This year (my 4th) I have decided to add strobe lights to parts of my display.  I have ordered 20 of them that flash 4 times a second, now that I have them coming in, I now have a new question / concern, how many to use.

Now, I know you can never have enough lights in total, but I suspect too many strobes would end up causing headaches to the viewers.

So, can some of the experts out there who have done this already share some tips, tricks and techniques on using them.

My mega-tree is 10 feet high, how many and how far apart would people suggest I put them?

I also want to put some into the very tall, i.e. around 15 feet tall, bushes in front of my house, so again, how many and how far apart?

You can see my yard in pictures and video at www.crazytechchristmas.com if that helps with providing some guidelines for me.

Thank you to all in advance for sharing / helping me out here, when it comes to strobes I am a newbie.

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We wanted to expand our channel count, but continue to use standard DMX controllers (to allow mixing and matching, existing controllers, etc).  In addition, we wanted to supported the ability to place controllers where a continuous cable may not be feasible.  

To solve these problems, and allow for limitless expansion, we decided on an architecture that had distribution points that fed a smaller set of universes located through the display,  All the data for this distribution point would be located at that point (via an SD card or similar device).  So say a single distribution point would feed 4 DMX universes (exact number not determined yet), and that point would have all data on the card for those universes for every sequence in the show(s).  The distribution point would be accessed via wire or wireless control that does not communicate the data, but commands and sync pulses.  A command would be to load a sequence, start a sequence, halt a sequence.  Sync pules would be every few seconds with what should be the current frame count.  This is a very small amount of data, that can easily be sent via wireless or other means, and maintain the full DMX rate.

The approach is similar to conductors or similar devices, with the exception that the audio/visual data is not at the distribution point (that is assumed to be at the host computer that controls the distribution point commands).  This would allow limitless growth of channels, at full rates.  The major drawback is that any single string of lights can exceed the capacity of a DMX universe.

A host program would analyze the sequence/show files and populate the SD cards for each of the distribution points (putting on the card, only the data necessary for that point, so card size does not grow without bound).

Anyway, just something we are working on.  Didn't know if the concept interested people.

We are running a Sale to May 31th 2013. 

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Thank you!

Any suggestions?

Robert

Check them out, along with all my other animations, at the following link.... Jack-o-Lantern Projections!

• We are currently at capacity for the attendees we have. To add more space we need to have 31 additional people register.
• If you are planning on attending you MUST go register now. If we get those additional 31 people it will allow us to increase space and more people can attend. If we do not there is a VERY GOOD chance that you will not be able to attend due to limitations at the facility.
• We CANNOT wait until the final weeks to make a decision. The deadline for a decision (on your part and ours) is now!

We have a great event planned for everyone. Visit www.theultimateacademy.com for details and to register.

http://www.environmentalled.com/memorialdaysale.html

Just use coupon code MEM15 when you check out. 

37" beco candle

TPI snowman 31" Frosty with his broom

TPI 40" Snowman with a bird in his hand

Empire elf with a candy cane

Empire elf with packages

4 of the 32" Empire soldiers

Empire 34" drummer soldier

2 48" Empire Snowman with a wreath (earmuffs & Hat)

1 35" Empire Bear holding a present

2 Union 33" Lollipops (need a repaint!)

43" Union Santa with a list (blue eyes)

40" General Foam Traditional Santa

40" Empire Plastic African American Santa (blue bag, holding bear)

Halloween!

TPI 22" Pumpkin

Empire plastic ghost with a skull and a pumpkin

3!! Empire ghosts sitting on a pumpkin

3 Tombstones (think it's TPI)

2 Empire blow mold Gargoyles

Mark your calendars now, and make plans to join us on Saturday, August 10th, 2013, for the biggest, brightest and best Christmas Light get-together in California. This year will be hosted by Mikey Magrill in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley near Solvang. We expect lots of great stuff to show off, good food, new friends and some fun toys to give away. Just make sure you RSVP to drmartin@mac.com

Hope to see you there!

http://www.yardinflatables.com/Christmas-Inflatables_c_1-2-0.html