The LEDs are controlled by shift-registers that are chained up down the strip so you can shorten or lengthen the strip - there are cut-lines every 3.3cm (1 LED each). Only 1 digital output pin are required to send data down. The PWM is built into each LED-chip so once you set the color you can stop talking to the strip and it will continue to PWM all the LEDs for you.
You'll need a good power supply, 5V/2A DC for 1 m (5V/10A for 10 m).
You must use a 5V DC power supply to power these strips, do not use higher than 6V or you can destroy the entire strip!
Specifications:
- 12.5mm wide, 1.85mm thick, 33mm long per segment
- 30 LEDs per meter
- Maximum 60mA @ 5V draw per 3.3 cm (1.3") strip segment (all LEDs on full brightness)
- 5VDC power requirement (do not exceed 6VDC) - no polarity protection
- 1 integrated RGB LEDs per segment, individually controllable
- LED wavelengths: 630nm/530nm/475nm
- Strips use WS2812B-based LEDs
Adafruit NeoPixel Überguide