LED Pixel Chipsets

Updated 12/8/2023: There are a huge amount of pixel chipsets available, it is difficult to keep track of them all. NLED controllers are compatible with additional chipsets that may not be listed. Contact Us to inquire about compatbility.

Most of the chipsets listed in the controller compatibility table have been tested on hardware, some have been inferred as compatible based on the chipset timings found in their datasheets.

All NLED pixel controllers use tight timings specific to the chipset. Tight timings are important for stable use, all timings are taken from the datasheet and tested on actual pixels of that chipset. Additional chipsets may be supported, please Contact Us to ask if one is supported or to request chipset support.

The NLED controller may require a firmware update in order to utilize new chipsets. Visit the Device Firmware Update Webpage for the most recent firmware updates. Or look in the NLED Aurora Control folder /device updates/

More information about utilizing LED pixels can be found on the LED Project Guide.

The information provided here is not guaranteed and may have inaccuracies. Please confirm any specifications with the datasheet provided by the manufacturer. The official datasheets may have mistakes or may be outright wrong and are frequently poorly translated. If you see any mistakes, please Contact Us.

Choosing a Chipset For your Project:
There are many chipsets to choose from, and they are not all equal, some will work better for projects than others. The WS2812 is the most common and cheapest available, but has a low PWM frequency. Lower PWM frequencies create light that appears to strobe/flicker/quiver, especially when the pixels or viewer are moving. This is more prevalent when the LED light intensity is low, and less noticable if the light intensity is near its maximum. Higher PWM frequencies create a much higher quality light with none of the strobe/flicker/quiver issues. Most cameras can 'see' the PWM frequency, lower frequencies can cause banding or other artifiacts in pictures.

Example:
Flow Toy - Hula Hoop, Staff, Poi: These usually utilize P.O.V.(persistance of vision) color sequences, which requires fast updates and fast PWM frequency. APA102 is by far the best choice, the extra cost is worth the quality results.
Projects for dark enviroments(Clubs/Concerts): In dark enviroments the intensity of the LEDs can not be maximum, or they will blind yourself and others. So the light intensity must be lowered, which requires a higher PWM frequency in order to maintain quality light. Any chipset faster than 400Hz is suitable.
Projects For Bright Enviroments: More likely to be able to use full intensity and viewers will be less sensitive to bright lights. Any chipset can be used, some still may be better than others.

Synchronous Chipsets: V+ - GND - CLK - DAT
These chipsets use 2 data lines for communication, clock/CLK and data/DAT. This allows them to accept data at most any rate, much easier and faster to control than asynchronous chipsets. Better suited for tasks like P.O.V.(persistance of vision) projects.

Asynchronous Chipsets: V+ - GND - DAT
These chipsets use a single line for data communication, the timings for data transmission(controller to pixel) must be exact. Each chipset requires specific timings, all NLED pixel controllers are fine tuned with tight timings for each chipset. Controller Compatibility Chart: More may be supported, and more will be added. Contact with any compatibility questions. This list is not complete, additional chipsets are supported. Contact Us to verify if a specific chipset is supported.

All NLED pixel controllers use tight timings specific to the chipset. Tight timings are important for stable use, all timings are taken from the datasheet and tested on actual pixels of that chipset.

Additional chipsets may be supported, please Contact Us to ask if one is supported or to request chipset support.

The NLED controller may require a firmware update in order to utilize new chipsets. Visit the Device Firmware Update Webpage for the most recent firmware updates. Or look in the NLED Aurora Control folder /device updates/