If it is using the 1804 chip, it is using the same chip that the strings do - I don't think there is really any custom programming other than the order the colors are physically wired... The only question is whether it is set for high speed, low speed, or can handle both. I think all of our stuff is set for high speed (800KHz data rate), but the strings seemed to work OK with the controller I have in low speed mode. The rigid strips need high speed. Low speed uses a 400KHz data rate. From testing done on other forums, there seems to be a pretty wide tolerance that these chips can accept...
If you order some, let us know how it works.
RM