Holiday Light Shows 101: LEDs, Controllers, Props, and Sequencing for BEGINNERS. 5 Hour MegaTree!

[@DiveSouthFlorida]

You must be the best teacher ever. The way you explain stuff is really clear and understandable.

[@T-a-b-b-s]

Said no one ever

[@HeadlampMafia]

out of everybody producing content on this subject, you are the most straightforward and informative. thank you! i will consider patreon.

[@TheHookUp]

Thanks!

[@NSilver832]

After watching the video I decided to throw a couple of led strips on my roof, plug them in and call it a day.

[@Tom-In-Ga]

I'm with you. If this is a beginners guide, I'd hate to see an advanced version.

[@ramhemi75]

Ya fuck this lol

[@javi1373]

Before this video I was like "how hard this shit be" now I'm like "fuck this"

[@ramhemi75]

@@javi1373 check this one out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qonZpautgJidiM0 this dude explains it very well!

[@Kevinw4040]

This is why people pay professionals to do it. To hell with this bs.

[@dorianmeyette8560]

Omg! I’ll stick to string lights; props to all of you who do this! Impressive

[@johnmayer4747]

I highly recommend this video if you are into making your display from static lights to sequenced lights. Love the informative video as this is a pretty good intro to the hobby of the Christmas lights. It also turns into many other holiday lights too, i.e 4th of July, Halloween. I also recommend XLights KZbin classes as well as the forums from Xlights and Light O Rama. The only complaint I have with the video is your comment of it takes a week for a novice to do an impressive show in a week. Only if you have deep pockets (purchasing a ready made display and sequenced or having some else do it) or you are a anywhere from a intermediate to complete nerd in electronics. And still not a week to do it all. Not trying to scare anyone away but it takes a lot longer to wade thru what you want to do versus all of the different electronic items to do it as well as the programming aspects. If you have a music background, that helps too when sequencing your lights to music. Your advice to start small is the best solution for a novice as it can easily get overwhelming. It has taken me almost 10 years to get my display where I want it to be. Last year was the very first year to setup, sequenced and happy with the display. It is not big or small but it fits the area I have and it took over a month to setup. That does not include selecting the songs to sequence, going thru checking each light (ws2811s, rgb spotlights, static led lights) and checking for anomalies. Can't wait till I retire so I can really do it spectacularly!!

[@TheHookUp]

Thanks for the kind words! The "under a week" part was definitely referring to kit stuff. You can get really creative in this hobby (which is I think why most of us like it), but you can also buy the kits to get up and running quickly if that's what you're after.

[@machine2747]

This really helped tie all the bits together I've learned so far. Thank you!!!!

[@rottweiler5150]

Oh my gosh! Thank you SO MUCH for this! NOBODY explains any of this as well as you, truly appreciated!

[@bengoff5930]

I'm super excited. I've been wanting something to do since retirement. Knowing me, if I start today I might be able to have my "mega strand" of lights programmed in time for Christmas next year.

[@TheHookUp]

January is a great time to start planning for next December.

[@TheInfinityCircle.80]

I am loving the information on your channel. I'm just starting out. I have a model using USB fairy lights that are W2812B for my bedroom sized model and I am looking into beginning to learn programming. My model is not just flat or linear, it is an abstract multi-dimensional star like design. The complex/advanced model is anyway. My first yard sized model with light was called "Tetra Light" and the complex model is 4 times more elements. The programming will be able to handle many different sets of movement on the one model and it's 4 different prototypes so far. As for choosing strips or strings and power, the design in these early stages are basically lights strips in tubes/pipes. I'm using Govee led strips for larger versions and BTF lighting fairy lights for the smaller version. There are sets of 12 light tubes in the simple model and 48 in the complex model. Each of those could be individual segments. I'm going to calculate how many lights that would be. Power is an issue because I would have to hide the wires so they don't hang out all around the ends. The model gives a way to brings power lines through the center of the tubes at large diameters. I could use little 3D printed parabolic cones to distribute lights from strings and pixels aligned by the center wire so the light is reflected around to the tube in a better way that just pixel in tubes. www.youtube.com/@CreativeStarlightCurves

[@colinduncan7863]

I've been thinking of upgrading the outside lights for sometime and this is probably the best instructional video I've seen. Great job Rob and thank you!

[@jaemarland2973]

I'm lights KraZee! But I'm not participating anymore. I've got a new perspective and much more appreciative of folks who do these GREAT displays. Thnx

[@emmanuelmeyermeyer1083]

Thanks for posting this. Wow when I drove by a house with this type of led tree I had no clue what's involved. I always wanted to do this but I feel now I need a degree in IT to do it. When you were going back and forth on the pc my brain went into over load. Lol

[@RyanAdamsVideo]

He would have been my favorite teacher in school. Very cool projects!

[@berner57]

Thanks to KZbin, he still can be your favorite teacher! I know he is mine, and I am 52.

[@HelpWithHeartbreak]

Importing the sequence is definitely one of the most confusing parts to do on your own. Thank you for explaining this so well!

[@Parrot4859]

That xLights guide was really all that I needed. Thanks for keeping me busy doing projects Rob!

[@orangeslices50505]

X-Lights Guide? In this vid? Did I miss that?

[@VitoHGrind]

First, love your vids. You're literally the reason I even ended up in this hobby. Starting with your holiday lights vids and now into the full show. That said, "less than a week to a full show" is fairly misleading. I suppose with a Ready to Run kit for the mega tree, that element's doable in that time frame, but a whole show is not. It's my first year, I've been at it since August/September and I'm only at about 65% complete. Wiring, soldering, attaching pigtails, power injecting, building props for window outlines, and trouble shooting is all very time consuming. And that's before the dozens of hours you'll spend sequencing. This is still a great tutorial and your xlights section will definitely save me some time!

[@TheHookUp]

Yeah, that time frame is for kits of course. I know I’m not exactly a beginner, but I completed my tree +sequencing in one Saturday.

[@HolidayCoro]

It's possible if you have general IT skills (installing software, IP addressing) and you use out of the box sequences along with a ready to run controller. Going Ready2Run assembled alone will save you many, many hours since the controllers are shipped 100% assembled and tested and you don't have to make a bunch of mistakes not purchasing or purchasing the wrong items to complete the project. Power injection is a "level 4" skill that even we don't support for customers due to the likely-hood for damage to hardware and thus we generally have customers using Long Range instead of power injection which is cleaner and easier and just about the same cost.

[@estelle6660]

Nice movie! And nice tree. Now a movie of the total house

[@rickibaron4816]

First I want to say that I have subscribed to you page. I have been sequencing a light show for a few years now. While I have considered going with Pixel lights I have too much invested in regular LED lights, (about 25,000), to change my set up. I also wrote my own program to run my lights. I use Digital I/O boards in my display and build all my own circuit boards. I still do the flashy blinky type of display, (no dimming). Even with what I know this set up seems like it would take a lot of study to get a grasp of everything. I have even tried to contact DIY web sites but no ones seems willing to help me out with questions and problems that I encounter. You at least are willing to show how some of these things go together. I did at one time try and purchase systems from people, but no one would explain how to diagnose problems with the systems I bought. It would be nice to see something like this broken down into easy to understand steps to do a display as complex as this. All of the terms you are using need to be defined in every day language for the average person. Thank you for you effort to explain your system.

[@mar1video]

Phenomenal video ! Thank you for bringing us closer to our dreams ! And Your LED obsession is well understood !

[@ChunkySteveo]

Another great video Rob, really informative!! Good to see at 09:00 you had plenty of supervisors helping!!!

[@TheHookUp]

Haha, had some friends come over for dinner that night but I was SO close to finishing when they got there that I had to keep going. They kept me company, good friends and unwitting participants in my youtube video.

[@Eladtconsulting]

Thanks for such a thorough video, you answered like 20 of my 10 questions

[@1zebula1]

You’re the man. Love your channel and what you do! #respect

[@Thoughtfulbuildsllc]

Wow sick! This is that next level lights I install commercial holiday lights and if I start offering things like this there is way more money in it!

[@DrewOnTwo304]

The part about the universe was really helpful. Thanks!

[@tonymirenda4932]

Dude, you are an absolute magician!

[@FernandesFamilyLightShow]

A novice can put together an amazing show in about a week...Ha! I'd love to see that

[@TheHookUp]

Kits only of course...

[@bryanhickman7663]

Thanks Rob. Love your succinct explanations, no nonsense , get to the point presentations. I love having you guys 2.5 yrs ahead of my budget. You save me so much time and $. ;-) (Oh, and let me mention the link you have to the WS2812B IP65s was dead last I checked.) Thanks for all you do!

[@trevormuhlestein8516]

direction of pixels is a necessary topic, also the concept of a single strand of pixels if you laid your show out end to end, probably would be nice to mention you way under utilized that controller and its ports to simplify the explanation (some use that controller for16,000 lights) and simplify the install of a tree. however if you used a single channel for your entire tree your extension cables connecting each tree strand together would make it more uniform and less guessing (even though it turned out great). I liked the idea of reusing existing shows from others that have shared.

[@Uncle_Buzz]

9:08 - Glad to see the union supervisors on the job.

[@bryg40]

Quick question, you narrate that you can connect ethernet to PC or through a hub. In the video at 9:34 I see the controller board has printed text mentioning "wifi". Can this board also be connected via wi-fi without any additional hardware? I realize it may not auto-update this way. (Ethernet cable into the house may be difficult - I wonder how you do this without smashing a cable in your doorway or window seal.) Much thanks. I'm always watching your vids. Tons of respect out to you.

[@Musicman247]

Love your wife's shirt. "I don't need Google, my husband knows everything" Ha! XD

[@lordgarth1]

Musicman247 is it missing “thinks he” ?

[@talesmaschio]

Gotta buy one of those to my wife.

[@TheHookUp]

@@lordgarth1 I try to learn more and more each day, but sadly I'll never know everything... not until the FDA green-lights direct brain implants.

[@cityleader88]

Can you do a video on how to physically mount the wiring/lights to your house. I’m pretty lost on injecting power. If you want a house to do you can come over. Haha

[@edkaempf906]

I use SuperStar from Light-O-Rama to sequence all my pixels, and use almost all Holiday Coro controllers and pixels. But, X-Lights also is a very good sequencer. You gave a great overview of the main steps. Just a heads-up: Sequencing RGB lights to a song, the real "wow" of using RGB lights, takes an enormous amount of time. I take approximately 8-10 hours per one minute of a song that I sequence to my lights, and I only have about 17,000 pixels. I say "only" because many of those addicted to this hobby (like me) have multiples of that (e.g., John Storms). So, besides the work required to build props (like a mega tree), plan on spending quite a bit of time sequencing lights to a song. Now, will your next video be how to power wash a driveway? Ok, my poor attempt at humor. I love all your videos!!

[@TheHookUp]

Haha, when I took that picture my first thought was "wow, the driveway looks gross". I think it was a side effect of the HDR applied by the iphone camera. I promise it doesn't actually look that bad.

[@TheHookUp]

Totally agree about the time it takes to sequence by the way. The only song I've ever sequenced from scratch was "you make it feel like christmas" by Gwen Stefani because it's my wife's favorite xmas song and it took me around 20 hours, and as I said, I'm not even fully satisfied with the result.

[@earlpotter9120]

Now I know why I’ve never saw a light show in my town. As simple as a trig problem.

[@ein57ein]

That's REALLY impressive... a bit out of my budget.. didn't realize the big controllers were that expensive. I look forward to more of this series and I'll be ingesting more of your original LED outline to build my own.

[@grimninja2004]

you can use nodemcu lolin boards (espixelstick firmware) that cost 4$ each to control up to 250+ pixels per controller. you can waterproof them in cheap pvc pipe. you can diy a 18 strand pixel tree for about 250ish dollars and that includes 18 strands of cheap pixels,6 controllers, and a powersupply. how you mount the pixels dictates the rest of your cost. mounting strips are nice, but slicing 1/2 inch pvc pipe in half lenthwise on a tablesaw and drilling 50 1/2 inch holes every 2.4 inches will only cost you 2$ per 20 feet! thats 20$ to mount all the strands. to support it you can create a frame from emt piping, or use conventional megatree methods.

[@alexelliott9733]

The DIY route is definitely the way to go in my opinion. You learn more this way, so that you can add more in the future, AND you save a LOT of money. I use ESP8266 boards controlled via E1.31 with Vixen Lights software. The ESP8266 boards control my LEDs, and I have a separate power supply. It really isn't too hard to build if you do your research.

[@ein57ein]

@@alexelliott9733 Thanks Alex. I now have lights along my soffits and one other element running on D1 Minis with Dig-Unos. Planning a 7-8' Mega Tree for next year and I won't lie, I'm intimidated by Xlights (for now), but I realize how much it adds to it all. Fortunately, I got a bit of time to learn. The tree will be where I more to nodes and may be where I step up to 12v from my current 5v lights.

[@alexelliott9733]

​@@ein57ein That's awesome! I've also been thinking about building a full-fledged mega tree, but it didn't happen this year, so hopefully I'll get around to it for next year as well. Hope yours goes well!

[@ein57ein]

@@grimninja2004 man! I've got a lot to learn lol... I didn't see your comment before, but now (specially that I'm plotting for next year). I'm thinking about a 180 degree 8' with ~13 strings on a D1Mini or ESP32 with WLED. I know WLED can listen for e1.31, I just gotta figure that part out before next year.

[@skinnyyhippo]

Thank you, I'm 12 and I begged my parents for years to get me a controller and lights and they did. I got the programming and it didn't work out. Like it was supposed to. It was off beat. I guess that's not to bad considering I did it by myself but u really helped

[@ChrisRabkin]

Hey I didn't see anything in the comments about the sandevices controllers but they come fully assembled as well.

[@andreykalugin775]

Наконец-то нормальное описание! Спасибо👍

[@cindy-pixellight8625]

Thank you so much for sharing for point lights.

[@BLTtogo]

Thanks for a great overview. Helped me accelerate my setup. I’m not clear why you have the same e1.31 controller listed multiple times in the controller setup. My understanding is Xlights supports multiple universes under a single entry.

[@andrewtheandroidgamer3630]

I'm stuck at 06:22 at change serial port. It says current configured port is com10, and under port details it only has 1 drop down option for com3.

[@mitchandaya7004]

Nice one. I got idea for our christmas decoration competition at work.

[@fredmbarrett]

Great intro, Rob...I'm an IoT hw/sw developer and just getting into xLights and animated shows. Yours is the first video that has actually brought all of the pieces together in an understandable, cohesive manner that, thanks to you, I know understand! Kudos. You mentioned in the vid that you permanently mounted pixel strips to outline your house. Could you share what products/tools you did to do that? Has that been installed for awhile, and if so has it withstood weather/sunlight/snow/rain etc.? I also loved the discussion around PVC pre-fab mounting for your doors and windows. Let's see how you did that!? Thanks again!

[@TheHookUp]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGavn5Jpjsypb6s

[@fitlikeaglove7396]

My favorite hobby, This year will be my 5th year running a light show. One thing I noticed that will cause issues is using DHCP. You just can't do this. I don't use xlights but on Vixen it asks for controller IP, if you're using DHCP this is liable to change after a day or a week depending on router settings. Using a manual IP should be the only option. Also never used Falcon boards because they're quite pricey. I've stuck with SanDevices, they also sell their boards fully assembled which is the option I took. My first SanDevices I got 4 years ago (an E682 ) and it's still running like a champ. Now they have a $99 board that assembled with 4 outputs. Perfect for placement on a display element.

[@HolidayCoro]

While the E682 was one of the first crop of pixel controllers back in 2010, it has not kept up with all the modern innovations common to newer controllers like - multi-line OLED screens, network switch for daisy chaining, Wi-Fi interface, modular construction allowing 2 times or more outputs per controller, no long range support, no temperature / voltage monitoring and shutdown (for safety), blown fuse monitoring, sequence playback from controller, FM transmitting and other improvements. When factoring in these huge improvements since the release of the E682 years ago, the difference in cost makes sense.

[@jendib]

Most modern routers keep matching the same IP to a MAC address, so the IP given by the DHCP shouldn't change.

[@TheHookUp]

I think it's easier to let it take DHCP, then reserve the IP on your router.

[@halsaresnowpaw522]

You should be able to make DHCP static leases on your router. This will ensure the controllers get the same IP address every time.

[@wahlocki]

Love your presenting style. Refreshing and straight to the point

[@jdock694]

Just subscribed today and watched a few videos so far. My brain is smoking because I haven't even reached novice level. I'm a "I'm new, I don't know what to do" beginner, beginner level. I'll watch them a few dozen times again and maybe I'll start to understand. I do love the videos and do want to learn.

[@mikeerbe8784]

J check out videos on the video section of xlights.org, or Canispater Christmas and Listen to Our Lights all here on youtube. You'll probably get a better idea from those guys.

[@markusaurelius4015]

You’re the best. Seriously.

[@MarioGlez23]

Hola, como podria conseguir todas las instrucciones en español? Me gusta mucho tu trabajo y quisiera empezar a aprender a hacerlo y decorar mi casa asi como la tuya. Espero y puedas ayudarme. Saludos...

[@briankey4585]

This really helped me make the decision to skip the lights this year

[@DavidTramacchi]

Can you do a video specifically on power injection? Methods, techniques and tools required? Great videos cheers!!

[@HolidayCoro]

Power injection should be well understood before implementing. It's a bit like installing a turbo kit on your stock car - all good if you get everything 100% right and really bad if not done correctly. Here are some diagrams that show the basics: www.holidaycoro.com/kb_results.asp?ID=173 Given the number of cheap long range expansion systems (www.holidaycoro.com/Ready2Run-AlphaPix-Flex-Long-Range-Receivers-p/935.htm), the move has been more towards long range and away from power injection due to the complexity.

[@MegaMissfitz]

In that case should we hang the decos up this weekend on the channel aswell? So its all warm n cosey for next time you visit. I know how u like your LED lighting 😤😤😤

[@tkantone]

I have no idea what u were talking about (setup). It’s a nice outcome

[@juanbolivar35]

Do you know by any chance when I add the same controller multiple times as you have it on 5:22 and I try to export the sequence to HinksPix Pro, I can't see the controller with the IP to export the sequence? If I delete all the controllers from the layout and I leave only one, I can see the controller when I export the sequence. When I have the same IP in the controllers they become "(unmanaged)"

[@timmytimmy17]

Wow this is extraordinary clear! Thank you.

[@ericpeterson4895]

I would love for you to do an in-depth show on power injection. I don't really understand when or how to do that.

[@bogdanabobak1767]

Time to make a 2024 version of this. Plus is there not a "basic" controller similar to WLED that just does some prebuilt basic chases, flashing, fading for those with bullet pixels who are not interested in xlight sequencing/syncing etc...

[@sasopetrusev4784]

You are a legend

[@TheTatartist28]

Nice video, I would add a disclaimer about that fence post though those bend and break easy in heavy winds. I would use stronger metal poles for the build. Also would let people know that this is only one option like you broke down the controllers so they understand that there are multiple ways to make the same sort of prop. Also don't recall seeing guide wires added for extra support on the tree? That's also a good point to highlight so people don't get frustrated when things start falling over.

[@TheHookUp]

I did mention the guy wires (both buying the string and when to attach them), but I didn't show a close up. There are certainly tons of options for making every kind of prop, I'll be covering that in my next video on the subject (also PVC/PEX/Coro/3d Printing). This video could have easily been 30-40 minutes long, but I was REALLY trying to keep it short since there's already a ton of good information about the subject if you're willing to sit down and watch hours of videos. I wanted this to be the fast-paced first video you'd would watch to get an overview and then dive in deeper to any particular subject you needed more info on. You think the top rail will buckle in heavy winds? I know it's pretty thin walled, but there's just not that much surface area for the wind to grab a hold of.

[@HolidayCoro]

The number of factors involved with mounting a megatree and vary quite a bit. We have customers that build MegaTrees on roofs, sand, on flag poles, on the side of a house, on asphalt and concrete and other varied surfaces. As such, there are many factors that come into play on how to balance safety, cost and materials that a customer is able to work with.

[@SMALLTECH]

Nice Project !!!👍👍

[@MrUpsidedowngaming]

Thanks for the time stamps!

[@Nviron007]

Is there a kit that's already set up to do that Christmas tree at the beginning of the video? I just want 6 to 10 strands strands running from the ground to the top of my barn That will run in sync with each other. Each strand about 20 to 25 ft.

[@ladwigs]

Have you ever thought about changing the light program, for off-season fun ? Like Synergy welcoming you home, for example (Jem)

[@richardlatza2234]

Greatly appreciated the Timestamps

[@DannyMullen]

Great mega tree! I have 14 stings just arrived, I was going to do 2 in spacing but seeing yours I believ 3 in looks nice also. Other note, didn’t you have a video on how to build that wreath? I couldn’t find it. Scanned through your other holiday vids but may have missed it.

[@TheHookUp]

That will be in the next video I do on this subject.

[@DannyMullen]

The Hook Up awesome! Thinking it might be similar to what I am trying with my pex. Love to see other solutions to a similar problem. Thanks!!

[@dtvolleyball]

Is there a Holiday Coro equivalent store for Canadians?

[@no8reek]

I have been watching your videos on addressable LED's to get a better understanding for a project I am looking to try. Your information has been very helpful, could you help with the following. I would like to know what and how to create 5 digits with 7 segments each plus 2 sets of colons. The unit will be to count down to start then elapsed time using RGBW tapes to be used outside. Different colors for the different time displayed. Readability at a reasonable distance about 300ft so digits to be 12" - 15" high. I think each segment will require 2 rows of LED strips, this will mean 35 or 70 strips plus the colons. I look forward to your views,

[@devinwright1928]

Do you have a video on how you made the PVC frames for your doors and windows and attached them? Thanks

[@mattthearcadeguy]

Very helpful video! Here's the one question I have that you actually didn't cover lol. Where is your main controllers mounted and how does one typically run the pixels cables to it without having awful cables covering your house? Go through the attic? And can the pixel strands be daisy chained or each 50 have to run back to the controller?

[@jerryhalasz]

100% sure that I never want to do this now. Jeez Rob!

[@TheHookUp]

Ha! That's just as useful as being inspired to do it. Sometimes it's good to know what you don't want to do.

[@Roxy-no5wv]

Lmao me to

[@titustitus7105]

Thank you you have been a big help.

[@Battleborn357]

Can you do a video on how you do your power injection with the strips and aluminum channels? Thanks

[@TheHookUp]

Check out part 3 of my LED series (installation): kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4jFY5xsd62rZ8k

[@fin3125]

​@@TheHookUp I built this exactly like you did in the video and it worked great. I switch to the HolidayCoro and now I have issues (Hinks pro). Now have power issues. 624 pix injected at the end of every 150 pix strip. Tried using a separate supply by cutting the positive from the HollidayCoro box. Did not work. Lights did not even come on. Still don't know why. I would love another video on how you did this.

[@TheHookUp]

Lights aren’t coming on at all? Are you sure they are getting data?

[@fin3125]

@@TheHookUp my bad. soldering issue. soldered one too many connections today.. over 120 and one wrong..lol. sorry. Love your videos

[@jbpoplockanddropit]

Great Video. Thinking this is a 2021 project.

[@Talking2Wall]

Awesome channel!

[@PatrickMichael2002]

Great info. Good subject would be how to expand a single effect across all channels and universes as I saw this season. It was spread over someone's entire house ever so often to match intensity of music. Very cool effect.

[@justadarnniceguy2045]

Good presentation.

[@seda14us]

SUPER ...100% BEST... Thank you...

[@tyhillbroussard4924]

I really wanna make my own light shows for Christmas and Halloween for my future house. I’m sure this video can help me.

[@codingwithjoyk]

I'm hooked! Subscribed...

[@michaelserke]

I think i will now need a mega tree and to watch the xlights import section in 4X slo-motion to get all the steps.

[@JoseAlvarez-uh7uf]

Novice here, this video sounded like another language to me, gonna watch it 20 more x till I get it though, time to learn another language!!

[@xoversprayurfacex8388]

I would like a little more information on installing LED walls or Displays and integrating them into my light shows. How do I add music videos to my light show? Do I use the same software? What hardware should I be using other than using RGB WS2812B lights?

[@aaaafaaaaf]

Rob, am getting a early start on the x-mass show for this year. (I have to show the wife that progress is being made with all the stuff I purchased..). My tree is going to be about 70" tall, so Im not totally sure of how to connect the lights, Im going to have 16 strands (up and down). So if I start on the bottom left and go to the right, I shoudl start at the bottom, then on the second strand start at the top, go to the bottom, then start at the bottom of the 3rd strand, go up and down and up and down until I get all the strands connected in one huge line? Or do I need to cut each strand and start at the bottom or top of all.. thanks..

[@legopepsi]

I haven't slept in 7 weeks but thanks to your video I'm now ZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[@guittarmaster]

I like the TV show Lucifer. In it there is a bar called LUX. I really like the light effects in the bar and would love to recreate it in my back yard with something like cafe lights. Any thoughts on how to do that!

[@itninja9503]

I would have appreciated some information on "how long" is a long strip where I'd need to worry about Power injection in a 12v Strip.

[@hectorpadilla9669]

Hi, Rob, I did bought the Mega tree kit thru Holidaycoro: I still struggling to make it work even following the great video that you shared with us. I was able to set up the communication to the controller. But at the time to import the files into my project the files looks empty. Do you have a more detail follow up using the latest software? I'm running out of time. Thank you!!

[@jeepee7091]

Thanks for the video! I noticed you have your electronics and the power supply in a sealed box, how do you deal with heat dissipation? Do I need to worry about this? Thanks !

[@TheHookUp]

In the garage I keep the box open, this is my first year having a box outside in Florida... we’ll see how it goes.

[@HolidayCoro]

This isn't as much of an issue as most people expect. The controllers have several safeties - the housing is FR5 rated for fire resistance, the power supply shuts down over 160f and the controller auto shuts off output over (typically, can be configured) 140f. With a single power supply there are never issues, for dual power supply units we use a larger enclosure and for 4 power supply units, an even larger unit. The controllers also all have fan output to a "CPU" fan that can be controlled by the CPU if you want to exhaust the enclosure. The HC-2500 and BUD boxes both have pre-marked sections for vents.

[@rottison]

this was a great video thank you

[@Aus_Coasters]

If I were to just put the mega tree with the normal regular lights would that look good still or would I completely need to switch over to X lights

[@davewalters9926]

Great Video! Thanks for putting it all together. QUESTION: Do you run one controller for the mega tree (HinksPix Pro) and a different one for your other lights (F16v3)? If you're running two controllers, can you synchronize them? How? I almost hate to buy a kit from Holidaycoro that will be limited to just the mega tree.

[@HolidayCoro]

The HinksPix Pro can run stand alone xlights sequences (see HSA at www.holidaycoro.com/hinkspix) and it can also drive other E1.31 controllers including the F16v3. It's like having a free FPP built into your controller. Plus you can build out larger controllers with up to 48 outputs: www.holidaycoro.com/AlphaPix-Evolution-Ready2Run-Assembled-Controller-p/952-1.htm

[@TheHookUp]

I have my house lights (Roof lining, window linings, wreath, candy canes) on the falcon. I have the megatree on the HinksPix using 16 ports. I have 50 LEDs on each port except for port 16 that I have wired to the star for the tree, so it has the full 170 pixels in that universe. I then have a long range expansion board (much cheaper) that plugs into the HinksPix that is running my mini trees and my "tune to XX.X" sign. Long story short, no, you aren't limited to a single controller, you can synchronize as many controllers as you want, and you can also hook up expansion boards to the HinksPix (or falcon) to add more outputs.

[@davewalters9926]

@@TheHookUp I appreciate your reply. I do want to see if I can get this to work! Thanks!!

[@davewalters9926]

@@HolidayCoro Thanks for the info!

[@greenlee6]

Interested what all you had for your first setup you showed for the whole house. In a similar situation starting about thinking about moving to something similar. Thanks.

[@melkfer]

Very clear explanation ! Thank you !!. One question (I am a beginner with RGB). I just bought the Pixie 16 LOR controller. How many stands can I attach to each of the 16 outputs (cables that comes from the controller). Sorry about this silly question but I am a newbie. My understanding is that I can only control 16 stands of lights. is that correct? Thank you for your help and time answering.

[@dragon7153]

Love the video and love the channel, too! Your channel is now on the top of my list! I even printed out the input / output diagram from your "which pins to choose" video on the ESP8266. By the way you look like a young Michael Keaton in the thumbnail for this video ha ha!

[@topher216933]

Can you use xlights and mix govee with pixel strings with a control box to run a show and include singing props...also i thought now with these falcon control boxes now you dont have to tie up a computer or laptop to run a show...i thought you just send it to your control box and the box runs it not your computer

[@TheHookUp]

You don't need to tie up a computer, you can use FPP on a raspberry pi. The Kulp boards have FPP built in I think. You can use most Govee lights with WLED and then put them in your xlights show.

[@philipfwilson]

Great video!!!

[@ryoohk]

Thank you, they help me a little bit I'm trying to figure stuff out but the only thing is I still have questions about is the universe. So I have 200 pixels on the front of my house and they go through one channel does that mean I need to put 150 lights on one channel and 50 lights on the other channel because I seem to work fine with 200 on that one channel. That's where I'm just getting confused

[@talesmaschio]

“Don’t attempt to make a show that’s visible from space your very first year”. Ok 👍🏻 got it 😂😂😂

[@grimninja2004]

and... my first year i have a 16 foot high tree with 1000 pixels... gocttha

[@commiccannon592]

Ohh why not

[@GaryEveritt]

@@commiccannon592 They will crash the International Space Station

[@ariecohen5042]

Hi I purchase the LED's strip WS2812B. I have a question. If I connect the strip to 5V 5A power supply does the LED's turn on without controller? I afraid the LED's strip is not good. How to check it? I connect the strip led and it doesn’t light (without controller) Thank you very mach Eric

[@ytadmin]

Fantastic videos. You are doing a great job breaking down the topics you cover. Keep it up!

[@ksks6802]

I was looking for guidance in using an input from an xbox one rumble motor to then RF to a receiver to make the led strip light up red with the same pulse of the rumble motor. I'm 100 percent doing this project but I just don't know where to start. Any help would be appreciated.