SoftwareWe use the free xLights software for the programming and sequencing. We start by importing an image of our house. We then overlay the props (Snowflakes, candy canes, etc) where we will have them. Once the layout is done, we then start with a song, and sequence all of the props. We have sequenced some ourselves, but most are bought, and we adjust them to the props we have.
ControllersAlphaPix4 - One of our first two controllers that we purchased from Holiday Coro. This controller has 4 outputs.AlphaPix16 - One of our first two controllers that we purchased from Holiday Coro. This controller has 16 outputs.Falcon F16V3 - This was our third controller, it has 16 outputs with expansion options.Falcon F48 - This was our fourth controller. Actually, it doesn't control lights. It has 48 outputs, grouped into four, for 12 outputs. These 12 outputs use an ethernet cable to a differential receiver board up to 250 feet away. Each of these receivers has 4 outputs. We use these for the props that are spread out.
PlayerWe use one Rasberry Pi 3 that operates FPP (Falcon Pi Player) software. FPP is used to load the songs and sequences, schedule the show, and sends the data to the controllers. This one Raspberry Pi controls the whole show.
We also have one Beagle Bone Black that also operates FPP as a slave unit for our P10 matrix panel, which has 10, 248 LEDS.
Pixels We use 12-volt DC bullet pixels for everything (except the P10 panels). They usually come in either a string of 50 or 100 pixels. These are then inserted into the props. Some props take only 48, like the Candy Canes from Boscoyo, and some take 696, like the two RosaWreaths from Gilbert Engineering. Our Mege Tree is 800 pixels. And yes, we pushed in every pixel!