Newbie wiring questions.

[maLLoud86]

Hello!

I hope you don't mind me opening a new topic, but I didn't find anything similar.

Background:
I've been using a Raspberry Pi3b+ with Hyperbian in PWM mode with 258 WS281x LEDs.
However, a few weeks ago the LEDs started artifacting, so I thought I'd try a reinstallation to see if that would solve the problem, but unfortunately I couldn't reconfigure it. Either none of the LEDs are on, or only the first couple of LEDs are on. I don't suspect an LED fault at all, because I've since managed to create a static swirl effect somehow and it didn't artifact.

So I thought I'd try HyperHDR, because I've been looking at it for a while, but so far there's been no reason to replace Hyperbian.
I've purchased the necessary components (Raspberry Pi Pico, SN74AHCT125N), but the connection to the Raspberry Pico is not clear, I think because microcontrollers with built-in level shifters are preferred everywhere.
Do I also need to connect the Raspberry Pico to the level shifter via the GP2 port?
How does the Raspberry 3b+ communicate with the Pico? Via the MicroUSB cable?
Also, the function of the cable circled in red in the uploaded image is not clear to me either, it looks like there is a connection between the ESP32 and the Raspberry, but I can't find it in this wiring diagram:
https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/69086569/169654166-cb73d257-633f-403c-8205-3f0532653003.jpg
One cable is like grounding, but the others?
Thank you for clearing up my doubts, I wouldn't be able to smoke anything.

[awawa-dev]

Hi
On the picture is HyperSPI GPIO connection, if you plan to use HyperSerialPico then you dont need it: USB to RPi is enough.

[maLLoud86]

Thank you for your answer and your time!
So Rpi3b+->(with micro USB)Rpi Pico->(GP2 pin) level shifter->LED is correct wiring?

[awawa-dev]

Yes, for a generic rp2040 board the default data output for SK6812/WS281x is GPIO2. You must also have a connection between LEDs ground and level shifter ground.

[maLLoud86]

Thank you!

I will try the build tomorrow.

[maLLoud86]

I managed to build the hardware, the light movement works fine, but the colors are not right. I used the latest HDR OS, but the colors are not right in the live video or on the LEDs.

I tried a LUT calibration, but after a while it crashes: Some errors found in the log
The last one:
2025-05-10 08:30:22 [CALIBRATOR] The calibration failed. The error is too high.
Some errors are transient (e.g. with the auto-reconnect LED enabled) and can be ignored, others may indicate serious system configuration or operation errors.
Check the logs and look for errors (in red)
The log file doesn't show me anything useful.:https://pastebin.com/WvW4PxFk

[awawa-dev]

#1153 (comment)

[maLLoud86]

Thank you, its worked!

2 last questions (i hope):
If i connect the GND to the Raspberry Pi3B+ GPIO, my home theater subwoofer make is humming sound. You have a idea why?
You have a recommened budget video grabber for DoVI, and HDR? Prefered Aliexpress or Amazon Europe.

[awawa-dev]

And why you need RPI GPIO ground?

[maLLoud86]

I saw in a post on some topic that it was recommended to connect it to protect the Raspberry. But maybe I saw it with the PWM solution and it was only recommended there, I'm a bit confused by all the information. :)

Do you have any ideas for the capture card?
Anyway, thank you very much for your help so far!

[awawa-dev]

There is no need to connect RPi GND with Pico GND, there is a common ground anyway via USB. You only created nasty ground loop. There must a common ground between Pico driver and the LED strip. Regarding USB grabber the choice is usually between cheap MS2130 and the Ugreen decribed in P010 thread + one of two Ezcoo splitter (they provide limited support for DV: LLDV).

[awawa-dev]

BTW since you are using RPi3 that has only USB2.0 which is a huge limitation then even old MS2109 should be good enough.

[maLLoud86]

I currently have an MS2130, if I read correctly, do I need to flash it for HDR support? Do I need any special hardware for this? I couldn't find the program for Windows anymore, the links were dead. I found the firmware, and the description for Linux. I think this would work via Raspberry.

How should I notice the limitation of USB 2.0? It seems to me that the light can follow the image correctly. Or would I only notice this with HDR materials?

Today I noticed that something is still not right. I'm attaching the pictures.
The LEDs on the left are white, on the top they are greenish, except for the first 1-2 LEDs, which are normally white. And on the bottom they are more orange. The colors appear properly on the live image on the HyperHDR interface. Do you have an idea for this? I'm sorry that this thing is so difficult to put together, thank you again for your time.

[awawa-dev]

ms2130 is overkill for usb2.0 and there are problems with a firmware versions: everything is described in the ms2130 thread. And you can forget about ugreen and P010 format. Still it requires ezcoo splitter for LLDV and HDR.

And on the bottom they are more orange

usually in case of WS281x it indicates seriuos voltage drop at the end of the LED strip if there is no current injection. For other things: I have no idea.

[maLLoud86]

The LED strip is powered from two sides. Then I'll look for the problem elsewhere.
I couldn't find the Ugreen card, only on Amazon US and UK, and on Aliexpress for about €250. The Elgato card is also at a price level that is no longer worth it to me.
I think I'll let this thing go.

[awawa-dev]

This grabber from the p010 thread usually costs around 70 euros: deals appear quite often on german and other european amazon (currently 78 euro for prime users). On american amazon it was also quite cheap but it got sanctioned like many other products. But it still doesn't make sense if you only have usb2.0 because the bandwidth is too low for p010. Also ws281x leds offer low quality compared to recommended sk6812 rgbw. And the backwall has some pattern which limits ambilight experience (would require more LEDs per metter to overcome the background color to some extend, it would be also much brighter). If the current setup works, I would stay with it, otherwise it requires a major overhaul.

[awawa-dev]

The LED strip is powered from two sides. Then I'll look for the problem elsewhere.

If you have a multimeter you can easly rule out power supply issue measuring voltage at different segments while displaying some white & bright board to stretch LEDs power consumption.

[maLLoud86]

Thanks, I checked the connections, and 5V is indeed not everywhere.
I use these corner parts, it seems that they are not making proper contact:

I was already suffering from it when I put it together.

Can you recommend another type, or should I solder it to a permanent one?
I saw this on Aliexpress:
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EGH6W5s

[awawa-dev]

you can try to clean the contact point on the leds and in these connectors with alcohol. you can also try to gently bend these pins in the connector so that they have a stronger contact with the LED strip after they are closed. but such connectors are always problematic, if not now then in a few months the problem may return. Only soldering this will provide a stable connection. these from Aliexpress look interesting although I do not know how much current they will carry.

[maLLoud86]

I haven't measured more than 3A so far, but then I'll have to solder the corners.