This section describes how the lights are run from a computer

       The PC is just your average PC. There is a Digital Line card which sends 5 volt signals to 96 individual ports. Each port is grouped into 8 parts, which means 8 ports per control box.  Why 8 ports per box? Because Digital signals operate with BITS.  Without getting into BITS, they are kind of a digital language all computers use. 

       Within each box, there is a Solid State Relay circuit for each of the eight ports. This circuit receives the 5 volt signal from the digital line card in the PC. This 5 volt signal then allows AC voltage to flow through the plug, which in turn, turns on the lights plugged into that circuit or plug.

   Click here to see a picture of the actual circuit

 

EASY HUH?

        

       Now, how do I get the PC to "talk" to the circuit board??? Software! I Originally wrote my own code with Visual Basic. At first, I had no music synchronized to the movement of the lights. The first year, I was very happy with the results, but something was missing. I wanted to have music so you could see the lights "move" to the beat.

         In 2004, I decided to scrap the Visual Basic, as it was getting to complicated to write the code and synchronize the music, so I went with a program called Dasher. This Program saved a  lot of time. The grid looks similar to an Excel spread sheet. You click on the block that you want the lights to turn on which is associated with a segment of time in the music.     This is spaced out with the beat of the music.

    Click here to see a snap-shot of the screen.

         As the music is played, each block is timed to turn on the section of lights that I choose. It actually is quite simple, but time-consuming to get the grid right. I could spend on average 4 to 7 hours on each song.

        It sounds like a lot of work, but the results are well worth it. What does it look like? Unfortunately I did not have a digital camera that took good pictures or movies. You can get an idea of what the house looks like on the Pictures link. Hopefully, there will be better pictures shortly, Stop back for updates!

         The process of building these type circuits became way too time consuming, therefore, I decided to upgrade my software and hardware with LIGHTORAMA products. The software is much easier to use and less time consuming to create the music.

 

       The hardware are home built kits which are very well designed. Yes, I still build the circuits, but the DIY kits from LIGHTORAMA are very well planned out with all the parts needed to finish the circuits. You can also purchase the circuit boards pre-built. A major advantage to these circuits is that they add more features such as, fading, dimming, etc.

 

       If you are REALLY interested in this exciting hobby, you can buy the circuit boards and software as a package to make it much easier to setup. 

Click here to go to www.lightorama.com

and check out their products.

 

       I DO NOT recommend building the circuits your self unless you are REALLY familiar with electronics. You can get hurt, remember you are messing with 120 volts AC.

 

Some  really cool links I recommend to search for all types of Christmas Enthusiasts is: www.planetchristmas.com   and  www.constantlychristmas.com

 

These sites has just about everything you will need from chat boards to links to many Christmas vendors. You could spend hours just on this these sites.