Pixel Groups - Elation Pixel Driver 170 User Manual

PIXEL GROUPS

The number of pixels that this device can control is limited by the available number of DMX control
channels. The device has a total of 512 available DMX control channels, and each pixel requires three
channels (red, green, and blue) to operate. Therefore, the maximum number of pixels that can be
controlled in standard configuration is 170: 170 pixels x 3 channels per pixel = 510 channels, which
is the maximum number of 3-channel groups that can be accommodated without exceeding the 512
channel limitation.
However, this device also gives the user the ability to adjust the pixel grouping configuration. In
the standard configuration, individual pixels are controlled independently for finer control over the
resolution of the lighting display. Alternately, multiple individual pixels may be grouped together under
a common set of control channels in order to reduce the number of required control channels. This
also reduces the effective pixel count for each fixture. The downside to this is the reduced resolution
of the lighting display.
In each pixel control mode, the first number denotes the number of individual pixels that make up each
control group, while the second number denotes the number of control groups. Each control group will
always occupy 3 DMX channels (for red, green, and blue control). This means that within each control
group, all pixels will be controlled by the same set of 3 DMX channels.
For example, let us examine a 30-pixel strip, as shown below. Selecting 2x15 mode means that the
pixels will be divided into 15 control groups, with each group containing 2 LEDs.
In this mode, a total of 45 DMX channels are used: 3 DMX channels (for Red, Green, Blue) per group
multiplied by 15 groups.
If we want to reduce the number of control groups required, one possible solution is to select a different
pixel grouping mode. For instance, selecting 3x10 mode will result in the LED display being divided into
10 control groups each containing 3 pixels. Therefore, the number of DMX channels required drops to
30: 10 control groups multiplied by 3 DMX channels (for Red, Green, and Blue) per group.
Available pixel grouping modes are shown in the tables on the following pages.
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