ErnieHorning: Restored from the archived ChristmasWiki backup. Image references updated where required.

2026-08-06T22:36:40Z

Restored from the archived ChristmasWiki backup. Image references updated where required.

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==DC or Digital Solution?==
DC LED modules require a "DC Controller". The controller has one output per colour for every section you want to control independently. So, a 27 channel DC controller could control 9 RGB elements with full control over each.

Digital LED modules on the other hand each contain extra electronics and require the use of an "Digital Controller". These modules just have one set of connections (power & data) and each section can be controlled individually, even though they all share the same wiring.

Digital LED modules are more expensive than DC types due to the extra electronics in them. If you want to control each element separately, then digital is the way to go. If you just want to colour change a whole collection of elements together, DC will do and is cheaper to implement.

[[File:ArchivedChristmasWiki_DCvsDigitalStrip.gif]]

'''Standard strip''' requires a DC controller to process the computer signals to light effects and is often called:
* RGB
* 3-channel RGB
* Legacy RGB
* Dumb RGB
* Simple RGB
* 9-channel RGB
* Chasing RGB (3x RGB controllable segments 123123123)

Over a five metre distance expect to use between 3 and 9 channels in an unbroken standard RGB strip.

'''Digital strip''' may require a digital converter controller but ultimately processes the computer signals (in a specific format) into light effects inside the strip and is often called:
* Intelligent RGB
* Digital RGB
* IC Strip
* Intelligent Strip
* Smart Strip
* Pixels

Over a five metre distance expect to use between 150 and 450 channels in an unbroken digital RGB strip.

Any of the above names are perfectly fine!

==DC Basic/Dumb RGB LED modules==
The following are for use with a DC controller.
* Waterproof Rectangular RGB 12V LED Module (3x 5050 SMD RGB LEDs) [http://www.holidaycoro.com/3-Channel-RGB-DMX-Controller-p/56.htm] [http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209889132-291745854/Waterproof-RGB-LED-LED-Module-3-pcs-5050-SMD-RGB-LED.html]
* Waterproof Square RGB 12V LED Module (3x 5050 SMD RGB LEDs) [http://www.holidaycoro.com/3-Channel-RGB-DMX-Controller-p/57.htm] [http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209889132-291746166/Waterproof-SMD-LED-Module-3pcs-5050-SMD-LED-RGB-color-.html]
* Waterproof RGB 5V LED Pixel (8mm LED) [http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209889132-314088420/12mm-diameter-through-hole-LED-channel-letter-DC5V-input-RGB-waterproof-0-3W-120degree-beam-angle.html]
* Waterproof RGB 12v LED Pixel (8mm LED) [http://www.holidaycoro.com/product-p/58.htm] [http://www.holidaycoro.com/RGB-8mm-LED-Waterproof-Node-12v-p/58.htm]
* Waterproof (Silicone Tubing) RGB 12V LED Strip (30x 5050 SMD LEDs per meter) [http://www.holidaycoro.com/RGB-LED-Strip-12v-30-LEDs-per-Meter-Waterproof-p/59.htm] [http://www.aliexpress.com/product-fm/329544925-5m-one-roll-5050-SMD-30LEDs-m-led-strip-waterproof-by-silicon-tubing-and-coating-RGB-wholesalers.html]
* Waterproof (Silicone Tubing) RGB 12V LED Strip (60x 5050 SMD LEDs per meter) [http://www.aliexpress.com/product-fm/329545582-5m-one-roll-5050-SMD-60LEDs-m-led-strip-waterproof-by-silicon-tubing-and-coating-RGB-wholesalers.html]

HolidayCoro has a video series that shows all of the above modules and strip: [http://www.holidaycoro.com/rgb/rgb.html]

==DC Digital/Smart LED modules ==
The following are for use with an digital controller.

Waterproof Silicone Tube Strip / Ribbon
* Waterproof (Silicone Tubing) RGB LED Digital Strip (30x 5050 SMD LEDs per meter and 10 pixels per meter / 2811 IC / 12v) Non-waterproof plug [http://www.holidaycoro.com/product-p/700.htm] / Waterproof Plug [http://www.holidaycoro.com/product-p/700-white-wp.htm]
* Waterproof (Silicone Tubing) RGB LED Digital Strip (48x 5050 SMD LEDs per meter and 16 pixels per meter / 2811 IC / 12v / 8 Bit Color) [http://www.holidaycoro.com/product-p/704.htm]
* Waterproof (Silicone Tubing) RGB LED Digital Strip (60x 5050 SMD LEDs per meter and 20 pixels per meter / 2811 IC / 12v / 8 Bit Color) [http://www.holidaycoro.com/product-p/708.htm]
* Waterproof (Silicone Tubing) RGB LED Digital Strip (30x 5050 SMD LEDs per meter and 30 pixels per meter / INK1003 IC / 12v / 8 Bit Color) [http://www.holidaycoro.com/product-p/717.htm]
* Waterproof (Silicone Tubing) RGB LED Digital Strip (60x 5050 SMD LEDs per meter and 60 pixels per meter / INK1003 IC / 12v / 8 Bit Color) [http://www.holidaycoro.com/product-p/718.htm]
* Waterproof (Silicone Tubing) RGB LED Digital Strip (30x 5050 SMD LEDs per meter and 10 pixels per meter / 6803 IC / 12v / 5 Bit Color) [http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209843764-306378431/LED-Digital-strip-with-6803-IC-30pcs-5050-SMD-per-meter-DC12V-input-with-silicon-tubing.html]

Nodes (Bullet / Square style)
* Waterproof RGB LED Pixel Node (bottom wires/bullet) (1x 8mm LED and WS2811 IC / 5V) Bare Wire [http://www.holidaycoro.com/product-p/710.htm] - Waterproof Plug [http://www.holidaycoro.com/Waterproof-5v-Pixel-Node-String-p/710-wp-blk.htm] / 12v Bare Wire [http://www.holidaycoro.com/product-p/711.htm] - Waterproof Plug [http://www.holidaycoro.com/12mm-Pixel-Node-With-Waterproof-Connections-p/711-wp-blk.htm]
* Waterproof RGB LED Pixel Node (side/flat wires/square) (1x 8mm LED and WS2811 IC) 5v [http://www.holidaycoro.com/product-p/672.htm] / 12v [http://www.holidaycoro.com/product-p/673.htm]

Modules (Rectangle / Square)
* Waterproof Square RGB 12V LED Module (3x 5050 SMD RGB LEDs and WS2801 IC) [http://www.holidaycoro.com/Smart-Pixel-Square-RGB-Module-p/657.htm] [http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209889132-476143302/DC12V-WS2801-pixel-module-with-3pcs-5050-RGB-SMD-LED-30mm-diameter-20pcs-a-string.html]
* Waterproof Rectangular RGB 12V LED Module (3x 5050 SMD RGB LEDs and 2811 IC) [http://www.holidaycoro.com/Smart-Pixel-Rectangle-RGB-Module-p/656.htm]
* Waterproof Rectangular RGB 12V LED Module (3x 5050 SMD RGB LEDs and TM1804 IC) [http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209889132-374338740/TM1804-IC-led-pixel-module-DC12V-input.html]
* Waterproof Square RGB 12V LED Module (3x 5050 SMD RGB LEDs and TM1804 IC) [http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209889132-374338613/TM1804-IC-led-pixel-module-DC12V-input.html]
* Waterproof Rectangular RGB 12V LED Module (3x 5050 SMD RGB LEDs and CYT3005 IC) [http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209889132-320689419/3pcs-5050-RGB-pixel-module-waterproof-CYT3005-IC-512-level-gray-scale-DC12V-input-0-9W.html]
* Waterproof Square RGB 12V LED Module (3x 5050 SMD RGB LEDs and CYT3005 IC) [http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209889132-320691333/5pcs-5050-RGB-pixel-module-waterproof-CYT3005-IC-512-level-gray-scale-DC12V-input-1-2W.html]

==DMX DC Drivers==
These controllers are for LED modules and strips that contain just LEDs and resistors. They can also be used with DC powered rope light and strings.
* Bare Board DMX 3 Channel @ 2A/Ch Controller Controller (decoder & driver w/DIP Switch addressing) [http://www.holidaycoro.com/3-Channel-RGB-DMX-Controller-p/37.htm] [http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209915969-378113147/Easy-DMX-LED-controller-dmx-decoder-driver.html]
* Sealed/Boxed DMX 3 Channel @ 2A/Ch Controller (decoder & driver w/DIP Switch addressing) [http://www.holidaycoro.com/3-Channel-DMX-RGB-Controller-DIP-Switch-Addressing-p/27.htm]
* Boxed DMX 3 Channel @ 5A/Ch Controller (decoder & driver w/LED Push Button addressing) [http://www.holidaycoro.com/3-Channel-DMX-Controller-for-RGB-Lights-12v-DC-p/38.htm]
* Sealed/Boxed DMX 3 Channel @ 2A/Ch Controller (decoder & driver) - Switchless Addressing [http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209915969-307297826/DMX-512-Module-decoder-DC12V-input-P-N-LN-DMXMODEL-3CH-12V.html] (Programmer for Switchless: Hardware [http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209915969-307319323/DMX512-Dditor-for-setting-DMX-address-P-N-LN-DMXID-EDTIOR.html]
* Boxed DMX 3 Channel @ 3A/Ch Controller (decoder & driver w/DIP Switch addressing) [http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209915969-410843238/DMX512-Decoder-DC12-24V-input-max-3A-each-channel-output.html]

* DMX 30 Channel @ 2A/Ch (60A Total) Controller (decoder & driver w/DIP Switch addressing) Pre-Assembled Kit [http://www.holidaycoro.com/10-Channel-Dumb-RGB-Assembled-Controller-p/836.htm] Bare Board [http://www.holidaycoro.com/30-Channel-DMX-Controller-for-RGB-Lights-12v-DC-p/40.htm]
* DMX 27 Channel @ 2A/Ch (25A Total) Controller (decoder & driver w/DIP Switch addressing) [http://www.holidaycoro.com/27-Channel-DMX-Controller-for-RGB-Lights-25-Amps-p/25.htm]
* DMX 27 Channel @ 2A/Ch (15A Total) Controller (decoder & driver w/DIP Switch addressing) Pre-Assembled Kit [http://www.holidaycoro.com/9-Channel-Dumb-RGB-Assembled-Controller-p/835.htm] Bare Board [http://www.holidaycoro.com/27-Channel-RGB-DMX-Controller-p/24.htm] [http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209915969-378111925/Easy-DMX-LED-controller-dmx-decoder-driver.html]

===DMX DC drivers from Aussie Phil===
These controllers are for LED modules and strips that contain just LEDs and resistors. They can also be used with rope light and strings.
* TigerDMX48HC DMX 48 Channel (12Vdc - 55Vdc @ 2.5A) Controller [http://www.tigerdmx.com/tigerdmx48hc.php] (retired, no longer available)
* TigerDMX120LC DMX 120 Channel (12Vdc - 36Vdc @ 100mA) Controller [http://www.tigerdmx.com/tigerdmx120lc.php] (retired, no longer available)

===DMX DC drivers from AVD===
These controllers are for LED modules and strips that contain just LEDs and resistors. They can also be used with rope light and strings.
* DA48 DMX 48 Channel (9Vdc - 40Vdc @ 2A) Controller [http://www.audiovisualdevices.com.au/viewprod.php?catid=&productid=DC48]
* DA24 DMX 24 Channel (9Vdc - 40Vdc @ 2A) Controller [http://www.audiovisualdevices.com.au/viewprod.php?catid=&productid=DC24]

==RS-485 DMX digital drivers==
===DMX digital pixel drivers from HolidayCoro ===
RS-485/DMX to SPI Pixel Driver (2811, 2801, 6803, 1804, 3001, etc pixels) 5 to 24v DC [http://www.holidaycoro.com/product-p/614.htm]

===DMX digital drivers from AVD===
These controllers are for LED modules and strips that contain a drive IC such as the 2801 or 6803.
* P-DMX 25 pixel controller. [http://auschristmaslighting.com/forums/index.php/topic,1046.0.html]

===DMX digital drivers from Aussie Phil===
These controllers are for LED modules and strips that contain a drive IC such as the 2801, 3005, 1804, etc.
* TP3244 DMX Controller. [http://forums.auschristmaslighting.com/index.php/board,34.0.html] (retired, no longer available)

==E1.31 digital pixel drivers==

===E1.31 digital drivers from HolidayCoro.com===
* AlphaPix 4 [http://www.holidaycoro.com/product-p/722-V2.htm] 4 output
* AlphaPix 16 [http://www.holidaycoro.com/product-p/721-V3.htm] 16 output

===E1.31 digital drivers from Sandevices===
* E682 [http://sandevices.com/E681info.html] 16 output

===E1.31 digital drivers from Stellascapes===
These controllers are for LED modules and strips that contain a drive IC such as the 2801, 6803, etc.
* E2 [http://www.stellascapes.com] 2 output
* E16 [http://www.stellascapes.com] 16 output

===E1.31 digital drivers from J1SYS===
These controllers are for LED modules and strips that contain a drive IC such as the 2801, 6803, etc.
* PIXAD8 [http://www.j1sys.com/ecg-pixad8/] 8 output

==Extra Reading==
* [http://forums.auschristmaslighting.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=647.0;attach=1040 E1.31, Hyper DMX and DMX Typical Layout (Version 1.3)] PDF by Fasteddy

* [http://forums.auschristmaslighting.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=634.0;attach=629 RGB Basic Setup] PDF by Fasteddy

* [http://www.holidaycoro.com/kb_results.asp?ID=15 A 2 hour video series that covers most all pixel types and interfaces] by HolidayCoro.com

* [http://blog.holidaycoro.com/2015/01/where-do-i-start-when-designing-new-rgb.html Article that explains how to design an RGB Pixel Project] by HolidayCoro.com

==Related Links==
[[Archived ChristmasWiki:Different Styles of Pixels|Different Styles of Pixels]] 
[[Archived ChristmasWiki:Controllers|Controllers]] 
[[Archived ChristmasWiki:Pixel Wiring Colors|Pixel Wiring Colors]] 
[[Archived ChristmasWiki:Things You Will Need To Get Started With Pixels|Things You Will Need To Get Started With Pixels]] 
[[Archived ChristmasWiki:Power Supplies|Power Supplies]] 
[[Archived ChristmasWiki:Pixel Connectors|Pixel Connectors]] 
[[Archived ChristmasWiki:Choosing a Pixel Voltage: 5V vs 12V|Choosing a Pixel Voltage: 5V vs 12V]] 
[[Archived ChristmasWiki:Power Injection|Power Injection]] 
[[Archived ChristmasWiki:Waterproofing Pixels|Waterproofing Pixels]] 
[[Archived ChristmasWiki:Null Pixels|Null Pixels]] 
[[Archived ChristmasWiki:E1.31_(Streaming-ACN)_Protocol|E1.31 Network Setup and Configuration]]

[[Category:Archived ChristmasWiki:RGB]]
[[Category:Archived ChristmasWiki:Pixel]]

Archived ChristmasWiki:Dumb RGB or Intelligent Pixels - Revision history

ErnieHorning: Restored from the archived ChristmasWiki backup. Image references updated where required.