Apple's matrix display

[RobG]

I just noticed this great matrix display at my local Apple store.
At first, I thought it was made with some cool new LEDs (5mm or 8mm with embedded chip perhaps,) but as I got close, I realized they are simple straw hat LEDs with a small driver chip on the side.
Still, the way this thing is constructed is amazing.
There are several vertical panels, each with several horizontal PCBs holding 8 LEDs.
PCBs are connected with 2 thick wires which also serve as power rail.
Data connection is done with a thin wire on the side (one wire protocol.)
I want one!

214742147521476

[jchuchla]

looks a lot like the LED video curtains used in the staging industry. the main difference is those are typically vertical strips and the data interconnects are flexible threadlike strands woven into the mesh. In this installation I'd bet the choice for the straw hat style facing upward was to reduce the brightness of directly viewing the led. with this orientation you can still see it light, without it shining in your face. The exposed circuitry is a bit unusual though.