This is the first year we’ve done a computer controlled animated display – and BOY AM I HAVING FUN WITH IT!

We are currently only using a single 16 channel Light-O-Rama controller. I spent a goof bit of time trying to layout the lights and tweak the sequences to make the most of the 16 channels and I think I’ve done a pretty good job for a rookie!

We have a total of just over 8,000 mini lights throughout the lawn, the windows, the bushes, the columns and the garland/wreath on our balcony.

I also have 50 blue C9’s along the edge of the flower bed and a strong of 15 white C9’s + 10 of the C9 socket strobes from www.christmaslightshow.com that line the roof across the front of our balcony – this is my favorite string of lights!

We have a couple of wireframes – 2 reindeer with 300 minis and a wireframe “JOY” with another 450 minis.

My favorite piece of lighting overall is our “Light Flurries” machine that I picked up this year – uses a rotating mirrored ball (like a disco ball) with a spotlight pointed at it to created the affect of snow falling on our house – it also creates a nice spotted flood affect when used on an LOR channel throughout a show.

Lastly, we have the most popular addition this year – our virtual santa. Again, thanks to Daryl at www.christmaslightshow.com. We purchased the DVD from him; the DVD chapter just plays in a loop on our Panasic DVD player – now sitting on top of my daughter’s dresser along with a Lumen Lab eVo Home Theatre Projector. This setup projects the Virtual Santa DVD loop onto a white shower curtain that I just hung across the window – acting as a rear projection surface. This has been the big hit with everyone in the neighborhood!

Next year I’m planning to add an additional 16 channels, a mega tree and a few mini trees. I’m also VERY close to getting at least one of my next door neighbors interested in combining our efforts next year for a synchornized multiple home display