Pi 3b+, APA102 (4 pin LEDS) and HyperHDR

[DavidinCT]

Hi,

I want to say thanks for anyone that can really help here. I had a Hyperion setup a while ago and loved it, HDMI 2.1 came in then I moved to a camera based Govee POS (hate it, so laggy) and I want to go back. Now that HDMI 2.1 spitters and switches are plentiful, I want to get back to an accurate and timed correctly system again. One of the big things was HDR based content, and HyperHDR should help with that.

The 3b+ I used on the last setup (Hyperion) should be powerful enough for this, and I got what was claimed the best LEDs for this project the APA102 with 60 led per meter. Should be detailed and accurate and as fast as possible.

I see posts with colors off based on the 3b+ and people using level shifters and really want to know exactly what I need here and how to wire it. I looked around and found limited info. as my LEDs are 4 wire, not 3, it makes it a little more complex here.

Can this be made accurate with perfect colors, or should I trash the 3b+ for a new device, or can I use this with another "small" device for the best results?

I want to clear my plan before moving on here.

Thanks again for any info you could provide here and thanks

-Dave

[awawa-dev]

Hi
Some things has changed during few last years but currently the golden standard for best ambient lighting experience is sk6812 RGBW COLD WHITE led strip and Pico board with built-in level shifter. For setups less than 300 LEDs you can use classic one segment config to have more than 100hz, for bigger you can consider multi-segment config that will double your refresh rate (here recommended is adafruit scorpio rp2040): check my blog for details. Rpi3b has only usb2.0 and that will be a bottleneck for modern usb grabbers like ugreen that support P010 format.

[DavidinCT]

So in a nutshell, try the newest version and wire just the PI, if I get colors off, then add an adafruit scorpio rp2040?

I did real a lot about this but, just need to narrow down how this will be wired and if I need a level shifter and it will only help, I'll add it.

Yea, USB 2.0 kind stinks here, I guess because I have it, I will try it and if there is a bottle neck that I see, I will look to replace it.

[awawa-dev]

There are two different things: correct LED output and video input. LED driver like pico should not affect SPI LEDs quality, but it's solid platform when you choose model with a built-in levrl shifter. Some video modes doent work on USB2.0. So USB3.0 is really important. Budget option is ms2130 (requires firmware update) for $10 or ugreen witha support P010 for 70 euros. You can look into the P010 thread here.

[DavidinCT]

Ok, seeing that a P4+ is like $45 with 2gb, it's not too bad, I want to do it right if I can and not hit a bottle neck. And the adafruit scorpio rp2040 is like $15, I'll grab them both and plan to wire them in the mix. I have a Ezcap321 for my capture device. This should (by the specs) handle 120hz fine.

I'll order in like 2 weeks, now just to figure out the wiring for it all, so I have a plan in then I should be good. I'll try to do some more reading here.

Thanks for help here. It's been a while from my Hyperion setup.

[DavidinCT]

So,
Now I have most parts.. and good at soldering, something I know will be needed here.

• Pi 4b 2gb with HDMI 3
• adafruit scorpio rp2040 (I would like to take advantage of 120hz)
• Ezcap321
• Ordered the sk6812 RGBCW (COOL WHITE -5v)
  -5v 10a power supply

Programing your image to the PI should be strait forward, I've done the Hyperion setup years ago but, with the RP2040 in the mix, I'm confused, I tried to google around to see layouts so I can figure how its wired with limited results. How is this wired?

I have the Ezcoo 4K 120hz and 1080p 120hz splitter, some HDMI 2.1 cables and a 2.1 Switch to finish the rest of it up and a touch screen remote to macro everything out on. I've got that setup, just want to map out the LED wiring.

[awawa-dev]

You have diagrams here: https://github.com/satgit62/How-to-Install-and-set-up-Ambilight-on-LG-webOS?tab=readme-ov-file#rp2040-adalight-feather-scorpio-mit-level-shifter-ausgang-gpio-16

[DavidinCT]

That actually got me more confused, not one setup showed a PI in there....

[awawa-dev]

you connect it anyway to the usb port, doesnt matter if its Pi usb or LG tv usb, led strip setup and Scorpio to leds connection are the same

[DavidinCT]

Thanks for your help, just want to clarify somethings. I am sorry about the 50 questions, I did research online, looked over details on the layout you linked me to, even everything I could find on the Scorpio, and I am reading ways to use HyperHDR but, nothing I could find with the Scorpio rp2040.

This is what has been rattling around in my head so I can get the map and know what I am doing.

1. On the Scorpio is there any programing needed to the device itself? Does it matter what USB port (2.0 or 3.0) it's plugged into on the PI? Besides the Data/Ground ports (port 0) or does the ground matter if I just pull it from the main supply?
2. Besides a SD (and newest HyperHDR image), on the PI and the Scorpio plugged in, is there any other pins or anything needed on the PI itself?
3. Once I am at this level wired, is there any setting I need to send the data to the Scorpio?

Thanks again and sorry about these questions, just not 100% clear....

[awawa-dev]

1 The manual how to flash correct Scorpio firmware is on the HyperSerialPico project. Pico is in fact USB1.1 board so it doesnt matter if you connect it to USB2.0 or USB3.0. You take data & ground from Scorpio pins (there are set of 2 at the output) and connect it to led strip (the ground became common between Scorpio and the LED power supply)
2 No, only grabber. Use USB genuine power supply or make sure that your RPI power supply and power supply cable can deliver real 2A.

[DavidinCT]

OK, Sorry again for the 50 questions, I have been reading for days and just want to clear up some final things here. Almost there, looking forward to having it accurate, LOW lag with HDR support going here.

I got the Scorpio rp2040 programed with the HyperSerialPico_sk6812Cold.uf2 image for my LEDs (sk6812 RGBCW COOL WHITE) and have cables for the data/ground soldered on with a quick release, in case of moving.

Now to take fully advantage of P010 (my Ezcap321 does support it), reading that I need an OS that supports and a new version of HyperHDR.

I have a Pi 4b 2gb. Is there a better image for my device, or should be installing Raspberry OS then installing HyperHDR on top of it and what version of your software should I use?

I go to you releases page, and I see a lot of stuff, I want to grab the right thing to do it right. I want to make sure I am taking full advantage of the P010 format for HDR...

[awawa-dev]

You can use HyperHDR SD image: The HyperHDR SD image already has a patch for P010 (v21 release note). But Ezcap 321 does not support P010 format https://www.ezcap.com/ezcap321

[DavidinCT]

Interesting, according to aliexpress.com the Ezcap 321 does support P010 format...One of the reasons I got it..

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807671709051.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.38.409c1802Dwwkdk&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa#nav-specification

Being AliExpress, this could be BS.... maybe firmware version ?

[awawa-dev]

If we have a choice between Ali's description and the manufacturer's, I would rather stick to the latter. Alternatively, you can clarify with the manufacturer whether its grabber that only supports HDMI 1.4 offers capture in P010.