UCS2904 vs SK6812 RGBW

In the web page, there are many version RGBW LED tapes which contain analog RGBW LED tapes and digital RGBW LED pixel tapes. When you source our digital RGBW led pixel tapes, you always can see UCS2904 RGBW LED tapes, SK6812 RGBW led tapes, DMX512 RGBW LED strips. Just this DMX512 RGBW LED strips are differential protocol. 

Today let's discuss the SPI version digital RGBW LED strips, UCS2904 protocol RGBW and SK6812 RGBW protocol differences that may help you to choose the suitable digital RGBW led strips for your requirements. 

• Firstly we should note the functions they both share:

1. They are all 4-channel LED chips with single SPI DATA transfer.
2. They are all can control RGB+W(other single color) solutions.
3. They are all 8bits data,256 grayscale for each color makes dimming curves less smooth. 
4. They are all NO redundant data line. 

Due to the led strips are consist of strands of LEDs connected in parallel. Each strand of LEDs has one or more LEDs connected in series. A resistor or constant-current driver IC is connected in series with each LED or LED strand to regulate the voltage and prevent short spikes in current from damaging the LED.

So, normally when design the PCB circuits, should design capacitors and resistors copper corresponding.

But from datasheet of SK6812 RGBW, we will know the IC chip integrated 5050 is constant  that there no need to add resistors. Just add capacitors to be prevention of power supply filtering. 

UCS2904 is an extral IC chip, so when design this PCB, it should be added resistors copper correspondinglly. 

You can see the two digital RGBW LED pixel strips surface. 

• Secondly, note the differences of UCS2904 RGBW LED strips and SK6812 RGBW LED strips:

1. UCS2904 RGBW LED strips are non-addressable RGBW LED strips except 5V version; SK6812 RGBW LED strips are all individually address . 
2. UCS2904 RGBW LED strips are DC5V - 24V input; SK6812 RGBW LED strips are all DC5V input. 
3. UCS2904 RGBW LED strips are 17mA / channel output that we can adjust the current output; SK6812 RGBW LED strips are constant current that is R/G/B:9mA, White:16.5mA.  
4. UCS2904 IC chip can achieve 60 fps refresh rate, SK6812 RGBW is appromately 30 pfs refresh rate. 
5. UCS2904 RGBW LED strips have larger heat dissipation area that include IC pins + resistors + LEDs these hotspots ; SK6812 RGBW LED strips's hotspots are mainly in IC chips which is integrated in 5050 package that is very small heat dissipation area. 
6. Based on this heat dissipation area, SK6812 RGBW LED strips must be installed in a good heat dissipation conditions.
7. UCS2904 RGBW LED strips have more stable quality when make IP68 waterproof. 
8. SK6812 RGBW/RGB LED strips have a simple surface. UCS2904 RGBW led strips are made of resistors, capacitors.

Here's a chart to make it easy to see their difference clearly：

Summarize:

The integrated RGB leds have been known to induce defects during manufacturing,plus the white zone, increases the chance of induce defects during assemble. Of course, we always aging all LED strips before delivery. 

If you must need the individually address digital pixel RGBW LED tapes, then you can consider on this SK6812 RGBW led strips, but note the good heat dissipation environmental. 

If  no any requirements that need the addresable pixel RGBW led strips, UCS2904 RGBW digital led strips are your better choices.

Wish above info can help you to determin which digital RGBW LED strip is more suitable for you based on different requirements. 

If you have any info should be updated, tell us freely.

Best regards from Art LED Team