RGB vs Pixels

What is RGB?

RGB stands for Red, Green, and Blue, the primary additive colors used to create all colors. The RGB Color model allows you to create other colors by mixing selected amounts of each of the primary colors to create new colors. With digital controllers we can control the intensity of each of the three channels assigned to the three primary colors and create a rainbow of colors.

What are the Different Types of RGB Lights?

RGB lights can come in a few different types.

1. Pseudo RGB - These are commonly a collection of individual Red, Green and Blue lights that can be turned on and off to provide the primary colors,but do not offer true color mixing. "Super strings" are a common example
2. "Dumb RGB" - These are strings, strips or floodlights that have the ability to change colors, but all of the LEDs change to the same color at once,and you require a DC controller to drive them.
3. Intelligent RGB (Pixels) - The main difference between "Dumb RGB" and Pixels is the fact that Pixels have a control chip (IC) built into each LED and they can have their color individually controlled independent of each other.

Examples of the typical "RGB Strings" Include:

• "Super strings" - a collection of three individual colored strings (1Red, 1Green, 1 Blue) wrapped together. The colors do not mix to form other colors, but are used to give the three primary colors as effects.
• Dumb RGB Strings - a string of RGB LEDs that can be adjusted to any color by using a dc controller to control the string. Dumb strings can only change all of the LEDs at once, they can not be individually controlled

  List of commonly available Dumb RGB Products

• Intelligent RGB Strings "Pixels" - a string of RGB LEDs each with a built in control chip that allow unlimited color mixing and individual control. They need to be controlled by a Pixel Controller.

  List of commonly available Pixels

RGB Strip vs. Pixel Strip