raspberry pi 3b to dmx/spi controllers

[Pdijkhuis]

Hello,


This is my first year that i am using pixels.


I am trying to connect 500 ws2811 pixels (spread over 5 strings) to my raspberry pi 3b with 5 individual dmx512 to spi controller/decoder.
I have read that the pi doesnt support dmx that well. Do i need to get some sort of extension for the pi?


All info on this subject is welcome.
thank you in advance.

[JonB256]

The Pi supports DMX just fine IF you add a PiCap with that circuitry.

The Falcon PiHat (see the Store link at the top of the page) does have that. I've used it.
It has jumpers to change the wiring from DMX to LOR to Renard configuration.
The PiHat also adds WS2811 pixel SPI outputs (two of them) and a Real Time Clock and a voltage regulator that can power the PI if you use 12vdc pixels.
You can also use 5vdc pixels and set jumpers to power the Pi from that 5vdc (it bypasses the regulator)