I just bought this matrix, and I'm pretty confused on how to use it. There really isn't that much information available on the internet about it--do any members have experience with it? Right now I've gotten it to blink and display a blue pattern(but sometimes it doesn't work and just flashes a million different colors). Are there any good test codes that I could use? I was completely unable to find an adequate instruction manual!! Help!!
You might want to post a link to the actual matrix you bought. Sparkfun sells several different ones.
On each one, you will find a link to the datasheet, which gives you info about how the LEDs are wired to the pins.
You might also find handy this tutorial I wrote for controlling single controller LED matrices: http://www.tigoe.net/pcomp/code/category/arduinowiring/424 The concepts should be the same on most RGB matrices as well, unless you're using one of the serial ones. I had no datasheet, and had to work it out by hand. Hopefully reading that will help you work it out too.
I bought this one: SparkFun LED Matrix - Serial Interface - Red/Green/Blue - COM-00760 - SparkFun Electronics. It has a backpack controller. The sample code that was provided was not as helpful as I'd have liked! It is a serial one. Should I buy another? I have a project due in a few weeks that requires me to finish this.
Ok, here is a better example. I used this code: http://www.arduino.cc/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1182246446. It seems like the lights should light up row by row in different colors, no? This is what I got: Photobucket | Make your memories fun!
If someone can explain what is going on, that'd be awesome.