Looking Ahead to 2017

[CoachRoy]

This is probably too easy for most of those programming lights here, but I have a "flagpole" tree made up of 9 Green LED strings with several red strings that chris cross the main strings.

I also have some other strings of LED lights that I'd like to use to add animation to the tree, and match i t to music.

I have downloaded xLights on Ubuntu - the machine is about 20 feet from where I run the Christmas lights now. The Ubuntu machine has USB and Cat 5 outputs - my house has a very robust WIFI setup.

I'd like to run the whole show from the Ubuntu PC - and control it with either USB or Cat 5. I figure at least 16 channels to run the tree, and maybe more down the road (there's a Creche and other lights on the lawn.)

I've seen the big displays in Gnadennhutten, OH, but I'm not ready for anything that complex. Is there  doc on the Wiki that might explain how to start with a simple on/off setup?

Thanks

[garyh]

Sounds like you have AC lights.  The first two boards that come to mind are an LOR board or a Lynx Express board.  Both boards require a USB dongle to communicate with them.  They each have 16 channels, so you can maybe get by with one board, but it sounds like you may need two of them. 

Often you will see someone selling them in the Buy/Sell section, so perhaps you can pick them up cheap.   

[jnealand]

You could also control those boards with a Raspberry Pi and a $3 dongle from China.

[jem5136]

Based off of my experience, I would go with a Lynx Express. They are decent controllers for a decent price, however if you chose to buy from a group buy at www.diylightanimation.com, you will need to solder the board (not sure if you have any experience soldering or not or if you'd be willing to learn). However, as garyh mentioned there are a lot of people who buy and sell controllers on the forums, keep an eye out and you might be able to get an assembled board for pretty cheap. If you wish to grow your display, you can always add on or upgrade in the future when you're ready.

[RandyS]

I would urge you to visit one of the DIY Christmas Forums. (http://diychristmas.org or http://doityourselfchristmas.com) They are a lot of members there that only do Incan or LED lights and have a lot of info to share on controllers.  IMO, you should consider the Renard line of controllers.  Rock Solid and cheaper than the Lynx with way more support.