FAQs

Technical answers on dynamic pixel lighting, DMX, SPI, Art-Net, sACN, systems design and our range VECTRPIX. Plus practical guidance on engaging Light-Ctrl for your project.

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General.

  • Pixel lighting is any LED node, strip or fixture with individually addressable control, allowing each individual LED or defined group of LEDs to be set to a specific colour and brightness independently of each other. A pixel controller sends digital data to each pixel, telling it what colour and brightness to display in real time. This allows for complex effects such as gradients, animations and synchronised patterns to be created across a pixel map. At Light-Ctrl, we design and install pixel lighting systems for architectural, commercial, immersive and public art projects using protocols like SPI, DMX, and eDMX (Art-Net or sACN) to deliver dynamic experiences with light.

  • Pixel LED systems offer unmatched creative flexibility. They enable the display of smooth gradients, custom animations and dynamic colour changes in real time. For architecture, this means façades, interiors and landscapes can transform with programmable visuals, supporting branding, seasonal themes, or interactive features. SPI (Pixel) is also auto-addressable meaning easy installation for contractors/ installers, removing the need for addressing onsite using RDM or other addressing tools common to DMX directly. Light-Ctrl’s systems are scalable and supplied to meet the demands of architectural projects.

  • SPI (pixel) is used to directly control pixel LED IC’s (such as WS2811, UCS7604, SK6812, UCS8904, WS2815 etc) with high-speed data signals and is auto-addressable for RGB, RGBW etc. DMX is a long-established standardised lighting control protocol used in entertainment and architectural lighting, typically for streaming data to fixtures connected over long distances and requires addressing. Art-Net and sACN are eDMX protocols and the backbone of the pixel control system, used to send multiple DMX universes over an Ethernet network, enabling high-channel-count projects with many controllers to communicate seamlessly. Light-Ctrl designs systems that can use one or all of these protocols, depending on the project’s scale and integration needs.

  • Pixel controllers merge power and data sources and determine the colour and brightness of each pixel connected to it based on a stored configuration. By processing and sequencing data frame-by-frame, they create movement, fades, chases and complex animations. Controllers like Advatek’s PixLite Mk3 series, supplied and used by Light-Ctrl, can also run pre-recorded effects and react to triggers, or receive live data from lighting consoles or software (such as MADRIX 5, MADRIX AURA or MadMapper) via Art-Net or sACN, making them adaptable to both permanent and event-based installations.

Selection and Design.

  • Controllers such as the Advatek PixLite Mk3 series and Madrix Nebula can handle both Art-Net and sACN eDMX input (DMX over Ethernet), as well as direct SPI output to pixel LEDs (such as WS2811, SK6812, UCS7604, WS2815 etc). LIGHT-CTRL supplies and configures these controllers for projects that demand this capability.

  • Distance is one of the main pain-points of working with SPI pixel LED data. The industry typically recognises that SPI pixel data signals are reliable up to around 5 metres, depending on factors including pixel IC type and transmission rate, cable quality, installation environment and more. Light-Ctrl uses Advatek’s PixLite Mk3 series which specifies 15m from controller to pixel LED directly. Light-Ctrl can assess your project requirements to make an informed recommendations for your cable distance and suggest methods to improve the reliability.

  • Check out our interactive vDrop Calculator.

    Voltage drop (vDrop) occurs when the cable length and LED load cause the supply voltage to drop below the required level. LIGHT-CTRL prevents this by calculating this using the below formula for DC circuits (typical for pixel LEDs) using copper cable at 25°C:

    Volts = Length × Current × 0.017​ / Area

    Where:

    • Volts = Voltage drop

    • Length = Total length of wire in metres (include both supply and return path)

    • Current = Current (amps) flowing through the wire

    • Area = Cross-sectional area of the copper conductor in mm²

    Notes:

    • This formula only applies to copper at 25 °C. Voltage drop increases by about 0.4% per °C above this temperature.

    • The constant 0.017 is the resistivity of copper in ohm·mm²/m.

    • Cable area is in mm² of copper — be careful, some manufacturers list diameter instead, and some incorrectly include insulation thickness.

    A voltage drop of >5% is typically deemed unsuitable for pixel and LED systems.

    Based on these calculations LIGHT-CTRL engineer systems by specifying pixel LEDs at higher voltages, thicker-gauge cables and add power injection at strategic intervals as required. This ensures consistent brightness and colour along the entire run of LEDs.

  • Check out our interactive FPS Calculator.

    Frame rate in a pixel lighting system refers to how many complete frames of pixel data (typically colour and brightness) can be transmitted and displayed per second. It’s determined by two main factors: the pixel protocol and the number of pixels per output.

    For SPI pixels, frame rate is limited by the data rate of the LED pixel IC (e.g. WS2811 at 800 kbps), the colour resolution (bits) and the number of pixels per controller output. The formula for SPI pixel LED systems is:

    Frame rate ≈ Pixels per output × Bits per pixel / Pixel data rate (kbps)​

    For DMX control types, frame rate is tied to the DMX universe refresh rate (typically 44FPS) and the total number of universes in use. More universes or pixels means more data to transmit, which can lower the achievable frame rate and thus why it is standardised to a quantity of one. Note, eDMX (Art-Net and sACN) is not limited in the same way.

    LIGHT-CTRL designs systems to keep frame rates high, often above 60FPS, by optimising pixel counts per output and using quality high-speed protocols. This ensures smooth animations and responsive effects across architectural and entertainment projects.

  • Yes. Madrix 5 is a powerful lighting control software that excels at generating real-time effects and pixel-mapped visuals. LIGHT-CTRL integrates Madrix 5 with LED controllers and fixtures to deliver advanced, synchronised lighting shows across SPI pixel and DMX fixtures. Our systems support eDMX protocols such as Art-Net and sACN, meaning Madrix can send data to multiple controllers for controlling large-scale installations over a local network with perfect synchronisation. We provide setup assistance, pixel mapping services, and system commissioning to ensure Madrix runs smoothly with both permanent architectural lighting and event-based or temporary installations

  • Outdoor-rated, UV-stable cable with appropriate conductor size is essential. For SPI pixel data, twisted pair cables can help maintain signal integrity over distance as can cables with shields. LIGHT-CTRL often specifies multi-core cables that combine power and data in one jacket, rated for the installation’s voltage and environment. Separately, outdoor rated Cat 5 or 6 cable carrying Art-Net or sACN signals over Ethernet is used.

Systems Troubleshooting.

  • Flicker or incorrect colours in SPI and DMX pixel LED systems are often caused by data signal loss/ degradation/ interference, voltage drop, mismatched wiring or improper grounding. LIGHT-CTRL ensures these factors are thoroughly tested before and during installation, but also diagnoses these issues using testing tools and can recommend solutions such as shortening cable runs and advise on correct wiring strategies.

  • Dim LEDs at the end of a run usually mean voltage drop. Adding power injection near the dim section, running shorter lengths between the power feed and LEDs or reducing the overall brightness will typically fix the issue. LIGHT-CTRL designs systems with adequate power distribution from the start to avoid this problem, including when using SPI and DMX pixel LED systems.

  • Use high-quality hardware, sealed connectors and weatherproof enclosures which are backed by outdoor environmental testing certificates such as IP-rating, UV-testing etc and have proven results for longevity such as Meanwell power supplies. LIGHT-CTRL also offers maintenance schedules to keep outdoor lighting operating at peak performance.

  • Outdoor-rated, UV-stable cable with appropriate conductor size is essential. For SPI pixel data, twisted pair cables can help maintain signal integrity over distance as can cables with shields. LIGHT-CTRL often specifies multi-core cables that combine power and data in one jacket, rated for the installation’s voltage and environment. Separately, outdoor rated Cat 5 or 6 cable carrying Art-Net or sACN signals over Ethernet is used.

Services.

  • LIGHT-CTRL is an Australian supplier of Madrix 5 software and hardware. We provide technical support, configuration assistance, and integration advice with every purchase. Check out our store for more.

  • Light-Ctrl is an Australian supplier of Advatek PixLite Mk3 controllers. We provide technical support, configuration assistance, and integration advice with every purchase. Check out our store for more.

  • Yes. Light-Ctrl provides design, supply and installation services for pixel LED systems across Australia. Our projects range from commercial building façades to public art installations and hospitality venues (such as bars and restaurants) using SPI, DMX and eDMX protocols like Art-Net and sACN for flexible digital lighting control options.

  • Yes. Light-Ctrl provides design, supply and programming services for pixel lighting installations. We can be your solutions partner to deliver your next visionary concept.

VECTRPIX.

  • VECTRPIX is Light-Ctrl's proprietary range of LED pixel fixtures, engineered specifically for permanent architectural, public art, and signage applications. Unlike off-the-shelf pixel products, VECTRPIX fixtures are designed with real installation environments in mind — robust construction, reliable optics, and system-level compatibility with Advatek PixLite controllers. The range is developed and supplied by Light-Ctrl from our Australian base.

  • The vDot Rugged is the flagship product in the VECTRPIX range — a 2.8W RGBW 24V pixel node rated to IP66 for permanent outdoor use. It's built from solid aluminium with a C5 marine-grade powder coat and UV-stable optical lens, making it suitable for demanding environments including coastal and high-UV locations common across Australia. It operates at 16-bit dimming resolution, which delivers smooth, flicker-free performance critical for camera-facing and broadcast environments. Available with clear or diffused optics and flexible mounting configurations, it's used in architectural facades, public art installations, catenary systems, and illuminated signage. It's designed as a complete system solution and we recommend our vLink drivers and the Advatek PixLite Mk3 controller series.

  • The vDot Rugged supports both SPI and DMX control protocols, giving integrators flexibility depending on the project's control infrastructure. In SPI mode it operates as a standard pixel node, addressable via an Advatek PixLite controller receiving Art-Net or sACN over Ethernet. The DMX variant is auto-addressing and controlled on a conventional DMX backbone. The 16-bit dimming resolution is available across both protocols. For most architectural and permanent installations we specify it with Advatek PixLite Mk3 controllers for maximum pixel density, frame rate, and system reliability.

  • The vDot Rugged datasheet and STP 3D drawing file are available to download directly from the VECTRPIX product page. For project-specific technical enquiries, custom node spacing, or volume pricing, get in touch directly — we're happy to work through specifications with your design or installation team.

Working with us.

  • We work across architectural facade lighting, public light art, public realm infrastructure, commercial and hospitality interiors, and illuminated signage. We also develop and pitch original light art concepts for councils, festivals, and public art commissioners. If you're unsure whether your project fits, get in touch — we're happy to advise.

  • We work nationally. Our projects have been delivered in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. We're based in Melbourne with strong partner networks across Australia.

  • Both. We work from detailed client briefs, and we also develop original light art concepts that we bring to clients — particularly councils, festivals, and public realm commissioners. If you're interested in seeing what we might propose for a specific location or occasion, get in touch.

  • We work alongside contractors and installers in most cases — we provide the design documentation, supply the system, and manage programming and commissioning. For some smaller projects we handle the full installation. We're flexible and can fit into whatever project structure is already in place.

  • Yes — and we often do. We're experienced at integrating into existing project teams as the lighting integration and control specialist, working alongside lighting designers, architects, engineers, and electrical contractors. We can engage at any stage of a project.