Behind The Scenes - 2023 Christmas Light Show

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In this video, I show the entire behind-the-scenes of the 2023 Christmas light show, what controls it, and how everything is built. There's a lot to it, especially since there are 5,448 smart LED pixels, so if you have any questions or comments, please leave them below! Also, feel free to use the timestamps to skip to whatever part of the video you want to see.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:30 - The main control center
01:50 - Where power comes from
04:56 - The controllers/computers
10:20 - How the network is setup (briefly explained)
13:28 - The F16v5 pixel controller
15:08 - The "highway of cables"
19:19 - The yard controller box
23:02 - Candy cane builds
24:57 - Arch builds
27:49 - Tune to sign
29:09 - Peace stakes
30:54 - Mini trees
33:00 - The mega tree controller box
37:25 - The Wreath
38:31 - How the mega tree is built
43:15 - The roof controller box
44:22 - How the roof props are built
47:08 - How much power the show takes
51:08 - Finishing up
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Here are some links where you can buy almost all the items that I showed in this video:
Computer/controller parts:
CZE-05b FM transmitter: www.amazon.com/MaxDare-Transm...
Raspberry pi 4: www.wiredwatts.com/rpi4b1gb
Raspberry pi 4 kit: www.amazon.com/iUniker-Raspbe...
Sound blaster play 3: www.amazon.com/Creative-Labs-...
Falcon F16v5 pixel controller: pixelcontroller.com/store/fea...
Falcon smart v5 receivers pixelcontroller.com/store/lon...
1200W HP server power supply: www.wizardofwire.com/product/...
HP power supply breakoff board: www.wizardofwire.com/product/...
Hason Electronics power distro board: www.wiredwatts.com/hanpower8
12 volt meanwell power supply: www.wiredwatts.com/ps12v350wm
Kill-a-watt meter: www.amazon.com/P3-Internation...
Pixel props - things that hold the props and pixels together:
Candy canes: boscoyostudio.com/product/day...
Arches: boscoyostudio.com/product/lar...
Tune to sign: boscoyostudio.com/product/tun...
Mini trees: boscoyostudio.com/product/med...
Wreath: boscoyostudio.com/product/chr...
Ring to hold up mega tree: boscoyostudio.com/product/big...
Mega tree star: boscoyostudio.com/product/chr...
Chromabulbs: boscoyostudio.com/product/day...
As for the CG-1500 enclosures, I cannot find them anywhere anymore. Wired Watts sells a similar one called the RNI500 enclosure that looks like good quality. You can find the enclosure and mountain bracket here:
www.wiredwatts.com/enrni1500
www.wiredwatts.com/mprni1500f
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Thanks for watching! If you enjoy the videos, feel free to leave a like and subscribe!
For more information about the show, or to see it in person, visit our Facebook page at: / bridgeportsbrightestli...

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Опубликовано:

3 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 51

@losg90 5 месяцев назад

Everytime i learn a new concept about light shows i come back and rewatch your videos and i learn even more!. You need to make a video with literally a list of everything needed to makr a basic controller for at least 1000 pixels. I had trouble when ordering stuff so a noob basic list and what each part is called

@How2Pixel 5 месяцев назад

Thank you! I'm definitely planning on making a video like this, you're not the first person to ask for it! I have 3 other videos in line first (one coming out today probably) then I'll work on making a video like that. Thanks for the recommendation!

@TopBlackWaterSniper 4 месяца назад

Thanks Nick for including The Wizards of Wire adapter board name. I’m thinking of getting a HP 750 power supply and didn’t know about the breakout board. Thanks for another great informative video.

@How2Pixel 4 месяца назад

You're welcome, glad it was useful!

@andreholland4429 5 месяцев назад

Great video! I’ll have to watch your Peace Stake video. I’m ver interested in adding to my show next year. 2023 was my first show. I can’t wait to incorporate Peace Stakes. Thank you

@How2Pixel 5 месяцев назад

You're welcome, glad the video was helpful! Peace stakes are definitely awesome and will make your show really cool!

@NorthernHomeGarage 5 месяцев назад

Absolutely the best “how to” pixel channel on RU-vid. Great information and explanations of how it all works. Thanks for taking the time to teach us all.

@How2Pixel 5 месяцев назад

Thank you very much! Glad the videos are useful!

@darokis 5 месяцев назад

Thank You@@How2Pixel

@dmurdaugh2569 5 месяцев назад

Thank you for taking time to do this video. Tons of great info. Great job!!

@michaelgabbard4761 5 месяцев назад

Good video and lots of good information....

@bhagyarajallu1789 5 месяцев назад

Kudos for the great explanation , thank you buddy i want to start my first lightshow this year

@pointdexter5215 5 месяцев назад

I was planning to start with this last year and have permanent gutter lights year round, but it's been a bit overwhelming, and I'm a software engineer 😂. Problem is that I want to make sure all controllers and pieces, power injection is all figured out, and I can't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. You make me feel more comfortable going on with what I'm planning. Using your xlights video currently to learn how to build my planned show, so I know what all I'm going to be needing.

@How2Pixel 5 месяцев назад

Glad the videos are useful!!!

@gregorycerven3484 5 месяцев назад

Nick - haven't furnished watching the whole video yet, but I'm glad you explained the issue with the network switch and changing it out to a router specific to your show setup. I've been trying to figure out why my setup wasn't doing what I wanted (huge lag) and I'm going to have to do exactly what you did. Thanks for the insight and research to figure that out. I haven't had the time to do it myself.

@How2Pixel 5 месяцев назад

Sure thing, glad that was useful!

@HauntonAvenida 5 месяцев назад

Hey Nick, can you do a video on how you store everything? I'm curious on how you store the mega tree and everything.

@How2Pixel 5 месяцев назад

Funny you should ask that, I just recorded a video with me taking down the whole show a few days ago! I'm hoping to post it after my "reflection" video 😂.

@drummer12980 5 месяцев назад

Great Job 🎅🤶

@How2Pixel 5 месяцев назад

Thank you!

@tombonini7393 5 месяцев назад

As always, an entertaining video with good explanations of what you did. I would look at your output definitions on the player and make sure that none of them are set to Multi-cast because that would cause the EXACT problem that you were having with your network being bogged down while your show was running. Most consumer type switches can't block or direct Multi-cast packets and will flood your network with them. Is you huge panel facing direct sunlight during the day? The heat from the sun can cause the front of the P5 panel to heat up, expand, and detach, especially on a hot day where the heat from the sun is trapped between the P5 panels and the front screen. You may want to build a cover panel that you can hang on the front of the screen during the day to block the sun and remove it in the late afternoon prior to the show or roll the display back into the garage during the day to keep the sun off of it. If they are doing this on their own with the sun not causing some of the issues, then I agree with you, those panels are junk. Also keep in mind that the smart controllers are not Ethernet devices. They are differential receivers so in the future, you may just want to call the connection between them and the controller as differential or communications cables. Thanks for doing these videos and I look forward to the next one.

@How2Pixel 5 месяцев назад

Thank you for all the information! First, I'm almost certain the players were set for unicast, however, I can't check now since I already took down everything. As for the panels, they were in the direct sun, but on hot days I took a tarp and put it over the screen. However, when I first unboxed the panels, they were already chipping on the corners, the covering just hadn't peeled off yet. Finally for the smart receivers, you're not the first person to tell me that 😂. I've had a terrible habit calling them ethernet devices for years, so I'm trying my hardest to make sure I correct myself if I say "ethernet port" or "ethernet cable". Thanks again for all the info!

@Hemmettsxmaslightshows 5 месяцев назад

This is awesome! This video has given me ideas on what I might do that is different this year. All of your videos are helpful and help me out a lot with my light show!

@How2Pixel 5 месяцев назад

Thank you so much! Glad the videos are useful!!

@denno021 3 дня назад

Have you noticed any issues with having your power extension wires so close to data wires? Lots of people say that they should be separated, but I don't want to do that because it would be so much work! 😅

@How2Pixel 3 дня назад

I have heard lots of people say that before, but I haven't noticed a problem with it. On my main run of cables that come out of the garage, there are 2 AC power extension cords and 2 data wires zip-tied in a giant bunch and there aren't any problems. However, I don't have any low voltage power wire (12 volts DC) for power injection right next to data wires. I have some that are a few inches apart, but not directly next it. I'd assume that also shouldn't cause problems, but I think it depends on which type of wire you have.

@andrealves8843 5 месяцев назад

Great behind-the-scenes video! I wonder how long it will take for Boscoyo Studios to sponsor your upcoming shows

@How2Pixel 5 месяцев назад

HAHAHA 🤣

@rachaelb9164 5 месяцев назад

Is that sub panel up to code? The bare Romex tacked to the wall is probably a no no. Just something to think about if you ever try to sell your house.

@How2Pixel 5 месяцев назад

I'm honestly not 100% sure. My dad put it in, then we had a retired electrician wire it to our main panel. He didn't say anything about it not being up to code, but then again I'm not sure. I don't think my parents plan on moving anytime soon, and if they do they'd probably have an electrician inspect it.

@ferrisr 4 месяца назад

The wires from your mega tree power supply to that power distribution board look massively undersized to be fused at 60+ amps like that. You should upsize quite a bit there so you don't go up in flames if you push things too hard!

@How2Pixel 4 месяца назад

Thank you for the advice! It's actually 30 amps per wire since there are 2 positive and 2 negatives, but I will still look into upsizing them.

@TopBlackWaterSniper 15 дней назад

Hey Nick. Are you using any data boosters in your light show? If so, how many and where did you place them? Thanks for your time.

@How2Pixel 15 дней назад

I don't think I used any this past year, but in other years I have had to use some. Figuring out where to place them can be tricky because lots of people say different things about where they should go. Some say the boosters should be at the start of a data wire, some say after, and some say in the middle. I did a lot of research about this and found some helpful presentations from Keith Westly about where they should be put. Data boosters are mainly made to fix a data signal to extend it farther, so they normally work best right before a prop or in the middle of a long data wire. However, with specific controllers, especially Falcons, data boosters actually work better if you put it at the start of a data wire. There's a couple reasons why, but I'm not sure if you're interested in hearing about all it. In the end, I would start by putting a data booster right before the prop, but also test it in multiple locations. Even using a data booster at the beginning and end of a strand will help it more. So just use it where it works. Hope this helps!

@jakehaiar6513 5 месяцев назад

I noticed you have the V5 recivers without the efuse wires going back to the main F16V5. How do you control the fuses, also since the f16v5 only has 2 efuse outputs how can you run more than 2 v5 recivers? loved the video!

@How2Pixel 5 месяцев назад

I'm answering this question in a Q&A video I have coming up, but just for the quick answer, the fuse control outputs on the receivers and F16v5 aren't what control the fuses. The F16v5 controls the fuses on the differential receivers through the ethernet cable and communicates to the receivers that way. The fuse control outputs on the F16v5 and smart receivers are to control the fuses on F8 power distro boards. Those don't have an ethernet cable going to them, so they communicate to the main controller through the fuse control outputs. The differential receivers have the outputs too, so if the power distro board is closer to them, you can connect it there. Hope this helps!

@craigr306 5 месяцев назад

52 MIN YOUR LAST 2.30HR VIDEO KILLED ME

@How2Pixel 5 месяцев назад

Sorry, I just wanted to get all the information about the whole show in it 🤣

@marianoprocopio5670 5 месяцев назад

I follow all your video's, and they are very helpful. I just started my light display in 2023. I bought a sequence and transferred everything I needed to Xlights. For some reason I cannot get the sequence to start playing on my show. Do you know why that could be or maybe a step that I missed that is common for new commers?

@How2Pixel 5 месяцев назад

I need a little bit more information to help you out. Did you configure the controller and raspberry pi (if you're using one) to run the lights? What controller do you have and do you have a raspberry pi connected to it? You can't just hook the pixels to the controller and play the sequence. You have to set up the controller inputs and outputs to be able to receive the data and know where to send it.

@marianoprocopio5670 5 месяцев назад

@@How2Pixel I have a Rasberry Pi, and a falcon 16 v4 controller, I set everything up as was stated in your videos, but feel as if something is missing. My controller and Rasberry are both set up to my network via ethernet cable. I am able to play my sequence on xlights and it looks good but i cant actually play in on my house. I have even set schedules on FPP and still no luck. I even click on the little light bulb light in xlights to play now or to see now on my lights and still no luck.

@How2Pixel 5 месяцев назад

I am so sorry for not responding. When I get lots of comments, the old ones I responded to just disappear in all of them. So I'm just going to ask a couple things you could check to make sure you have it set up. Did you definitely set up the pixel outputs on the controller? The settings for that are on the output tab in the F16v4. Can you run a test pattern on your lights from the controller to make sure the lights are working? Did you render the sequences before uploading them to the Pi? I'm just trying to figure out where along the steps something is not working. If you look on the status page of the F16v4, when you run a sequence from the pi, does the packet count number increase? If it does that means at least the controller is getting data. If it doesn't, the pi and controller aren't communicating.

@marianoprocopio5670 5 месяцев назад

@@How2Pixel I am able to run a test pattern from the actual controller by pushing the test button. Yes, the sequence was rendered before uploading to PI . I am able to play sequence on Xlights and see what the show will look like, but when I push the lightbulb icon I still can, see it display on my actual lights. Thanks for your help.

@How2Pixel 5 месяцев назад

So if it's not working when you play the sequences from your PI, something is configured wrong on there. It could be several things such as the network not set up between the pi and the controller, or the channel outputs aren't set up right. If the lights work when you turn them on from Xlights, more than likely everything on the controller is correct. Stupid question, but do you have the "enable output" button checked on the channel outputs tab? I forgot to click it once and it stopped the pi from sending out data. Let me know if this helps.

@-adhdblueberry- Месяц назад

Hey can you use a hp Omni instead of a raspberry pi?

@How2Pixel Месяц назад

Um to be 100% honest, I'm not sure. I don't see how Falcon Player would be able to run on it, so you'd probably have to use Xschedule instead. If you haven't heard of it, it's software made by the Xlights team to run your sequences, except on a computer. Falcon player is for Linux based systems and from what I've seen is that the HP omni seems to be a windows computer. So I would have to say you couldn't use FPP on it, but maybe Xschedule.

@-adhdblueberry- Месяц назад

@@How2Pixel I can do a start on usb, meaning the OS that’s on it will start instead of windows.

@-adhdblueberry- Месяц назад

@@How2Pixel with your how to use Xlights video I’ve almost fully made a show now! I know it’s no where near Halloween and Xmas but I’m having a little look on how to get used to Xlights before then. Thank you so much for helping!

@How2Pixel Месяц назад

No problem, I'm so glad the videos have been helpful!!!

@SolutionsJJr 5 месяцев назад

"Hello, excellent video, a question: you mentioned that you've had the mega tree since 2021, have any LEDs burned out?" It appears that you performed an installation with 5V lights, and they worked well for about 8 days. After that, they started to malfunction to the point where you had to turn them off. "I'm sending you the link to the video of my lights; I created it while watching your videos. Thank you very much for your help. "ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-3EFEcHkelfI.html

@How2Pixel 5 месяцев назад

I have had a couple of LEDs burn out, I think 1 or 2 for the tree in 2 years. But for the rest of the show I've probably had a total of 5 - 7 pixels die. If your lights are malfunctioning within a few weeks of getting them, I'd definitely contact the manufacturer. They sound like pretty cheap pixels, maybe try and buy some from other places. Also, awesome light show!