Controlling WS2812B LEDs Using an Arduino (Part 1)
In this video, I explain how pixel addressable RGB LED's such as the WS2812Bs work, and how you can control them from an Arduino using the FastLED library. I show how to install the FastLED library as well as get started using it with some demos. I go over the advantages as well as limitations of addressable RGB LED's and how we interact with them (data vs clock+data, etc).
This video is the first in my 2 part series on using WS2812B LEDs with an Arduino. Next video will be on writing your own programs and patterns using the FastLED library to control the LEDs, rather then just demos to get up and running.
Components used: - Generic WS2812B 30 LED/m strip - Generic Arduino Uno with Atmel 328p - FastLED library
I won't add any links for purchasing, this video is not sponsored and all components were supplied by myself, but make sure you choose a reputable source for parts!
Links:
Arduino: https://www.arduino.cc
FastLED: http://fastled.io
Supported LEDs: https://github.com/FastLED/FastLED/wiki/Overview
Code/issues: https://github.com/FastLED/FastLED
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:21 - Note on 2 part series
01:05 - [Overview] Why use addressable LEDs?
02:25 - [Overview] Types of addressable LEDs
03:44 - [Overview] Controlling LEDs: FastLED Library
04:16 - [Overview] Steps/Parts
04:49 - [Overview] Applications
05:24 - [Overview] Limitations
07:12 - [Overview] Power usage
08:58 - [Overview] Extra precautions
09:30 - [Hardware] Parts needed
10:23 - [Hardware] Other LED strip options
11:10 - [Hardware] Data direction close up
11:50 - [Hardware] Arduino board options
13:17 - [Hardware] Other misc parts
14:14 - [Hardware] Pinout of LED strip/wires
18:15 - [Hardware] Wiring/hooking it up
19:48 - [Software] Introduction
20:05 - [Software] FastLED library installation
20:48 - [Software] Testing our LEDs
21:34 - [Software] Code examples
24:05 - [Software] Running DemoReel
25:24 - [Software] FirstLight example
26:25 - [Software] ColorPalette example
28:50 - Concluding remarks
29:37 - Credits and links
Music:
Approaching Nirvana:
https://approachingnirvana.com
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3sS2Q1UZuUXL7TZSbQumDI
http://youtube.com/user/approachingnirvana
Song: Worth a Thousand Pictures (Lapse in Time)
If there are any mistakes or bad practices I mentioned in the video, please leave a comment and I'll try to pin a compilation of updates.
Production rants/remarks:
- Sorry for the buzzing microphone through part of the video. I tried using a shotgun microphone for the first time rather then my jankier previous setups, and the combination of zipties to mount the microphone the tripod, and noisy circuitry in the dummy battery I used made it come out buzzy.
- Filmed on a Sony SLT-A33 (and Samsung MiniDV camera). Takstar microphone for A footage, and Fifine condenser microphone for all software shots using OBS.
- A33 does not have a clean HDMI output, so we're stuck with the aperture and shutter speed with the HDMI capture card… (It also doesn't read the sensor at full-res unless filming, but then it overheats)
Watch this video on Peertube:
https://peertube.tonytascioglu.com/videos/watch/24b7e27c-33c0-464e-82a7-8f8bf68d9890
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Thanks for Watching!
Produced by Tony Tascioglu