Nick, your videos are awesome, you have been such a huge help for my show. I found things on your page that i couldn't elsewhere, your great at this! Even if you take a break for a few years, don't lose the passion because if someday down the road you decide to have kids, it may come back and give you the chance to make their holidays just as special. My kids push me to get through the difficulties in this hobby and it pays off when I see the look on their faces. Thank you again and I look forward to 2025!
Hi Nick, I am from Canada and I had a light show for the last 2 years and this year I ran in the same problem as you did. We had lots of rain and then it got colder and turn into snow. I had to clear my pixel stakes with the leaf blower. The problem was the extensions connection to the lights, sometimes the lights were going out of whack. I would go out there with the hair blower, undo the connection and try to dry it out. A few days later it would come back. Very annoying and stressful. I thank you, the information I was trying to find out was always covered and very well explained in your videos. I could not of got my show figured out without your help. I wish you the best!
Hi Nick!! I've been watching your videos for about 4 years now and you ALWAYS have perfect videos. They are very detailed, educational, interesting and your personality has made these videos a Go To!!!! I will always remember all that you have taught me. I am in my 70's and you have inspired me to push on every year. I admit it is stressful every year, but you have contributed SO MUCH to SO MANY!! You've earned your place!!
Nick i want to say thank you for all the great videos you have posted in the past. For such a young guy you have given us so much great information. Enjoy your break. i look forward to new videos in the future.
Thanks for sharing and it will be sad to see the show go but you have to do what you have to do. 😊 I would like to see a video on how to add a purchased sequence to a person's own setup.
Nick- love your channel- I look forward to see what you grand finish will look like. I work for Cisco and we always look forward young talent like yourself. I wish you the very best.
Sad to see your leaving, but glad you can have one last amazing year. I’m excited to see what videos you come up with this year. Wishing you luck in the next chapters of your life after high school and I’ll see you when your next video post is.
Hey, Nick i have been watching for a long time, I am 19 I started my display the year after i graduated, while gathering supplies before graduation, which was 2023, if your worried about not having time to live your life, don't worry I have a an almost 8k pixel show with this year 2025 being well 10k pixels I have plenty of time to live life and program and set up the display, don't give up and keep going even if some years you can do it big still do something, this hobby has been the best thing that happened to me, and when you don't have the lights up you'll miss it and want them back. Your work is great and you help me a lot thanks bro
Just want to say thank you Nick, 2024 was my first time running a light show and your videos are a great help. Also, I am glad that it's not just me thinking that these lights have a mind of their own, for some reason my candycane was getting stuck similarly to your megatree. It would get stuck one day, then work on the next day when it RAINED then stop working again on the next day. I want to say it was an issue with my power injection but I basically replaced the candycane and re-route my power to get everything to run again (on the very last day too because I still needed to record the whole show 😵), it was quite a journey and I can understand some of the stress that you went through.
Hey nick! I have had the issue specifically with mini trees/mega trees, i just changed the start channel and that worked i know seems weird but fixed it!
What did you change the start channel to? I know all the channels were set up correctly for the whole display, so I'm not sure if that would've affected it for me.
With your knowledge you could even just program sequences and use the virtual preview and sell them that way as side money or even consult for a little bit of money! I’d be willing to pay someone a little bit just to help guide me through parts and sequencing and stuff. And then you still keep your foot in the door and eventually after your future endeavors and you get your own house, you can start it all back up again! I will happily pay you even now to help me get started with parts list and initial setup and stuff like that
I have a few pixels that stay blue like that, but in the 3 years I have been running my show I haven’t seen any more show up. for the record I live in Wisconsin so we are no exception to drastic temperature changes and haven’t had any glitches or pixels go bad. i also understand what you’re going through with ending your light show as I am currently 15 and wondering how I end the show before I move away for college. one thing thats for sure is I will continue the show when i’m older, I just don’t know when that is.
I definitely agree, I'll probably pick the show back up sometime in the future, just maybe once I'm not as busy 😅. Also, it's nice to meet another light show enthusiast around my age!
Nick, I had an issue with blue pixels on my mega tree, it all started after it rained pretty decent, all my string connections are via 16ga extension cords soldered and heat shrinked directly to the controller plugs. I noticed on the the affected strings if I cut the heat shrink and soldered again the issues went away, I guess you can get a cold solder joint. These strips worked perfect the year before is what really confused me. After doing this they performed as expected going forward.
For your P5: how many colorlite cards are you using? How many power supply’s? I had a similar issue my P4 is 6x4. To fix the issue I added a second colorlite card and use a total of 4 power supplies. I can give more info if needed. Hope this helps.
I have 1 colorlight card and 3 power supplies, basically maxing everything out. But I've been thinking about it and I might try to add another card this year. Thanks for the tip!
I had loads of blue pixels this year, in the end I replaced the whole models affected . Apparently it was a bad batch from 2022 and that's the year I started into this hobby so I could have a few more appear next time I put them out.
Interesting, that's what I've been hearing from other people too. The only weird thing is I put the singing faces in in 2021, so maybe there were some bad batches then too, but I guess I'll never know 😅
Blue/red pixels were an issue I think with everyone this year. I'm 40 & I work full time and put on the show for Xmas. It's only stressful if you let it become stressful it's meant to be fun because it's a hobby. All the best for your future your still a spring chicken and have your whole life ahead of you.
Your raspberry pi 4 should have gigabit ethernet, they come with it, the first model with gigabit ethernet was the 3, but it was limited to around 300Mbps because it was connected techncially via USB-2 on the board, but in the 4 it is connected directly to the SOC.
False, as said in the video hes tried unplugging and plugging them in, its most likely caused by faulty soldering, faulty firmware, or just broken lights.
I've had that problem and determined that the string was several years old and I live in Washington state with snow, ice, and rain for the lighting season. What I found out was the couplers were corroded some (even with the o ring) so I just used some dialectric grease and pluged, repluged etc a bunch of times and that solved all those wierd things! Also some clickits from last year needed a squeez with pliers a bit harder. Also the Blue light problem appears to be 2022 pixels as near as I can tell. When I turn on the controller several pixels stay blue for about 45 seconds then go out! strange stuff LOL
Nick, your videos are awesome, you have been such a huge help for my show. I found things on your page that i couldn't elsewhere, your great at this! Even if you take a break for a few years, don't lose the passion because if someday down the road you decide to have kids, it may come back and give you the chance to make their holidays just as special. My kids push me to get through the difficulties in this hobby and it pays off when I see the look on their faces. Thank you again and I look forward to 2025!
Hi Nick, I am from Canada and I had a light show for the last 2 years and this year I ran in the same problem as you did. We had lots of rain and then it got colder and turn into snow. I had to clear my pixel stakes with the leaf blower. The problem was the extensions connection to the lights, sometimes the lights were going out of whack. I would go out there with the hair blower, undo the connection and try to dry it out. A few days later it would come back. Very annoying and stressful. I thank you, the information I was trying to find out was always covered and very well explained in your videos. I could not of got my show figured out without your help. I wish you the best!
@7:20 wow! your wire management is next level! Tunnelling them underground. I can't see a single wire! 🤣😂
I know right!! I take a lot of pride in my great cable management skills 😂
Hi Nick!! I've been watching your videos for about 4 years now and you ALWAYS have perfect videos. They are very detailed, educational, interesting and your personality has made these videos a Go To!!!!
I will always remember all that you have taught me. I am in my 70's and you have inspired me to push on every year. I admit it is stressful every year, but you have contributed SO MUCH to SO MANY!! You've earned your place!!
Wow that's so awesome, I'm glad my videos have been able to help you out with your show! Thanks so much for watching!!
Nick i want to say thank you for all the great videos you have posted in the past. For such a young guy you have given us so much great information. Enjoy your break. i look forward to new videos in the future.
Thanks for sharing and it will be sad to see the show go but you have to do what you have to do. 😊 I would like to see a video on how to add a purchased sequence to a person's own setup.
Ok! Thanks for the idea, I'll definitely add it to my list!
thanks for your videos. always helpful
Nick- love your channel- I look forward to see what you grand finish will look like. I work for Cisco and we always look forward young talent like yourself. I wish you the very best.
Sad to see your leaving, but glad you can have one last amazing year. I’m excited to see what videos you come up with this year. Wishing you luck in the next chapters of your life after high school and I’ll see you when your next video post is.
Thanks for the support!!
Hey, Nick i have been watching for a long time, I am 19 I started my display the year after i graduated, while gathering supplies before graduation, which was 2023, if your worried about not having time to live your life, don't worry I have a an almost 8k pixel show with this year 2025 being well 10k pixels I have plenty of time to live life and program and set up the display, don't give up and keep going even if some years you can do it big still do something, this hobby has been the best thing that happened to me, and when you don't have the lights up you'll miss it and want them back. Your work is great and you help me a lot thanks bro
It's wonderful you guys got started at such a young age instead of starting, as I did this year. at age 78!
I love that intro
Just want to say thank you Nick, 2024 was my first time running a light show and your videos are a great help. Also, I am glad that it's not just me thinking that these lights have a mind of their own, for some reason my candycane was getting stuck similarly to your megatree. It would get stuck one day, then work on the next day when it RAINED then stop working again on the next day. I want to say it was an issue with my power injection but I basically replaced the candycane and re-route my power to get everything to run again (on the very last day too because I still needed to record the whole show 😵), it was quite a journey and I can understand some of the stress that you went through.
Finally someone understands!! There really is a little person inside pressing buttons to make them do random things 🤣
Hey nick! I have had the issue specifically with mini trees/mega trees, i just changed the start channel and that worked i know seems weird but fixed it!
What did you change the start channel to? I know all the channels were set up correctly for the whole display, so I'm not sure if that would've affected it for me.
@How2Pixel Honestly just a complete random channel, just 151 more obv, and nothing interfered with my show!
You do a great job Nick, hopefully you will pick this back up a some point.
With your knowledge you could even just program sequences and use the virtual preview and sell them that way as side money or even consult for a little bit of money! I’d be willing to pay someone a little bit just to help guide me through parts and sequencing and stuff. And then you still keep your foot in the door and eventually after your future endeavors and you get your own house, you can start it all back up again! I will happily pay you even now to help me get started with parts list and initial setup and stuff like that
Nick another good one.
I have a few pixels that stay blue like that, but in the 3 years I have been running my show I haven’t seen any more show up. for the record I live in Wisconsin so we are no exception to drastic temperature changes and haven’t had any glitches or pixels go bad. i also understand what you’re going through with ending your light show as I am currently 15 and wondering how I end the show before I move away for college. one thing thats for sure is I will continue the show when i’m older, I just don’t know when that is.
I definitely agree, I'll probably pick the show back up sometime in the future, just maybe once I'm not as busy 😅. Also, it's nice to meet another light show enthusiast around my age!
Nice, i’m going to start order some of the props and stuff, but I can’t get some of the controllers because they’re out of stock.
Nick, I had an issue with blue pixels on my mega tree, it all started after it rained pretty decent, all my string connections are via 16ga extension cords soldered and heat shrinked directly to the controller plugs. I noticed on the the affected strings if I cut the heat shrink and soldered again the issues went away, I guess you can get a cold solder joint. These strips worked perfect the year before is what really confused me. After doing this they performed as expected going forward.
Hmm, interesting. Good to know though, thanks!
For your P5: how many colorlite cards are you using? How many power supply’s? I had a similar issue my P4 is 6x4. To fix the issue I added a second colorlite card and use a total of 4 power supplies. I can give more info if needed. Hope this helps.
I have 1 colorlight card and 3 power supplies, basically maxing everything out. But I've been thinking about it and I might try to add another card this year. Thanks for the tip!
I had loads of blue pixels this year, in the end I replaced the whole models affected . Apparently it was a bad batch from 2022 and that's the year I started into this hobby so I could have a few more appear next time I put them out.
Interesting, that's what I've been hearing from other people too. The only weird thing is I put the singing faces in in 2021, so maybe there were some bad batches then too, but I guess I'll never know 😅
Blue/red pixels were an issue I think with everyone this year. I'm 40 & I work full time and put on the show for Xmas. It's only stressful if you let it become stressful it's meant to be fun because it's a hobby.
All the best for your future your still a spring chicken and have your whole life ahead of you.
Hi, the problem with this f*** blue LEDs :-( i have the same problem this year, it was terrible
Your raspberry pi 4 should have gigabit ethernet, they come with it, the first model with gigabit ethernet was the 3, but it was limited to around 300Mbps because it was connected techncially via USB-2 on the board, but in the 4 it is connected directly to the SOC.
Good to know, thanks!
Davinci Resolve is great! Good choice. Chances are, no matter how far you go, you won't outgrow it.
There is a local show that is actually two houses across from each other.
That's cool! They should program them to be in sync with each other 😂
The reason for pixels freezing could be because of a loose or unconnected data cable
False, as said in the video hes tried unplugging and plugging them in, its most likely caused by faulty soldering, faulty firmware, or just broken lights.
I've had that problem and determined that the string was several years old and I live in Washington state with snow, ice, and rain for the lighting season. What I found out was the couplers were corroded some (even with the o ring) so I just used some dialectric grease and pluged, repluged etc a bunch of times and that solved all those wierd things! Also some clickits from last year needed a squeez with pliers a bit harder. Also the Blue light problem appears to be 2022 pixels as near as I can tell. When I turn on the controller several pixels stay blue for about 45 seconds then go out! strange stuff LOL
Give it all she's got Captain.
There is a place a city on the border of Georgia and Florida where instead of a ball drop they have the annual shrimp drop yep a shrimp drop
And in another part of Georgia they have the "Possum" dtop!
Hahaha that's awesome!
I bet you the sun/UV is discoloring the pixels
Probably yes :(
my whole perspective on the ball drop is now ruined thank you
Hahaha sorry about that, you just always have to be thinking deeply about the simple things tho!