[XCSSA] Christmas Lights Display

Wed Dec 30 08:35:55 CST 2009

Ok Matt.. you're going to HAVE to bring in your fiesta truck in for an XCSSA 
demo! :)

Tweeks

On Wednesday 30 December 2009, X-otic Computer Systems of San Antonio wrote:
> Charles,
>
> Can you supply a quick summary of what HW/SW you are using for your holiday
> light display? I've been looking at the Light-O-Rama autonomous controller
> (MP3 show director) as well as the diylightanimations 16 channel Lynx
> Express cards, driven by Vixen. I really need your experienced input before
> I select a vendor and start building cards. The LOR MP3 Show Director
> really is the best choice for a mobile application like mine, but you have
> to buy their stupid LOR-to-DMX interface in order to use any of their
> controllers with DMX cards.
>
> I'm committed to adding computer controlled lights to my truck this year
> for Fiesta week. Last years static light display on the "Fiesta-mobile" was
> so much fun I want to crank it up a notch this year. Cruising downtown
> during Fiesta week tossing out beads to the drunken revelers has to be
> experienced to be believed!
>
> 2009 Fiesta-mobile summary - static light display, plastic floral & flag
> bunting, Mexican & Texas flags, numerous pinatas, 4' Spurs Coyote pinata in
> Fiesta garb, 2, 200 watt Bogen PA amplifiers powering Peavey PA cabinets
> playing MP3 fiesta tunes from a Dell Mini 9, running Ubuntu Netbook remix
> OS. Mobile AC power supplied by Harbor Freight 1600 watt gasoline powered
> generator.
>
> 2010 Fiesta-mobile plans - computer controlled (DMX, 32 channel minimum)
> light system, above mentioned bunting, pinatas, etc. A third amplifier
> (1200 watts) powering dedicated subwoofer cabinets may be added. AC power
> may be supplied by modified vehicle electrical system (dual batteries, DM,
> Delco 105 amp replacement alternator, Hellroaring dual battery isolator /
> combiner (BIC)) feeding an onboard 4,000 watt inverter. If upgraded
> electrical/inverter system ('silent power') isn't up to the task, last
> year's generator will be used again, but with the addition of a DIY super
> quiet exhaust system. Audio sources fed to the PA amplifiers to include 1)
> DMX synched audio from the light controller (or controlling PC), 2) output
> from the vehicle radio/CD/MP3 player, AND 3) either a home brewed  MP3
> player with 16 or so canned sound effects (cow, pig, baby crying, fart, ta
> ta da da, Mexican hat dance, La Cucaracha, etc.) controlled by a 16 button
> keypad or a similar OEM auto 'horn' device.
>
> The new 'secret weapon' this year will be the addition of one or two
> pneumatic confetti canons on board, under DMX (or manual) control. I can
> see it now, a DMX music/light sequence draws to a close, all lights off,
> fire confetti canons, then bring up the strobe lights (or spots) to
> confetti falling on the truck and nearby partygoers!!
>
> Matt "not Firestorm" Grooms
>
> PS - Have been cruising everywhere in town this week and last with the
> Fiesta-mobile decked out in Christmas trim with a 650 watt light display
> (static, generator poewered ). We've been very popular cruising Windcrest
> viewing the Christmas lights and also with the tourists downtown.
>
>
> From: X-otic Computer Systems of San Antonio
> Sent: Monday, December 28, 2009 11:29 PM
> To: xcssa at xcssa.org
> Subject: Re: [XCSSA] Christmas Lights Display
>
>
> I will do a demo of the RGB tree lights.  I think I can carry all three
> controllers and the lights to the meeting.  I will know once I take it down
> and put it in the box.  If I can't carry it all, then I will take one
> controller and the RGB strings.  I will be taking the lights down this
> weekend.  If you or anyone is interested in taking a look at the setup, you
> are more than welcome to come by.  I will be starting on Saturday morning
> at around 9 or 10AM.  I will leave the mega tree for last (some time in the
> afternoon of Saturday.)  Help with the teardown is not required nor
> necessary.  It will probably take me about 8 hours to finish the tare-down,
> but I will always have Sunday to finish, if required.
>
>
>
> What pauses are you referring to?  The show runs on a custom scheduling
> program written by the same people that developed the sequencing program. 
> The scheduler does not use the windows scheduler.  Regretfully there is no
> Linux version of the lightshow scheduler or sequencer.  If anyone is aware
> of one, please let me know...
>
>
>
> Charles S.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
>
> From: xcssa-bounces at xcssa.org [mailto:xcssa-bounces at xcssa.org] On Behalf Of
> X-otic Computer Systems of San Antonio
>
> Sent: Monday, December 28, 2009 4:45 PM
>
> To: xcssa at xcssa.org
>
> Subject: Re: [XCSSA] Christmas Lights Display
>
>
>
> BTW.. For those who are too lazy to find his stuff on YouTube.. Here it is:
>
>       http://www.youtube.com/user/CSTRANG70
>
>
>
> I found this guy's display interesting:
>
>       http://www.youtube.com/user/CSTRANG70#p/a/f/0/rmgf60CI_ks
>
>
>
> Although those pauses are very obviously illustrating the weaknesses of the
> Windows scheduler.  Do they not have this software that will run on a
> Linux/UN*(X based OS yet?  Seems like it would run much smoother.
>
>
>
> Tweeks
>
> On Monday 21 December 2009, X-otic Computer Systems of San Antonio wrote:
> > I will be posting videos of the display on youtube around the 24th.
> >
> > Do a youtube search for cstrang70 and you should find the 2009 videos
> >
> > then. You can currently see a few of the songs from last year's display.
> >
> >
> >
> > Later
> >
> >
> >
> > Charles S.
> >
> > X-otic Computer Systems of San Antonio wrote:
> > > Just went by Charles's house and it was sweet! That tree is hypnotic...
> >
> > Any chance of getting a pic posted on line, or a link to some video,
> >
> > for those of us who live WAYYYYY out of town?  Thanks, Dennis Myhand
> >
> > in Victoria _______________________________________________
> >
> > XCSSA mailing list
> >
> > XCSSA at xcssa.org
> >
> > http://xcssa.org/mailman/listinfo/xcssa
>
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