Animated Christmas Lights

We are hard at work for the 2008 show.  The engineers are busy working on a new version of the control hardware and software to make the lights dim this year. I am in the process of updating the website and starting to choose music for this years show. I will then start programming soon. My goal is to start the programming by the end of the week. Keep checking the website as we will try and update everyone when major developments happen.

On Friday December, 21 I was notified that the display had won 3^rd place in a local radio stations Griswold Christmas Light Contest. http://froggy981.com/morning/christmaslights.htm We won a gift certificate to a Local Spa!

On December 24^th I was contacted by the Local News paper the Lincoln Journal Star. They wanted to do an article about my Christmas Light Display. Later that evening Michah Mertes came and spent about an hour interviewing us and learning all about the display. The article was printed today with two nice photos. One of the house and one of the creators.

(Photo by Michael McNamara, Lincoln Journal Star)

Please read the articles below and drive by and see the show.
Link to the print article (PDF)
http://liquidretro.net/lightshow/images/lightarticle.pdf

Link to the article on the Journal Star’s Website
http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2007/12/26/news/local/doc4771b19d6eede852422813.txt

I borrowed a High Definition video camera this weekend and filmed the 2007 Lights display and got the video online this afternoon. Please take a look at it and feel free to leave comments. Here is a like to the video page. http://www.liquidretro.net/lightshow/2007-video/

Saturday December 1st at 2:18am we had success. The show had its first successful run and viewing. After a stressful weekend last week we managed to get the project working. We could not have done it with out the support of the community at Planet Christmas Forums. The show runs from 5pm to 10pm weekly. Please stop by and see the lights.

• 2 of 3 songs are currently operational on the display. The third song Carol of the Bells by Manheim Steamroller is currently being programmed. However I am in school and feeling the pressure of the end of the semester. The programming has been put on hold till I have more time. This will more than likely be near Christmas when my semester is complete.

• Please check back often for a new and updated video. This week I should have a little time to go and take a video of the display and put it on the website. For now I have a video of this display’s first run through.

• If you need directions to the display please click on “Directions” on the left side of the page.

Please enjoy the show!

Everything is ready to go on the project. The control boards are wired, working, and in housings. The mini 3D Christmas Trees are assembled and are in storage, and the Giant Christmas tree is ready. The shows programming is finished for 2 songs. The yard sign advertising the radio station has been made. The website now has two how-two’s and directions to the light show powered by Google maps. The only thing left to buy are approximately 30 electrical extension cords.

Right now the estimated date that the show is going up is Thanksgiving weekend (weather permitting). I will update the website when the show is online.

Welcome to Lightshow.LiquidRetro.Net. Through the coming months I will post information and updates about this years show. My goal of the project is to have animated Christmas lights that are synced to music on my house. So far the control boards are completly done and in their housings. The FM transmitter is built and has been tuned with its proper length antenna. To Do yet are make the mini Christmas tree’s, program this years show, buy more extension cords, and put up this website. Please check back often and tell your friends and neighbors about the display in Lincoln, NE.