smart string node, i rgb led with a chip to control it
rectangles, squares, 3 rgb leds controlled by one chip (the leds all do the same color at the same time
strips, each node is one rgb led, but three are controlled by one chip, so the three leds can show different colors
yes, they all can be wired together, but the smart string node uses a different color code wiring...
smart string node
red +
green -
blue data
the others
red +
blue-
green data
as far as running dumb nodes, the smart string controller sends data to chips in the nodes to control color intensities
on dumb nodes, they are work by applying power to the different wires (one wire for red, one for green, and one for blue) there is no data line, so the ssc can't directly talk to it.
some have used a different controller to power "dumb" nodes or strings (like the 16ch dc controller)