Hi all!
I’m a relatively “New Elf” at AusChristmasLighting, so as per your recommendations, I just thought I would say hello and give you a brief background on myself and my past Christmas Lights. It would also be good if I could get some feedback on where to start on my Pixel journey.
I live at the end of a small coulter-sack with not much traffic and I also don’t have too much front yard. When my kids were young, we would put up some Supermarket Christmas lights, which they really enjoyed. Over the years it slowly got bigger, but never huge. However, what I found really depressing was finding lights had failed and the tedious process of then finding which light-bulb was to blame!! Then LEDs became more common and they also seemed to last a bit longer, which was great. However, with LEDs, if you did get a failure, with the Supermarket/Bunning's lights, it wasn’t really practical to change them out.
Now my kids have moved out of home, putting up as many Christmas lights as possible just isn’t the same and my lighting displays have continued to get smaller each year.
However, one of the technical Guys at work was talking about these Pixel Lights and I think I got the bug! So my new plan is to have less lights, but a better overall show and that is why I joined AusChristmasLighting.
I just attended the recent Brisbane 2017 Mini, which I thought was really great. Just a call-out to the organisers of the Mini, who all did a great job and the venue was also excellent. Thanks so much!!
I’m now ready to go out and buy my first set of gear, which I much admit is a bit daunting. As per what was discussed at the Mini, I have downloaded some software (which I haven’t had a chance to play with as yet) and I am then planning to set up a virtual display on top of a picture of the front of my house. The plan is to then start off with some colour Icicles (WS2811) strings around the gutters, then a semicircular 3m Tree. I was also thinking about combining some small Christmas Trees with a Jumping Arch incorporated over the top. The good thing about this, is I could mount it on my Garage roof. I doubt I'll get all these elements up and running this year, but at least it’s a plan, not to mention my Wife freaking out about the possible costs of my new hobby.
I’m not bad with making the physical gear and I’m good with heights, but it’s the electronics that have me worried, as well as where to start.
So I’m hoping someone can now point me in the right direction and give me some recommendations? The main thing I need is a Controller and as this is my first time, I was thinking about getting a ready to go unit, in a weatherproof enclosure. So I thought a Christmas Creations- CCD-601 Controller should do the job. Would this be a good starting point, or does anyone have any other suggestions? Also, what else would I need?
Any assistance you could give would be gratefully appreciated.
I’m a relatively “New Elf” at AusChristmasLighting, so as per your recommendations, I just thought I would say hello and give you a brief background on myself and my past Christmas Lights. It would also be good if I could get some feedback on where to start on my Pixel journey.
I live at the end of a small coulter-sack with not much traffic and I also don’t have too much front yard. When my kids were young, we would put up some Supermarket Christmas lights, which they really enjoyed. Over the years it slowly got bigger, but never huge. However, what I found really depressing was finding lights had failed and the tedious process of then finding which light-bulb was to blame!! Then LEDs became more common and they also seemed to last a bit longer, which was great. However, with LEDs, if you did get a failure, with the Supermarket/Bunning's lights, it wasn’t really practical to change them out.
Now my kids have moved out of home, putting up as many Christmas lights as possible just isn’t the same and my lighting displays have continued to get smaller each year.
However, one of the technical Guys at work was talking about these Pixel Lights and I think I got the bug! So my new plan is to have less lights, but a better overall show and that is why I joined AusChristmasLighting.
I just attended the recent Brisbane 2017 Mini, which I thought was really great. Just a call-out to the organisers of the Mini, who all did a great job and the venue was also excellent. Thanks so much!!
I’m now ready to go out and buy my first set of gear, which I much admit is a bit daunting. As per what was discussed at the Mini, I have downloaded some software (which I haven’t had a chance to play with as yet) and I am then planning to set up a virtual display on top of a picture of the front of my house. The plan is to then start off with some colour Icicles (WS2811) strings around the gutters, then a semicircular 3m Tree. I was also thinking about combining some small Christmas Trees with a Jumping Arch incorporated over the top. The good thing about this, is I could mount it on my Garage roof. I doubt I'll get all these elements up and running this year, but at least it’s a plan, not to mention my Wife freaking out about the possible costs of my new hobby.
I’m not bad with making the physical gear and I’m good with heights, but it’s the electronics that have me worried, as well as where to start.
So I’m hoping someone can now point me in the right direction and give me some recommendations? The main thing I need is a Controller and as this is my first time, I was thinking about getting a ready to go unit, in a weatherproof enclosure. So I thought a Christmas Creations- CCD-601 Controller should do the job. Would this be a good starting point, or does anyone have any other suggestions? Also, what else would I need?
Any assistance you could give would be gratefully appreciated.