Jeff's Christmas Lights Thread...

[Jeff]

Jeff is there a site and or such that explains how this is done????

is it all tied into a computer and switchs and or what,,, and they way these

things play to music just blows me away can you direct me to a step by

step site and maybe a parts section that explains what you need to do this and why???

this has always interrested me and really would like to give it a try???

THANKS for any info you can provide m8,,, i think the kids would love this

and the neibors would really not like me then :P :P like i care what they think lol..

just make them jealous and then they would have to try also i like compitition

Phew... I'll try answering all those questions... here goes...

I've learned a bunch going to...
Light-O-Rama:
http://www.lightorama.com/

Light-O-Rama forums:
http://lightorama.mywowbb.com/

Do-It-Yourself-Christmas forums:
http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/

Planet Christmas forums:
http://talk.planetchristmas.com/

Light-O-Rama is an awesome company and they make an awesome product. In the beginning of this thread I talk about their controllers and the software used to synchronize the lights to music.

Basically the L-O-R controllers can control 16 different "channels" of light. Each channel can be turned on or off, dimmed, flashed, faded up or down, and "sparkled". And L-O-R controllers can be connected together with simple phone cable up to 255 controllers. I'm using 9 this year but 255 would be nice.

Just start reading at the above links and you should be able to get a handle on what is needed to start doing this. L-O-R has a starter package that includes a 16-channel controller and the software. I saved a TON of money because I bought 8 of my kits completely unassembled. I soldered all the components to the PCB and did all the assembly into the cases. (Again, you can same a TON of money this way...)

If you get into it and have any questions, feel free to ask. I don't know a lot about this hobby yet but I'm getting there slowly. I'm already looking forward to 2009 when I'll have more time for things other than the basics.

[Cappy]

Phew... I'll try answering all those questions... here goes...

I've learned a bunch going to...
Light-O-Rama:
http://www.lightorama.com/

Light-O-Rama forums:
http://lightorama.mywowbb.com/

Do-It-Yourself-Christmas forums:
http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/

Planet Christmas forums:
http://talk.planetchristmas.com/

Light-O-Rama is an awesome company and they make an awesome product. In the beginning of this thread I talk about their controllers and the software used to synchronize the lights to music.

Basically the L-O-R controllers can control 16 different "channels" of light. Each channel can be turned on or off, dimmed, flashed, faded up or down, and "sparkled". And L-O-R controllers can be connected together with simple phone cable up to 255 controllers. I'm using 9 this year but 255 would be nice.

Just start reading at the above links and you should be able to get a handle on what is needed to start doing this. L-O-R has a starter package that includes a 16-channel controller and the software. I saved a TON of money because I bought 8 of my kits completely unassembled. I soldered all the components to the PCB and did all the assembly into the cases. (Again, you can same a TON of money this way...)

If you get into it and have any questions, feel free to ask. I don't know a lot about this hobby yet but I'm getting there slowly. I'm already looking forward to 2009 when I'll have more time for things other than the basics.

W0W THANKS BRO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

that will help alot ya been thinking about this for along time , ever since i seen the first video on You Tube :P

once again THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONCE !!!!

[gopher_yarrowzoo]

yeah cappy, see told ya we was helpful over here ..
Oh goto http://stats.free-dc.org/stats.php?page=statstool and set up your tag on here they look real nice don't they

[Jeff]

Haven't gotten the arches up this week at all for testing but I wrapped another two 5' trees and put lights on my first wire frame...
http://www.mainelights.org/GiantStar/

Talk about alot of zip ties?!?!?

[Digital Parasite]

So Jeff, how are things going? Time is running out now!

[Jeff]

Sorry for the delayed response but things are going full tilt now. I have finished the roof outline with lights spaced every 2". I ended up making the stringers so basically I had to put 1100 sockets on some SPT1 wire... yeah, 1100. Then I had to populate those sockets with ~350 red, ~350 gold, and ~350 white lights.

I also just got done wrapping ten 20" wreaths with 50 red, 50 gold, and 50 white lights. They are also on the house now.

Beleive it or not, I was just kicking back with a cold one in the driveway watching the show. And even with only the roof line lights and the window wreaths it looks pretty darn good.

I only have icicle lights left to hang one the gutters and then all my ladder work is done.

After a few more weeks, I'll get all the lights going in the yard and then test for a few weeks before opening night on Thanksgiving. I can't wait!

-Jeff

[edit]Can't believe I didn't post this but I have a little website regarding our Christmas decorating here...
http://www.mainelights.org
It shows some of the projects I/we have done over the past 10 months.

[LAURENU2]

you need to send us your longitude and latitude in a PM so we can tap in to the Hubble and watch from Above

[Jeff]

Just wanted to wish you all Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

We did the lights again this year and we're up to ~70,000-75,000. The videos will be online in the next couple weeks but we are playing with a live feed from a Microsoft HD webcam. It looks pretty decent but it's from inside the house so it's a little different view.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/mainel...ristmas-lights

or just...

http://www.mainelights.org

Happy Holidays All!!!
Jeff