@Jason_Coon post reminded me again of DMX protocol. I’ve gained some info about digital strips and how they work. But what I don’t understand is DMX512 protocol it seems to be the standard protocol for controlling stage lights. DMX512 has only 512 channels meaning that you can control 512 mono color LEDs (or a maximum 170 RGB LEDs), right? I did some googling, it seems like configuring individual devices is difficult. Can digital strips technology be used instead? if they are comparable what are cons and pros of each?
You pair a DMX controller and it handles translating from the DMX signal to the LEDs digital signals. There are a host of DMX512 controllers and yes those will do 1 Universe or 170 pixels. You can also get DMX (Streaming ACN or E1.31) .
via Ethernet and those controllers can control many more in higher density setups. There are quite a few programs you can setup to “Play” your DMX signals against. I am particularly fond of the Christmas oriented ones, specifically the Falcon Pi Player to play back sequences.
You are right - a single DMX universe only has 512 channels. It is possible to have multiple universes, though I believe they need to be wired up separately. In my opinion, when you have a large number (e.g. thousands) of RGB LEDs that you want to control, a straight DMX to RGB LED mapping is rarely what you want. DMX is slow (~250kbps) - you’re capped at about 44 frames per second if you’re using the full 512 channels.
A far better solution is to instead use DMX to send control information to devices that are, in turn, controlling dozens/hundreds of LEDs. For example, you could send timing information, pattern parameter information, mode selection information, etc… In fact, this is how DMX works for a lot of lights out there (DMX controls the programs that are running on the light - though you often can use DMX to directly control various parameters/lights as well).
(Also, if you’re going to play with DMX - don’t forget about termination!)
wow, that gets complicated. I have no Idea how DMX works. Our digital strips are basically shift registers built into LEDs.
Daniel as you say I should receive the data from the DMX decoder and read the data that carry the parameters of preprogrammed patterns on my Arduino, right? That limits me so much, if I have say 10 strips I will need 10 DMX decoders and 10 Arduinos and each time I want to update the patterns I have to reprogram all the Arduinos again!
Either you’re doing that, or you’re using a separate DMX line/universe for every 170 LEDs or so. Your choice (if you want to use DMX, that is).