Animated light displays
From d.e.w.e.y.c.o.o.t.e.r
Contents |
Description
Animated light displays are traditional Christmas light displays that are controlled by a computer and typically set to music for effect. These displays exploded in popularity in 2005 with the viral video of Carson Williams' display set to Transiberian Orchestra's Wizards in Winter.
Hardware
In the early days of animated lighting, the display was created entirely from scratch. Circuits were assembled from raw electrical components - relays, optocouplers, triacs. The work required a significant amount of knowledge of and electrical engineering and circuit design.
Today, there are choices between vendors, offering products that vary in features and complexity. Boards can be purchased that require components to be soldered, power cords, and enclosures or ready-to-go (and typically priced accordingly). Development of additional features in these boards is active, with wireless options and additional control capabilities being released.
Light-o-rama and D-Light are the most popular hardware vendors. Their products are similar in features and allow the users to play customized light sequences with the help of additional software.
Animated Christmas
Mr. Christmas
At the lower level, the user can choose to create their light controls from scratch. Computer Christmas is a good resource to consult for information. This approach provides more freedom in the design choices and requires a working knowledge of electrical circuit design.
Software
There are several choices in software to control lights.
Light Automation Control Software (Light-o-rama) and D-Light Spectrum Suite are both currently compatible with LOR and D-Light controller boards. They each have an editor with light features including light intensity, ramps (fades), shimmer, and twinkle events set to a media file of your choice (typically a .wav or .mp3 sound file). In addition, a scheduler module allows the user to set up a show including start time, stop time, and sequences. LOR is currently priced at $100 and Spectrum at $90.
Aurora is a new product currently in beta designed to compete with LOR and D-Light in features while not requiring as much in computer resources. Aurora is slated to be released in January 2008.
Vixen is designed for the DIY hardware. This makes it more of a niche product as it is not compatible with the LOR and D-Light boards, but can be downloaded for free.
Animation Objects
Other... [TODO: Add more here!!]
Getting Started
This hobby, like any hobby, can take as little or as much time as you want to put into it. Read this page to get an idea of what options you have, and from there you can make a decision as to what direction to take. Formulate an idea of how much you're willing to learn, how much you're willing to spend, and how much you're willing to do.
A larger budget means you can buy more items ready-to-go, unless of course you like the adventure of soldering up your own hardware.
Assuming that you want to be able to create your own musical sequences, at a minimum you will need (minimum costs shown in parenthesis):
Controller Board ($130 for 16 channels)
Sequencing Software ($80)
Extension Cords ($0.20 per ft)
Lights ($2 for a string of 100 mini)
In addition, you may consider adding:
FM Transmitter ($25 for Belkin)
Tune-To Sign
Hardware for Animated Lighting Objects such as Mega Trees, Mini Trees, or Leaping Arches
