diff --git a/README.rst b/README.rst
index 725ad0f..81f6d07 100644
--- a/README.rst
+++ b/README.rst
@@ -64,11 +64,19 @@ Usage Example
     matrix.show()
 
     # Set a pixel in the origin 0,0 position.
-    matrix.pixel(0, 0, 1)
+    matrix.pixel[0, 0] = 1
     # Set a pixel in the middle 8, 4 position.
-    matrix.pixel(8, 4, 1)
+    matrix.pixel[8, 4] = 1
     # Set a pixel in the opposite 15, 7 position.
-    matrix.pixel(15, 7, 1)
+    matrix.pixel[15, 7] = 1
+    matrix.show()
+
+    # Change the brightness
+    matrix.brightness = 8
+
+    # Set the blink rate
+    matrix.blink_rate = 2
+
     matrix.show()
 
 Contributing
@@ -123,4 +131,4 @@ Now, once you have the virtual environment activated:
 
 This will output the documentation to ``docs/_build/html``. Open the index.html in your browser to
 view them. It will also (due to -W) error out on any warning like Travis will. This is a good way to
-locally verify it will pass.
\ No newline at end of file
+locally verify it will pass.
diff --git a/adafruit_ht16k33/ht16k33.py b/adafruit_ht16k33/ht16k33.py
index d02b689..9aab0e2 100644
--- a/adafruit_ht16k33/ht16k33.py
+++ b/adafruit_ht16k33/ht16k33.py
@@ -48,28 +48,38 @@ def __init__(self, i2c, address=0x70):
         self._write_cmd(_HT16K33_OSCILATOR_ON)
         self._blink_rate = None
         self._brightness = None
-        self.blink_rate(0)
-        self.brightness(15)
+        self.blink_rate = 0
+        self.brightness = 15
 
     def _write_cmd(self, byte):
         self._temp[0] = byte
         with self.i2c_device:
             self.i2c_device.write(self._temp)
 
-    def blink_rate(self, rate=None):
+    @property
+    def blink_rate(self):
         """The blink rate. Range 0-3."""
-        if rate is None:
-            return self._blink_rate
+        return self._blink_rate
+
+    @blink_rate.setter
+    def blink_rate(self, rate=None):
+        if not 0 <= rate <= 3:
+            raise ValueError('Blink rate must be an integer in the range: 0-3')
         rate = rate & 0x03
         self._blink_rate = rate
         self._write_cmd(_HT16K33_BLINK_CMD |
                         _HT16K33_BLINK_DISPLAYON | rate << 1)
         return None
 
-    def brightness(self, brightness):
+    @property
+    def brightness(self):
         """The brightness. Range 0-15."""
-        if brightness is None:
-            return self._brightness
+        return self._brightness
+
+    @brightness.setter
+    def brightness(self, brightness):
+        if not 0 <= brightness <= 15:
+            raise ValueError('Brightness must be an integer in the range: 0-15')
         brightness = brightness & 0x0F
         self._brightness = brightness
         self._write_cmd(_HT16K33_CMD_BRIGHTNESS | brightness)
diff --git a/adafruit_ht16k33/matrix.py b/adafruit_ht16k33/matrix.py
index 9b0bd06..41722c6 100644
--- a/adafruit_ht16k33/matrix.py
+++ b/adafruit_ht16k33/matrix.py
@@ -42,6 +42,13 @@ def pixel(self, x, y, color=None):
             y += 8
         return super()._pixel(y, x, color)
 
+    def __getitem__(self, key):
+        x, y = key
+        return self.pixel(x, y)
+
+    def __setitem__(self, key, value):
+        x, y = key
+        self.pixel(x, y, value)
 
 class Matrix8x8(HT16K33):
     """A single matrix."""
@@ -54,6 +61,13 @@ def pixel(self, x, y, color=None):
         x = (x - 1) % 8
         return super()._pixel(x, y, color)
 
+    def __getitem__(self, key):
+        x, y = key
+        return self.pixel(x, y)
+
+    def __setitem__(self, key, value):
+        x, y = key
+        self.pixel(x, y, value)
 
 class Matrix8x8x2(HT16K33):
     """A bi-color matrix."""
@@ -70,6 +84,14 @@ def pixel(self, x, y, color=None):
             return super()._pixel(y, x) | super()._pixel(y + 8, x) << 1
         return None
 
+    def __getitem__(self, key):
+        x, y = key
+        return self.pixel(x, y)
+
+    def __setitem__(self, key, value):
+        x, y = key
+        self.pixel(x, y, value)
+
     def fill(self, color):
         """Fill the whole display with the given color."""
         fill1 = 0xff if color & 0x01 else 0x00