As summer lazily invites us to beaches, leisure, and fun rather than bold new project launches, the Pixblasters team is also preparing for a well-deserved break. But before we head out, we’d like to highlight a powerful, but often overlooked feature of the Pixblasters MS1 Video LED Controller: its ability to daisy-chain multiple controllers into massive, high-speed, and perfectly synchronized video LED displays of various shapes and sizes.

Drive Over 16,000 LEDs with a Single Controller or Much More

Each Pixblasters MS1 controller can directly drive up to 16,384 addressable RGB LEDs. For larger installations requiring even more LEDs, you can daisy-chain multiple Pixblasters units to scale up your video display without compromising speed or synchronization.

To set up a daisy-chained system:

1. Using an HDMI video cable, connect your video source (e.g., PC, Raspberry Pi, etc.) to the first Pixblasters MS1, which must be configured as the Primary Controller.
2. All subsequent units in the chain are set to Secondary Controller mode.
3. Switching between Primary and Secondary is straightforward: just set the DIP switch to the appropriate position and the controller will boot accordingly.

Unlike the Primary, a Secondary controller does not use the HDMI port to receive video. Instead, it connects via a shielded Ethernet cable to the Primary Controller’s High-Speed Output (HSO) and receives the signal through its High-Speed Input (HSI). This chaining can be repeated through multiple units, enabling the control of a vast number of LEDs.

If longer cable lengths introduce signal degradation, you can enable the on-board LVDS buffer/repeater with pre-emphasis through the software. This improves signal strength and ensures reliable communication across the entire chain.

Real-World Example: LED Roof Installation in Oslo

While the theory is solid, there’s nothing like seeing something in action. So, with permission from artist/producer Henning Strandvik, we’re proud to showcase his LED roof installation at the Smelteverket Club in Oslo, Norway. The display consists of:

• 144 panels (each 16x16 WS2812B LEDs)
• A total of 36,864 LEDs
• Powered by just three Pixblasters MS1 controllers

Henning’s build demonstrates the reliability and scalability of the Pixblasters daisy-chaining approach in a real-world, high-impact environment. For more details, you can watch the full, behind-the-scenes video of the installation:

Available Now

The Pixblasters MS1 Video LED Controller is available through Crowd Supply and Mouser. Whether you’re designing a creative lighting installation, an interactive art piece, or an attention-grabbing trade show display, Pixblasters offers a robust and scalable solution. Order your Pixblasters today.