Stand-alone animation controllers are the standard type of animation controller for LED wireframe displays. These are relay boxes with individual female plugs for each step in the animation. You plug the display steps sequentially into the relay box. These stand-alone relay boxes often have a speed adjustment.
The attached animation controllers are built into the wires of the LEDs, so setup is quick and easy. The attached controllers are also more water resistant. The downsides are that they can't be replaced if they fail, and the attached controllers do not have any speed adjustments. Only Holidynamic brand displays have attached animation controllers.