Battlefield 3 + Christmas Lights = ?

12,000+ computer controlled Christmas lights synced to the Battlefield 3 theme.
Inspired by coasterbp's work, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XG4jY...).

"Apart from the traditional Christmas carols, I went looking for some "fun" and energetic songs to sequence to Christmas lights. BF3's solid beat and awesome sound made it a no brainier. I'm also a avid fan of the Battlefield franchise. I had a lot of fun :D."

Pulled off with:
Vixen 2.1 (used to create the sequences and run then)
Custom mix of GRINCH and RENC controllers (doityourselfchristmas.com) to enable LED dimming.
And uses 100% SSR's (Solid State Relays).
A metric ton cable and work.

This is my 3rd year in computer controlled lights, A few more elements have been added (little Christmas trees, mega-tree star, conversion of reindeer to LED).

All 100% LED based. Over 12,000 lights all over.
Power consumption is a measly 114watts @ full power.
Vixen Lights is used to orchestrate the lights, while a low-power FM transmitter plugged into the speaker output of the show PC enables passers-by to tune into the show.

A centralized control box is used to store the controllers and associated power supplies - it is also fully automated with timers to switch power on to the lights at show time and off at end of show.

Information about the show is displayed via the LEDTRIKS (A programmable LED sign).
The LEDTRIKS has been modded with a TRIKS-C board to enable faster communication and use serial instead parallel

Spiral Tree calculator and photos.
There's a calculator available to work out details about height, base diameter, and spacing between each set of lights.
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Some photos 1/2way down this page give you an idea of basic construction.
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• Category

  Gaming

[Abhijeet Katiyar]

i'm a hardcore BF3 player, so i just can't explain how much love wat u did with this soundtrack...its awesome!!!

[Jaredo66]

I play BF3 quite regularly, in fact I love the whole Battlefield series. The opening soundtrack is quite dramatic and has a nice punchy tune :D. And I did it to surprise my clan.

[nebraskaz71]

thanks, so is it run on light o rama or another program? ive been looking into going that route.

[Jaredo66]

I'm using a system similar to LOR, I'm from Australia so LOR isn't a option here, So I had to source parts and build up my own controller gear.

The program I use is Vixen Lights, a free program create sequences(shows) and to control my controllers.

Light-O-Rama aka LOR would be easiest - you'll need controllers and the LOR software.

I'm running 128 channels, the roof uses 40, the tree uses 24 (normally people do about 16).

[nebraskaz71]

how did u do that swirling christmas tree in the front? Ive seen them before and I must have it!

[Jaredo66]

There's a calculator available to work out details about height, base diameter, and spacing between each set of lights.

I just used a 3m length of stormwater pipe with a male screw fitting, in burried another 50cm of the same pipe with a female screw fitting in the ground. 6 'guy-ropes' hold it upright. I just jump from each support rope going upwards. Once you get the first string spiraled, the remaining strings are easier.

Links in the description for the calculator and photos

[JIbber Joo]

This deserves alot more views, Awsome.

[WTA Montages]

Nice! I just hope there's no-one on your street with epillepsy haha

[Līvs Baltgailis]

nice work

[coasterbp]

Nice one!