So, for the hell of it I was thinking about making an xmas light show like you see on the intarweb every Christmas.

I could get a PLC and program it to flash the lights on a timer or whatever... great.

What I really want though is something that I can control in real time with my computer, so I can have the lights (and possibly other electrical things) act in time with music. Yes, I do have the patience for such a task, but I need some direction because I don't really know what I'm doing.

What could I use so that I can make a system that is controlled by the computer? I suppose I could leave the computer hooked up to the PLC and just reprogram the PLC every time the computer changes the song.

11/30/2007 12:15:26 AM

personally i'd get one of those cheap basic stamp boards and program it off of that

it's got plenty of low level outs

11/30/2007 12:50:06 AM

computer control? you need one of the pc interfaces for the X10 home automation or one of the aftermakret cl0ones of it, and a ton of 110 ac power on off or on off dim modules that work witht he system

The guy who did the TSO house last year had links to where he bought all his gear from.

11/30/2007 8:38:08 AM

X10? That takes the fun out of it.

If you're talking about flashing one or two groups of lights, then I would probably use the computer serial port directly, manipulating the DTR and RTS lines to cycle relays. Should be able to use a small handfull of components (transistor, a couple of resistors, and an external power supply) to interface the two so you're not driving the relay directly from the serial port.

For a larger number of groups, then (as evan mentioned) a Basic Stamp, ARM dev board, or a PIC would probably be the best bet. If you want real time control from your computer, pick something that has a serial interface. If you wanted to get really fancy, find an ARM dev board with an ethernet interface.

[Edited on November 30, 2007 at 9:36 AM. Reason : ]

11/30/2007 9:34:03 AM

what about this thing? http://www.arduino.cc/

11/30/2007 11:02:24 AM

okay

that's some cool shit, and cheap too

http://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoardDiecimila
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=666

$34.95

i just ordered one

11/30/2007 2:25:01 PM

^ Neat, they even have Mac software for it too.

11/30/2007 2:50:12 PM