Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Christmas Light Hero

Posted by samzenpus on from the neighborhood-boost dept.

klwood911 writes "What do you get when you combine a former Disney imagineer, Guitar Hero, a house and 21,268 Christmas Lights? Probably one of the coolest light displays you will see. Ric Turner turned his house into an interactive Guitar Hero Display. As he explains: 'Christmas Light Hero is using 7 light controllers from Light-O-Rama built from kits to control 21,268 lights and LEDs. Each controller has 16 outputs and 2-3 TTL level control inputs that are used by the game system to fire different programmed light sequences depending on what happens in the game. It relies on the fact that the game sequence is very consistent. If the game and the lighting sequences start together, they will stay in very good sync through the length of the song. The light program allows branching and overlays for fail, star power and "ready." I have some ideas to automate the initial show/game sync, but for now you have to push doorbell buttons at the right moments.'"

4 comments

  1. What do you get? by CaseM · · Score: 0, Troll

    What do you get when you combine a former Disney imagineer, Guitar Hero, a house and 21,268 Christmas Lights?

    Probably a Christmas card from the homeowner's association.

    1. Re:What do you get? by uncledrax · · Score: 2, Funny

      A 'Thank you' letter from your local power company? :]

      --
      ----- The internet has given everyone the ability to have their voice heard equally as loud.. even if they shouldn't be
  2. Rock Band would have been the better choice by SuiteSisterMary · · Score: 2, Informative

    He should have used Rock Band. It already has light display codes built in to each song, and the protocols have been documented by the modding community.

    --
    Vintage computer games and RPG books available. Email me if you're interested.
  3. About the energy usage... by amazingxkcd · · Score: 1

    I sense from using a array of lights being randomly turned on in my house that the electrical companies will have a bigger present this year.