Pixblasters MS1 Video LED Controller Outputs HDMI Input to 16K+ LED Video Walls (Crowdfunding)

Pixblaster Video LED Controller

Pixblasters, a company focused on LED signage and video display, have started a Crowd Supply campaign for their MS1 Video Controller. The Pixblaster MS1 controller can be attached to any laptop or computer with HDMI output (think Raspberry Pi SBC) and control 16,384 LEDs without any programming, physical modifications or soldering.

Extreme Scalability

The market the MS1 video controller is aimed at is small business and makers, who hadn’t before had a controller with this much scalability. The company is saying that the MS1 can be daisy-chained together to control hundreds of thousands of LEDs and act as a full video monitor across hundreds of meters of LED strips.

Programming

The unit can easily and with little technical knowledge connect WS212B-Based addressable LED strips together for a complex output of digital displays, even mirroring a video display in some instances.

Target Users

The ability to use large platform digital signage has been difficult for many small and medium-sized businesses as well as the home and small business DIY project builders. The MS1 Video Controller has solved that problem according to the company.

No Programming or Modifications Needed

The MS1 video controller is similar to other video controllers and is FPGA-Based. Whatever type of computer is connected to the controller sees the unit as a simple monitor. This allows any laptop, SBC or other types of computer to control 16,384 LEDs, at 60 fps, without the need for programming or physical changes to the board.

Small Business Signage

The MS1 Video Controller can be remoted operated and with a few modifications can be installed in an already existing digital sign. There is also a special LED strips feature for easy deployment of large, cost-effective video signs, or any type of illuminated sign.

Pixblasters Demo — Pixblasters demo – Display made of LED strips glued to aluminum plates.

Developers

The functional design is meant to be used for hardware and software – agnostic development. The design of the system is meant to enable extended experimentation of RGB LEDs. The open-source FPGA Demo also supports a subset of other functions within the MS1 Video Controller.

Specifications and Features

- Xilinx Spartan 6 XC6LX9-3 FPGA chip
- On-board Microchip PIC18F26J50 microcontroller – The microcontroller connects to the PC, runs the configuration software, and permanently stores the configuration data. It also enables simple firmware updates with any new features.
- Output resolutions (H x V) – 512 x 32 (native), 256 x 64, 128 x 128, 180 x 96, etc.
- Board dimensions – 95 x 100 mm
- LED details:
  - 32 LED digital outputs: up to max. 512 LEDs per output
  - Maximum WS2812B/SK6812 LED display frame rate: 60 fps
  - Currently supported LED types: WS2811, WS2812, WS2812B, SK6812
  - Supports RGB666 (256K colors) color format
  - Maximum driving capacity of the single MS1 controller is 16,384 RGB LEDs
  - 5 VDC 24 mA digital outputs compatible with the most popular RGB LED types
- Connectivity:
  - HDMI video input allows for easy connection from the computer – it also works with adapter cables should your computer have a DVI® output
  - Push-in strip power and signal connectors enable easy wiring without soldering
  - Validated with different computers and different OS’s: Raspberry Pi Linux, Microsoft® Windows® PC, media boxes, phones, and tablets…
  - On-board EDID flash enables automatic connection to any computer and any OS
- Power:
  - Protected 5 VDC power supply input
  - The LED power supplies need to be wired separately to fulfill the power and current requirements of giant LED displays
- Display controls:
  - Cropping image window
  - Display formatting
  - LED timing parameters
  - Supports different video resolutions (max. 720p – 1280 x 720 at 60 fps)
  - Integrated video input cropping and mirroring
  - Multiple lines per output mode
  - LED gamma correction
- Daisy-chain multiple controllers:
  - Each MS1 board can work either as the Master or the Slave video controller
  - Daisy-chained controllers can drive more than 200,000 perfectly synchronized LEDs differently arranged in HD LED displays
  - The high-speed video link between MS1 boards assures max. fps and synchronicity
  - Low-speed control link interface
  - Video and control links use common UTP cables (Ethernet)
  - On-board DIP switches allow for an easy selection of the Master, Slave and six other FPGA configurations, including user-defined FPGA configurations
  - A single digital output has the ability to drive multiple output video horizontal lines
  - The configuration is fully customizable through a menu on the PC connected via the USB serial cable

Labeled board
A. Master video in	H. Microcontroller port
B. Slave video in	I. Slave control out
C. Slave control in	J. Slave video out
D. LED digital out	K. USB serial port
E. LED line driver (2x)	L. Microcontroller
F. Xilinx FPGA	M. Power switch
G. JTAG conn.	N. Power in – screw terminals

Pricing

The Crowd Supply Campaign is offering the Pixblaster MS1 LED Controller alone for $219 USD, there is a two-unit choice for $408, a Micro-Sign Offer for $999 and an Array-S for $60

Shipping

Free USA shipping and $15 World Wide shipping. The products will be shipped from the Crowd Supply warehouse.

Stephen Vicinanza

Stephen started writing about technology after publishing sci-fi short stories. His first White-Paper, written in 2008, was well received and inspired him to continue writing about technology. Today he writes in the technology space full time, covering a multitude of topics. During the time he wrote part-time he edited hundreds of titles for large publishers, in science and technology. He lives in Staten Island, with his wife and children.