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Computer Synchronized Christmas Lights?
I want to synchronize our christmas lights this year. I really have no idea how to do this. I have seen the equipment to do so and most are about $400! is there any where I can get this for under $100? It doesn't have to be too advanced but i'd like to get the most bang for my buck.
-Keenan
4 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
The answer to your question lies in your ability to build things yourself:
There are two types of systems out there and various manufacturers.
1st system: The plug and play Mr. Christmas - it allows you 6 channels (that is 6 circuits) and it plays a preprogrammed Midi style music file from attached speakers. You will not program your own music, but it will give you the appearance of computerized lights.
2nd system - real computerized control of lights.
There are about 3-4 manufacturers of equipment out there that will allow you to program music.
Light-O-Rama - probably the most popular ( http://www.lightorama.com/ ). They have build your own systems and prebuilt controllers that range from $150-$350 (I am guessing on the pricing). They have a program (about $100) that breaks down a song into segments of time. You simply tell each segment to turn on, off, flicker, fade up, fade down, twinkle.
You can figure that it takes you about 2 hours to program one minute of song for 16-32 channels. If you want, you can download some pre-programmed sequences at www.LORSequences.com music files are not included.
2nd manufacturer: Animated Lighting. They are the largest commercial supplier. Their equipment costs more, and it is not compatible with LOR's stuff. Their programming is easier to learn and you can probably program a song in an hour or two tops. Animated Lighting http://www.animatedlighting.com/
3rd company = D-Light the most popular site for the Do it yourselfer. Most of their kits have to be built, but you can find a decent kit for under $150. Their equipment also controls DC motors or lights - a benefit if you have servo motors you are controlling. D-Lights: http://www.d-light.us/
I think that they have partnered with another company called Aurora for the control of their equipment. LOR programs also control D-Light, even though they are separate companies.
Vixen Lights http://www.vixenlights.com/ is a freeware program for programming your lights. I do not know much about it except that the hardcore computer geeks have been using it for years. Most of those guys can be found on http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/index.php
The place where a lot of decorators discuss some of the less expensive options on how to build your own controllers for the money.
Membership is free, and you will find many people there to assist you.
Otherwise, the members of http://forums.planetchristmas.com/ is another place to get direction.
Here are some various forums that discuss Computerized Christmas displays (i can not link them because I have more than 10 links and YA considers this answer spam)
Links to various Decorating Discussion Forums:
www.ConstantlyChristmas.com
www.airblownclub.com/
www.MyHolidayDisplays.com
www.ChristmasLightsCommunity.com
www.californiachristmaslights.com
www.doityourselfchristmas.com
www.synchronizedchristmaslights.com
The forums dedicated to the discussion of the controllers:
lightorama.mywowbb.com
d-light.us/forum
animatedlighting.mywowbb.com
Source(s): LOR Users: http://www.christmasutah.com/ by Marty Slack; http://lightorama02.com/Videos.html Animated Lighting; http://www.animatedlighting.com/showcase/customers... Dlight- http://www.crazylightlady.us/ ME? I use LOR because it is easy to use. Not terribly expensive, and I can buy stuff already assembled. My eyesight isn't good enough to solder anymore. If you go with either of the companies, you can not go wrong. But you will reasonably expect to spend $200-$400 this year to get started. It is a great hobby. Occasionally, you will find somebody selling controllers on ebay but they will try to recoup as many of their costs as possible. For a listing of websites (and decorators) near you, go to mississippichristmas.com - others lights (or cool links) - 1 decade ago
naw man it cost about $250 to make the equipment so you most likely wont fide some one who wants to give up the extra cash to manufactures
Source(s): my uncle work in a lighting factory that makes Christmas lights - Anonymous5 years ago
I don't think it's possible, sorry. You can buy pre sychronized ones but I think you'll have a hard time converting ones you already have.