Build it yourself: the PixelFrame64 Kit

PixelFrame64 Kit · Quick start guide

Thank you for building your own matrix clock. The controller is ready: the PixelFrame64 firmware is installed and tested. All you need to add is a panel, a power supply and an enclosure of your choice.

1. What is in the kit

• Adafruit MatrixPortal S3 (ESP32-S3) with PixelFrame64 firmware, tested
• HUB75 ribbon cable (16-pin) in case you do not want to plug the controller directly onto the panel
• Power cable from controller to panel (red = +5 V, black = GND)
• This quick start guide

2. What you need in addition

• A 64×64 HUB75 LED panel with 1/32 scan, P2, P3 or P5 (e.g. from Adafruit, Waveshare or AliExpress). Look for “HUB75”, “64x64” and “1/32 scan”.
• A USB-C power supply with 5 V and at least 3 A (P5 at full brightness better 4 A). Phone chargers with 1 A are not enough.
• An enclosure or frame. Print files for the black frame and the retro TV are in the help center under Firmware & downloads.

3. Assembly in five steps

1. Place the panel face down. You see two 16-pin sockets (IN and OUT) and a power connector.
2. Plug the controller onto the “IN” socket (sometimes “J1” or marked with an arrow). If it does not fit mechanically, use the ribbon cable: red wire to pin 1, the small arrow on the plug marks pin 1.
3. Power cable to the screw terminals of the controller: red to +5 V, black to GND. The other end into the panel's power connector. Check polarity, reversed polarity destroys the panel.
4. Plug the USB-C power supply into the controller. After a few seconds the panel shows the set-up notice.
5. Only now mount everything in the enclosure. Leave some air around the controller, it gets hand-warm.

4. Wi-Fi set-up

1. On your phone or PC connect to the Wi-Fi network “PixelFrame-Setup”.
2. The set-up page opens automatically, otherwise enter http://192.168.4.1 in the browser.
3. Select your home Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz), enter the password, save. The clock restarts and briefly shows its name and IP address.
4. Open the web interface: http://pixelframe.local or the IP shown. From here the regular PixelFrame64 manual applies.

5. If something does not work

• Panel stays dark: check the power cable (polarity, screwed tight) and whether the power supply is strong enough.
• Image shifted, halved or flickering: the panel is not a 1/32 scan panel, or the plug sits on “OUT” instead of “IN”.
• Wrong colours: ribbon cable plugged in offset by one pin, align with pin 1 again.
• Anything else: help center maroisbuilds.com/en/hilfe/pixelframe64, Discord discord.gg/XnTMeCEvjw or a support request. I usually answer within two working days.

Quick start guide as PDF (DE/EN)