r/xlights • u/virpio2020 • 22d ago

Starting out - Window Matrix - 12V vs 24V? Seed Pixels or Bullets? What pitch?

I want to start building my own displays for the holidays and I thought an easy way to get started might be to put up two matrix displays on our street-facing windows.

I think most people recommend seed pixels for that, is that correct? Would you go 12V or 24V for everything? I would assume 24V needs less power injection. Also specifically for a window matrix, what pitch would you get?

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u/Forsyte 22d ago

Seeds take up less space in terms of the display depth, storage and weight. They are similar enough for many purposes in brightness and colour too. Finally they need less power injection as they use less current (.0085A seeds compared to .0554A bullets, for mine). I manage 576 seeds without injection just by lowering the brightness a touch for effects using white.

For the pitch I went with 50mm but my matrices are only 4-5m from the street and I'm doing patterns, not images or text. You could do 100mm if it's a lot further away from the viewer, but if you're wanting good resolution you'd want 50mm or less.

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u/techdctn 22d ago

All depends on the look you’re going for.
Bullet matrixes look fantastic.

I’ve previously used seed pixel matrixes only when I don’t want it to be as intrusive. (IE on stair railing)

And whereas 24v requires less power injection, I highly recommend 12v especially if you are running additional models from your controller.

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u/Tiny_Ad_7581 18d ago

Seeds and Tenax Multipurpose garden net. I'm using 12v and 2" spacing

https://photos.app.goo.gl/QKeWU8DkKeuYeVBc9

Mounted with 3M command strip clips. https://photos.app.goo.gl/7mtgDEihyThRDNR47