Different Styles of Pixels

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Intro

Pixels are RGB Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that allow a rainbow of individual colors to be created independently on each Pixel node. Pixels are Intelligent LEDs and have both power and control signals fed to each individual Pixel node. Using various communications protocols they are connected to Pixel Controllers that sends a specially formatted signal to the Pixel string that passes the control information to all of the Pixels connected in series.


There are several main properties that define each Pixel, and they include:

  • Form Factor (String, Strip, Module, Etc.)
  • LEDs per meter (the spacing of the LEDs on the wire or strip)
  • ICs per Meter (Relates to how many LEDs are lit together for each Pixel, commonly 1 or 3 LEDs per IC)
  • Power Supply Voltage (typically 5VDC vs. 12 VDC)
  • Color Depth (The number of bits of data used to control each color such as 4,6,8 12, etc. bits)
  • LED Type (Size and Shape of LED which impacts overall brightness)
  • Waterproofing Technique (Injection molding, Cast Epoxy, Sleeve, Etc.)
  • Wire Size (The size of the wire connecting the Pixels together 18 AWG vs. 20AWG)
  • Pixel (IC)Control chips (WS2801, WS2811, TM1809, TM1824, GECE, Etc.)
  • Number of Wires Required (3 vs 4)


It is critical that you select a Pixel Controller and Power Supply that is compatible and capable of driving the specific Pixel you select. It is also important to consider how you will be connecting the Pixels and if you need Power Injection to make them function.


There are many options and configurations and each has it's advantages and disadvantages depending on the application. Some of the most popular Pixels are ones driven by the WS2811 IC and use 12VDC power and use some form of cast epoxy waterproofing. They are a good balance of new technology and reliable designs.

Disclaimers

The standard disclaimers pertaining to the information contained on this wiki page are listed here.
THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND IS NOT COMPLETE AND HAS NOT BEEN CHECKED FOR ERRORS YET!!

Pixel Properties

Pixels come in many different shapes and properties. The most common properties are:

Form Factor

Pixels come in many shapes and sizes. The Form Factor of the Pixels impacts how you will mount them and what look you are trying to accomplish.

  • Strings - Can be any purchased in any custom length, but more then 50 pixels will require Power Injection. It important to remember that Pixel strings should never be strung using their wire to support them like you would with regular light stings. This will damage the Pixels and their waterproofing. Since they are generally custom made, you can request your vendor to make the spacing between units to custom lengths. Common methods to support Pixel strings include using cable ties or electric tape to attach them to PVC pipe, EMT electric conduit or Plastic Strapping. Strings are commonly used to make Megatrees, Minitrees and Leaping Arches.
    1. 12mm pixel - This is the most common Pixel type. It actually contains a 8mm LED inside the housing. The 12mm refers to the outer diameter of the package. These were orginally designed to mount inside of enclosures and are used for large advertising display screens.
    2. 12mm pixel (square) - These pixels can come with the wire coming either out of the back of the Pixel or the side of the Pixel. There has been some issues with the silicone injection molded units that have the wires coming out of the side not sealing and allowing water into the pixels.
    3. Pixels with Lens - There are a variety of Pixels available with Plastic Lens mounted on the RGB LED to make them look closer to a traditional C7 or C9 incandescent light. Common models include the Ge Color Effects (GECE), the Pixabulb by diyledexpress.com, the Cosmic Color Bulbs by Lightorama.com and the Technicolor Pixel by Ray Wu. Vendors like Ray Wu also sell Plastic lens that can be glued onto regular 12mm Pixel strings to achieve a similar look.
    4. Other Shapes - There are an assortment of other shapes including spheres, domes, boxes, etc. available from various vendors.
  • Strips - Are long flat flexible PCBs that have the RGB LEDs and the IC mounted directly on them and there is no wire between the Pixels other than the PCB. They generally come in 5M lengths. Depending on the Pixel IC used, from 1-3 RGB LEDs will light for each Pixel, so they can end up looking more like Dashes (- - - -) when there are 3 RGB LEDs per Pixel vs. Dots (.. . .) when there is 1 RGB LED per Pixel. Many strips can be cut shorter, but you must only cut at the marks on the strip identifying where they are cutable. You may have to solder wires to the PCB if you are doing Power Injection or cutting the strips. It is very helpful to use flux and a smaller soldering iron so you do not damage the delicate pads on the flexible PCB. Strips are commonly used to make Pixel Matrix on Flat Surfaces or as outlines around doors and windows.
    1. Bare board -These are uncoated and have no waterproofing and can not be used outdoors.
    2. Hollow Tube - This is the most common Pixel Strip. They are basically the uncoated Bare Board Pixel Strip pulled into a hollow Silicone Tube. You must use some form of [[Waterproofing Pixels|Waterproofing] like neutral cure GE Silicone II to seal the ends where the wires attach to the PCBs.
    3. Coated Strips - The bare PCBs are also available with a variety of waterproofing compounds. You need to scrape away the waterproofing compound to solder the wires to the PCB to power them or to cut them.
      • Silicone Coating
      • Epoxy Resin Coating
    4. Solid Tube - The bare PCBs are also available in hollow tubes that have been filled with various waterproofing compoounds.
      • Solid Silicone
      • Solid Epoxy Resin
  • Modules - Are very similar to strings, but are designed to be mounted to some surface and often have mounting tabs. They commonly have multiple RGB LEDs per pixels, so they are brighter then regular strings. Most are designed to run on 12VDC. Since they are generally custom made, you can request your vendor to make the spacing between units to custom lengths. They are frequently waterproofed by filling then with epoxy. They can come in metal or plastic housings. Modules are frequently used for lighting tune to signs, outline large objects and backlight coro designs.
    1. Square With 4 RGB LEDs
    2. Rectangular - With 3 RGB LEDs
    3. Other Shapes - Many vendors also have a variety of other shapes available.

LEDs per meter

Pixels all come with different standard spacing between each LED. The Higher the densitty of the LEDs, the higher the power requirements will be for that section of lights. By dividing the LEDs per meter by the ICs per meter listed in the tables below, you can calculate how many RGB LEDs are associated with each Pixel.

  • Strips - Many 12VDC strips have 3 LEDs wired together as one pixel and the individual LEDs are not controllable, just the group of three.
    1. 30 LED/m - This is a common spacing and generally will result in a 5M strip with 50 individually controlable pixels and a total of 150 RGB LEDs.
    2. 60 LED/m - When you move up to higher density spacing, you often end up with shorter (4M) strips due to the power requirements. It is common to have to use Power Injection on strips with higher density.
  • Strings - Strings come in all different shapes and sizes of Pixel nodes. On common 12mm Pixel nodes there is only one RGB LED in each node, while some of the other shapes and modules often have multiple RGB LEDs inside.
    1. 10 LED/m - The most common spacing for 12mm Pixel strings is 100mm ( ~4") between the individual Pixel nodes. Since most Pixel strings are custom made, it is possible for a small change in price to change the Pixel spacing as a custom order from many vendors.

Power Supply Voltage

(Note: LEDs generally draw 20ma per color, or 60ma (0.06A) per pixel)

    1. 5VDC
    2. 12VDC
    3. 24VDC

LED Type

    1. 3528 surface mount (3.5mm x 2.8mm) (typically used in strips and modules)
    2. 5050 surface mount (5.0mm x 5.0mm) (typically used in strips and modules)
    3. 8mm (typically used in strings)

Waterproofing

(don't trust the IP ratings, they vary quite a bit!) Additional information about sealing pixel strings

    1. Injection Molded Silicone
    2. Cast Epoxy Resin in Sleeve
    3. Cast Epoxy Resin coated PCB
    4. Silicone Tube
      1. Hollow Tube
      2. Silicone Filled Tube
    5. Silicone Coated Strip
    6. Epoxy Coated Strip

Wire Size

    1. 18 Gauge wire (Thicker, better for longer distance or more pixels)
    2. 20 Guage wire

Pixel (IC)Control chips and number of wires

(3 wire= V+,GND,Data) (4 wire=V+,GND,Data,Clock)

    1. 4 bits per color, 16 dimming levels per color. (Total Colors = 16x16x16 = 4,096 colors)
    2. 5 bits per color, 32 dimming levels per color. (Total Colors = 32x32x32 = 32,768 colors)
    3. 7 bits per color, 128 dimming levels per color. (Total Colors = 128x128x128 = 2,097,152colors)
    4. 8 bits per color, 256 dimming levels per color. (Total Colors = 256x256x256 = 16,777,216 colors)
    5. 12 bits per color, 4,096 dimming levels per color. (Total Colors = 4096x4096x4096 = 68,719,476,736 colors) (Note: E1.31 and DMX only support 8 bit data, so the extra bits are used for gamma color correction)
    6. 14 bits per color, 16,834 dimming levels per color. (Total Colors = 16834*16834*16834 = 4,642,956,181,504 colors) (Note: E1.31 and DMX only support 8 bit data, so the extra bits are used for gamma color correction)
      • MY9941 - 4 wire (can drive 4 channels via Native DMX) Datasheet (English)
      • MY9942 (Native DMX)
      • MY9943 (Native DMX)

Examples of Pixels available from different vendors

These are selected Pixels from the various vendors with a mix of properties. Visit their sites for the latest information and to see their entire product catalog.

PLEASE CONFIRM ALL DETAILS WITH VENDOR BEFORE ORDERING!! ALL OF THIS DATA IS SUBJECT TO CONSTANT CHANGE AND MAY BE WRONG!!!

Pricing is in US $. Pricing is as of 1-26-13.

PRICING DOES NOT INCLUDE SHIPPING, TAXES OR IMPORT DUTIES!

Shipping from overseas can be expensive, check with your vendor.


DIYLEDEXPRESS

(USA Based run by DIYC user tjetzer)

Form Factor IC Length Voltage LEDs per Meter ICs per meter Link Image Price Price per Pixel Note
String WS2801 50 pixels (6m) 5vdc 10 10 link $26.00 $0.52 IP68, cast epoxy in sleeve
String WS2811 50 pixels (6m) 5vdc 10 10 link $24.25 $0.49 IP68, cast epoxy in sleeve
String (C9) WS2811 50 pixels (*m) 12vdc 3-10 3-10 link $45.00 $0.90 IP68, C9 lens with 2x5050LEDs, available with 4",6",8",10",12" spacing PIXABULB
String (Square) WS2811 50 pixels (6m) 12vdc 10 10 link $25.75 $0.52 IP68, back wire, cast epoxy
Module (Rectangular) WS2811 20 pixels (2m) 12vdc 10 10 link $16.75 $0.84 3 LEDs, cast epoxy
Strip WS2811 50 pixels (5m) 5vdc 30 10 link $42.50 $0.85 silicone tube
Strip WS2811 100 pixels (5m) 5vdc 60 20 link $65.00 $0.65 silicone tube
Strip TM1809 150 Pixels (5m) 12vdc 30 10 link $60.00 $0.40 silicone tube

Light-O-Rama (LOR)

(USA Based)

Form Factor IC Length Voltage LEDs per Meter ICs per meter Link Image Price Price per Pixel Note
String LPD6803 100 pixels (15.25m) 5vdc 6.5 6.5 link $239.95 $2.40 Cosmic Color Pixels (with controller and Power Supply)
Bulbs LPD6803 100 pixels (15.25m) 5vdc 6.5 6.5 link $289.95 $2.90 Cosmic Color Bulbs (with controller and Power Supply)
Strip LPD6803 50 pixels (5m) 12vdc 30 10 link $249.95 $2.50 Cosmic Color Ribbon (with controller and Power Supply)

Ray Wu

(China Based)

Form Factor IC Length Voltage LEDs per Meter ICs per meter Link Image Price Price per Pixel Note
String WS2801 50 pixels (5m) 5vdc 10 10 link $19.00 $0.38 IP68
String WS2801 50 pixels (5m) 5vdc 10 10 link $25.00 $0.50 IP68, with faceted C9 cover
String WS2801 100 pixels (10m) 12vdc 10 10 link $40.00 $0.40 IP68
String (square) WS2801 50 pixels (5m) 5vdc 10 10 link $19.00 $0.38 IP68, back wire
String (square) WS2801 50 pixels (5m) 5vdc 10 10 link $19.00 $0.38 IP66, side wire
String (square) WS2801 50 pixels (5m) 5vdc 10 10 link $27.50 $0.55 IP68, with faceted C9 cover
Strip WS2801 160 pixels (5m) 5vdc 32 32 link $72.00 $0.45 IP65, silicone tube
Strip WS2801 60 pixels (5m) 12vdc 36 12 link $66.32 $1.10 IP65, silicone tube
Module (square) WS2801 20 pixels 12vdc 40 10 link $20.08 $1.00 epoxy coated
String WS2811 50 pixels (5m) 5vdc 10 10 link $14.00 $0.28 IP68/66? with Black Wire (Injection Molded Silicone)
String WS2811 50 pixels (5m) 5vdc 10 10 link $17.00 $0.34 IP68
String WS2811 50 pixels (5m) 5vdc 10 10 link $21.50 $0.43 IP66, with 4 pin waterproof connectors
String WS2811 50 pixels (5m) 12vdc 10 10 link $30.00 $0.60 IP68, with 3 pin waterproof connectors, "Technicolor", lens covers are extra, 20ga wire
String (square) WS2811 50 pixels (5m) 5vdc 10 10 link $18.00 $0.36 IP68, back wire
String (square) WS2811 100 pixels (10m) 12vdc 10 10 link $40.00 $0.40 IP66, side wire
Strip WS2811 150 pixels (5m) 5vdc 30 30 link $38.00 $0.25 silicone tube
Strip WS2811 50 pixels (5m) 12vdc 30 10 link $30.00 $0.60 silicone tube
Module (rectangular) WS2811 20 pixels 12vdc 30 10 link $18.00 $0.90
Strip WS2812 240 pixels (4m) 5vdc 60 60 link $48.00 $0.20 silicone tube, WS2811 with integrated 5050 LED
Strip WS2812 320 pixels (5m) 5vdc 64 64 link $77.00 $0.24 silicone tube, WS2811 with integrated 5050 LED
String LPD6803 50 Pixels (5m) 5vdc 10 10 link $23.00 $0.46 IP68
String (square) LPD6803 50 Pixels (5m) 5vdc 10 10 link $23.16 $0.46 IP68, side wire
Strip LPD6803 50 Pixels (5m) 12vdc 30 10 link $65.26 $1.31 IP68, similar to LOR CCR
Module (square) LPD6803 20 pixels (2m) 12vdc 10 10 link $21.00 $1.05 3 LEDs
Module (rectangular) LPD6803 20 pixels (2m) 12vdc 10 10 link $20.50 $1.03 3 LEDs
String TLS3001 50 pixels (5m) 5vdc 10 10 link $22.50 $0.45 IP68
String TLS3001 50 pixels (5m) 5vdc 10 10 link $26.00 $0.52 IP68, with 4 pin waterproof connectors
String (square) TLS3001 50 pixels (5m) 5vdc 10 10 link $23.00 $0.46 IP68, back wire
String TM1804 50 pixels (5m) 12vdc 10 10 link $20.00 $0.40 IP68, DIYLA Smart Strings
String TM1804 100 pixels (10m) 12vdc 10 10 link $40.00 $0.40 IP68, DIYLA Smart Strings
Module (square) TM1804 20 pixels (2m) 12vdc 10 10 link $22.00 $1.10 silicone coating, 3 LEDs, DIYLA Smart Modules
Module (rectangular) TM1804 20 pixels (2m) 12vdc 10 10 link $14.00 $0.70 silicone coating, 3 LEDs, DIYLA Smart Modules
Strip TM1809 150 pixels (5m) 12vdc 30 10 link $52.00 $0.35 IP67, silicone tube
Strip TM1809 150 pixels (5m) 12vdc 30 10 link $52.00 $0.35 IP65, silicone coating
Strip TM1809 240 pixels (5m) 12vdc 48 16 link $67.00 $0.28 IP68, silicone tube
Strip DMX 50 pixels (5m) 12vdc 30 10 link $66.32 $1.33 IP65, silicone tube

Retail Store (i.e. Lowes)

Form Factor IC Length Voltage LEDs per Meter ICs per meter Link Image Price Price per Pixel Note
String GECE 25,36,50 pixels (20,29,41ft) 5vdc 4 4 link ~$2 G35 Cover, General Electric Color Effects (with controller and Power Supply)

Seasonal Entertainment

(USA Based run by DIYC user Ponddude)

Form Factor IC Length Voltage LEDs per Meter ICs per meter Link Image Price Price per Pixel Note
String WS2801 42 pixels (4.2m) 12vdc 10 10 link $32.00 $0.76 IP68, Rainbow Mini Pixels
String (C7) WS2801 42 pixels (8.4m) 12vdc 5 5 link $43.00 $1.02 IP68, Rainbow C7 Pixels
String (C9) WS2801 42 pixels (8.4m) 12vdc 5 5 link $45.00 $1.07 IP68, Rainbow C9 Pixels
Strip WS2801 42 pixels (4.2m) 12vdc 30 10 link $73.99 $1.76 IP68, Silicone filled, Rainbow Ribbon
Matrix WS2801 42 pixels (0.15x0.18m) 12vdc xx xx link $35.00 $0.83 Not Waterproof, Rainbow Matrix

Stellascapes

(New Zealand Based run by DIYC user mrpackethead)

Form Factor IC Length Voltage LEDs per Meter ICs per meter Link Image Price Price per Pixel Note
String (Stella-green) SS-1 85 pixels 5vdc 10 10 link $168 $1.98 bullet or flat packages
String (Stella-black) SS-1 85 pixels 5vdc 10 10 link $240 $2.82 bullet or flat packages
Strip (Stella-black) SS-1 85 pixels 5vdc link 45 or 90mm pitch

Examples of DUMB RGB (not Pixels) available from different vendors

PLEASE CONFIRM ALL DETAILS WITH VENDOR BEFORE ORDERING!! ALL OF THIS DATA IS SUBJECT TO CONSTANT CHANGE AND MAY BE WRONG!!!

These are selected DUMB RGB from the various vendors with a mix of properties. Visit their sites for the latest information and to see their entire product catalog.

Pricing is in US $. Pricing is as of 1-26-13.

PRICING DOES NOT INCLUDE SHIPPING, TAXES OR IMPORT DUTIES!

Shipping from overseas can be expensive, check with your vendor.


DIYLEDEXPRESS

(USA Based run by DIYC user tjetzer)

Form Factor IC Length Voltage LEDs per Meter ICs per meter Link Image Price Price per Node Note
String None 50 nodes (5m) 5vdc 10 0 link $18.75 $0.38 IP68
String None 50 nodes (5m) 12vdc 10 0 link $19.75 $0.40 IP68
Strip None 5m 12vdc 30 0 link $19.25 $3.85/m IP65, can be cut every 3 LEDs
Strip None 5m 12vdc 60 0 link $26.35 $5.25/m IP65, can be cut every 3 LEDs
Module (rectangular) None 20 nodes 12vdc 30 0 link $13.50 $0.68 IP66

HolidayCoro

(USA Based run by DIYC user dmoore)

Form Factor IC Length Voltage LEDs per Meter ICs per meter Link Image Price Price per Node Note
String None 50 nodes (5m) 12vdc 10 0 link $32.50 $0.65
Strip None 5m 12vdc 30 0 link $49.99 $10.00/m silicone tube and coating
Module (rectangular) None 20 nodes 12vdc 10 0 link $25.80 $1.29 3 LEDs
Module (square) None 20 nodes 12vdc 10 0 link $27.80 $1.39 3 LEDs

Ray Wu

(China Based)

Form Factor IC Length Voltage LEDs per Meter ICs per meter Link Image Price Price per Node Note
String None 50 nodes (5m) 5vdc 10 0 link $12.00 $0.24 IP68
String None 100 nodes (10m) 12vdc 10 0 link $24.00 $0.24 IP68
Strip None 5m 12vdc 30 0 link $16.00 $3.20/m silicone tube
Strip None 5m 12vdc 30 0 link $16.00 $3.20/m IP68,silicone coating
Strip None 5m 12vdc 30 0 link $24.00 $4.80/m IP68,silicone tube and coating
Strip None 5m 12vdc 30 0 link $20.53 $4.11/m epoxy coating
Strip None 5m 12vdc 60 0 link $22.00 $4.40/m silicone tube
Strip None 5m 12vdc 60 0 link $32.00 $6.40/m IP68,silicone tube and coating
Strip None 5m 12vdc 60 0 link $41.05 $8.21/m epoxy coating
Module (rectangular) None 20 nodes 12vdc 10 0 link $8.00 $0.40 IP65, 2 LEDs
Module (rectangular) None 20 nodes 12vdc 10 0 link $9.00 $0.45 IP66, 3 LEDs
Module (square) None 20 nodes 12vdc 10 0 link $14.74 $0.74 IP68, 3 LEDs
Module (square) None 20 nodes 12vdc 10 0 link $9.50 $0.48 IP67, 4 LEDs

Seasonal Entertainment

(USA Based run by DIYC user Ponddude)

Form Factor IC Length Voltage LEDs per Meter ICs per meter Link Image Price Price per Node Note
String None 50 nodes (5m) 12vdc 10 0 link $19.00 $0.38 IP68
String (square) None 50 nodes (10m) 12vdc 5 0 link $38.99 $0.78 IP68, RGB C7 lens
String (square) None 50 nodes (10m) 12vdc 5 0 link $39.99 $0.80 IP68, RGB C9 lens
Strip None 5m 12vdc 30 0 link $38.50 $7.70/m IP68, Silicone filled


Examples of DUMB WHITE LEDs (not Pixels) available from different vendors

PLEASE CONFIRM ALL DETAILS WITH VENDOR BEFORE ORDERING!! ALL OF THIS DATA IS SUBJECT TO CONSTANT CHANGE AND MAY BE WRONG!!!

These are selected DUMB RGB from the various vendors with a mix of properties. Visit their sites for the latest information and to see their entire product catalog.

Pricing is in US $. Pricing is as of 4-9-13.

PRICING DOES NOT INCLUDE SHIPPING, TAXES OR IMPORT DUTIES!

Shipping from overseas can be expensive, check with your vendor.


Ray Wu

(China Based)

Form Factor IC Length Voltage LEDs per Meter ICs per meter Link Image Price Price per Node Note
String None 50 nodes (5m) 5vdc 10 0 link $0.15 $0.15 IP68 WHITE ONLY NOT RGB

Related Links

Pixel Wiring Colors
Controllers
Dumb RGB or Intelligent Pixels??
Things You Will Need To Get Started With Pixels
Power Supplies
Pixel Connectors
Choosing a Pixel Voltage: 5V vs 12V
Power Injection

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