View source for Dumb RGB or Intelligent Pixels??

==DC or Digital Solution?==
<span id="DC-Digital"></span>DC LED modules require a "DC Controller". The controller has one output per colour for every section you want to control independently. So, a 27 channel DC controller could control 9 RGB elements with full control over each.

Digital LED modules on the other hand each contain extra electronics and require the use of an "Digital Controller". These modules just have one set of connections (power & data) and each section can be controlled individually, even though they all share the same wiring.

Digital LED modules are more expensive than DC types due to the extra electronics in them.  If you want to control each element separately, then digital is the way to go.  If you just want to colour change a whole collection of elements together, DC will do and is cheaper to implement.

[[File:DCvsDigitalStrip.gif]]

'''Standard strip''' requires a DC controller to process the computer signals to light effects and is often called:
* RGB
* 3-channel RGB
* Legacy RGB
* Dumb RGB
* Simple RGB
* 9-channel RGB
* Chasing RGB (3x RGB controllable segments 123123123)

Over a five metre distance expect to use between 3 and 9 channels in an unbroken standard RGB strip.

'''Digital strip''' may require a digital converter controller but ultimately processes the computer signals (in a specific format) into light effects inside the strip and is often called:
* Intelligent RGB
* Digital RGB
* IC Strip
* Intelligent Strip
* Smart Strip
* Pixels

Over a five metre distance expect to use between 150 and 450 channels in an unbroken digital RGB strip.

Any of the above names are perfectly fine!

==DC Basic/Dumb RGB LED modules==
The following are for use with a DC controller.
* Waterproof Rectangular RGB 12V LED Module (3x 5050 SMD RGB LEDs) [http://www.holidaycoro.com/3-Channel-RGB-DMX-Controller-p/56.htm] [http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209889132-291745854/Waterproof-RGB-LED-LED-Module-3-pcs-5050-SMD-RGB-LED.html] 
* Waterproof Square RGB 12V LED Module (3x 5050 SMD RGB LEDs) [http://www.holidaycoro.com/3-Channel-RGB-DMX-Controller-p/57.htm][http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209889132-291746166/Waterproof-SMD-LED-Module-3pcs-5050-SMD-LED-RGB-color-.html]
* Waterproof RGB 5V LED Pixel (8mm LED) [http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209889132-314088420/12mm-diameter-through-hole-LED-channel-letter-DC5V-input-RGB-waterproof-0-3W-120degree-beam-angle.html]
* Waterproof RGB 12v LED Pixel (8mm LED) [http://www.holidaycoro.com/RGB-8mm-LED-Waterproof-Node-12v-p/58.htm]
* Waterproof (Silicone Tubing) RGB 12V LED Strip (30x 5050 SMD LEDs per meter) [http://www.holidaycoro.com/RGB-LED-Strip-12v-30-LEDs-per-Meter-Waterproof-p/59.htm] [http://www.aliexpress.com/product-fm/329544925-5m-one-roll-5050-SMD-30LEDs-m-led-strip-waterproof-by-silicon-tubing-and-coating-RGB-wholesalers.html]
* Waterproof (Silicone Tubing) RGB 12V LED Strip (60x 5050 SMD LEDs per meter) [http://www.aliexpress.com/product-fm/329545582-5m-one-roll-5050-SMD-60LEDs-m-led-strip-waterproof-by-silicon-tubing-and-coating-RGB-wholesalers.html]

HolidayCoro has a video series that shows all of the above modules and strip: [http://www.holidaycoro.com/rgb/rgb.html]

==DC Digital/Smart LED modules ==
The following are for use with an digital controller.
* Waterproof Rectangular RGB 12V LED Module (3x 5050 SMD RGB LEDs and TM1804 IC) [http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209889132-374338740/TM1804-IC-led-pixel-module-DC12V-input.html] 
* Waterproof Square RGB 12V LED Module (3x 5050 SMD RGB LEDs and TM1804 IC) [http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209889132-374338613/TM1804-IC-led-pixel-module-DC12V-input.html]
* Waterproof Rectangular RGB 12V LED Module (3x 5050 SMD RGB LEDs and CYT3005 IC) [http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209889132-320689419/3pcs-5050-RGB-pixel-module-waterproof-CYT3005-IC-512-level-gray-scale-DC12V-input-0-9W.html]
* Waterproof Square RGB 12V LED Module (3x 5050 SMD RGB LEDs and CYT3005 IC) [http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209889132-320691333/5pcs-5050-RGB-pixel-module-waterproof-CYT3005-IC-512-level-gray-scale-DC12V-input-1-2W.html]
* Waterproof Rectangular RGB 12V LED Module (3x 505 SMD RGB LEDs and 2811 IC) [http://www.holidaycoro.com/Smart-Pixel-Rectangle-RGB-Module-p/656.htm]
* Waterproof Square RGB 12V LED Module (3x 5050 SMD RGB LEDs and WS2801 IC) [http://www.holidaycoro.com/Smart-Pixel-Square-RGB-Module-p/657.htm] [http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209889132-476143302/DC12V-WS2801-pixel-module-with-3pcs-5050-RGB-SMD-LED-30mm-diameter-20pcs-a-string.html]
* Waterproof RGB 12v LED Pixel (bottom wires) (1x 8mm LED and WS2801 IC) [http://www.holidaycoro.com/Smart-RGB-8mm-LED-Waterproof-Node-2801-p/658.htm]
* Waterproof RGB 12v LED Pixel (side/flat wires) (1x 8mm LED and WS2801 IC) [http://www.holidaycoro.com/Smart-RGB-8mm-LED-Waterproof-Lay-Flat-Node-2801-p/670.htm]
* Round Diffused 44mm RGB 12V LED Module (3x 5050 SMD RGB LED and WS2801 IC) [http://www.holidaycoro.com/Smart-Pixel-RGB-1-7in-Round-Pixel-12v-p/667.htm]
* Waterproof (Silicone Tubing) RGB 12V LED Digital Strip (30x 5050 SMD LEDs per meter and 50 pixels and 2811 IC and 12v) [http://www.holidaycoro.com/Smart-Pixel-RGB-LED-Strip-12v-30Leds-M-p/659.htm]
* Waterproof (Silicone Tubing) RGB 12V LED Digital Strip (30x 5050 SMD LEDs per meter and 150 pixels and 2811 IC and 5V) [http://www.holidaycoro.com/poroduct-p/660.htm]
* Waterproof (Silicone Tubing) RGB 12V LED Digital Strip (30x 5050 SMD LEDs per meter and 6803 IC) [http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209843764-306378431/LED-Digital-strip-with-6803-IC-30pcs-5050-SMD-per-meter-DC12V-input-with-silicon-tubing.html]

==DMX DC Drivers==
These controllers are for LED modules and strips that contain just LEDs and resistors. They can also be used with rope light and strings.
* Easy DMX 3 Channel @ 2A/Ch Controller Controller (decoder & driver w/DIP Switch addressing) [http://www.holidaycoro.com/3-Channel-RGB-DMX-Controller-p/37.htm] [http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209915969-378113147/Easy-DMX-LED-controller-dmx-decoder-driver.html]
* DMX 3 Channel @ 3A/Ch Controller (decoder & driver w/DIP Switch addressing) [http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209915969-410843238/DMX512-Decoder-DC12-24V-input-max-3A-each-channel-output.html]
* Easy DMX 27 Channel @ 1A/Ch (15A Total) Controller (decoder & driver w/DIP Switch addressing) [http://www.holidaycoro.com/27-Channel-RGB-DMX-Controller-p/24.htm] [http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209915969-378111925/Easy-DMX-LED-controller-dmx-decoder-driver.html]
* Sealed/Boxed 3 Channel @ 2A (6A Total) Controller (decoder & driver) - CAT5 Connection[http://www.holidaycoro.com/product-p/30.htm] and Bare Wire Connection [http://www.holidaycoro.com/product-p/26.htm] [http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209915969-307297826/DMX-512-Module-decoder-DC12V-input-P-N-LN-DMXMODEL-3CH-12V.html]
* DMX Addressing Tool For Above (Stand Alone Hardware Version) [http://www.holidaycoro.com/product-p/54-hw-v1.htm] [http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209915969-307319323/DMX512-Dditor-for-setting-DMX-address-P-N-LN-DMXID-EDTIOR.html] (Software PC/Mac Version) [http://www.holidaycoro.com/product-p/54-2.htm]

===DMX DC drivers from Aussie Phil===
These controllers are for LED modules and strips that contain just LEDs and resistors. They can also be used with rope light and strings.
* TigerDMX48HC DMX 48 Channel (12Vdc - 55Vdc @ 2.5A) Controller [http://www.tigerdmx.com/tigerdmx48hc.php] (retired, no longer available) 
* TigerDMX120LC DMX 120 Channel (12Vdc - 36Vdc @ 100mA) Controller [http://www.tigerdmx.com/tigerdmx120lc.php] (retired, no longer available)

===DMX DC drivers from AVD===
These controllers are for LED modules and strips that contain just LEDs and resistors. They can also be used with rope light and strings.
* DA48 DMX 48 Channel (9Vdc - 40Vdc @ 2A) Controller [http://www.audiovisualdevices.com.au/viewprod.php?catid=&productid=DC48]
* DA24 DMX 24 Channel (9Vdc - 40Vdc @ 2A) Controller [http://www.audiovisualdevices.com.au/viewprod.php?catid=&productid=DC24]

==RS-485 DMX digital drivers==
===DMX digital pixel drivers from HolidayCoro ===
RS-485/DMX to SPI Pixel Driver (2811, 2801, 6803, 1804, 3001 pixels) 5 to 12v DC [http://www.holidaycoro.com/product-p/611.htm]

===DMX digital drivers from Aussie Phil===
These controllers are for LED modules and strips that contain a drive IC such as the 2801, 3005, 1804, etc.
* TP3244 DMX Controller. [http://forums.auschristmaslighting.com/index.php/board,34.0.html] (retired, no longer available)

===DMX digital drivers from AVD===
These controllers are for LED modules and strips that contain a drive IC such as the 2801 or 6803.
* P-DMX 25 pixel controller. [http://auschristmaslighting.com/forums/index.php/topic,1046.0.html]

==E1.31 digital pixel drivers==
===E1.31 digital drivers from Sandevices===
* E682 [http://sandevices.com/E681info.html] 16 output

===E1.31 digital drivers from Stellascapes===
These controllers are for LED modules and strips that contain a drive IC such as the 2801, 6803, etc. 
* E2 [http://www.stellascapes.com] 2 output
* E16 [http://www.stellascapes.com] 16 output

===E1.31 digital drivers from J1SYS===
These controllers are for LED modules and strips that contain a drive IC such as the 2801, 6803, etc. 
* PIXAD8 [http://www.j1sys.com/ecg-pixad8/] 8 output

==Extra Reading==
* [http://forums.auschristmaslighting.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=647.0;attach=1040 E1.31, Hyper DMX and DMX Typical Layout (Version 1.3)] PDF by Fasteddy

* [http://forums.auschristmaslighting.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=634.0;attach=629 RGB Basic Setup] PDF by Fasteddy

* [http://forums.auschristmaslighting.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=634.0;attach=629 RGB Basic Setup] PDF by Fasteddy

* [http://www.holidaycoro.com/kb_results.asp?ID=15 A 2 hour video series that covers most all pixel types and interfaces] by HolidayCoro.com

==Related Links==
[[Different Styles of Pixels]] <br>
[[Controllers]] <br>
[[Pixel Wiring Colors]] <br>
[[Things You Will Need To Get Started With Pixels]] <br>
[[Power Supplies]] <br>
[[Pixel Connectors]] <br>
[[Choosing a Pixel Voltage: 5V vs 12V]] <br>
[[Power Injection]]<br>
[[Waterproofing Pixels]]<br>
[[Null Pixels]]<br>
[[E1.31_(Streaming-ACN)_Protocol|E1.31 Network Setup and Configuration]]

[[Category:RGB]]
[[Category:Pixel]]