Best way to control 30x30 pixel RGBW Array?

Generic issues not specifically related to a QLC+ area.
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shivahoj
Posts: 27
Joined: Mon Sep 23, 2019 5:26 am
Location: Hildesheim, Germany
Real Name: Dirk Engelmann

Hello,
I want to control a large Array, consisting of 30 Rows with 30 Columns of W52812 RGBW Pixels daisy chained. I wouldn't need the white LEDs, but thats what I am stuck with...
Since this is 30 × 30 × 4 = 3600 DMX channels, how do I even get these data out of QLC?
The concept of DMX and its 512-Channel universes is woven right into the fabric of QLC, so have to spread the 3600 channels over a lot of Universes.
But the main problem is: how do I actually
(a) transmit all these universes?
b) drive the pixels?

for A) : there seems to be only two multi-Universe output options, the e1.31 (SACN) and OSC, both network protocols.
I haven't looked into OLA.
Is there another way?

for B) : i have to test if the serial speed of the daisy chained data transmission of 3600 Pixel brightness values will cause an unacceptable lag, in which case I have to feed the universes into several controllers, each for a smaller amount of pixels.
i am thinking of Arduino(s) or raspberry(ies) as receiver/translator(s) from the aforementioned network protocols to the WS2812 pixel strips.
Is this the right way I am heading?
Has anyone already experience in this sector?
Can I maybe take shortcuts somewhere?

The electrical power is not an issue here, I am just asking about the data side of the project.
Fixture: GLP Impression Spot one w/ Artnet/DMX (2x)
Macbook pro, OSX 10.13.4, QLC+ 4.12.2
Generic touch screen PC, with debian 10 linux, QLC+ 4.12.2
MIDI: AKAI APC40, Doepfer pocket fader, Radium 49 Keyboard
DMX: enttec USB pro
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GGGss
Posts: 2732
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2016 7:15 pm
Location: Belgium
Real Name: Fredje Gallon

For A) Artnet, sACN are capable of streaming this amount of data without noticeable latency. OSC, albeit a network protocol, is used more as an instructional medium and not a payload medium.
You will have to consider how your network will transmit all the universes. Through Broadcast (I would vote against), Unicast (you'll run into limits here) or Multicast (where participants opt in to receive network packets).
But stay realistic, 3600 DMX channels seem to be a lot; they only represent what? 8 universes? I've seen productions with 60+ universes. (Not with QLC+ of course)

B) The pixel driver will solve A) for you. Choosing one will change the way the network will have to talk to it. So start with the output and work your way back to the input side of things.
As far as I am informed (self-thought), A driver ~can~ spit out 1024 channels per string, but you only can use 512 of them in DMX mode.
Now, more practical - you have 30 physical strings holding 120 channels each. With respect to the max 512, you can deal with 4 physical strings per driver. 30 columns, 4 per driver = 8 drivers = 8 universes.
So U1 DMX ch 1 to 121 is column 1
U1 DMX ch 122 to 242 is column 2
... to 481 is C4
U2 DMX ch 1 to 121 = C5
...
U8 ... to 481 is C31

You know there are well documented and specialised fora, soc. media groups wich deal with these questions on a daily basis. I'd suggest you go look there. After all, here we talk about QLC+ and not the hardware side of things.
All electric machines work on smoke... when the smoke escapes... they don't work anymore
shivahoj
Posts: 27
Joined: Mon Sep 23, 2019 5:26 am
Location: Hildesheim, Germany
Real Name: Dirk Engelmann

Yes, all that is true.
I came across all the beautiful artwork already done in QLC, when it comes to RGB matrices, and since I have _a lot_ of Spools of WS2812 RGBW pixel laying around, I wanna give it a try.
Could You please care to mention some of these fora, Soc. media gruop you have been talking about?
Fixture: GLP Impression Spot one w/ Artnet/DMX (2x)
Macbook pro, OSX 10.13.4, QLC+ 4.12.2
Generic touch screen PC, with debian 10 linux, QLC+ 4.12.2
MIDI: AKAI APC40, Doepfer pocket fader, Radium 49 Keyboard
DMX: enttec USB pro
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