How to Control RGBIC Pixels & Constant LED Strips with ONE Controller (Save 40% Cost)

Introduction

Learn how the Seekway A608 controller uses one unit to control dynamic Pixel RGBIC chasing effects and constant brightness lighting simultaneously. Real project example with smooth left-to-right flowing animations using Seekway Magic Player.

Step 1: Project Requirements Analysis

This project requires a continuous left-to-right running light effect across the entire installation.

The animation starts at the center-left of the first lightbox, splits into two chasing flows (one moving upward and one downward), then reunites at the right-center. After each lightbox completes its chase sequence, the following arrow lights up fully with warm yellow constant brightness. This pattern repeats smoothly through all 8 lightboxes and 7 arrows, ending at the right side of the 8th lightbox.

The arrows use single-color warm yellow constant brightness LED strips, which only support overall on/off and dimming — no individual pixel chasing is possible. This combination of dynamic pixel effects and constant lighting forms the core technical requirement.

Step 2: Product Selection

For Lightboxes (Dynamic Effects)

Pixel-level addressable control is necessary for the splitting and flowing chase. SPI pixel RGBIC LED strips were selected for their strong cost-performance balance.

• Voltage recommendation: DC24V is preferred. It supports longer power injection distances (10m+ per injection), reduces voltage drop, and significantly lowers cabling labor compared to DC12V (which typically needs injection every 5m).  

DC5V is not recommended due to complicated power supply requirements.

Lightboxes were connected in series per controller port. With inter-box distances under 3 meters, SPI strips delivered stable signal performance.

For Arrows (Constant Brightness)

Single-color warm yellow LED strips. Matching the voltage with the pixel strips (ideally 24V) simplifies the overall power distribution system.

Step 3: Control Scheme

The total pixel load across 8 lightboxes is approximately 30 meters. At 60 LEDs/m single-point control, this requires at least two controller ports. The arrows must synchronize perfectly with the lightboxes, so DMX512 decoders are needed for the constant brightness control.

After evaluation, the Seekway A608 LED Controller was chosen as the optimal single-controller solution:

 Main Advantages:

• One controller handles both dynamic and constant lighting
• Lower total material and labor costs
• Compact and clean installation
• Easy future effect updates through Magic Player
• High reliability with proper grounding and power management
• Ports 1–7 support SPI pixel RGBIC strips
• Port 8 can be configured as DMX512 output to directly drive decoders

This approach reduces material costs, saves installation labor, minimizes enclosure space, and ensures reliable synchronization.

Step 4: Wiring Techniques

• Pixel signal is transmitted via network cable. One port can connect up to 4 lightboxes in series.
• DMX512 signal comes from Port 8 and connects to the decoders in series.
• Power supply uses 2.5mm² two-core cable, with dedicated power lines run to each lightbox and each arrow.

Recommended Port Assignment:

Port 1 → Lightboxes 1 to 4

Port 2 → Lightboxes 5 to 8

Port 8 → DMX512 decoders for the 7 arrows

Decoder addressing is set via DIP switches (adding +3 channels per decoder).

Step 5: Animation Programming with Seekway Magic Player

• Project Setup：Create a new project, select the A608 controller, set pixel strips to RGB mode, and configure Port 8 as single-channel DMX512.

• Layout Mapping：Map each lightbox side as 86 pixels (parallel wiring from the center point). Insert single DMX points between lightboxes to represent the arrows.

• Create the Chasing Effect：Go to Advanced Effects → Chasing Flow / Push Water.  

• Set flow length to 1 pixel and direction from left to right.  

• Duplicate layers: one for the pixel lightboxes, another for the arrows.  
• Change the arrow layer color to warm yellow for constant brightness.  
• Adjust speed and transitions until the entire sequence flows naturally and continuously.

• Export：Render the show and upload it directly to the A608 controller or SD card for standalone offline playback.

Final Result and Advantages

The completed system delivers a smooth, professional left-to-right chasing animation. The pixel RGBIC lightboxes produce dynamic splitting and reuniting flows, while the arrows provide steady warm yellow lighting at the correct timing — all running synchronously from a single A608 controller.

Conclusion

Seekway Innovations is committed to delivering reliable, user-friendly LED control solutions for commercial lighting professionals worldwide.

Contact Seekway today to learn more about the A608 controller and Seekway Magic Player software. Our team will be happy to provide technical support and personalized recommendations for your project.