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DataPix

Set up your DataPix

From a powered-off device to your first view on the panel. You need the device, its 5 V panel power supply, and a phone or computer.

Want to practise first? The interface demo is the exact configuration app, with simulated data.

First-time setup

  1. Power on

    Connect the panel's 5 V supply and power the controller. The panel shows a “DataPix” splash while it boots.

  2. Join the device's Wi-Fi

    With no network saved yet, the panel scrolls setup instructions and the device brings up its own access point:

    Network
    DataPix
    Password
    datapix123
    Then open
    http://192.168.4.1

    On most phones a captive-portal page opens automatically. If it doesn't, open http://192.168.4.1 in a browser.

  3. Connect it to your Wi-Fi

    In the interface: WiFi Connection → Scan Networks, pick your network, enter its password, and Save. The device reboots onto your network.

  4. Reopen the interface on your normal network

    The panel briefly shows “WIFI CONNECTED”, then scrolls the device's IP address. From a computer on the same network, open http://<that-IP>.

    There is no datapix.local address on this build and no login — the interface is open to anyone on your LAN. Note the IP from the panel or from WiFi Connection → WiFi Status.

  5. Set the time zone

    Open Network Time and choose your zone so clock and countdown values are correct.

  6. Create your first view

    Views → New view, then either pick a guided preset or start from Custom. In the editor:

    • add a static text element or an API value (Test API → pick fields);
    • drag elements into position; set colour, size and format;
    • optionally paint pixels or add animation frames;
    • set the view's duration, brightness and overflow mode.

    Save. The view appears on the panel within one rotation. Add more views and they auto-rotate.

Maintaining the device

Update the firmware

System → Upload Firmware, choose a firmware .bin, and upload. The device flashes it and reboots on its own; the interface waits for it to come back. (Over-the-air espota updating is disabled in this build — use the browser upload or a serial flash.)

Restart or factory reset

System → System Status:

  • Restart — reboots the device.
  • Factory reset — clears saved Wi-Fi and settings and reopens the DataPix access point. This is the recovery path if you change routers or forget your Wi-Fi password.
Advanced: build & flash from source

DataPix is built with PlatformIO. The web interface is bundled into the firmware automatically.

CommandDoes
pio run -e esp32-s3-n16r8build firmware
pio run -e esp32-s3-n16r8 -t uploadbuild and flash over serial
pio run -e esp32-s3-n16r8 -t uploadfsupload the filesystem image (only after an erase_flash)
  • Flash over the onboard CH343 USB-UART port. Auto-reset works — no need to hold a BOOT button.
  • Serial monitor runs at 115200 baud.
  • If a flash fails with Could not open COMx, close any stray platformio process holding the port and retry.
  • Optional DHT22 sensor: wire an AM2302 / DHT22 data line to GPIO2 (or change -D DHT_PIN= in platformio.ini) for on-board temperature and humidity. Remove the flag to build without it.
Practise in the demo Troubleshooting