Bill Ellick
Full time elf
I have been trying to work my way through many posts and digest information to make a decision about how I am going to integrate pixels into my display. I am starting to lean more towards the 12 volt strips for the tree.
I want to build a pixel tree that I can get not only the multiple colors on but also to be able to display text on it as well so that I can get kind of the most bang for the buck out of it.
I am going to go with an ECG-P12R controller and these strings:
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/5m-led-digital-strip-DC12V-input-WS2811IC-256-scale-10pcs-IC-and-30pcs-5050-SMD-RGB/701799_568458133.html
at this point. My concern would be, would I be better off since I am wanting to do text on the tree as well to go with some strip more like this:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/5m-WS2811-LED-digital-strip-60leds-m-with-30pcs-WS2811-built-in-the-5050-smd-rgb/653641294.html
which has the 1 IC per 1 LED to get better resolution for text (the URL link says 60 LEDS but the page is 30 LEDs per meter with 30 ICs).
I understand that the channel count is getting pretty high with this strip but would it be better to use?
I do plan on the tree using the entire lenght of strip per string or 150 LEDs per leg/string/section of tree and probably 12 strings total. So this would be 5400 channels versus 600 channels for the other strip which is 10 IC per meter? A lot more to control as well as going to 5 volt for the 30 ICs per meter strip. So power injection, cable sizing, and a whole lotta love has to go into the thing! I would think that the 5 volt string would be more for a matrix style board rather than a tree?
Or is the first strip with the 10 ics and 30 LEDs per meter going to be sufficent for a pixel tree with text? I don't need a high resolution sign, just some funky stuff like Merry Christmas and a few slogans running through it during the shows. But I do want this to be something that is designed for the long haul and will be around for quite a while.
I'm still confused but it is starting to make some sense if that helps - LOL.
PS. I was thinking of doing the tree somewhat circular rather than just flat. Or would this tend to make text look "funny" rather than just a flat tree with 12 "spokes" at 5 meter long on it?
Also is it betty to use the strips rather than the pixel strings? I see Walter Monkhouse's pdf for his pixel tree uses pixel strings with banding material to keep them orientated out. So what are most people using with the strips or strings to keep them stiff and facing the right direction?
I have thought about using the pixel strings with the C9 covers to get a more traditional look to the tree but then if I want text it seems like the tree will have to be mroe of a somewhat conical shape for a 180 degree tree? Or would strips work better for keeping them flat and pointed out? I see where there are strings that have a rectangular base on them that looks like it would help with mounting and then use the C9 cover on each.
So many options that it is a headache just to come up with a basic start point for designing the darn thing not to even think of the programing challenge ahead yet !!
Well thanks for any advice, pointers, links, or offers for aspirin!!
Oh and just for fun to add another point - 5 volt or 12 volt? I seem to lean towards 12 volt as that "appears" to be the method of choice for the most part that I have seen for trees like this?
I want to build a pixel tree that I can get not only the multiple colors on but also to be able to display text on it as well so that I can get kind of the most bang for the buck out of it.
I am going to go with an ECG-P12R controller and these strings:
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/5m-led-digital-strip-DC12V-input-WS2811IC-256-scale-10pcs-IC-and-30pcs-5050-SMD-RGB/701799_568458133.html
at this point. My concern would be, would I be better off since I am wanting to do text on the tree as well to go with some strip more like this:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/5m-WS2811-LED-digital-strip-60leds-m-with-30pcs-WS2811-built-in-the-5050-smd-rgb/653641294.html
which has the 1 IC per 1 LED to get better resolution for text (the URL link says 60 LEDS but the page is 30 LEDs per meter with 30 ICs).
I understand that the channel count is getting pretty high with this strip but would it be better to use?
I do plan on the tree using the entire lenght of strip per string or 150 LEDs per leg/string/section of tree and probably 12 strings total. So this would be 5400 channels versus 600 channels for the other strip which is 10 IC per meter? A lot more to control as well as going to 5 volt for the 30 ICs per meter strip. So power injection, cable sizing, and a whole lotta love has to go into the thing! I would think that the 5 volt string would be more for a matrix style board rather than a tree?
Or is the first strip with the 10 ics and 30 LEDs per meter going to be sufficent for a pixel tree with text? I don't need a high resolution sign, just some funky stuff like Merry Christmas and a few slogans running through it during the shows. But I do want this to be something that is designed for the long haul and will be around for quite a while.
I'm still confused but it is starting to make some sense if that helps - LOL.
PS. I was thinking of doing the tree somewhat circular rather than just flat. Or would this tend to make text look "funny" rather than just a flat tree with 12 "spokes" at 5 meter long on it?
Also is it betty to use the strips rather than the pixel strings? I see Walter Monkhouse's pdf for his pixel tree uses pixel strings with banding material to keep them orientated out. So what are most people using with the strips or strings to keep them stiff and facing the right direction?
I have thought about using the pixel strings with the C9 covers to get a more traditional look to the tree but then if I want text it seems like the tree will have to be mroe of a somewhat conical shape for a 180 degree tree? Or would strips work better for keeping them flat and pointed out? I see where there are strings that have a rectangular base on them that looks like it would help with mounting and then use the C9 cover on each.
So many options that it is a headache just to come up with a basic start point for designing the darn thing not to even think of the programing challenge ahead yet !!
Well thanks for any advice, pointers, links, or offers for aspirin!!
Oh and just for fun to add another point - 5 volt or 12 volt? I seem to lean towards 12 volt as that "appears" to be the method of choice for the most part that I have seen for trees like this?