Computer animated lights?

[Hacksaw45]

I have seen a few videos of peoples yards that have their lights set to music.I had a web page before ( a while back ) on how to do this.Anyone got any links on how this is done?:o

[Sickie Ickie]

Check out this thread. :) http://www.christmasfanclub.com/showthread.php?t=244&highlight=lights

[Troy]

Here is my House with the GE Light/Sounds of Christmas, for the price you can't beat it.

http://videos.moodvees.com/video/2f6e6772-b363-4e2a-83c4-9a30013c562b.htm

[Sickie Ickie]

Looks good Troy. :)

[Just Whisper]

I bought one this year. Sure hope I can get enough lights up to make it worth while. I don't have any trees in my yard, so I rely greatly on my animated props for decor. Also, I am having minor knee surgery Nov 20, and may be slowed down from climbing on roof, etc. Had wrist surgery last Dec, only got about 2/3 of my lights up. I gotta quit scheduling my surgeries during these critical times.:sadfatsanta: Any way, maybe I can put up lots of fake trees. Ha ha.

[SantaPaws]

I know the first time I bought one it was tough finding more things to light up. I would have stuck the dog out in the yard if I could.

[Frosty]

Yeah take it from me if you dont have enough lights to animate it isnt worth the time and trouble BUT for what you would spend on a controller you could have a heck of a static display and next year you have the amount of lights you would need for a animated display. 2-300 dollars buys a WHOLE LOAD of lights if ya play your cards right even wait till they go on sale for like 50 cents a box and you can clean em out! Past few years they sold all the lights around here so i didnt get a sale but......

[Sickie Ickie]

Hey Just Whisper, is the avatar your photo?

[Sickie Ickie]

As far as animating lights, you can spread out blow molds and animate those too.

[Just Whisper]

Hey Just Whisper, is the avatar your photo?
It's me, Sickie.

[Just Whisper]

Hey Troy...I bought the GE Pro Line wireless Sounds of Christmas system. Is that what you have? Not sure if I will like it as it only has 4 outlets. But I like the wireless part. Haven't had time to play with it yet. Anyway, the GE was about $130. Do you like the Gemmy better? How much were each of them? What other store-bought systems have you guys used, how much did they cost and on a scale of 1-10 how would you rate it? Videos, anyone?

[Troy]

Yeah, I also have the GE model, It did a nice job last year and I think it has 6 channels. So far the Gemmy looks good, but we will see when it's all set up.

[ditchqueen]

Does anyone know if it is possible to stick two of the lights and sounds together to make it a higher channel?
I bought this last year and will set it up this year and maybe add the mr.christmas projector.
I'm actually looking at the LOR 48 output package from WOW lights, I just don't want to spend the $870 yet.
I fiqured that I may be able to stick two of these together for a little bit.
Also does anyone know a way to hack into the song choices and add my own?
I like the look of the gemmy but I'm not willing to spend that kind of money on the lights, the prices are pretty high, though I like the color change more so then the blinking of the lights and sounds. I may actually try and use the gemmy lights on lights and sounds and see if they would change? Anyone try this?

[LeeLee]

ROFL SantaPaws... light up the dog indeed!

I have a crazy thought Just Whisper. Buy some light weight flexible wire or plastic tubing. Attach lights to it and bend into simple shapes like spirals. Then hang at none ladder heights or even prop up on the lawn. Lots of light. No climbing.

[chris]

I am using the christmas box to in my display and i think it works just as good:littlepresent: I took out the 12amp fuse and replaced it with a 15amp fuse last year, its working great :cool: It has not heated up:tree:

[pyro]

Hey Just Whisper, is the avatar your photo?behave sickie :)

[pyro]

i just looked up chirstmas lights on youtube --wow some of them are unreal , lots of work

[Just Whisper]

Some people just go too crazy with the light show and it doesn't look pretty any more. I don't like them when they are too distracting. But I sure wish I had more trees and bushes for lights. I love lights. lots of lights. lights everywhere. lights on everything. Even SantaPaws' dog.

[Sickie Ickie]

I love the light shows. Strobes, and everything. :)

[Troy]

I got the Gemmy Box (12 outlets) running and I couldn't be happier, the mp3 option works flawlessly and for the price it's well worth it, I'll try to post a Video asap.

[Troy]

I got the Gemmy Box (12 outlets) running and I couldn't be happier, the mp3 option works flawlessly and for the price it's well worth it, I'll try to post a Video asap.

[pyro]

since this thread is about animated lights -ill like to share this with you, read it took 2 years to plan this-----
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm5kP__AjcQ

[Just Whisper]

I also got the Gemmy, and i love it. My neighbors have a light/sound system of obviously another brand. Theirs sounds very tinny, like one of those birthday cards that sings. Rather annoying. I love the sound quality of the Gemmy. On the down side, and this probably applies to any of them that aren't wireless, It was hard to get it all plugged in. It has a 25 foot cord which runs from the main outlet box to the secondary outlet box. Not quite long enough for me, plus the secondary box still has to be plugged into an outlet which means yet another extension cord running through my yard. But the product works great and sounds great.

[Sickie Ickie]

Pssst. Check out what Kenny Greer did: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On76d-qJQs0

[putrid]

I've just saw my very first in the flesh animated light display. Right here in our small town. Didn't hear any music but the lights on everything were going crazy. Small mini trees, bushes, on the guttering, every window and a few young leafless trees. I had to slow down and enjoy it. A bit flashy and I admit I started to laugh. But isn't spreading joy the point? LOL

[Blinky]

I bought 3 GE Lights and sounds of Christmas last year after Christmas sales. and Gave one to each of my Daughters they love them. and it has music too.I did up De's yard for her this yard she is the Insane house wife On the HF forum. Her whole block is having a contest and she loves her yard.for those that want to see pics did my yard too.
http://s93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/Blinky_12/Christmas%202008/?start=120

wow Kenny's yard is so cool thats awesome loved it.Thanks for sharing Sickie

[Troy]

The Gemmy has been running 6 hours per night for about a week, no issues at all..On a side note I had some bad wind damage Sunday, took about 6 hours to repair, ferris wheel was pretty beat up but repairs went well, most time was spent on the roof reattaching lights..ugh!

[Blinky]

The Gemmy has been running 6 hours per night for about a week, no issues at all..On a side note I had some bad wind damage Sunday, took about 6 hours to repair, ferris wheel was pretty beat up but repairs went well, most time was spent on the roof reattaching lights..ugh!

do you have a link to this gemmy everyone is talking about thanks hugs

[Just Whisper]

My Gemmy has been running great, until today. I plugged my MP3 player into it, and it was sort of garbled. Like the plug didn't have a good connection. I thought it was my MP3 player because by coincidence, it just broke. So I went and bought a new one. Did the same thing. So I am going to buy a new Gemmy, trade out the main box, and see if it works with the MP3. If it does then I will just take the broken box and rest of the new stuff back. But I love the way the Gemmy sounds. The quality of the music is great and the price (and sound quality) was so much better than the GE.

Troy, sorry about the wind damage. I know from experience how disappointing it is to have to start all over putting stuff back together. Hope it was all okay.

[Blinky]

My Gemmy has been running great, until today. I plugged my MP3 player into it, and it was sort of garbled. Like the plug didn't have a good connection. I thought it was my MP3 player because by coincidence, it just broke. So I went and bought a new one. Did the same thing. So I am going to buy a new Gemmy, trade out the main box, and see if it works with the MP3. If it does then I will just take the broken box and rest of the new stuff back. But I love the way the Gemmy sounds. The quality of the music is great and the price (and sound quality) was so much better than the GE.

Troy, sorry about the wind damage. I know from experience how disappointing it is to have to start all over putting stuff back together. Hope it was all okay.

ok you have me hooked where do I get a Gemmy? and how much?? help!!!
I have a GE sounds and lights machine lol

[Just Whisper]

I got mine at Lowe's, $86.00

[Blinky]

I got mine at Lowe's, $86.00

what is the Name of the system Whisper , is it the same as the GE lights and sound of Christmas?

[Just Whisper]

It is the Gemmy, "Holiday Light Show with Timer". It does not say Gemmy on the name. You have to look down in the corner for the small print. It has 2 outlet boxes. Each one has 6 outlets. You can position them up to 25 feet apart from each other, and both need to be plugged into an outlet. They are then attached to each other via the 25 foot cord. You can set the timer for dusk to dawn, ON, OFF, 2 hrs, 4 hrs, 6 hrs. I think i got that right. The lights can be programmed to stay on solid, flash with the pre-programmed music, which includes 10 very nice songs, work with your MP3 player with lights flashing, and one other option I can't remember right now and aint going out in the rain to look at.:green: I like the way it performs.

The only thing I did like about the GE lights and sound I had was that it was wireless. But it only had 4 or 6 outlets, the music was terrible, and it cost me about $120. I also can't remember if it had a timer. Don't think it could be used with your MP3 either.

[Blinky]

Thank you whisper Hugs to you I will go to Lowes and look for it Thanks again

[Just Whisper]

Hugs right back atcha' Blinky. You are welcome.

[Just Whisper]

I got mine at Lowe's, $86.00
Blinky...I lied to you. I got my Gemmy at Sam's Club. Sorry for the misinformation.

And I had to go today and get a new one because mine broke (one of the outlets quit working). I am also having a lot of trouble with the MP3 mode on mine. Not sure if it's the MP3 player, the Gemmy, or the quality of the songs I downloaded onto the MP3. Well, I still like it.

[EnlightenedGrinch]

I was wondering about the Gemmy light box....when you use your own songs from your MP3 player do the lights flash in different sections to the beat of the music (like the Mr. Christmas)? Or do all your lights flash at the same time?

[Blinky]

JTR said I had to use the GE Sounds and Lights this year LOL man oh man any one want a hubby for Christmas?? slightly used ?? He said I had to make up My mind as to what machine I want.Anyone got video on what this machine can really do ?? Thanks
( Wish I know how to make a L.O.R. ) and how much they cost ??

[Just Whisper]

I was wondering about the Gemmy light box....when you use your own songs from your MP3 player do the lights flash in different sections to the beat of the music (like the Mr. Christmas)? Or do all your lights flash at the same time?
It works the same with either the pre-programmed songs or your MP3..the lights will flash in different sections depending on which outlet you have them plugged into. There are 12 outlets.

[Blinky]

OK, cool Thanks for asking that question thats cool to know ,
Has anyone ever hacked a GE Mr Christmas to run off a MP3 player would have been My question?? Anyone?? Since somebody will not let me buy one this year , ( we will not say who ) lol

[Sickie Ickie]

Sorry Blinks. I 'm still trying to find a solution of having LOR and VSA work together in sync.

[Blinky]

Sorry Blinks. I 'm still trying to find a solution of having LOR and VSA work together in sync.
hey Sickie cool that would be My next choice the LOR how much does one of those cost?? I thought they had a software program for it to make it work
??

[EnlightenedGrinch]

It works the same with either the pre-programmed songs or your MP3..the lights will flash in different sections depending on which outlet you have them plugged into. There are 12 outlets.

Thanks for the info. I gotta find one before they are all gone. Anybody know where they sell them besides Sam's club??

Blinky--I've never heard of anyone yet that's hacked a Mr. Christmas to run off an MP3.

[Sickie Ickie]

http://www.lightorama.com/products.html

Go to the above link, Blinks. :)

[SantaPaws]

Did you ever think about calling LOR Sickie. They might be able to help a little bit more.

[Just Whisper]

I am MAJOR frustrated. I love my Gemmy lights and sound, but the MP3 function won't work. I thought it was my MP3 player so I bought a new one. Still didn't work right. So I thought it was the Gemmy, went and got a new one, still nada. Tried re-formatting the music on my MP3, nope. Got yet another MP3 (daughter's IPod) and doesn't work either. What the heck??? Anyone else having a problem with this function? When I plug in the MP3 it either doesn't play at all through the Gemmy or it sounds like it has a bad connection. The music cuts in and out. Then it will play flawlessly for awhile, then stop again. Having gone through 2 Gemmy's and 3 MP3s I am now at a loss. Any suggestions?

[SantaPaws]

I am MAJOR frustrated. I love my Gemmy lights and sound, but the MP3 function won't work. I thought it was my MP3 player so I bought a new one. Still didn't work right. So I thought it was the Gemmy, went and got a new one, still nada. Tried re-formatting the music on my MP3, nope. Got yet another MP3 (daughter's IPod) and doesn't work either. What the heck??? Anyone else having a problem with this function? When I plug in the MP3 it either doesn't play at all through the Gemmy or it sounds like it has a bad connection. The music cuts in and out. Then it will play flawlessly for awhile, then stop again. Having gone through 2 Gemmy's and 3 MP3s I am now at a loss. Any suggestions?

Maybe the mp3 has to be at a certainly frequency. Normally mp3 is around 128k but you can make that anything you want with certain programs. I wonder if you knock it down to 90 or make it higer would help. Like 200k etc.

[EnlightenedGrinch]

Maybe a bad connection inside on the jack where you plug in your MP3??
That's strange. Did you ask the store if anyone else had returned any with the same problem??

[Ugly Joe]

Quick update on the price of the Gemmy Light Show at Sams club: the price has dropped to below $50 (picked one up the other day).

Here's a link to their site:
Gemmy Light Show Timer and Box (http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=398478)

Just Whisper - someone on the Halloween Forum mentioned that they were using the Gemmy system with their MP3 player, but they had to run it through an amplifier before plugging it into the aux input in the Gemmy box...I guess that was the only way they were getting a strong enough signal for the Gemmy to pick up.

I haven't tried my iPod with mine yet, but will let you know when I do, and if I get any luck without a signal boost.
(i've already had to open the speaker up and re-solder a wire...brand new out of the box, and the speaker was messed up)

[Sickie Ickie]

...Just Whisper - someone on the Halloween Forum mentioned that they were using the Gemmy system with their MP3 player, but they had to run it through an amplifier before plugging it into the aux input in the Gemmy box...I guess that was the only way they were getting a strong enough signal for the Gemmy to pick up...

Same person must be on another forum I'm on. You took the words right out of my mouth.

[Sickie Ickie]

Did you ever think about calling LOR Sickie. They might be able to help a little bit more.

I may do that, but a couple things hold me back. One, I want to have everything in front of me first ready to go. Two, they are coming out with their own servo controller, and I'm not really sure they'd want to help hook up to someone else's product.

[theedwin]

Hello All,

I have a question: how many extension cords does this take? (I know it is relevant) And is it really worth it with these Gemmy's?

I am going to wait until next year before I decide to even try a computer animated light display. First I need a new computer and second I need to figure out how the thing works. And if I can figure it out, AND get a new computer, well, we shall see what we shall see!

But seriously, how many extension cords are you using for these things?

1? 5? 7? 19? 100? 2700?

E

[Ugly Joe]

theedwin - you may already know this, but the Gemmy and GE systems are stand alone. No computer needed (just ignore me if you already knew this).

For extension cords? Well, depending on how many channels you're using, and how large your yard is, it may work out to as little as one per channel (or maybe plug, depending) if you use plug multipliers on the ends of the cords (my solution).
It's also going to depend on your layout - closely packed items may all reach the same cord (with a multiplier), so you could have a few things on one cord.

The Gemmy unit with the satellite box works out to 12 outlets, but I think it's only 6 channels (the satellite box seems to replicate the pattern that the main box produces). I am using a few extension cords and some ground stakes with multiple outlets for the lights attached to the main box, and I'm using 4 cords for the satellite box, as I have that unit running my "light tree" (you know, where you have a pole, and just attach strings of lights to the top and run them down to the ground, making a big cone).

So, all said and done, I'm using 15 extension cords on 12 plugs, and 7 of them are the short indoor kind (with plenty of taping over the ends) - I also have 4 power stakes in use.
(I am always buying power stakes and extension cords on Christmas clearance every year - a practice I highly encourage in any yard decorator!)

FWIW, I've found that Home Depot has a better price on the long extension cords than anyone else (100' green cord for about the same price as an 80' green cord at Walmart or Lowes)

[Warrant2000]

Ya know, it's funny. This year I have only a few extra lights, but for some reason I have gone and bought about 10 new extension cords. I really have no idea how I made it all work last year. :)

[Sickie Ickie]

Some people diagram everything out, so they know for next year.

[Just Whisper]

Maybe a bad connection inside on the jack where you plug in your MP3?? I already returned the first Gemmy and got another one. It was also having the same problem. So I figured it must be something else.


Just Whisper - someone on the Halloween Forum mentioned that they were using the Gemmy system with their MP3 player, but they had to run it through an amplifier before plugging it into the aux input in the Gemmy box...I guess that was the only way they were getting a strong enough signal for the Gemmy to pick up.

Yeah Sickie, I remembered someone saying that earlier...so I went back and found the original thread on this forum. I thought it was Troy. I think I may try that. Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

[Just Whisper]

Just Whisper - someone on the Halloween Forum mentioned that they were using the Gemmy system with their MP3 player, but they had to run it through an amplifier before plugging it into the aux input in the Gemmy box...I guess that was the only way they were getting a strong enough signal for the Gemmy to pick up.
Yes, this is what Troy wrote earlier regarding his Gemmy.

Next I tried out the MP3 player, at first I wasn't impressed it seemed the animation wasn't nearly as good as the it was with the stock songs also noticed the output from the speaker was lower. Soooooo being the "hack" that I am I knew instantly what was need! I took one of my little battery operated "amps" and plugged the MP3 into it before the Gemmy Unit. WOW, what a difference the animation really came to life and was every bit as good as the stock songs. I had Def Leppards "Rock of Ages" playing any the lights were going CRAZY, I was so impressed I had the wife take a look, she liked it also.
He left a link to the amp he used from Radio Shack. I went today and bought one. I am so thrilled. It worked like a champ. In fact, now it is so loud I have to turn it almost all the way down to have it at a "normal" level. I wish I had tried this first before I spent about 8 hours over 2 day period trying other solutions. But man it looks and sounds great now. THANKS TROY!!!!:D

[EnlightenedGrinch]

I bought one of the Gemmy Light show boxes, but haven't played with it yet.
I was thinking--I've been using the Mr. Christmas Light box and I have it modified with an output audio jack to plug in my FM transmitter. I wonder if I could instead plug the Mr. Christmas output INTO the Gemmy box (instead of an MP3). Basically the Mr. Christmas would be the sound source for BOTH boxes and I could use the six outlets on it and the 12 outlets on the Gemmy for a total of 16 outlets. (I realize some of the channels would fire at the same time.)
The only drawback is I'd be stuck using the 20 songs on the Mr. Christmas box.
Oh well, something to play with...................

[theedwin]

I bought one of these at 50% off from Wal-Mart. OK, I bought 2 of them...

When I plugged it in and ran it, I liked it alot! It was very entertaining! (or should I say amusing)

However, it seems more "random" than timed to the music. I don't own an I-pod or even an MP3 player. I hooked it up to my computer and it worked fine. I guess MP3 is the big thing now a days, but I would guess it would work with any sort of input device that accepts the input cord that comes with it. As long as the volume is turned up enough. (I wonder what it would look like while playing some sort of Porn?) LOL!!!!

Anyways, I agree with the above posts, The more lights you have, the better it will look!

I am thinking about using this for some sort of "fake" fireworks display. I guess I will just have to find some sort of music that will completely randomly do things as I hope to...

Edwin

[Santas Helper]

I purchased L&S Christmas Lst year. Can I buy another one to use the recievers and outlets with one transmitter to make more lights work in a bigger yard? Or can you put 2 transmitters on the same outlet to be schronized together in music and lighting? Any help would be appreciated?

[sleepersatty99]

I think i have heard that you can piggy back 2 of the Gemmy ones by using the output jack. But i dont think you can with the L&S of christmas without hacking it.

[Santas Helper]

I have 2 lights and sounds. I can't run them simutaneously and have them both in sync. But I can use the wireless outlets from one and use with the other for more light coverage in the yard. After Christmas might try for 3.