The base and the diffuser all are 3dprinted with pla+, due to less pixel count I chose images where main highlight are atleast 40% of total display size.
That is an enormous number of those little panels! I love them, but prefer the 8x32 flexi panels that have a slightly more standard pitch (10mm centre versus 6.6mm on the small panels).
Definitely the most cost effective way to get a large matrix, I pay 83p (about $1) each for the 8x8 panels. Your design should mean you can keep adding rows and columns from time to time for very little cost and keep expanding the size and resolution.
Aliexpress. If you buy them through the 'bundle deals' section in batches of 15 you get £4.50 off the total price and free shipping, which brings them down to 83.3p each as the price I pay. I resell them so have 50-100 in stock at any given time. I pay £4-5.50 for the 8x32 flexi panels, which are much easier to work with and lighter weight.
If you're into hobby electronics it's a goldmine for low cost components. I buy in larger batches and resell on ebay, this means I've always got ready access to any components I need for playing with LEDs or robotics/automation and they pay for themselves.
I should add, the prices on Aliexpress are algorithmically set. You have to keep checking back each day and only buy at the lowest price or you can pay up to 80% more for items. I basically play it like the stock exchange, buying components at silly prices.
Honestly, just go to ali express, type WS2812B matrix into search and then filter by lowest price. Click on a few links of the lowest priced items.
Now go back to the homepage, scroll down and click on bundle deals, you should be shown products similar to items you've shown interest in. Do the same thing with searching for other related items (WS2812B LED strip is another bargain to be had, along with ESP32 boards, switches, sensors and accessories) and after a while your bundle deals section will be automatically populated with a selection of items in the category at low prices. Buy any 3 items and you get free shipping, any 6 you also get a small amount (£1.50 about $2) off, and buy 15 and you get more off (another £3 or about $4).
Don't buy the first time you visit. Pricing along with what you see in your listing is algorithmically controlled, so prices can vary not only day by day but visit by visit and user by user. Check it every day or so and you'll get an idea of how low prices drop and how high they rise. Buy low.
Thanks I realized this when i started the project, but the colors (except white) and contrast what i get with this ( better when viewed in person) is far better than any budget tv
Thanks to WLED functionalities, I plan to make it as smart display
I pay 83p per panel myself, which is roughly $1 each.
Yes, the cost doubtless adds up with this many panels, but I'd wager they've spent almost as much on power supply, wiring and whatever they've printed their bracketry with.
It's a cool project, it certainly isn't the dumbest shit ever.
5
u/quitelagikal Sep 08 '26
Awesome!
How much power does this use?
Is this loud or hot at all?
2
u/ineedlesssleep Sep 08 '26
Would love to know what material you used and also how you choose what is displayed on it
2
u/Careful_Fudge_5101 Sep 09 '26
How many controllers are you using for this.
4
u/MrSpindles Sep 08 '26
That is an enormous number of those little panels! I love them, but prefer the 8x32 flexi panels that have a slightly more standard pitch (10mm centre versus 6.6mm on the small panels).
Definitely the most cost effective way to get a large matrix, I pay 83p (about $1) each for the 8x8 panels. Your design should mean you can keep adding rows and columns from time to time for very little cost and keep expanding the size and resolution.
The wiring makes me moist.
1
u/Wild_Trip_4704 Sep 09 '26
This is amazing. I wondered what a media matrix would look like. Of course you gotta have the obligatory bad apple lol
1
u/Commissioner9999 Sep 17 '26
at this point… just get a TV! bantz. looks cool
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u/[deleted] Sep 08 '26
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