AVAWAY RGB LED Strip Lights, USB Powered SMD 5050 LED Light Strips with 17 Keys Remote Control for TV Background Light PC Notebook Home Decoration-19Inches/0.5M

I ordered this strip to tinker with the technology. RGB LEDs are actually 3 LEDs on a single base, with separate inputs to each. Color variations are achieved by pulsing the RGB elements at different pulse widths to adjust RGB color intensity as necessary to achieve a desired color. Since each LED consumes 3+ volts, the earlier 12V models have groups of 3 RGBs wired in series to consume the applied voltage (which is why there is a cut point every 3 RGBs). In contrast, this strip has single RGBs wired in parallel, hence the 5V source (resistors are added to balance the voltage consumption per LED for both 5V and 12V strips). The single RGB LED wiring used for this strip also means there is a cut point with solder pads after every RGB LED. Being set up for a 5V source is nice because most of us have excess 5V supplies from upgrading our cell phones (any 5V source will do, including batteries used to charge cell phones). The only issue is whether your 5V source can produce enough amps to handle your entire string (figure 20mA per LED). It appears (unverified) that the supplied controller can handle up to 12A, although the documentation in the package I received is for a 12V string, not a 5V string. The supplied controller has a microprocessor to pulse the RGB LED components to achieve different effects (dimming an LED is achieved by reducing pulse width). By controlling the intensity of each of R, G, B, different colors result. The supplied remote control uses IR to send commands to the controller if that is of interest (so line of sight to the controller is necessary for the remote to work).One other thing: the string has a 4 pin plug, one pin for +5V and one for each of RGB. The supplied LED controller has 4 corresponding inputs to plug into. Once the controller is plugged in and powered, the remote will control the string. More interesting is that the pin spacing for the string's plug uses standard pin spacing, meaning it can be plugged into a breadboard. That makes it pretty easy to write your own controller using an Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or to power any of the RGB rails directly, although most such users might prefer a version that imbeds a chip with each RGB LED to allow it to be addressed independently. There isn't much information on the web regarding the technical specifications for using these strings without the supplied controller which is why I added it to this review on the off chance that might be just what you want to know.

I absolutely love this. It's easy to assemble and use and extremely bright. The picture I took really doesn't do it justice. It's definitely a good buy.

I used this on my daughters custom made vanity to give it a little something extra and she loves it. All the modes work, colors are vivid. Works really well. I recommend this light strip

I ordered them a while ago, They were great while they lasted but they died just after maybe a month. Im not sure if this was a malfunction or if they actually just died. As far as i know LED lights are supposed to last a long time so im not 100% sure but if they aren't dead id like to figure out how to get them back on, if anyone knows whats happening please tell me how to fix it. Thank you

Does not change colors as advertised. The unit I received has one color: blue. If I use the remote to change colors, then it just turns off. I bought this for a craft project and didn't need it until today, unfortunately, this means I missed the return window by 2 days.

looks fantastic

Cheap, easy to set up and surprisingly bright

Used this to make an acrylic sign. There were no issues or drawbacks that I could see.

Item arrived fast and was as described and in good condition. Many thxs, would use again.

works perfectly

Very easy to fit and very good to set the mood.

Mine have just come today and I was so excited for my younger brother and then next thing you know it's faulty. They don't shine at all let alone different colours. The remote feels like a toy. This product is a joke.

controller keeps blowing up