Going to the Next level in Over-the-Top Lighting Displays... DMX

Computer control, bubble machines, fog generators... we're constantly exploring ways to make our Christmas displays truly "that" house everyone talks about.

Ever wonder how the professionals do it?  If you look behind the scenes, designers use heavy duty stage lighting fixtures controlled by a common signaling protocol called DMX512-A or just DMX.  Go backstage and you'll find a rack full of electronics used to control all the lights.  Go into the control booth and you'll see the small console that talks DMX and is used to command that rack of electronics controlling all those bright stage lights  This same DMX protocol can also control the output of fog machines, lasers, LEDs, motorized light fixtures and almost anything you can think of.

Why don't we use DMX technology to control all of our Christmas lights?  Well, some of us do but it's an expensive way to go.  Compared to light controllers available from Animated Lighting, D-Light or Light-O-Rama, DMX controllers can cost four to ten times as much per channel.  The ironic thing is the DMX protocol is electrically similar similar (RS-485) to the way we control our lights now.  Even more ironic is the professional stage lighting designers are turning to us wondering how they can do the same magic with their lights and spend a lot less money.

I've always marveled at the professional moving yoke spotlights.  These are the lights that physically spin around as well as move up and down.  The light beam can change colors, strobe and even project patterns.  Unfortunately, these DMX based lights can cost $5,000 a piece.  Way out of our budget range.  Luckily things are changing fast.

Animated Lighting has a DMX control board that ties in with their other lighting controllers. I got hold of one of the DMX boards and have been playing with it for awhile.  It can handle 32 DMX control channels by simply mapping itself to 32 standard light channels we're all used to.

Chauvet Lighting just introduced their Intimidator DMX-680 moving head light fixture.  What makes this light unique is the small 10" square base, it's only 16" high, weighs less than 13 pounds and costs around $400.  It has seven DMX control channels to swivel the light to almost any position, change the beam color as well as beam pattern.  One DMX channel even turns the lamp on and off, which is very unusual for these devices.  Now imagine being in total control positioning a 250 watt beam of light just 11 degrees wide.  I don't know about you, but my mind is in overdrive.  I've got two of these babies already and they are pictured.  Imagine beams of light moving across your display in sequence with the music.  I took full control of these two fixtures through the Animated Lighting DMX board and had them spinning, strobing, changing colors and throwing patterns.  Combine all this action with the control we already have with typical lighting channels and the full effect of your display goes waaaayyyyy over the top!

The good news is these particular Chauvet DMX fixtures are small enough that weather-proofing them should not be too big of an undertaking.  I've already got my eye on some large aquariums turned upside down to keep the rain away.  Depending on your situation, the fixtures are also small and light enough to bring inside each night after the lights go dark.

2007 is the year we can start seriously exploring adding professional DMX fixtures to our displays!

Just signed a large check to go to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.  I certainly pay my fair share.

The part that bothers me is the need for someone with a college degree in accounting plus a lot of specialized training to be able to understand how to figure out how much tax I owe.  I have a college degree in engineering and the U.S. tax code totally intimidates me.

I'm for the flat rate tax.  Sure would make things easier.

Of course, I know of at least one accountant that isn't for the idea.  I'll be getting her bill next month  .)

Had a last minute opportunity to swing by the Gatlinburg convention center yesterday.  Hadn't seen the finished product since I was there a year ago when it was a major construction zone.  All I can say is WOW.  This is really a first class facility.  I still can't get over how you can leave the convention center and walk to about a zillion stores and restaurants... no car needed.  

This time I had my camera.  Goto http://www.plus2007.com/GCCPix.htm

Other news:  The Glenstone Lodge now has wireless Internet access.   The traffic going through Sevierville and Pigeon Forge is as bad as ever.  The trick is to take the backway as suggested at http://www.gatlinburg-tennessee.com/directions/alternate.html.  I was driving from Chatanooga so I totally bypassed the traffic zones and popped in at light 10 on the Gatlinburg Parkway, just two traffic lights from GCC.  Sweeeeeeettttttt!

Had a last minute opportunity to swing by the Gatlinburg convention center yesterday.  Hadn't seen the finished product since I was there a year ago when it was a major construction zone.  All I can say is WOW.  This is really a first class facility.  I still can't get over how you can leave the convention center and walk to about a zillion stores and restaurants... no car needed.     Unfortunately, our person in charge of facilities was not there so some of the outstanding tech questions could not be answered.  Stay tuned.   Other news:  The Glenstone Lodge now has wireless Internet access.   The traffic going through Sevierville and Pigeon Forge is as bad as ever.  The trick is to take the backway as suggested at http://www.gatlinburg-tennessee.com/directions/alternate.html.  I was driving from Chatanooga so I totally bypassed the traffic zones and popped in at light 10 on the Gatlinburg Parkway, just two traffic lights from GCC.  Sweeeeeeettttttt!

Been talking with Judy Pancoast about singing some of her Christmas tunes at PLUS2007.  Looks like it's a go!  Many PlanetChristmas enthusiasts know her songs and use them in their displays so this should be a real delight for PLUS attendees.  Listen to a sample at http://www.judypancoast.com/

Judy's voice reminds me of Karen Carpenter (I might be dating myself on that one.)

See ya at PLUS!

www.plus2007.com

The March 2007 edition of the PlanetChristmas newsletter just hit the streets.

I went to send a mass email to all the chatroom members that the newsletter was available... pressed the "send" button and the server fired out an email from December '06 wishing everyone a happy new year.  Urrrrrrgggggggggg.  Knew something was up when I saw some SQL error messages pop up on the screen but they quickly disappeared.

The problem was reported to the ISP.  Tried sending the mass email again just a little while ago.  SUCCESS! 

Just in case you missed the newsletter:  http://www.planetchristmas.com/NLMarch07.htm