Description

OzzMaker 16×16 RGB LED Matrix Panel and connector

Product Description

Transform your projects with a vibrant 16×16 RGB LED Panel, designed to bring colorful visuals to life. Perfect for enthusiasts, hobbyists, and professionals, this panel integrates seamlessly with a Raspberry Pi, offering endless possibilities for creative displays and dynamic visual effects.

The OzzMaker 16×16 RGB LED panel uses the HUB75 signalling protocol. However our panels use FFC cables for easy connectivity, the FFC cable replaces the standard 16-pin IDC ribbon you see with most LED matrix panels.

Included in this purchase

• 1x 16×16 RGB LED Matrix Panel
• 1x FFC Cable
• 1 x Raspberry Pi LED connector

Key Features

• High-Resolution Display: 256 RGB LEDs arranged in a 16×16 grid, providing bright and vibrant colors.
• Easily chain panels; Chain 50+ panels for long scrolling text, or tile them into larger square displays (64×64 and beyond)
• FFC cables: Connect using FFC cables for compact and flexible design options.
• Seamless Raspberry Pi Integration: Compatible with Raspberry Pi models, Pi 3, Pi 4, Pi Zero and Pi Zero 2 (Pi 5 support coming soon)
• Flexible Power Options: Can be powered directly from the Raspberry Pi or through an external power source for more intensive applications.
• Solder-joinable tabs: You can chain 50+ panels in a long strip for scrolling text, or tile them into bigger square displays — 64×64 and beyond. Each panel has solder pads along its edges that act as anchor points: line two panels up side by side, match the pads, and flow solder across them to join the panels together — a bit like spot-welding. The result is a single rigid display rather than a loose array of separate boards
• Software/Programming: Open source software available, Python or C, and we include plenty of examples and guides.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 68mm x 68mm / 2.67in x 2.67in
• Weight: 30g / 1.05oz
• Number of LEDs: 256 (16×16 grid)
• LED Type: RGB
• Input Voltage: 5V
• Power Consumption: ~300mA typical, 800mA max (per panel, at 100% brightness full white)
• Connection: FFC, 5V and GND pads
• Compatibility: Pi 3, Pi 4, Pi Zero and Pi Zero 2
• Pitch: 4.2mm
• Other: Edge connectors for chaining

Possibilities

Here are a few examples of what you can build with these panel

5 Panels in a cross formation

Below is an example of 5 panels set up in a cross formation using the Raspberry Pi connector with LiPo (not included in this purchase).

2 Panels using Raspberry Pi connector which supports a LiPo battery

Here is an example of 2 panels using Raspberry Pi connector with LiPo (not included in this purchase).

10 Panels chained

Click on the below image to see the video

50 panels chained

Connecting Multiple Panels

Connecting multiple 16×16 RGB LED panels together is simple and efficient thanks to the included Flat Flexible Cable (FFC). Each panel is equipped with FFC connectors, allowing you to chain panels together seamlessly:

1. Align the Panels: Position the panels you want to connect side by side.
2. Insert the FFC Cable: Carefully insert one end of the FFC cable into the FFC connector of the first panel and the other end into the FFC connector of the next panel.
3. Arrows: The arrow shows the direction of IN and OUT
4. Secure the Connection: Ensure the cable is securely fastened in both connectors to establish a reliable connection.
5. Power and Data Transmission: The FFC cable will handle both power and data transmission for up to 6 panels, ensuring synchronized operation.  A 2A+ power supply is recommended. For more intensive displays (e.g. 6+ panels), each block of 6 panels needs to be powered individually using the 5V and GND pads.

Connecting to a Raspberry Pi

Connecting to a Raspberry Pi is done using the OzzMaker Raspberry Pi LED connector which sits on top of the GPIO of the Raspberry Pi.  The connector breaks out unused pins, and we also included a QWIIC so you can easily access the I2C pins

Software

hzeller’s open-source software is used to drive these panels. It’s actively maintained, well-documented, and widely used in the Raspberry Pi LED-matrix community.

We also have guides and example code available, which includes some of the animation you see below.