I’ve just realised that despite me ordering WS2801 pixels, the spec says that they are just 5bit per channel.
http://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/6322689465.html
I thought that the chip (WS2801) meant that they would be full 8bit
Is anyone able to explain this to me? Was I wrong to assume, or is their WS2801 description wrong?
Tiny Tim isn’t going to get any lights this Xmas 
It’s too bad that there isn’t a link to the datasheet for the chips that in those strips. It’s time to contact the seller as you probably didn’t get what you ordered?!?
Well, that’s what I’m wondering. I thought that WS2801 WAS the chip. Am I missing something, or can you legitimately have 5bit WS2801s?
Sure looks like WS2801’s to me. I’d go ahead and program them as such.
Alas, I did - which is what led to this head scratching. No joy…
Can you confirm the IC is in fact a WS2801 or not some knock off?
That’s what I’m trying to establish. My question is “Can one legitimately have a 5bit per channel WS2801 setup, or was mentioning WS2801 in the description something I can complain about?” It’s the first time I’ve been annoyed at buying from Aliexpress.
Every datasheet I have seen for ws2801 is 8bit per channel, if it’s a knock off then who knows.
I’m also wondering about the results of Mark’s programming? I mean, does it look like 5 bit lightness levels as opposed to 8 bit ones? Also keep in mind that Chinese documentation is often written in Engrish and often C&P without adequate review. Either way, they’re a MUCH better price than anything you can buy locally.
Hi @Andrew_Tuline - The problem is, they don’t work at all. It’s not like they downscale from 8bits to 5bits. They just don’t work. I’m sure they would with the correct driver, but I’ve no idea what these are. I’m trying to get in contact with the supplier. It’s funny because there was a little leaflet with them saying not to open dispute until spoken to them first. I’m giving them 1 more day, then going to complain.
If it’s actually 5-bit per channel it is very likely something like the LPD6803 which is no longer supported by the library.
Also, for laughs, try swapping the clock and data lines (these chips behave weirdly when you have them backwards). Also double double check and make sure you are connecting the clock and data lines to clock/data in on the leds. (Full disclosure: I mention both of these having made both mistakes multiple times in the past)
Hi Daniel. The data/clock switcheroo was the first thing I tried 
But, the in/out swap I did not think of. However - I’m in a bit of a bind, as I cut the end to make an input lead :-0 My working set has the 4 prong male input, so I assumed it was the same. I’m not sure how to check this now… ooops.
So after my FastLED3.1 embarrassment, this is probably another one. I’ve just checked and the chip is facing the male connector on my working lights, but it is facing the female connector on the non-working lights!! I chopped the ‘end’ lead right to the bone… I’ll have to sacrifice a precious LED to check this. If it works, then I’ll reinsert it at the end.
Not a job for tonight though… thanks for your help, @Daniel_Garcia
@Daniel_Garcia I can confirm with much embarrassment that I was indeed feeding to the out, not the in! The pixels are 8bit, not the 5 in the description (good!) I have closed the dispute with the supplier.
Lesson learned: don’t assume that identical connectors on different sets go in the same direction!
Just put two of these strands on our Christmas tree today and should have them lit up soon. . .