This is a where a Power Mosfet comes in. With the help of the Power Mosfet, we can use the low voltage output from the Arduino ports to control high voltage/current loads -the popular “12V LED strips” ...

This setup allowed [Alex] to control all 128 LED’s with just seven bits, but it was too slow for him. His solution was to control the multiplexers with counter IC’s.

New Arduino Esplora Provides A Ready-For-Gaming, Customizable, Open Source Video Game Controller Darrell Etherington 5:59 AM PST · December 10, 2012 ...