For those of you who never figured out what the ??

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Originally Posted by FormulaZR

No, but I've been trying to study some on animated light shows. Pretty cool stuff.

The info I posted about the 8500 lights and 1066 computer channels is in the description of that video on Youtube. If you look at his earlier animated light shows...you can see this year was quite an improvement - which is also due in part (I assume) to increasing from 230 channels to 1066 channels.



I am pretty sure the house just broadcasts the music with an FM transmitter (similar to the FM iPod kits...for instance). I don't *think* the house has audible music - at least not at a very loud volume.

When you drive by the house, you just tune your radio to whatever freq they are broadcasting on.

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Say What??? :headscratch:

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Originally Posted by Eli

Say What??? :headscratch:

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Which part?

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Originally Posted by FormulaZR

Which part?

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Yes


Sent from my Bat Cave...

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Originally Posted by FormulaZR

No, but I've been trying to study some on animated light shows. Pretty cool stuff.

The info I posted about the 8500 lights and 1066 computer channels is in the description of that video on Youtube. If you look at his earlier animated light shows...you can see this year was quite an improvement - which is also due in part (I assume) to increasing from 230 channels to 1066 channels.



I am pretty sure the house just broadcasts the music with an FM transmitter (similar to the FM iPod kits...for instance). I don't *think* the house has audible music - at least not at a very loud volume.

When you drive by the house, you just tune your radio to whatever freq they are broadcasting on.

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As far I know you are correct about the music being transmitted via FM. I by no means am any kind of expert but I've been fascinated by house light shows for a while now. Trans Siberian Orchestra music is awesome for Christmas.
http://youtu.be/g0IwpRzWL_4

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Originally Posted by Eli

Yes


Sent from my Bat Cave...

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Well, maybe you've got into the wine early? No problem...I have, too...so please disregard any unintelligible explanation.

The lights themselves are on individual "channels" as needed. Like...when the white floods come on, that would be a single channel most likely. The various mouth expressions and blinking of eyes are also a separate channel for each individual expression. IE: eyes open, eyes shut, eyes partially open would be 3 channels.

Let's look at it like a boat:
0% throttle = channel 1
50% throttle = channel 2
100% throttle = channel 3
Forward = channel 4
Reverse = channel 5

So, to go full throttle forward, you could combine channel 3 and 4. Maybe you'd set channel 4 to "engage" before channel 3 so you had a better transition. Or...for smoother acceleration, you'd go channel 4 & 1, followed by channel 4 & 2, followed again by channel 4 & 3.

If you wanted to stop, you'd either apply only channel 1...or to stop fast (in a jet anyway), 5 & 3. Or...for a slower decel, you'd go channel 1, followed by 5 & 1, followed by 5 & 2, followed by 5 & 3...and then when stopped/slowed you'd go back to channel 1.

Each channel can be activated individually...or in conjunction with another channel to give the desired effect. The more channels, the more "resolution"...and will result in better expressions or movement...but it also takes much longer to program/synchronize.

Each channel will only have an "on" or "off" setting (most likely - they could have an intensity variable). So...it's all about the timing to make it look right.

As for the FM broadcast...think of it as a very small, short range FM radio station. They have a system set up to broadcast the music on an FM band. Just say 99.1 - so you drive up, tune your radio to 99.1 and you hear the music in sync with the animation. That is also how "modern" drive in theaters work (in case you have one close to you?). If you have ever put an iPod in car that didn't have USB/3.5mm jack...you used an FM modulator. You plug the iPod into the modulator...set the modulator to an "open" station, and then tune your radio to that station to hear what the iPod is playing. This is the same concept, but with a little more power.

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Originally Posted by FormulaZR

Well, maybe you've got into the wine early? No problem...I have, too...so please disregard any unintelligible explanation.

The lights themselves are on individual "channels" as needed. Like...when the white floods come on, that would be a single channel most likely. The various mouth expressions and blinking of eyes are also a separate channel for each individual expression. IE: eyes open, eyes shut, eyes partially open would be 3 channels.

As for the FM broadcast...think of it as a very small, short range FM radio station. They have a system set up to broadcast the music on an FM band. Just say 99.1 - so you drive up, tune your radio to 99.1 and you hear the music in sync with the animation. That is also how "modern" drive in theaters work (in case you have one close to you?).

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Is this done on a computer?

Drive in theater? We have to walk into our but we drive to the parking lot ;)


Sent from my Bat Cave...

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Originally Posted by Eli

Is this done on a computer?

Drive in theater? We have to walk into our but we drive to the parking lot ;)


Sent from my Bat Cave...

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In the case of these lights, yes...it's done with a computer. A computer will be programmed to activate one or more of the 1-1066 channels in whatever sequence is programmed.

As for the drive-in. I guess you are missing out. Watching a movie in your car is awesome. Especially if it's a convertible with an "above average" stereo system.

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Originally Posted by FormulaZR

In the case of these lights, yes...it's done with a computer. A computer will be programmed to activate one or more of the 1-1066 channels in whatever sequence is programmed.

As for the drive-in. I guess you are missing out. Watching a movie in your car is awesome. Especially if it's a convertible with an "above average" stereo system.

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Watching a movie in my car...sounds like fun ;)


Sent from my Bat Cave...

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Originally Posted by Eli

Watching a movie in my car...sounds like fun ;)


Sent from my Bat Cave...

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You've really never done that?!?

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Originally Posted by FormulaZR

You've really never done that?!?

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Twice...Once with my aunt and 15 kids in one car when I was in junior high school and the second time I was 17. I went with a boy. It sucked...we played Octopus hands all night. He laughed at me because I said, "I'm not going to tell you again. Stop!" and then I punched him in the thigh...missed his junk and went to my sister's car that was parked next to us. Fun memories. I can't remember the guy's name, but he was the worst kisser ever!