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An Introduction to LED Pixel Lighting Technology
LED Pixel Strip Lights are addressable LED strips that let you create custom lighting effects tailored to your project’s needs. Whether you’re lighting up signs, adding impact to stage productions, or designing dynamic displays, these strips allow you to control each LED individually or in groups with an LED pixel controller
LED Strip Light Vs Digital Pixel LED Strip Light
LED strip lights provide a consistent, uniform wash of colour across the entire length of the strip. This makes them ideal for adding a solid, even hue to any space.
In contrast, digital pixel LED strip lights offer much more flexibility. They let you control each LED individually or in groups, so you can create dynamic effects. From simple patterns like chasing lights to elaborate animations and images, digital pixel strips can deliver impressive, custom visuals.
When choosing pixel LED strip lights, one key aspect to consider is the Pixels Per Metre (PPM). A higher PPM means more LEDs per metre, which translates to finer details and smoother colour transitions. Lower PPM can result in a more blocky appearance, as fewer LEDs control larger areas.
PPM is an important factor because it influences the quality and complexity of the lighting effects you can achieve.
Below, you can see some examples of the effects possible with pixel LED strip lights:
Choosing The Right Pixel Options
To bring those captivating light effects to life, you have a couple of options. For straightforward projects, a simple, standalone controller might be all you need. If you’re aiming for something more advanced or professional, our Advatek controllers are an excellent choice. No matter your project, we're here to support you in finding the perfect solution to meet your needs.
Think of Pixel LED Strip Lights as a low-resolution LED screen, but instead of using SDI or HDMI for control, you’re using a pixel controller. This setup lets you achieve intricate lighting effects with precision and flexibility.
Understanding What Pixel Is
You might hear different terms like Pixel, Addressable, or Digital when talking about LED strip lights. Despite the various names—such as LED Pixel Strip Lights, Digital Toning LED Strip Lights, or Addressable LED Light Strips—they all essentially describe the same type of technology. No matter what they're called, these products share the same core features and functionalities.
A flexible PCB with copper solder pads in either black or white
Colour changing LED chips mounted to the PCB
A pixel chip mounted to the PCB which controls the LED chips
SPI on the other hand stands for "Serial Peripheral Interface". It is the signal that is used to communicate the with the LED pixel strip light. SPI Digital LED controllers are designed to be used with pixel LED strip light to send a signal along the strip light, communicating with the pixel chips and passing on a message to the LED chips to tell them to light up in a certain way.
What About RGB vs RGB+W Pixel LED Strip Lights?
Choosing between RGB and RGB+W pixel LED strip lights depends on your specific application.
RGB Pixel Strip Lights use a 3-in-1 LED chip that combines red, green, and blue colours. By adjusting the brightness of these three colours, you can create a wide range of hues, including a white light that's close to neutral. This type of strip light uses 3 channels per LED, which simplifies mapping and reduces the number of DMX addresses needed.
In contrast, RGBW Pixel Strip Lights incorporate a 4-in-1 LED chip with red, green, blue, and an additional white LED. While RGB can produce a colour that’s near white, the dedicated white LED in RGBW strips offers a purer, more accurate white tone. However, RGBW strip lights use 4 channels per LED, which requires more DMX universes for mapping the strip lights effectively.
LED Pixel Lighting Control
Controlling Pixel LED lights involves sending signals to individual LEDs in a matrix or strip to change their colour, brightness, and pattern. There are different methods for controlling Pixel LED lights, each with its own advantages and limitations.
Microcontroller
One of the most common ways to control Pixel LED lights is by using a microcontroller such as Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or Teensy. The microcontroller sends signals to the LED strip or matrix, specifying the colour, brightness, and pattern of each LED. This method provides a high level of flexibility and control, allowing for complex animations and lighting effects.
Pixel Controllers
Pixel Controllers are advanced LED controllers designed to provide high-quality control for LED pixel lighting applications. These controllers offer a range of features and capabilities that make them ideal for use in a variety of lighting applications, from stage and event lighting to architectural and commercial lighting.
One of the key features of Pixel Controllers is their compatibility with a wide range of LED pixel protocols, including WS2811, WS2812 and APA102. This makes them a versatile option for controlling different types of LED lighting installations.
Pixel Controllers generally offer a range of advanced features, such as built-in pattern generation, colour correction, and advanced mapping capabilities. This allows users to create complex lighting effects and animations, as well as fine-tune the colour and brightness of each individual LED.
Software
Software applications such as Jinx, Glediator, and MadMapper allow users to create custom animations and effects for Pixel LED lights. These applications usually require a computer or laptop to run and a compatible LED controller to send the signals to the LEDs.
What are LED Pixel Protocols?
When controlling Pixel LED lights, it is important to consider the power requirements of the LED strip or matrix. Pixel LED lights require a significant amount of power, and it is important to ensure that the power supply is sufficient to prevent damage to the LED strip or matrix. It is also important to follow the manufacturer's instructions for wiring and connecting the LEDs to ensure safe and reliable operation.
LED pixel protocols are a set of communication standards used to control LED pixels in various lighting applications. These protocols allow for precise control of individual LED pixels, enabling them to display complex patterns, animations, and colours.
There are several popular LED pixel protocols in use today, each with its own unique features and characteristics. Some of the protocols we use include:
- UCS1903
- UCS1904
- UCS2903
- UCS2904
- TM1804
- TM1903
- WS2811
- WS2815
- SK6812
Overall, LED pixel protocols are a critical component of modern lighting systems, enabling precise control and dynamic visual effects in a wide range of applications.
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