Pixel Protocol Overview: WS2811 V1.4

This pixel protocol was designed by World Semi in China. WS2811 V1.4 is the newly revised version of WS2811, featuring a higher PWM rate and different data timing. It offers many of the benefits the WS28xx series is famous for, making it one of the most common protocols for pixel lighting displays. The control circuit comes in a SOP8 package, allowing for more flexibility with LED choice.

PixLite Support

Are you looking for WS2811 V1.4 pixel drivers that work with Art-Net or sACN? All PixLite Mk2 and Mk3 products support WS2811 V1.4 as an available Pixel IC type, so get in touch with us to find out how the lighting specialists at Advatek can support you in your pixel lighting project.

Note: Depending on the manufacturer your pixels are sourced from, your pixels may be WS2811 or WS2811 V1.4. Contact us if you need assistance in determining this.

Technical Specifications

Clock Type Data-Only
Color Resolution 8 bits
Physical Package SOP8
RGB Yes
RGBW See WS2814
Output Pixel Voltage 5 – 12V
PWM Rate 2000Hz
Suitable Camera Up to 67fps, see Refresh Rate and PWM Rate
Data Transfer Rate 800 kbps
Redundant Data Line No

WS2811 V1.4 Advantages

WS2811 V1.4 Disadvantages

  • Data-only restricts refresh rates to be limited by the speed of the protocol, which will generally be slow
  • Only 8 bits of data for each color makes dimming curves less smooth
  • No redundancy in data
Categories: Pixel LEDs