So many choices....

[angelalar]

OKay first let me say I am super excited. I have big plans but also realize that is late in the game for anything huge this year. I thought about holding off a year however I can't listen to music now with out seeing light shows. (So I figure give in to the impulse this year!)

What I am thinking for this year is starting with 16 channels. Upgrading heavily next year when the sales come out. But here is where my mind goes all fuzzy.

1) The 16 channel boxes that you put together verses those in the starter package appear to be different. Is there a difference? If there is a difference for a home user does it matter?

2) I am planning on upgrading the software I buy because that just makes sense from the start. Am I on the right track?

3) The controllers is where i am also a bit confused. Is there a way I can program a show sequence and have it run with having a computer hooked up to it the whole night? If so please point me to the right one.

4) For first years do many of you buy the pre-programmed shows and then work from there? I figure at least I can see how the programming works with a show that way.

Any other advice would be great. We don't have a huge budget as we need to figure in the cost of lights as well for this year. (Any tips on where to get them would be great as well)

Thanks for all the advice.

[ange624]

First of all welcome to the madness second of all the commercial controllers will run with out a computer the residential ones require a computer to run as far as I can tell. unless you get a stand a lone show directer. As for light I buy mine after Christmas at the big box stores like Target and Lowes would depend were you are located. I know some people buy on line but you usually have to buy in bulk it may be less expensive but it is a lot of money up front. As for buying a sequence to see how it work I never thought of that I just started playing with it and it has been going pretty well so far.

[dknahoolewa]

Good luck. this is my first year and it's turning out to be a lot of work. I have been following this forum for the last several months. you have a lot of questions and i can say i had them all at one point and you'll find all your answers in different threads.

1. there are two major differences in controllers. (commercial and residential)
differences are plastic or metals housing and stand alone or computer needed to run show.

I use the mini director with the residential controllers

2. i have basic plus

3. Three ways to run shows. A.)computer cat5 connected to controllers B.) mini director cat5 to controllers C.) Commercial stand alone controller
both B&C use a flash disk just like the one you use in a camera.

4. I've found it easier to get free shows from others and modify them to fit my display.

Advice...read and keep up with the forum and start now for next year collecting what you can and buying wen things are on sale.

[Guest Don Gillespie]

Welcome aboard, you are going to love this obsesion er I mean hobby, you are going to receive a lot of different opinions about everything you asked, first of all I run all my shows with my computer, others like the MP3 showtime controller where you burn a disc and insert into the controller thus freeing up your computer, if you are looking for lights CDI is where a lot of the peolpe go, can't beat the service or the product, for advice on this crazy hobby keep asking questions and read a lot, there are some great threads that are out if you search you will find a lot of answers.

have fun and keep asking questions

[JBullard]

Clairification to above post

You do not burn a disk, you write to a SD card

[Guest Don Gillespie]

JBullard wrote:

Clairification to above post

You do not burn a disk, you write to a SD card

see thats why I use my computer I don't even know how to operate the other thingys

[Jim Saul]

Welcome angelalar!
1) Most people here use the PC home line of controllers, they are less expensive and very popular but you'r going to have to make that call for yourself.
2) if you are buying the starter package the software is at a reduced price, so I'd look at the differences and get the one that you think you will grow into.
As for the version upgrade, you will get be able to run the new version as soon as it is released.
3) your choice for running the show is either from a PC that is on all night or purchasing a director. look under accessories in the store,
4) download others free sequences and make them your own
OTHER:
1) buy lots and lots and lots and lots of extension cords. when you think you have enough but 20 more.
2) you didn't mention how you are going to get the music to the audience, or where you are in the country. you will either need an old stereo receiver and outdoor speakers or an FM transmitter and a sign telling people to tune to xx.x station. If you are in a warm climate than the outdoor speakers may be the way to go, if you are in the cold, the speakers do not work well as people will have their windows up never know that there is music.

[scubado]

If you still have rummage sales in your area, check them out for a cheap computer. I got my show computer for $5 this way. Menards is the best place to get extension cords cheap, sales and rebates will be coming soon. Around Thanksgiving is the best deals on cords in time for setup.

For a small setup, stick with a single color such as white, it'll help to keep things simple. If your getting a transmitter this year EDM is the best brand.

Welcome aboard!

[Surfing4Dough]

MAJOR point of clarification for multiple individuals above. Showtime controllers (commercial type) only run NON-musical sequences in stand-alone mode. If you are planning to sequence to music, then you will either need to run it off of a computer or a director/mini-director for EITHER type of controller.

A show in stand-alone is just sequenced blinking/fading lights with no music--this is not what most Christmas displays are. This is referred to as an "animation sequence" whereas a sequence to music is called a "musical sequence".

This is why most individuals use the cheaper residential type controllers (referred to as PC controllers or DIY controllers). http://store.lightorama.com/ctb16pcpage.html

Both types of controllers control lights the exact same way (all the same lighting features--meaning the same fades, blinks, shimmers, etc.).

I personally like using a mini-director, that way I don't have to dedicate a computer to the show, and don't have to run cat5 all the way from where I have my computers to my 1st controller (inside to outside).
http://store.lightorama.com/midiwimp3pl.html

[crazy man]

Im a newbie also, I looked for a year, and the best thing I could tell you is LOR has free software to try, If you are handy the Partial kit is better, it will save you around 50.00 to plug the wires in, so you can get a 16 channel PC model for around $206.00, If you have lights use them. I put a free ad on craigs list and had 40 people donate and give me lights, trees and everythang they had so they can get new stuff, most was good with blown bulbs, price was right. LOR ultra show is a great place to get your sequences, some are free some cost very little, just tell the person whom you use, Thank You. So if you have a computer you can get started for very little. LOR has almost every thing you ask. and good luck

[scubado]

There's also nothing wrong with leaving a computer on 24/7/365. My family has several computers that are on all the time. My show computer has no software on it except for LOR and is not on the network. You can stick the show computer anywhere out of the way. You don't need much for a monitor either, small, cheap, just need to be able to navigate.