I've done the LED strips via microcontroller to do a Stranger Things project where I can send text messages through programmable LEDs. It wasn't too difficult, once I got over an issue with the Arduino library I was trying to use. I'm interested in the show control software. I'd like to dip my toes into it to see if it's something I want to use for a Halloween party. Looking forward to videos about that!
Sure thing - I'm thinking about doing a mini-course about lighting in general, because I think there's lots that escape rooms can do in that direction in terms of learning from theatre techniques to increase immersion!
Hi Alistair, thanks for another great video. Off topic but could I ask what model them RGB Moving Head wash lights are at the end of the video? It’s given me an idea for a Halloween project :)
Although APA102 can be run at higher speeds, in my experience the higher the speed is the shorter the length that will work reliably is so it's a refresh rate vs length trade off.
You're absolutely correct - it's just a little shield I made to supply power to the strips and the ESP (and also to step up the 3.3V output from the GPIO pin to 5V logic level required by the data line of the strips)
omg i hate these short videos. i have a WS2812E 16x16 that i bought because once again i was fouled by a you tuber acting like its so easy. Well 2 yrs later its been sitting in a box, 10 times i have tried to just put a giant G, and even with chatgpt help all i get is random leds. I have some experience programming but none on leds, so i had to change my whole project to delete the matrix.
Lol. I normally make hour long videos describing everything in great detail and people complain that they're too long! Can't please everyone I guess. How is your matrix wired - in a serpentine shape, or just rows and columns. If you use FastLED as I recommended there's plenty of demo scripts to get you started.
@@PlayfulTechnology I love your videos, hate leds with a passion, and yeah no pleasing anyone is a motto in 2024. I wish i knew how to figure out how the matrix is addressed.
@@ZenHulk I'll write a post about it - might be easier to explain in text rather than video! But, FWIW, my pixels start at the bottom-left, and then "snake" up the matrix, so the LEDS are arranged like this: 15 14 13 12 8 9 10 11 7 6 5 4 0 1 2 3 Supply 5V and GND to the respective lines, and connect the Data (Data IN! not out, these strips have a direction, as explained ;) ) to the GPIO output from your controller. Now, in terms of best practice, there's a couple of other little things to do: - That should be a 5V signal line, so if you're using an ESP8266/ESP32 you should take the GPIO output through a logic level convertor first, like a SN74HCT125, to step it up to 5V - You should also add a capacitor across the 5V/GND lines, 1000uF, >6.3V - Also add a series resistor on the data line, exact value doesn't seem to matter - I normally use 330Ω These are all things common to _all_ the LED types demonstrated here, and I've said them lots of times in previous videos in which I've used LEDs, so didn't go in to great detail here when I more wanted to focus on the difference between the different types of LEDs!
This is the single best description of the differences between these systems that I've seen. Thanks Alistair.
Ah, thankyou so much for the kind comment! I'm glad you found it helpful :)
I'd love a video about the show control lighting
Great video - It would be really great if you'll explain in the future you use of qsl+
I've done the LED strips via microcontroller to do a Stranger Things project where I can send text messages through programmable LEDs. It wasn't too difficult, once I got over an issue with the Arduino library I was trying to use. I'm interested in the show control software. I'd like to dip my toes into it to see if it's something I want to use for a Halloween party. Looking forward to videos about that!
Sure thing - I'm thinking about doing a mini-course about lighting in general, because I think there's lots that escape rooms can do in that direction in terms of learning from theatre techniques to increase immersion!
Recently got my first gig at a haunted attractions and of course this video had to come out after I just did all my research over a week lol.
Hi Alistair, thanks for another great video. Off topic but could I ask what model them RGB Moving Head wash lights are at the end of the video? It’s given me an idea for a Halloween project :)
Hi James - they're cheapo generic "Betopper"-branded LM70Ss - I got a bundle of 3 of them a while ago for about £150.
@@PlayfulTechnology Thank you so much!
Although APA102 can be run at higher speeds, in my experience the higher the speed is the shorter the length that will work reliably is so it's a refresh rate vs length trade off.
That's good knowledge, thankyou! (I've actually only dabbled with them a bit before quickly deciding WS2812 were more suitable for my needs anyway)
Nice
Just dabbled with them myself. But be careful with single 2812 LEDS in combination 2812 strips. Need resistors and decoupling caps!
Might be a dumb question, but what driver or shield? are you using for the LEDs. Looks like it also powers the microcontroller.
You're absolutely correct - it's just a little shield I made to supply power to the strips and the ESP (and also to step up the 3.3V output from the GPIO pin to 5V logic level required by the data line of the strips)
Great video... except for the excessive hand movements-they were super distracting.
Marilou Junction
omg i hate these short videos. i have a WS2812E 16x16 that i bought because once again i was fouled by a you tuber acting like its so easy. Well 2 yrs later its been sitting in a box, 10 times i have tried to just put a giant G, and even with chatgpt help all i get is random leds. I have some experience programming but none on leds, so i had to change my whole project to delete the matrix.
Lol. I normally make hour long videos describing everything in great detail and people complain that they're too long! Can't please everyone I guess. How is your matrix wired - in a serpentine shape, or just rows and columns. If you use FastLED as I recommended there's plenty of demo scripts to get you started.
@@PlayfulTechnology I love your videos, hate leds with a passion, and yeah no pleasing anyone is a motto in 2024. I wish i knew how to figure out how the matrix is addressed.
@@ZenHulk I'll write a post about it - might be easier to explain in text rather than video! But, FWIW, my pixels start at the bottom-left, and then "snake" up the matrix, so the LEDS are arranged like this:
15 14 13 12
8 9 10 11
7 6 5 4
0 1 2 3
Supply 5V and GND to the respective lines, and connect the Data (Data IN! not out, these strips have a direction, as explained ;) ) to the GPIO output from your controller. Now, in terms of best practice, there's a couple of other little things to do:
- That should be a 5V signal line, so if you're using an ESP8266/ESP32 you should take the GPIO output through a logic level convertor first, like a SN74HCT125, to step it up to 5V
- You should also add a capacitor across the 5V/GND lines, 1000uF, >6.3V
- Also add a series resistor on the data line, exact value doesn't seem to matter - I normally use 330Ω
These are all things common to _all_ the LED types demonstrated here, and I've said them lots of times in previous videos in which I've used LEDs, so didn't go in to great detail here when I more wanted to focus on the difference between the different types of LEDs!
@@PlayfulTechnology thank you
Hey, is it possible to contact you by E-Mail oder Social-Media?