Rank and Summary of RGB LEDs Strips, controllers, available

[njamateur]

I would love to convert my renard system to RGB wonderland. Years ago when Renard was fresh and hot I posted a spreadsheet comparison of the half dozen styled controllers including parts list and group buy discount pricing. It really helped many newbies get a grip on what was out there and make a decision. At that time light strings were simply one color and they didn't factor nearly as much as how many channels per board and how the data and power was distributed.

Now I am the RGB newbie. I have searched for days - found a few commercial sites and a few strips on amazon ranging from $26 to $53 AND HIGHER. There are several different types of RGB strips - 5050 3528 2801 2026... What does it all mean?? I was watching the propeller controller thread for a few weeks back in the early summer. It seems that each strip has a different driver board but that is a guess. Can each DIY controller control each type of strip?? It also seems that RGB strips need about 1.7A @ 12v per 5m of leds. How do you feed them all that power? Can Vixen3.0 control all those channels or is something better out there. Time is moving fast!

So the big question?
Can someone please post a summary of what is out there or steer me to a good list/summary?
RGB Strips
power supplies
Controllers
Software
I really want to upgrade to a full RGB system with 12 strips along the roof edge, a mega tree with 24 strings and 12 more strips decorating windows and forming arches.

Any help will be much appreciated.
Best Regards,
Mike from NJ

[jklingert]

Fasteddy has a nice presentation http://auschristmaslighting.com/foru....0;attach=1199

[fasteddy]

I have started to create learning centre with a few different subjects and links here http://auschristmaslighting.com/foru...oard,51.0.html it may help you a bit

[Henedce]

By no means am I an expert but most of my display this year is RGB (if I can get it all finished)
Personally I have kept it simple , Renard 64XC boards with DCSSR's downside I need a lot of channels .

So the big question?
Can someone please post a summary of what is out there or steer me to a good list/summary?
RGB Strips
power supplies
Controllers
Software
I really want to upgrade to a full RGB system with 12 strips along the roof edge, a mega tree with 24 strings and 12 more strips decorating windows and forming arches.

Working through your list :
RGB strips: check out http://auschristmaslighting.com/foru...4.0;attach=629 awesome basic info Thanks Eddy
Power Supplies:I went with 12V 360W Switch mode power supplies of Ebay paid on average $25 - 30
Controllers: DMX (I wish but my wife would kill me) or any DC capable board . Im using 4 x Ren64XC boards with DCSSR's
Software: Im sticking with Vixen
12 strips along the roof edge, a mega tree with 24 strings and 12 more strips decorating windows and forming arches: Using my method is 48channels x 3 for RGB = 144 channels

Very channel intensive my way but kept very simple I'm just not ready to delve into the next step by going DMX yet.
To give you some idea of what I have achieved check out
RGB Arches
Bethlehem Star
Both made from 5050 RGB strip bought from Ebay @ around $5 / metre

[njamateur]

Thanks for your prompt responses. Fasteddy - looks like my timing was perfect - your learning center is hot off the press and right on the mark. HENEDCE - you provided some insight into sources for the pieces AND you are right about Fasteddy's AWESOME one page pdf of how things tie together. I am confused about channel count. I was thinking that each RGB item needed a channel; I guess that doesn't make since since there are only 4 wires running down each strip and the RGB pixels are addressable. So there must be some way of addressing each pixel on each channel - correct? I will look into the Ren64XC. I have 14 AC Ren16 XMUS design which provides enough channels by your count - I wonder if they can be modified and converted. Again thanks!!
Mike

[chelmuth]

There is a Difference between RGB-Pixel Strings and Dumb-RGB Strips..

Pixels can be individually controlled and are individually addressable..

Dumb RGB Strip the entire length of the strip lights the same color..

As far as channels.. each RGB-Pixel in a pixel string is 3 channels Red/Green/Blue. So 100 Pixels is 300 Channels
Each dumb RGB Strip is 3 channels.. so 5 ft of Dumb driven by 3 channels would only be 3 channels..

[Greg in Canby]

Renard 64XC boards with DCSSR's downside I need a lot of channels.

What design are you using for your DCSSRs? Need to make some for my 5050's.
Thanks,
Greg

[budude]

One minor suggestion and perhaps I missed it in the prezos is to describe the different LED packages themselves so people know what the numbers mean. I see 5050 mentioned often but not sure if everyone know what they mean or that they know it's not a reference to the pixel driver chips like 1804, 6803, etc.

5050 = 5.0mm x 5.0mm SMD package
3528 = 3.5mm x 2.8mm SMD package
3020 = 3.0mm x 2.0mm SMD package

[njamateur]

ah ha - another piece to the puzzle. Now I have to understand driver chips and controller compatibility.
Thanks

[mlkren]

I did not not know that. Thanks Brian, lesson learned for today :smile: