Help....what do I need?

[NavyShooter]

Ok,

Hi, my name is Brad, and I'm a noob here.

I've been putting out a Christmas light show for the past 3 years using one of the GE Lights and Sounds of Christmas boxes, slowly adding lights each year, but I am intent on upgrading this year to a Light-O-Rama setup.

What I have is about 10-12,000 LED lights that I'm going to setup this year (up from the 5,000 last year....post Christmas sales were good to me!)

What I'd LIKE to do is setup a single, 16 channel display this year to wrap my head around the arrangements, plus the FM Radio transmitter, so I don't have to have the music blaring on speakers.

I want to be able to add another 16 or so channels next year, and we'll see where I end up. This could be a long road...

So, my question is simple, What do I NEED to have in order to run a 16 channel display with an FM transmitter?

I understand there's the option of having an MP3 box hooked up as opposed to dedicated PC? I think that's an option I would preffer to use rather than tying up another computer for a month.

Thanks in advance!

Brad

[ItsMeBobO]

Welcome Brad ! You are starting out right to start early, consider your options and ask questions. Many people here are willing to help you out. Keep reading !


The only thing I have time to say this morning is that a show PC can be your regular home computer. It doesn't need to be special. You can use it while the show is running if you need to. The main thing to be aware of is the sounds your computer makes. They get transmitted too so dont watch any videos!

Good luck to you getting started and figuring it all out.

[Guest guest]

there are a lot of options as far as FM transmitters, but strongly recommend the EDMs...

http://www.edmdesign.com

You may find cheaper, but the quality of these units is top-notch.

You can go with one of two MP3 controller options, but like Bob said, you don't need a top-of-the-line machine to run your show. I'm in my second year, using an old desktop, circa 2005, and it cruises along without breaking a sweat. It is a dedicated LOR machine, but for the price of a cheapie like that, you may find it cheaper than buying the MP3 controller. The other consideration would be what options you have regarding getting that first run of cat-5 from computer to controller...the MP3 solution eliminates that issue if it is a problem.

[Guest Don Gillespie]

Welcome Brad, you are entering a new era of Christmas light displays that you will never forget, I was just like you I started small, ask all the questions you want, I use my pc to operate my shows, keep in mind to have a lot of extension cords, the EDM transmitter I just purchased this year so I can't wait to try it out, make sure you look at the forum in all sections there are many answers to your questions and there is always a whole bunch of great guys and gals to help you out

[Guest guest]

NavyShooter wrote:

Ok,

Hi, my name is Brad, and I'm a noob here.

I've been putting out a Christmas light show for the past 3 years using one of the GE Lights and Sounds of Christmas boxes, slowly adding lights each year, but I am intent on upgrading this year to a Light-O-Rama setup.

What I have is about 10-12,000 LED lights that I'm going to setup this year (up from the 5,000 last year....post Christmas sales were good to me!)

What I'd LIKE to do is setup a single, 16 channel display this year to wrap my head around the arrangements, plus the FM Radio transmitter, so I don't have to have the music blaring on speakers.

I want to be able to add another 16 or so channels next year, and we'll see where I end up. This could be a long road...

So, my question is simple, What do I NEED to have in order to run a 16 channel display with an FM transmitter?

I understand there's the option of having an MP3 box hooked up as opposed to dedicated PC? I think that's an option I would preffer to use rather than tying up another computer for a month.

Thanks in advance!

Brad

Hi Brad and welcome to the madness, or is that sickness? LOL

I use either an old outdated laptop, 256Mb Ram, 20GB Hard Drive (or did until it's hard drive failed and it worked just fine with S2, don't know how or if S3 may run on it once I get it repaired) or I used an LOR DC-MP3 Showtime Director unit, usually I do use the MP3 unit as it doesn't require rebooting, or have failures like a computer can. But it's up to what you want to spend. I used the DC-MP3 Showtime Director because unlike the cheaper MP3 units, this one has a built in clock and can start and end your shows at times you can set in the HardWare Utility, which is what I use to build my shows on an SD card.

I, too, thought I'd start small for Halloween 2010 with 16, maybe 32 channels, by the time I was done with what I wanted to do I was at 5 controllers (80 channels), Mobile Black Box Eclipse-4000 FM Transmitter and the LOR DC-MP3 Showtime Director to run my shows, as at that time I only had one computer and could not dedicate it to the shows because I used the system to process and verify video and music I would create. So that would foul up a show real fast with the music and video processing being transmitted over the FM Transmitter.

Also you say you want to do away with your speakers, DON'T! If you have anyone that walks or rides by on a bicycle they won't be able to hear the music. What I did was find an old FM radio, bought some cheap outdoor speakers ($19.95 that I found on e-bay as a "Buy it Now" option) and connect them to the radio inside my garage where the radio was kept high and dry from the weather. The radio also gave me the ability to increase or decrease the volume to a level that would not disturb my neighbors, but still allow passer bys (walkers, joggers, bicyclists) to hear the music.

For Halloween the speakers were mounted in two seperate cages I had constructed to hold some lighted props and these props kept the speakers hidden from view and were just alongside the area near the sidewalk. Worked very well and at the time, kept the neighbors and HOA folks happy, even with playing music during the shows off hours (during daylight only 7am-6:58pm), show started at 7:30pm.

As many others have said, you'll also need a lot of extension cords, even if you buy all you think you need, you'll need many, many more. I ended up buying Wal-Mart out of their 6' cords. As soon as I saw them putting them up, I took the whole case. LOL Cashiers and stock clerks always gave me a look as to why are you buying "cases" of extension cords. If they asked I would tell them, some visited my display after they found out what I was buying all those cords for. LOL

Just keep in mine, you may want to start at small, but in a short amount of time, you may find yourself rethinking, I need another controller or two to do what I want to accomplish with my display. And I would possibly think everyone here has gone though that thought.

Most of all have fun, don't let it become a job or a chore, if it becomes a burden, then you lose interest and think what or why did I get into this? So keep it fun and as a spare time hobby, although I think spare time just isn't the right word for an LOR Addict.:shock:



Again welcome to the club of insane Holiday decorators!

[james campbell]

welcome to this insane out of control hobby.this is my first year as well,I started in January so I'm pretty far along.first the controller I would buy is the ctb16pc partially assembled.you also want the starter kit,it comes with the software and usb adapter you need. also the software has a few options,it goes from basic to advanced,now it controllels the lights the same way but the higher levels have more tools.the basic version is what I have and will be fine for up to two controllers.I found an fm tranmitter on ebay ctb-05b comes from china but so far it works very well its around 60 bucks. and last I got a laptop off of ebay to run the show ,only have 100 bucks in it. hope this is not too much info and it helps a little



one more thing extension cords.make your own using spt-2 cord and vampire plug ends
btw thank you for your service

[Guest guest]

Brad, personally and most here will probably agree with this, if you can do it, go with the Advanced license. With Advanced you can have an unlimited number of controllers, all the wizards are available to you to use, and believe me, those beat, vu and tapper wizards ALL come in very handy many times. Also the MIDI wizard is good if you happen to try and use a midi file, then transpose the midi to an MP3 then update the sequence to use the MP3.

The Advanced license just gives you more flexability with the software to make some parts of sequencing a little easier.

So if you can do it, I definitely recommend going with the Advanced License option.

Also for the USB485, if you're ever going to use ELL's (Easy Light Linkers) or an LOR DC-MP3 Showtime Director (possibly any of the MP3 Director units), spend a little more money and get the USB485B, the B is for booster, which actually allows the USB485B unit to power accessories such as the ELL's and the MP3 Director units via the Cat5 cable connections, saving you an extra cord and an outlet.

Just my recommendations and opinion. I do use the LOR DC-MP3 Showtime Director and the USB485B, as well as the Advanced License, just my preferences, but I haven't run into any issues by going this route.

So you may want to give those some thought when preparing to make your LOR purchases.

[james campbell]

I agree with the advanced software,but as far as the easy light linker and usb booster you will probably not need these for your first season.start out slow and enjoy learning how all this cool stuff works.then as you get your feet wet you can go bigger and more elaborate just my opinion

[Guest guest]

james campbell wrote:

I agree with the advanced software,but as far as the easy light linker and usb booster you will probably not need these for your first season.start out slow and enjoy learning how all this cool stuff works.then as you get your feet wet you can go bigger and more elaborate just my opinion

Even if he uses an LOR MP3 director unit, he would still need the USB485B unit to set the time if using the "Showtime Unit", even though you can set the time WITHOUT using the USB485B unit, it's a lot more difficult. Just easier to use the HWU, click on MP3 tab, then click set time (sets MP3 director with internal clock only to computers time...so make sure your computer has the correct time!)

Anyway, to me it's better to have the booster that supplies extra power as not to have it and find out later you need it.

Definitely better off with getting the USB485B, yes, a little more money, but it'll make your life a lot easier when you start adding powered accessories that use the Cat5 cable as opposed to using more power outlets and power cords to power something. 12V adapters (wall warts) take up far too much real estate, plus using the cat5 method allows you to place the MP3 unit in a case outside near the controllers if desired and not require an extra outlet or power adapter.

BTW: A CTB16PC controller WILL also power the LOR DC-MP3 Showtime Director, I use the USB485B because I set up my shows with the LOR Hardware utility as well as set the time on mine using the HWU. I just feel its better to have that extra boost of power than not to have it, then find out you needed it, and now you have to spend even more by purchasing a USB485B, when you could have just purchased one by adding a little more to the funds for the non power (boostered) USB485 unit and gotten the better USB485 unit.

Like said, my opinion and it is your choice, just trying to help you make the most out of your display elements and get the most for your money, especially if you do upgrade later, which in many cases, ends up being a lot sooner than one may think.

[scubado]

Welcome to the madness!

Go rummage saling. I found a decent computer to run my show for $5.

With starting off with 16channels, keep it simple and single color. There's a couple of noob's last year that did awesome jobs sticking to this. One did a pumpkin arch for Halloween.

Also please update your profile to include where you're located. This helps you and us in suggestions offered, someone maybe close to you, offer weather related ideas etc...

If you have a Menards near you, this is the best place to get extension cords. Watch for their sales or rebates.

Asumming by your username you are/were in the armed forces? If yes, I want to say thank you for your service to our country!

[NavyShooter]

Thanks for the greetings and the welcome!

I've updated my profile a bit with a photo and my location (Canada)

[Ron Amedee]

Welcome Navyshooter...I dove with the Navy 1978-1984 Didn't get to shoot squat!!!!!

[Surfing4Dough]

Make sure you read the similar recent discussion here too:

http://forums.lightorama.com/forum80/26956.html

I suggest PC Controllers (card assembled if you don't solder), advanced starter package , with the Mp3 mini-director on a digital timer. I love my FM transmitter from EDM.

[Brian Mitchell]

I recommend going with an old beater computer to run the show. I see them at yard sales all the time. They may not be the best for doing sequencing but it takes very little computer power to actually run the shows.

Did anyone mention extension cords? :-)

[Guest Don Gillespie]

Brian Mitchell wrote:

I recommend going with an old beater computer to run the show. I see them at yard sales all the time. They may not be the best for doing sequencing but it takes very little computer power to actually run the shows.

Did anyone mention extension cords? :-)

I agree with Brian, however, you can sequence on your main computer and then transfer to your show computer, works every time. oh ya don't forget extension cords

[Lester Stone]

Brad, Welcome to LOR. You have as a group helpful,creative,friendly,insane addicts of a hobby that lasts all year. People at my Church are asking me at least every month what I am working on for the seasons show, but always say that it is a blessing to them when the show is on. You will find that after you start sequencing that you will want more channels! saying man if I just had 3 more channels this effect would be great LOL. I ditto what most of the previous people say that advanced license and a inexpensive old computer will do fine running a show. just have fun and as my wife says if you have more channels we can buy more lights.. Love my wife.

[jonproctor]

Lots and lots of extension cords:)

[NavyShooter]

Orville wrote:

Hi Brad and welcome to the madness, or is that sickness? LOL

I use either an old outdated laptop, 256Mb Ram, 20GB Hard Drive (or did until it's hard drive failed and it worked just fine with S2, don't know how or if S3 may run on it once I get it repaired) or I used an LOR DC-MP3 Showtime Director unit, usually I do use the MP3 unit as it doesn't require rebooting, or have failures like a computer can. But it's up to what you want to spend. I used the DC-MP3 Showtime Director because unlike the cheaper MP3 units, this one has a built in clock and can start and end your shows at times you can set in the HardWare Utility, which is what I use to build my shows on an SD card.


Again welcome to the club of insane Holiday decorators!

Hi Orville,

Is this the director of which you speak:

http://forums.lightorama.com/view_topic.php?id=27004&forum_id=93

I like the idea of not needing to tie everything into a computer, and just run things off a stand-alone box.

Thanks!

Brad

[Guest guest]

NavyShooter wrote:

Orville wrote:

Hi Brad and welcome to the madness, or is that sickness? LOL

I use either an old outdated laptop, 256Mb Ram, 20GB Hard Drive (or did until it's hard drive failed and it worked just fine with S2, don't know how or if S3 may run on it once I get it repaired) or I used an LOR DC-MP3 Showtime Director unit, usually I do use the MP3 unit as it doesn't require rebooting, or have failures like a computer can. But it's up to what you want to spend. I used the DC-MP3 Showtime Director because unlike the cheaper MP3 units, this one has a built in clock and can start and end your shows at times you can set in the HardWare Utility, which is what I use to build my shows on an SD card.


Again welcome to the club of insane Holiday decorators!

Hi Orville,

Is this the director of which you speak:

http://forums.lightorama.com/view_topic.php?id=27004&forum_id=93

I like the idea of not needing to tie everything into a computer, and just run things off a stand-alone box.

Thanks!

Brad

Hi Brad,

This is the one I use, I bought a seperate box to mount it and my FM Transmitter inside together.

http://store.lightorama.com/inmp3di.html

This is only $249.95 compared to the link you have that also contains a controller, but if you need a controller and the MP3 director, then the link you supplied would be your best option.

Here's a photo of my DC-MP3 Showtime Director and my FM Transmitter:




Attached files

[PaulXmas]

Another piece of advice is back up your sequences!

Dropbox is a great place to keep your hard work safe http://db.tt/gs1kQl7

If you go the PC route keep another one as a backup.

This is my third year and my PC died 2 weeks before my show last year. I have a bunch of spare computers so it was no problem for me. In a pinch you can use your house PC.

I use an old small boom box hung up high so people walking by can hear the music. I got it used and it is outside all year long (but I do have a backup just in case)

Be real nice to your wife because you will be spending a lot of time on this hobby.

Have fun!