Pixel LED Animator 3 is a content studio, not a closed system. It sends finished animations to LED controllers, media servers, show software, and streaming tools in three different ways. Choosing the right one is usually the difference between a clean workflow and a pile of converted files.
The Three Connection Types
| Connection | What it sends | Best for | Setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| File export | MP4, MOV, ProRes, DXV, HAP, GIF, PNG/TIFF sequence, XDAT, FSEQ | SD-card controllers, show playback, editing, archival | Export, copy, play |
| Live video | Spout2 texture or NDI stream | OBS, TouchDesigner, Resolume, vMix, QLab | Runtime plus receiver |
| Live pixels | DDP, Art-Net, sACN/E1.31, TPM2.net, KiNet | WLED, Falcon Player, lighting consoles, Color Kinetics | Network and protocol config |
Files are reliable and repeatable. Live video is flexible and interactive. Live pixels are immediate but depend on the network. Many professional setups use two of the three: generate a master file, then stream a preview while tuning.
Video and Show Software
| Software | Connection | What it gives you | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| OBS Studio | Spout2 or NDI source | Streaming, recording, virtual camera | OBS setup |
| TouchDesigner | NDI In TOP or Spout In TOP | Audio reactivity, feedback, mapping, show logic | TouchDesigner setup |
| Resolume Arena / Avenue | DXV/MP4 files or Spout (NDI where supported) | VJ playback, layers, composition, output mapping | Resolume loops · Resolume workflow |
| MADRIX 5 | MP4/MOV or Spout/NDI | DMX control, SCE Video, live show operation | MADRIX video workflow |
| MadMapper | Spout/Syphon or video files | Projection mapping and LED mapping | Spout or file source |
| vMix / Tricaster | NDI | Broadcast mixing and recording | NDI source |
| QLab | NDI (QLab 5) or video files | Theatre cue playback on macOS | NDI or file source |
| Lightjams | Video files or live video input | Interactive lighting and pixel mapping | File or video input |
Spout2 and NDI carry RGB frames without alpha. If a downstream tool needs transparency, key the background color there.
LED Controllers and Players
| Software or hardware | Connection | What it gives you | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| WLED | DDP, E1.31, Art-Net, TPM2.net | Live matrix output over Wi-Fi or Ethernet | WLED streaming |
| Falcon Player (FPP) | FSEQ file | Scheduled playback, playlists, show control | FPP FSEQ guide |
| xLights | FSEQ or video files | Sequencing, show preview, model layout | xLights video effects · xLights workflow |
| LEDEdit | XDAT or video files | SD-card controller programming | LEDEdit XDAT workflow · LEDEdit workflow |
| Jinx! | Video or GIF files | Free matrix playback and effects | Jinx workflow |
| LEDVision | Video files | Controller programming and playback | LEDVision workflow |
| Raspberry Pi RGB matrix | GIF or PNG sequence | Direct panel output with rpi-rgb-led-matrix | Export GIF or image sequence |
| Novastar / Colorlight / Huidu | MP4 (H.264/H.265) or image sequence | LED wall processor playback | Export at wall resolution |
| Color Kinetics / MADRIX hardware | KiNet | Legacy pixel drivers | Live KiNet stream |
The controller is the authority on pixel order and wiring. Export the animation, then set RGB/GRB order and serpentine layout on the controller. Do not try to fix wiring by editing the animation frame by frame.
Output Formats at a Glance
| Format | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MP4 (H.264) | Review, delivery, most media players | Small files, but compression softens sharp pixels |
| ProRes / DNxHD / FFV1 | Editing masters and archival | Large files, high quality |
| DXV / HAP | Resolume and live playback | GPU-decoded, made for performance |
| GIF | Simple loops, web previews, some controllers | Limited colors and frame rate |
| PNG / TIFF / BMP sequence | Frame-accurate pipelines and custom players | Every frame is a separate file |
| XDAT | Compatible LEDEdit workflows | Specialized, not a universal video format |
| FSEQ | Falcon Player and xLights playback | Flat RGB channel stream with optional Zstd |
The export format guide explains when each one is the right master.
Live Protocols at a Glance
| Protocol | Port | Typical receiver | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DDP | 4048 | WLED, DDP-capable controllers | Pixel offset, no universes |
| E1.31 / sACN | 5568 | FPP, lighting consoles, controllers | 510 channels per universe |
| Art-Net | 6454 | Consoles, MADRIX, WLED | 512 channels per universe |
| TPM2.net | 65506 | Jinx, FPP, some WLED builds | Simple sequential pixel data |
| KiNet | 6038 | Color Kinetics, MADRIX hardware | Not a WLED protocol |
For the wiring side of Art-Net and sACN, read the streaming and wiring patterns guide.
How to Choose
- The controller has an SD card slot: export XDAT or video. The animation must play without a computer.
- The receiver is WLED: stream DDP over the LAN.
- The show runs on Falcon Player: export FSEQ and build a playlist.
- You need overlays, recording, or a stream: send Spout or NDI to OBS.
- You need audio reactivity or complex mapping: send NDI or Spout to TouchDesigner.
- You run a VJ rig: export DXV/HAP loops to Resolume, or send live NDI/Spout.
- You run a DMX venue: export video to MADRIX, or stream Art-Net/sACN directly.
Integration Guides
- Send live animations to OBS Studio
- Use Pixel LED Animator as a TouchDesigner source
- Stream to WLED with DDP, E1.31, or TPM2.net
- Create FSEQ sequences for Falcon Player
- Export formats for LEDEdit, Resolume, MADRIX, and xLights
- Art-Net, sACN, and DDP wiring patterns
FAQ
Does Pixel LED Animator work with Resolume? Yes. Export DXV or MP4 loops for playback, or send the live preview over Spout2 or NDI.
Can it send to more than one controller at once?
Yes. Art-Net and sACN support multiple targets, and the WLED panel accepts extra controller entries in host:protocol form.
Is there a plugin for OBS? No dedicated plugin is needed. OBS receives the output through the Spout2 Capture or NDI Source plugin.
Does it run on macOS or Linux? No. Pixel LED Animator 3 is a Windows 10/11 application. NDI lets it send to macOS tools such as QLab over the network.
Can I control it from a lighting desk? It sends Art-Net, sACN, DDP, TPM2.net, and KiNet, and it accepts MIDI and OSC input. It is not a DMX-controlled fixture itself.
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