Description
The NeoPixel 8×8 Matrix Module from PeacockMedia houses an Adafruit NeoMatrix of 64 individually addressable LEDs. These 24 bit RGB LEDs can display 16 million colours and give some creative display options to your RC2014.
A header allows you to extend this to other addressable LED displays. You can drive APA106, WS2812, SK6812 or other NeoPixel based displays up to 128 pixels. Longer strings can be supported, but you may hit memory limits in the RC2014. Whilst this particular board is designed around the NeoMatrix, other 8×8 matrix modules are available from other suppliers. Note that these may differ dimensionally, pinout and quality. Check the pinout of other displays carefully before plugging them in. Also note that the Adafruit display uses GRB encoding, some pixels use RGB which will need selecting in the SDK.
The Software Development Kit
The SDK supplied contains ready to run examples including a Breakout demo, Snake demo, chess game, beating heart animation and scrolling text. Examples and templates for BASIC, C and Z80 Assembly Code are included, so programming is very straightforward whatever your skill level. For BASIC, you can use ROM BASIC as supplied on the RC2014 Classic II, RC2014 Mini or RC2014 Micro, or MBASIC in CP/M on the RC2014 Pro, RC2014 Zed or RC2014 Zed Pro. There is a small bit of Z80 code in the templates supplied which does the heavy lifting. This makes programming very simple as you don’t need to worry about refreshing or PWM’img the pixels.
If you are looking to drive a smaller display we have you covered for that too!
The NeoPixel 8×8 Matrix Module is supplied without the 8×8 matrix fitted, so you can choose to add your own. The board itself is fully assembled and tested. An optional grey perspex filter is available to neaten everything up and provide a contrast that really makes the colours pop.
This listing is for the NeoPixel 8×8 Matrix Module only. The RC2014 and any separate LED modules shown in photos are for demonstration purposes and not included. NeoPixel is a trademark of Adafruit
