Introduction

Python library interfacing LED matrix displays with the MAX7219 driver (using SPI) and WS2812 & APA102 NeoPixels (inc Pimoroni Unicorn pHat/Hat and Unicorn Hat HD) on the Raspberry Pi and other Linux-based single board computers - it provides a Pillow-compatible drawing canvas, and other functionality to support:

  • multiple cascaded devices

  • LED matrix, seven-segment and NeoPixel variants

  • scrolling/panning capability,

  • terminal-style printing,

  • state management,

  • dithering to monochrome,

  • Python 3.7+ is supported

max7219 matrix

A LED matrix can be acquired for a few pounds from outlets like Banggood. Likewise 7-segment displays are available from Ali-Express or Ebay.

See also

Further technical information for the specific devices can be found in the datasheets below: