WS2812B vs WS2811. The WS2812B (shown lit) has only four "pads" inside the pixel

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WS2812B vs WS2811.
The WS2812B (shown lit) has only four “pads” inside the pixel package and eight bond wires, versus six pads and nine bond wires for the WS2811 (shown unlit). Externally, the '12B package has four pins, while the '11 has six. The WS2812B is the newer, more simplified design.

Dan just pointed out to me that the WS2812 (NON-B) is also a six-pin design. It’s just the WS2812 B that is the four-pin package.

(Shot with an iPhone 5 and an $8 snap-on macro lens: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ADL338M/ )

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I’ve been recently curious about RGBW leds. Do you know if anyone is making them cheaply, or if they’re really still a homebrew affair?

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The RGBW strips I’ve seen (http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/rgb-bars-and-strips/high-power-rgbw-led-flexible-light-strip-rgb-white-led-strip/1572/) are all analog, not individually pixel-addressable digital strips.