E680 + WS2801 5v pixel Megatree. HOly cow that's one bright tree!

**fathead45** · 12-06-2011, 09:07 PM

yea he did a great job on that. im hoping to snag one of the 681 sometime but i love the size of the TP3244

**Gary Martin** · 12-07-2011, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by CaptKirk

Gary-

Do you have a link to Ray's store for the specific pixels upon which your order was based?

THX, Kirk

I just checked through My Alibaba, apparently they don't keep that stuff over 150 days.

I originally emailed Ray and just listed the exact specs I wanted. He quoted me off of that and had them run. Then he made a single invoice for me that was $1,500 and some odd dollars. Total price shipped was closer to $30 per string now that I think about it.

**Gary Martin** · 12-07-2011, 04:04 PM

Originally Posted by fathead45

thanks gary, yea ray is a good guy, been dealing with him since the beginning and he will make the length you want. how do you like the extra spacing? cant wait to see video b/c i will be doing this next year.

The extra spacing was key to me. The default spacing for inserting into coro signs is just too close to use as light stringers IMHO. Since I'm trying to make a matrix, I wanted my pixels to be in as close to a square ratio as possible, vertically and horizontally. Obviously, the distance between strings grows as you move from the top of the tree to the bottom, but this seemed the best compromise.

Also, for the length of my tree, these numbers worked best to end up giving me an almost full Universe for every four strings (two pixels worth of addresses unused. 42 x 4 x 3 = 504) This way I got 16 strings on each E680 with the most possible pixels per string. Lastly, I was trying to match the 24.5' length of the CDI LED stringers and these strings, with a 5' four conductor leader added did that.

**Gary Martin** · 12-07-2011, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by mschell

Gary,
Thanks for the info and the details. Will be interested in seeing how much the paracord stretches and how the pixels hold up.

I bought 16 or so strings from Ray - nothing special as to spacing or sealing. I've got a row of 6 strings in coroplast set just below my gutters this year. Megatree or mini-mega didn't make it this year but will probably happen next year. I need a grid too, like Fasteddy to do some pictures, so we'll see how they all weather the winter...

Definitely want pictures with pixels lit!

I've already done some scrolling text that turned out extremely nice. It was using Times Roman, in a 24 point font on Madrix, turns into about a 5 foot tall banner on the tree.

Man, I need to get some video shot to share this stuff but it's been way below freezing at night the last week here.

**budude** · 12-07-2011, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by Gary Martin

Man, I need to get some video shot to share this stuff but it's been way below freezing at night the last week here.

Yes you do - otherwise it's just a big 'ol fish story...

**aussiephil** · 12-12-2011, 04:59 AM

yes all those pixels can be insanely bright, here's my 2240 pixel tree from 2010
http://vimeo.com/17761183

in the second video you can see a plain LED megatree in the background
http://vimeo.com/18660840

For 2011 i'll admit to a little cheating, I split the pixels between the two trees, leaving 24 verticals on the main tree and putting 16 on to the other tree... not one person yet who seen last year display has said the main tree is any less bright.

once you go RGB Pixels you can never go back!

**fathead45** · 12-12-2011, 09:01 AM

dang phil, glad you got something up this year. nice to see ya pop in.

**Gary Martin** · 12-12-2011, 09:54 AM

Okay, I managed to get some quick and dirty video this weekend. It's not the greatest quality but it will let you guys see the tree.

During "Winter Wonderland", song #5, you can really see the RGB pixels lighting up the neighbor's house like mad! (the red and green)

Anyway, here ya go:

http://vimeo.com/33516475

**aussiephil** · 12-12-2011, 11:09 PM

Gary

Very Nice, love the text on the tree, have tried to do it but never quite succeeded. you have given me a reason to retry.

**strobe dave** · 12-13-2011, 06:20 AM

Can i ask dumb dumb question of the day please.

i have 4 x 5m rolls of the 2801 strips and the E680,

my question is how do you sequance these indivdually using vixen ?? how do you connect these up??

i have been looking on the forum for guidance on prog the 2801 strips but cant seem to find anywhere,

any guidance will be greatly appreciated

dave