WS2801 Vs WS2811

ryebred

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Has anyone done a comparison of RGB strings using the WS2801 chip versus strings using the WS2811? The 2811 strings I am looking at are three wire and the 2801 is 4 wire. That does not make a big difference to me but it is one less wire to have to do something with and one less wire that could fail at some point.

The main difference I am wondering about is the color depth. 2801 is 24 bit so 16 million colors whereas the 2811 is 15 bit for 32,768 colors. From an online video I saw, it seems the 2801 shows better color at low intensities but around 50% to 100% intensity level, which is what I use most of the time with my CCR's, there is no real discernible difference that I can see between the two.

The 2811 cost more per string so I am trying to determine if it is worth it to pay more for the 2801.
 

fasteddy

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ryebred said:
Has anyone done a comparison of RGB strings using the WS2801 chip versus strings using the WS2811? The 2811 strings I am looking at are three wire and the 2801 is 4 wire. That does not make a big difference to me but it is one less wire to have to do something with and one less wire that could fail at some point.

The main difference I am wondering about is the color depth. 2801 is 24 bit so 16 million colors whereas the 2811 is 15 bit for 32,768 colors. From an online video I saw, it seems the 2801 shows better color at low intensities but around 50% to 100% intensity level, which is what I use most of the time with my CCR's, there is no real discernible difference that I can see between the two.

The 2811 cost more per string so I am trying to determine if it is worth it to pay more for the 2801.

2811 and the 2801 are both 8 bit per colour, the LEDs used are the same. The main difference is that the 2811 has the clock information sent through the data, so the chip itself doesnt have an internal clock. The 2801 has the 4th wire for a clock as the clock is internal to the chip. This adds to costs.
The other difference is that the 2811 outputs at 18.5mA per colour as apoosed to the 2801 which is 20mA, the difference here are really negligable and if anything under driving the LED slightly will increase the life of the LED.
The 2811 can achieve a further distance between controller and first pixel than what the 2801 can.

So the 2811 is now becoming the main pixel type used in the hobby.

In the end most are going to 2811 because its far better value especially in a strip
 

Kaden

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Technically 2811 will be more reliable as there are fewer components/wires/soldering.
 

David_AVD

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Kaden said:
Technically 2811 will be more reliable as there are fewer components/wires/soldering.

Possibly from a pixel hardware point of view. The 2801 is much easier to drive at pretty much any data rate that suits the application though.
 

riri7707

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Other difference for those who build themselves specific displays/pcb modules:
WS2801 accepts 3x5050 Led per output in serial max (more brigthness and luminous) without transistor addon
WS2811 can only accept 1 x 5050 (less current). If more, you need to add transistors on the output lines.
But at end , if you calculate the component costs, pcb and build, that's a fact it's more interesting today to go to ws2811 from my point of view... Take a look at Ray's store , compare and you will understand.
 

ThaiWay

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riri7707 said:
...WS2811 can only accept 1 x 5050 (less current). If more, you need to add transistors on the output lines....
What's going on here then? I don't see any transistors.
 

David_AVD

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riri7707 said:
WS2811 can only accept 1 x 5050 (less current).

The WS2811 can actually drive 3x 5050 LEDs in series as per the data sheet.

WS2801 chips are still handy for where you need the features (pins) not available on the WS2811.
 

Ken Benedict

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From Ray Wu's store, check the circuit diagram to see the booster transistors it takes to drive six of the 5050 LEDs.
 

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Ken Benedict

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And for those interested, thespec sheet for the WS2812, which is a combination of the WS2811 circuit and a 5050 LED. Used for high density pixel displays.
 

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ThaiWay

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Thanks for that Ken. I am interested. I'm still learning (with a long way to go!)


With this new insight and from what I've observed, generally:


For a WS2811 strip with one IC and three 5050's per segment, it's 12V. If it's one-to-one or built-in, it's 5V


WS2811 modules (rectangle) with three 5050's are 12V.


WS2811 Pixel nodes, 5V. Good example:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/promotion-12mm-RGB-full-LED-pixel-module-WS-2811IC-DC5V-input-50pcs-a-string-IP68-led/564836955.html


This one confuses me:
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/DC12V-input-WS2811-pixel-node-100pcs-a-string-IP68-rated/701799_735789822.html
The title and description say 12V but under "wiring" it says red = +5V. Typo? If it is actually 12V, what makes it so?
 

David_AVD

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You can get pixel strings in 12V, but they are not as common as the 5V types I've found. They usually have one extra resistor and sometimes a zener diode to drop the 12V down to 5V for the chip itself.

The 12V pixel strings are less efficient of course (0.72W vs 0.3W assuming 20mA per colour), but may be a little more tolerant of voltage drop issues.
 

fasteddy

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Ken Benedict said:
And for those interested, thespec sheet for the WS2812, which is a combination of the WS2811 circuit and a 5050 LED. Used for high density pixel displays.

Seems like Ray still calls these 2811, but in fact they have their own number
 

kathy82

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The dimming properties are the same on both chips. The WS2811 uses 3 wire as opposed to the 4 of the 2801. My manufacturer has told me the WS2811 is also more "stable", but I have not yet to have a problem with the WS2801 chips-base strips.You should be able to comingle the strings. How you configure your controller for that depends on the controller. If using an e68X you would have to put the WS2811 on different universes than the WS2801. Also, you'll have to check the firmware version of your e68x. There was a firmware update which added functionality for the WS2811 IC.
 
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