Thanks! I appreciate it. A ton of time went into the new firmware and making the matrix control available locally, without Home Assistant, but still maintaining that integration as an option for those that wish to do so. As always, thanks for the comment!
Thanks. I do enjoy designing PCBs, but have only ordered a couple. As a general rule, I just don't do "sponsored" videos or product reviews. I've done a couple in the past, but they weren't received very well. And honestly, I'd just as soon pay for any parts or services and not be beholden to a vendor or manufacturer. But that's just me and the type of channel I choose to run. I have absolutely nothing against other creators that accept sponsorships or products in exchange for including them in their videos. Maybe I'll change down the road, but right now, I generally turn down any offers of sponsorship or "free products" for review.
Cool matrix, that looks like it was fun to build. A suggestion instead of looping the power back and forth on each side is to run a power rail on each end and add power on one side of the strips to each strip segment, and ground on the other side of the strips in the same fashion. That should help greatly with even power distribution, and you'd only then need to loop the data trough.
Great idea! That is probably a better way to do it. Although, honestly, I sort of like the look of my "looping" wires on each end. Although once it is in the framed and trimmed out, no one will ever see them! But running the power lines up each side would give consistent power (mostly) and would eliminate the need for the separate power injection lines, since technically power would be injected at the end of each strip. Thanks for a good suggestion. I'll keep it in mind if I ever build another one. Although this now makes 5 of the full size matrices plus one "mini" version that sits on a desk, so not sure if/when I might build another.
Thanks! It's another lengthy video, but with all the available features and options, I still couldn't go into complete details. That's where the written guide and wiki come into play... providing the details that I just couldn't squeeze into the video... despite its length. Thanks for watching, and thanks for taking time to leave a comment!
Great stuff as always, will definitely try to pull off this project. Oh and I for one would really like to see you codding, see the thought process and all :)
Thanks. It was a fun project for me, but I enjoy writing code so the time spent developing the firmware was actually enjoyable (even it if did take quite a bit of time... and hence the break from my normal video schedule). Maybe if there's enough interest, I could consider a video (or maybe even a livestream, which I don't do very often) where I could sort of go over my code, process and maybe some of the standard routines I've created for things like WiFi onboarding, etc. Thanks for watching... and thanks for the comment!
The firmware is specifically written for a 400 LED matrix, laid out in a 16 x 25 pattern. In addition, the firmware is configured to work with WS2812b LEDs. If you can find a matrix board that uses WS2812b and is configured in a 16x25 layout, then yes, you should theoretically be able to use it. Any other type of LED or a different layout other than 16 x 25 would require substantial modifications to the firmware.
Amazing work as always!
Thanks! I appreciate it. A ton of time went into the new firmware and making the matrix control available locally, without Home Assistant, but still maintaining that integration as an option for those that wish to do so.
As always, thanks for the comment!
Good video, could've been a perfect one to get PCBWAY to sponsor and put everything on one board.
Thanks. I do enjoy designing PCBs, but have only ordered a couple. As a general rule, I just don't do "sponsored" videos or product reviews. I've done a couple in the past, but they weren't received very well. And honestly, I'd just as soon pay for any parts or services and not be beholden to a vendor or manufacturer.
But that's just me and the type of channel I choose to run. I have absolutely nothing against other creators that accept sponsorships or products in exchange for including them in their videos. Maybe I'll change down the road, but right now, I generally turn down any offers of sponsorship or "free products" for review.
Cool matrix, that looks like it was fun to build.
A suggestion instead of looping the power back and forth on each side is to run a power rail on each end and add power on one side of the strips to each strip segment, and ground on the other side of the strips in the same fashion. That should help greatly with even power distribution, and you'd only then need to loop the data trough.
Great idea! That is probably a better way to do it. Although, honestly, I sort of like the look of my "looping" wires on each end. Although once it is in the framed and trimmed out, no one will ever see them!
But running the power lines up each side would give consistent power (mostly) and would eliminate the need for the separate power injection lines, since technically power would be injected at the end of each strip.
Thanks for a good suggestion. I'll keep it in mind if I ever build another one. Although this now makes 5 of the full size matrices plus one "mini" version that sits on a desk, so not sure if/when I might build another.
You’re not wrong. That wiring has a certain appeal to it. Maybe even worth submitting to r/cableporn. 😊
Great work!...well done and very informative.
Thanks! And thanks for taking time to leave a comment!
Very nice and complete guide to a useful project. Appreaciated.
Thanks! It's another lengthy video, but with all the available features and options, I still couldn't go into complete details. That's where the written guide and wiki come into play... providing the details that I just couldn't squeeze into the video... despite its length.
Thanks for watching, and thanks for taking time to leave a comment!
Have to press the Like Button first, before I am going to watch it. :)
Thanks... I just hope it doesn't disappoint when you do get a chance to watch it!
Great stuff as always, will definitely try to pull off this project. Oh and I for one would really like to see you codding, see the thought process and all :)
Thanks. It was a fun project for me, but I enjoy writing code so the time spent developing the firmware was actually enjoyable (even it if did take quite a bit of time... and hence the break from my normal video schedule).
Maybe if there's enough interest, I could consider a video (or maybe even a livestream, which I don't do very often) where I could sort of go over my code, process and maybe some of the standard routines I've created for things like WiFi onboarding, etc.
Thanks for watching... and thanks for the comment!
Very nice build and tutorial; thanks for sharing!
We could use LED matrix boards instead right?
The firmware is specifically written for a 400 LED matrix, laid out in a 16 x 25 pattern. In addition, the firmware is configured to work with WS2812b LEDs. If you can find a matrix board that uses WS2812b and is configured in a 16x25 layout, then yes, you should theoretically be able to use it.
Any other type of LED or a different layout other than 16 x 25 would require substantial modifications to the firmware.