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Ask HN: What are the best programmable holiday lights?

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Re: Ask HN: What are the best programmable holiday lights?

#11

Post by havnagiggle »

tannedNerd wrote: post #3

I’ve been super impressed so far with the Govee lights I’ve gotten. The app is pretty easy to use has tons of cool effects, and they have a LAN API ( https://app-h5.govee.com/user-manual/wlan-guide ) for most of their lights that have WiFi. Don’t have enough time this year to program a custom show but was going to start earlier next year now that I have a couple of these. The new scene stage thing they just released…

Is Govee the down-cone style? Or are there also others doing that? There's been a couple of houses that have this and I wasn't sure what they are using, but it's the only one that I would consider doing whole house exterior. Many others look too sharp.

Re: Ask HN: What are the best programmable holiday lights?

#12

Post by luxuryballs »

I want a mesh grid of LEDs that I can lay across the house maybe with 6” between each one so I get a low res screen of dots and then play Die Hard on it to see if people figure it out. It would kind of be like a TV but with 9 out of 10 pixels missing, more or less.

Re: Ask HN: What are the best programmable holiday lights?

#14

Post by jason_pomerleau »

havnagiggle wrote: post #11
tannedNerd wrote: post #3

I’ve been super impressed so far with the Govee lights I’ve gotten. The app is pretty easy to use has tons of cool effects, and they have a LAN API ( https://app-h5.govee.com/user-manual/wlan-guide ) for most of their lights that have WiFi. Don’t have enough time this year to program a custom show but was going to start earlier next year now that I have a couple of these. The new scene stage thing they just released…

Is Govee the down-cone style? Or are there also others doing that? There's been a couple of houses that have this and I wasn't sure what they are using, but it's the only one that I would consider doing whole house exterior. Many others look too sharp.

Yes, though they have other types too. We’ve been thrilled with ours. I’ve never done Christmas lights because I don’t do ladders, so having a permanent fixture is attractive. Plus we can use them on big holidays too.

I have big reservations about ‘smart home’ stuff, and it’s only the second such device in our house. But I’m clearly losing that battle, and will be looking into some ways to mitigate the privacy concerns. But gosh, it sure is nice to pick from a gazillion light patterns.

Re: Ask HN: What are the best programmable holiday lights?

#15

Post by sircastor »

joshstrange wrote: post #10
pwg wrote: post #2

https://kno.wled.ge/ Many 'effects' already prepackaged. Plus the ability to schedule time based changes (on/off/change pattern/etc.). Includes a web server to provide "app like" control over a phone or PC. Also includes integrations for several "home control" systems and a http API for programmatic control from another system. Can even synchronize plural controllers into a whole 'net' (note, I've not used this featu…

WLED is the clear answer here. I got a simple USB controller (usb just for power) so it can’t run a a massive strand of lights (at least at full brightness) but it was perfect to dip my toes in and try out. The Home Assistant integration works great as well.

The fact that you can install the WLED firmware _from the website_ is the cherry on top. It’s a fantastic piece of software.

Re: Ask HN: What are the best programmable holiday lights?

#16

Post by ramones13 »

If you ever want to go all out with a musical light show, I have some recommendations here: https://aluhrs.com/blog/holiday-lights-electronics/

For your specific question, Wally’s Lights is great, and like others have mentioned, something running WLED to control them is a great choice.

Re: Ask HN: What are the best programmable holiday lights?

#17

Post by sircastor »

This is a huge space to get into. I’m on my fourth year doing an outdoor light show.

My personal preference is 12v ws2811 bullet-style voltage-regulated nodes. They’re extendable, individual nodes on a strand are replaceable if you’re willing to do some cutting and crimping.

I like the 12v because you can go for longer strands without losing colors from voltage drop. Regulated over a resistive voltage divider = less heat.

As has been mentioned, you can install WLED onto a microcontroller and have a web-page for a remote control.

Re: Ask HN: What are the best programmable holiday lights?

#18

Post by silverlight »

Somewhat related topic: anyone used something like the Luxedo to do a projection mapping? It seems like it’s more complicated and expensive but I love the idea of doing something cool to the house for Halloween and Christmas without having to lug out a ton of lights and decorations.

Re: Ask HN: What are the best programmable holiday lights?

#19

Post by linsomniac »

tannedNerd wrote: post #3

I’ve been super impressed so far with the Govee lights I’ve gotten. The app is pretty easy to use has tons of cool effects, and they have a LAN API ( https://app-h5.govee.com/user-manual/wlan-guide ) for most of their lights that have WiFi. Don’t have enough time this year to program a custom show but was going to start earlier next year now that I have a couple of these. The new scene stage thing they just released…

That's very good to hear, because last year on Black Friday I got a couple of dual 36' Govee light strips and am just planning on putting them up today, as a permanent install. It's been a long-time dream of mine to have permanent holiday lights. These are the ones that are the strips with an LED every few inches, individually controllable. Looking over at Amazon it looks like they have the 65ft kit I got for $70 right now ($40 off coupon).

Last year we put up this Govee LED grid "curtain" and my son had some fun programming it.

Re: Ask HN: What are the best programmable holiday lights?

#20

Post by INTPenis »

sircastor wrote: post #17

This is a huge space to get into. I’m on my fourth year doing an outdoor light show. My personal preference is 12v ws2811 bullet-style voltage-regulated nodes. They’re extendable, individual nodes on a strand are replaceable if you’re willing to do some cutting and crimping. I like the 12v because you can go for longer strands without losing colors from voltage drop. Regulated over a resistive voltage divider = less…

I know programming but only very rudimentary hardware, how difficult is this to do? Are there guides?
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