
     for (int dur : durations) {
       if (it >= playlistLen) break;
-      playlistEntries[it].dur = (dur > 1) ? dur : 100;
+      playlistEntries[it].dur = constrain(dur, 0, 65530);
       it++;
     }
   }
@@ -117,6 +123,19 @@ int16_t loadPlaylist(JsonObject playlistObj, byte presetId) {
   shuffle = shuffle || playlistObj["r"];
   if (shuffle) playlistOptions |= PL_OPTION_SHUFFLE;
 
+  if (parentPlaylistPresetId == 0 && parentPlaylistIndex > -1) {
+    // we are re-loading playlist when returning from nested playlist
+    playlistIndex = parentPlaylistIndex;
+    playlistRepeat = parentPlaylistRepeat;
+    parentPlaylistIndex = -1;
+    parentPlaylistRepeat = 0;
+  } else if (rep == 0) {
+    // endless playlist will never return to parent so erase parent information if it was called from it
+    parentPlaylistPresetId = 0;
+    parentPlaylistIndex = -1;
+    parentPlaylistRepeat = 0;
+  }
+
   currentPlaylist = presetId;
   DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Playlist loaded."));
   return currentPlaylist;
@@ -127,7 +146,7 @@ void handlePlaylist() {
   static unsigned long presetCycledTime = 0;
   if (currentPlaylist < 0 || playlistEntries == nullptr) return;
 
-if (millis() - presetCycledTime > (100 * playlistEntryDur) || doAdvancePlaylist) {
+  if ((playlistEntryDur < UINT16_MAX && millis() - presetCycledTime > 100 * playlistEntryDur) || doAdvancePlaylist) {
     presetCycledTime = millis();
     if (bri == 0 || nightlightActive) return;
 
@@ -137,7 +156,10 @@ if (millis() - presetCycledTime > (100 * playlistEntryDur) || doAdvancePlaylist)
     if (!playlistIndex) {
       if (playlistRepeat == 1) { //stop if all repetitions are done
         unloadPlaylist();
-        if (playlistEndPreset) applyPresetFromPlaylist(playlistEndPreset);
+        if (parentPlaylistPresetId > 0) {
+          applyPresetFromPlaylist(parentPlaylistPresetId); // reload previous playlist (unfortunately asynchronous)
+          parentPlaylistPresetId = 0; // reset previous playlist but do not reset Index or Repeat (they will be loaded & reset in loadPlaylist())
+        } else if (playlistEndPreset) applyPresetFromPlaylist(playlistEndPreset);
         return;
       }
       if (playlistRepeat > 1) playlistRepeat--; // decrease repeat count on each index reset if not an endless playlist
@@ -147,7 +169,7 @@ if (millis() - presetCycledTime > (100 * playlistEntryDur) || doAdvancePlaylist)
 
     jsonTransitionOnce = true;
     strip.setTransition(playlistEntries[playlistIndex].tr * 100);
-    playlistEntryDur = playlistEntries[playlistIndex].dur;
+    playlistEntryDur = playlistEntries[playlistIndex].dur > 0 ? playlistEntries[playlistIndex].dur : UINT16_MAX;
     applyPresetFromPlaylist(playlistEntries[playlistIndex].preset);
     doAdvancePlaylist = false;
   }
diff --git a/wled00/presets.cpp b/wled00/presets.cpp
index 15eed3e46..54f052637 100644
--- a/wled00/presets.cpp
+++ b/wled00/presets.cpp
@@ -22,6 +22,10 @@ const char *getPresetsFileName(bool persistent) {
   return persistent ? presets_json : tmp_json;
 }
 
+bool presetNeedsSaving() {
+  return presetToSave;
+}
+
 static void doSaveState() {
   bool persist = (presetToSave < 251);
 
@@ -269,7 +273,7 @@ void savePreset(byte index, const char* pname, JsonObject sObj)
       quickLoad = nullptr;
     } else {
       // store playlist
-      // WARNING: playlist will be loaded in json.cpp after this call and will have repeat counter increased by 1
+      // WARNING: playlist will be loaded in json.cpp after this call and will have repeat counter increased by 1 it will also be randomised if selected
       includeBri   = true; // !sObj["on"].isNull();
       playlistSave = true;
     }
diff --git a/wled00/set.cpp b/wled00/set.cpp
index c37f24533..00333788d 100644
--- a/wled00/set.cpp
+++ b/wled00/set.cpp
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ void handleSettingsSet(AsyncWebServerRequest *request, byte subPage)
 
     bool busesChanged = false;
     for (int s = 0; s < 36; s++) { // theoretical limit is 36 : "0123456789ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ"
-      int offset = s < 10 ? 48 : 55;
+      int offset = s < 10 ? '0' : 'A';
       char lp[4] = "L0"; lp[2] = offset+s; lp[3] = 0; //ascii 0-9 //strip data pin
       char lc[4] = "LC"; lc[2] = offset+s; lc[3] = 0; //strip length
       char co[4] = "CO"; co[2] = offset+s; co[3] = 0; //strip color order
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ void handleSettingsSet(AsyncWebServerRequest *request, byte subPage)
         break;
       }
       for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
-        lp[1] = offset+i;
+        lp[1] = '0'+i;
         if (!request->hasArg(lp)) break;
         pins[i] = (request->arg(lp).length() > 0) ? request->arg(lp).toInt() : 255;
       }
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ void handleSettingsSet(AsyncWebServerRequest *request, byte subPage)
     // we will not bother with pre-allocating ColorOrderMappings vector
     BusManager::getColorOrderMap().reset();
     for (int s = 0; s < WLED_MAX_COLOR_ORDER_MAPPINGS; s++) {
-      int offset = s < 10 ? 48 : 55;
+      int offset = s < 10 ? '0' : 'A';
       char xs[4] = "XS"; xs[2] = offset+s; xs[3] = 0; //start LED
       char xc[4] = "XC"; xc[2] = offset+s; xc[3] = 0; //strip length
       char xo[4] = "XO"; xo[2] = offset+s; xo[3] = 0; //color order
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ void handleSettingsSet(AsyncWebServerRequest *request, byte subPage)
     disablePullUp = (bool)request->hasArg(F("IP"));
     touchThreshold = request->arg(F("TT")).toInt();
     for (int i = 0; i < WLED_MAX_BUTTONS; i++) {
-      int offset = i < 10 ? 48 : 55;
+      int offset = i < 10 ? '0' : 'A';
       char bt[4] = "BT"; bt[2] = offset+i; bt[3] = 0; // button pin (use A,B,C,... if WLED_MAX_BUTTONS>10)
       char be[4] = "BE"; be[2] = offset+i; be[3] = 0; // button type (use A,B,C,... if WLED_MAX_BUTTONS>10)
       int hw_btn_pin = request->arg(bt).toInt();
@@ -1193,7 +1193,7 @@ bool handleSet(AsyncWebServerRequest *request, const String& req, bool apply)
   }
   // you can add more if you need
 
-  // global col[], effectCurrent, ... are updated in stateChanged()
+  // global colPri[], effectCurrent, ... are updated in stateChanged()
   if (!apply) return true; // when called by JSON API, do not call colorUpdated() here
 
   pos = req.indexOf(F("&NN")); //do not send UDP notifications this time
diff --git a/wled00/wled.cpp b/wled00/wled.cpp
index bafdf58a9..7bfd2d5da 100644
--- a/wled00/wled.cpp
+++ b/wled00/wled.cpp
@@ -109,7 +109,6 @@ void WLED::loop()
     if (WLED_CONNECTED && aOtaEnabled && !otaLock && correctPIN) ArduinoOTA.handle();
     #endif
     handleNightlight();
-    handlePlaylist();
     yield();
 
     #ifndef WLED_DISABLE_HUESYNC
@@ -117,6 +116,10 @@ void WLED::loop()
     yield();
     #endif
 
+    if (!presetNeedsSaving()) {
+      handlePlaylist();
+      yield();
+    }
     handlePresets();
     yield();
 
@@ -464,7 +467,7 @@ void WLED::setup()
   #endif
 
   // fill in unique mdns default
-  if (strcmp(cmDNS, "x") == 0) sprintf_P(cmDNS, PSTR("wled-%*s"), 6, escapedMac.c_str() + 6);
+  if (strcmp(cmDNS, DEFAULT_MDNS_NAME) == 0) sprintf_P(cmDNS, PSTR("wled-%*s"), 6, escapedMac.c_str() + 6);
 #ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
   if (mqttDeviceTopic[0] == 0) sprintf_P(mqttDeviceTopic, PSTR("wled/%*s"), 6, escapedMac.c_str() + 6);
   if (mqttClientID[0] == 0)    sprintf_P(mqttClientID, PSTR("WLED-%*s"), 6, escapedMac.c_str() + 6);
@@ -547,16 +550,16 @@ void WLED::beginStrip()
         Segment &seg = strip.getSegment(i);
         if (seg.isActive()) seg.colors[0] = BLACK;
       }
-      col[0] = col[1] = col[2] = col[3] = 0;  // needed for colorUpdated()
+      colPri[0] = colPri[1] = colPri[2] = colPri[3] = 0;  // needed for colorUpdated()
     }
     briLast = briS; bri = 0;
     strip.fill(BLACK);
     strip.show();
   }
+  colorUpdated(CALL_MODE_INIT); // will not send notification but will initiate transition
   if (bootPreset > 0) {
     applyPreset(bootPreset, CALL_MODE_INIT);
   }
-  colorUpdated(CALL_MODE_INIT); // will not send notification
 
   // init relay pin
   if (rlyPin >= 0) {
diff --git a/wled00/wled.h b/wled00/wled.h
index 8ece2c356..ea40c5dfe 100644
--- a/wled00/wled.h
+++ b/wled00/wled.h
@@ -419,7 +419,7 @@ WLED_GLOBAL bool gammaCorrectCol    _INIT(true);  // use gamma correction on col
 WLED_GLOBAL bool gammaCorrectBri    _INIT(false); // use gamma correction on brightness
 WLED_GLOBAL float gammaCorrectVal   _INIT(2.8f);  // gamma correction value
 
-WLED_GLOBAL byte col[]    _INIT_N(({ 255, 160, 0, 0 }));  // current RGB(W) primary color. col[] should be updated if you want to change the color.
+WLED_GLOBAL byte colPri[] _INIT_N(({ 255, 160, 0, 0 }));  // current RGB(W) primary color. colPri[] should be updated if you want to change the color.
 WLED_GLOBAL byte colSec[] _INIT_N(({ 0, 0, 0, 0 }));      // current RGB(W) secondary color
 
 WLED_GLOBAL byte nightlightTargetBri _INIT(0);      // brightness after nightlight is over
diff --git a/wled00/xml.cpp b/wled00/xml.cpp
index 3c15ee085..19868d01d 100644
--- a/wled00/xml.cpp
+++ b/wled00/xml.cpp
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ void XML_response(Print& dest)
   dest.printf_P(PSTR("<?xml version=\"1.0\" ?><vs><ac>%d</ac>"), (nightlightActive && nightlightMode > NL_MODE_SET) ? briT : bri);
   for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++)
   {
-   dest.printf_P(PSTR("<cl>%d</cl>"), col[i]);
+   dest.printf_P(PSTR("<cl>%d</cl>"), colPri[i]);
   }
   for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++)
   {
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ void XML_response(Print& dest)
   dest.printf_P(PSTR("<ns>%d</ns><nr>%d</nr><nl>%d</nl><nf>%d</nf><nd>%d</nd><nt>%d</nt><fx>%d</fx><sx>%d</sx><ix>%d</ix><fp>%d</fp><wv>%d</wv><ws>%d</ws><ps>%d</ps><cy>%d</cy><ds>%s%s</ds><ss>%d</ss></vs>"),
     notifyDirect, receiveGroups!=0, nightlightActive, nightlightMode > NL_MODE_SET, nightlightDelayMins,
     nightlightTargetBri, effectCurrent, effectSpeed, effectIntensity, effectPalette,
-    strip.hasWhiteChannel() ? col[3] : -1, colSec[3], currentPreset, currentPlaylist >= 0,
+    strip.hasWhiteChannel() ? colPri[3] : -1, colSec[3], currentPreset, currentPlaylist >= 0,
     serverDescription, realtimeMode ? PSTR(" (live)") : "",
     strip.getFirstSelectedSegId()
   );
@@ -296,9 +296,9 @@ void getSettingsJS(byte subPage, Print& settingsScript)
 
     unsigned sumMa = 0;
     for (int s = 0; s < BusManager::getNumBusses(); s++) {
-      const Bus *bus = BusManager::getBus(s);
+      const Bus* bus = BusManager::getBus(s);
       if (!bus || !bus->isOk()) break; // should not happen but for safety
-      int offset = s < 10 ? 48 : 55;
+      int offset = s < 10 ? '0' : 'A';
       char lp[4] = "L0"; lp[2] = offset+s; lp[3] = 0; //ascii 0-9 //strip data pin
       char lc[4] = "LC"; lc[2] = offset+s; lc[3] = 0; //strip length
       char co[4] = "CO"; co[2] = offset+s; co[3] = 0; //strip color order