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LED tape suppliers


gareth

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Sourcing LED tape directly from the manufacturers in China has proved to be less than satisfactory, so ... which UK-based suppliers would people recommend for decent-quality LED tape/strip at a reasonable price? It seems to crop up in almost every production we do these days, one way or another .....
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These guys approached us fairly recently www.digitaltape.co.uk we weren't really in the market for any but seemed a decent bunch of guys.

 

Just as background info... Digitaltape is a brand of Abstract/AVR so they do at least have experience of the needs of the entertainment industry. I've written the firmware for their pixel tape drivers, there's some good macro pattern generation stuff in there (though I do say so myself), if you don't want to have to pixelmap it all from the desk or are limited on DMX chans you can run it in 24ch pattern mode, and it's been out on a few music tours so is well tested.

 

The digital (pixel) tape uses WS2812 LEDs. They do sell ordinary RGB and RGBW tape as well. They aren't the cheapest but will support you.

 

(I don't get paid for promoting or selling this... just in case you were wondering)

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I just changed all the lights on my boat to LED and it might be worth getting in touch with these people as they were very helpful and are good for price: http://hmsmarinesupplies.com

 

Can't see the LED tape on their site, Gary - give us a clue?

 

The Digitaltape stuff looks great, but more often than not we just need bog-standard RGB or white tape, not pixel-driven stuff. What I really need is a pointer towards decent suppliers who want to sell to professional users rather than the DIY or car-modding brigade, and who can supply sensibly-priced product of decent and consistent quality.

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I get mine via Aliexpress.

Delivery is slow and rather variable, but very cheap - easily $2 - $10/m delivered, depending on colours.

 

That said, you're unlikely to find consistent colour White LED from anyone other than specialist suppliers - I've not seen any LED tape suppliers anywhere that state the binning.

 

RGB tape seems relatively consistent though.

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This is on their site but as they seem to have good contacts with the source of product in china I thought it might be worth you talking to them if this is not suitable.

 

http://hmsmarinesupp...String=LED+tape

 

The LED fittings for my boat are superb and were very good value.

 

10% off too with the discount code HMS1

I wouldn't trust them very much. If they refer to needing a "transformer" to run LED tape off a higher voltage (=mains voltage) and referring to a fitting that takes MR11 lamps as an MR16 fixture I would suggest they are just importing the stuff and selling it with no understanding of what it is they are selling, and therefore no care about getting the same stuff for repeat orders?!?

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I get mine via Aliexpress.

Delivery is slow and rather variable, but very cheap - easily $2 - $10/m delivered, depending on colours.

That said, you're unlikely to find consistent colour White LED from anyone other than specialist suppliers - I've not seen any LED tape suppliers anywhere that state the binning.

RGB tape seems relatively consistent though.

 

Abstract/Digital will sell you ordinary non-pixel white and RGBW with consistent colours - I'm not sure I'd go so far as to say it is "binned" but they do several different colour temperatures. They get it manufactured specially for them so have some control over the quality. But as I said you do pay for the privilege.

 

I also get it via various online direct-from-china websites and it's so much cheaper that it is often worth the risk of having to have 2 goes at getting something suitable.

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City Theatrical also sell their range of tapes which are manufactured to their spec. You could contact Lauren Drinkwater at their London office. ldrinkwater@citytheatrical.com

 

(I do a bit of work for them but don't get any commission!)

 

Dave

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We normally use Light Initiative for all our LED based needs, based in Park Royal.

 

Typically they do lots of clever LED stuff and bespoke projects, as well as rental, however I'm sure they'd be happy to sell some standard LED tape. Another plus side is they're from inside our industry too!

 

 

Cheers!

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