Where we were

About 12 years ago, I bought a 4 channel light sequencer, some C9 (large christmas light bulbs) strings and ran 4 separate strings together to create a harness which I attached under the eaves and ran a chase sequence. We added various yard decorations and net lights over a few years and we had a small but nice display. I automated (start and stopped) this using X10 Control.

I had wanted to go further with our display, but just could'nt find the neccessary equipment to create the effect that I was looking for. I searched the net and there were various DIY systems and or hardware available, but for one reason or another I managed to convince myself not to proceed with any upgrades. During the setup of the 2005 / 2006 season I quickly realized that this would be the last season for my existing C9 light harnesses. UV rays had done them in, primarily due to using consumer type light strings and not always taking them down in the off season. Then in early 2007, I received an email from a coworker that I will call J.G., she had sent a link to a YouTube Video of a Light Enthusiast named Carson Williams and the music was Wizards in Winter by Trans Siberian Orchestra. I can blame this email as the driving force that sent me off on a crusade to discover how it was done.

I quickly discovered since the last time I investigated the equipment required for this type of display, that the technology and availability had advanced significantly. After several months of research and contemplation, I decided to purchase the hardware and software from Light O Rama. The chatrooms that I've joined such as Planet Christmas,  Constantly Christmas and Syncronized Christmas Lights were a wealth of knowledge about suppliers and manufacturers, not to mention the ideas that some of the participants come up with. For the new display in 2007, we purchased 4 of the 16 channel controllers and a few cases (12) of C6 LED lights from Creative Displays during a Pre Order offering that happened in the spring of 07.

Where we are

The Halloween and Christmas Displays were a raging success with all the neighbours and we've had many express great disapointment that we've sold our house in Surrey, BC and are relocating to Prince George for the 2008 season. I ordered and received an additional 3, 16 channel controllers during a super secret sale that LightORama did and I've also participated in the 2008 LED preorder sale and have 12 cases of LED string lights on order. We slammed together a Halloween show at M.A.'s Mom and Dad's and it was a real hit with the neighbourhood. the Christmas show was a no show for 2008/2009 due to the amount of work for just one season. The 2008 LED preorder was a bust, all of the strings with the exception of the orange and purple had to be returned for warranty replacement due to some serious manufacturing defects. I've just recieved the replacements and they work very well and are very bright. I did not participate in the 2009 LED preorder event due to too many other activities going on in our lives.