Introduction

Pixel LED Animator is a powerful tool for creating stunning pixel LED effects, which can be seamlessly integrated with various LED control software. In this tutorial, we will walk you through the process of using Pixel LED Animator with Jinx Software to create and display captivating LED light shows.

Step 1: Set Up Jinx Software

First, make sure that you have Jinx installed and properly configured for your LED display hardware:

  1. Open Jinx on your computer.
  2. Go to Setup > Output Patch in the menu.
  3. Configure the output settings to match the specifications of your LED display setup.

For more details on configuring Jinx, check the official Jinx documentation.

Step 2: Design Your Animation in Pixel LED Animator

  1. Launch Pixel LED Animator and create your custom pixel LED animation. Adjust the color, timing, and pixel transitions to match your desired effects.
  2. Once your animation is ready, export it as an AVI video sequence. This is the format that Jinx will use to load the video for playback on your LED display.

Step 3: Import AVI Video Files into Jinx

  1. In Jinx, navigate to the Effects tab.
  2. Select AVI and browse to the folder where you saved the exported AVI files from Pixel LED Animator.
  3. Load the video file into Jinx, and it will appear in the list of available effects for your LED display.

Step 4: Configure Playback Settings

Once the AVI video file is loaded into Jinx, you can fine-tune its playback settings:

  1. Select the video effect you just imported.
  2. Adjust settings like playback speed, brightness, and looping to customize how the video will appear on your LED display.

Make sure these settings match the specific needs of your display, and check the preview before finalizing.

Step 5: Optimize and Test the Display

Before starting your show, it’s important to test and optimize the display settings:

  • Ensure the resolution and frame rate settings in Jinx match the capabilities of your LED panels.
  • Preview the video on your LED setup to make sure everything is synchronized properly and adjust if necessary.

Troubleshooting

Unsupported Codec Issues

If you encounter an error related to an unsupported codec, it could be because the necessary Video for Windows (VfW) codecs are not installed on your system.

To resolve this:

  1. Download and install the ffdshow codecs (available at ffdshow.sourceforge.net).
  2. During installation, make sure to activate the VfW Interface option.
  3. Configure the codecs by opening the ffdshow VfW configuration tool and ensuring that the libavcodec option is selected for all stable formats.

This should resolve any issues related to unsupported codecs and ensure smooth playback of your AVI files in Jinx.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can easily create pixel-perfect LED animations with Pixel LED Animator and sync them with Jinx for flawless, dynamic lighting displays. Whether you’re preparing for a concert, event, or personal project, this integration allows you to take full control of your LED effects.

If you need additional help, feel free to visit the Jinx Software website for further resources and troubleshooting.