I already have the nodes from 2018 available to go to 1" spacing. Going from a 16 strand 50 per strand to 24 strand 100 per strand. I played with it in Xlights - and the look for me is totally worth it. My tree is only about 9 feet tall plus the star and it should help add some more interest to the show. Thanks for the tips. I am lucky enough that I have been using Pro Audio Lighting Truss/Tripod for my tree base and pole. I plan to upgrade the topper and the base this year along with the spacing.
My first year with a tree and everyone loved it. It is 16 strings of 50 pixels, 2 inch spacing. I decided to go to 1 inch spacing because the resolution does have a better wow factor. Was going to start pulling pixels tomorrow and was dreading it. Man you saved my bacon, and fingers, with this video. I didn't think of the weight issue, it is only 9 feet tall, there abouts, so I plan on beefing up the guide wires. Hope that is all I need to do. Thanks Ron for the right on time video.
I went to 1 inch spacing, 150 per string, 32 strings this year from 2" spacing, 100 per string, and 16 string. Last year I used to just attach on the ground and just lift the whole thing, easy peasey. When I tried that this year, my 1.5" square pole collapsed halfway up. The weight increase is a real thing. I had to totally re-engineer my setup.
that's exactly what I am going to build for my first tree. 150 pixels 32 strings at 1inch spacing. What controller and PSUs are you using? I'm thinking F16 and 2 PSUs for 10% brightness. Next year I want to add another 32 strings to make it 64. At which point I'll add an expansion and two more PSUs.
Finishing up my second year and I started with 1” spacing. Absolutely love it but I need more strands at the moment I’m running 120 with 16 strands I’ll likely add 4 more this year to see where we stand if time and budget allow I’ll add 8 but we have many other things planned as we have a huge front yard. Learning these little tricks will certainly help me make it look even better! Thanks for sharing!
I always say the most import density of a tree is the horizontal spacing. I would rather have a dense shorter tree than a tall tree with less than 24 strings.
This is really helpful for a novice like me. I started my mega tree effort last Christmas and ran out of time. This year I have a working tree with 16 strands, 50 pixels per strand and 2 inch spacing. My fingers are almost healed from stuffing the lights into the strips ;-). Whilst I think the 2" spacing looks good, I have had a problem with the over-all height and the strength of the center pole. I used a paint roller extendable pole which extends from 8' to 16' but at the 11' height I needed things got a little unstable as I have a home made topper which is quite heavy and all my electronics (Enttec Octo with an Apple Airport express for WiFi) at the top of the pole too. Now you have inspired me to go with a 1" spacing and use the Alternate Nodes option in xLights and lower the height of the tree. I am wondering if I should increase the number of strings to 20 or even more reduce my bottom diameter from 4' to 3' (Top diameter is 1') to get a good horizontal density too. What do you or anyone here think?
Planning to grow from 10ft to 18ft and 16 strands (56 nodes) to 48 strands (106) nodes or there about. Enough that it doesn't get the high-water pants effect. Sticking with 2" spacing though. Thanks for all the videos and hard work Ron!
My first year with pixels. My mega tree was 16 strings of 100 pixels with 2 in spacing. This next year, I will go to 32 strings of 150 pixels with 1 in spacing. My tree was about 17' tall, and with the new config, I'll go to about 14'. I'm ok with a shorter tree if I can get better resolution. Also had a 3' radius at the bottom, and I will probably keep that.
Damn, now you tell me. Last spring I went from 2" to 1" and pushed them all over again. But that was OK because my previous Boscoyo pixel strips were several years old and I replaced them all figuring it would be stronger. I would never consider using weathered strips that are more than 2 years old for 1" spacing.
one thought for sequencers... Make two different tree models (1inch mega tree) and (2 inch mega tree) then you could basically drop the effects onto both trees... adjust which ever one that needs adjusting.... or maybe call it (hi-rez tree and lo-rez tree) same could go for matrix and panels RIGHT?!? or am I missing something?
@@xTremeSequences Certainly understandable, but considering your expertise in HD props compared to many other sequence vendors, it’s yet another thing that would set you apart. And as with anything, with repetition you will cut the time it takes you down significantly.
This is my first year. I have a 12.5ft tree 16x50 with 3” spacing. I wasn’t happy with using certain graphics in the sequences, mainly because it was hard to tell what it was from the street that is only 35ft away. So… I figured ok…what if I add strands to 24x50? So, I made that in lights to see if the graphics looked better. And for the most part, it did. However, I can’t seem to figure out what size gifs, or images to use that would make it better. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Thanks for this video 🤜 I think this year I'm going to do 100 per string instead of 50 per string @ 1 inch spacing. For a beginner like me where can I get my hands on a dancing Santa & a dancing gingerbread man?
I’m curious what is more impactful, pixel density per string or string density per tree? is: 16 strings at 1” or 32 string at 2” or would it be a wash…
That's a great question. I have always said having more strings is more important than the number of nodes per string. The vertical strings have the lowest resolution for any tree so I suggest 24 is a minimum to take advantage of xLights effects and images. The density of the pixels will help add more definition for images and videos.
As 2nd yr Xlights guy, Am considering adding four or eight more strings to a 16 x 100 pixel mega tree with 1.95" spacing. Will a 20 String (180 degree) Tree provide a sharper resolution on gifs? Or, should I consider a 24 string setup for sharper resolution? Thanks in advance!
2018: 4 strands of LED lights on a pole. 2019: 6x50 pixel strands 2020: 8x50 pixel strands 2021: 10x50 pixel strands 2022: (hoping for) 16x50 All pixels at 2" spacing 1" spacing? Maybe someday
I already have the nodes from 2018 available to go to 1" spacing. Going from a 16 strand 50 per strand to 24 strand 100 per strand. I played with it in Xlights - and the look for me is totally worth it. My tree is only about 9 feet tall plus the star and it should help add some more interest to the show. Thanks for the tips. I am lucky enough that I have been using Pro Audio Lighting Truss/Tripod for my tree base and pole. I plan to upgrade the topper and the base this year along with the spacing.
Right on.
My first year with a tree and everyone loved it. It is 16 strings of 50 pixels, 2 inch spacing. I decided to go to 1 inch spacing because the resolution does have a better wow factor. Was going to start pulling pixels tomorrow and was dreading it. Man you saved my bacon, and fingers, with this video. I didn't think of the weight issue, it is only 9 feet tall, there abouts, so I plan on beefing up the guide wires. Hope that is all I need to do. Thanks Ron for the right on time video.
That's a good manageable height and you will love the resolution.
You don't need to spend extra money if you start out with 1" spacing. I'm glad I did. Good video and I will be using some of the hints you gave.
I went to 1 inch spacing, 150 per string, 32 strings this year from 2" spacing, 100 per string, and 16 string. Last year I used to just attach on the ground and just lift the whole thing, easy peasey. When I tried that this year, my 1.5" square pole collapsed halfway up. The weight increase is a real thing. I had to totally re-engineer my setup.
Yikes! Sorry to hear that. The mega tree is the most dangerous prop we have in our shows. I'm sure you will rebuild and make it even stronger.
that's exactly what I am going to build for my first tree. 150 pixels 32 strings at 1inch spacing. What controller and PSUs are you using? I'm thinking F16 and 2 PSUs for 10% brightness.
Next year I want to add another 32 strings to make it 64. At which point I'll add an expansion and two more PSUs.
Finishing up my second year and I started with 1” spacing. Absolutely love it but I need more strands at the moment I’m running 120 with 16 strands I’ll likely add 4 more this year to see where we stand if time and budget allow I’ll add 8 but we have many other things planned as we have a huge front yard. Learning these little tricks will certainly help me make it look even better! Thanks for sharing!
I always say the most import density of a tree is the horizontal spacing. I would rather have a dense shorter tree than a tall tree with less than 24 strings.
This is really helpful for a novice like me. I started my mega tree effort last Christmas and ran out of time. This year I have a working tree with 16 strands, 50 pixels per strand and 2 inch spacing. My fingers are almost healed from stuffing the lights into the strips ;-). Whilst I think the 2" spacing looks good, I have had a problem with the over-all height and the strength of the center pole. I used a paint roller extendable pole which extends from 8' to 16' but at the 11' height I needed things got a little unstable as I have a home made topper which is quite heavy and all my electronics (Enttec Octo with an Apple Airport express for WiFi) at the top of the pole too. Now you have inspired me to go with a 1" spacing and use the Alternate Nodes option in xLights and lower the height of the tree. I am wondering if I should increase the number of strings to 20 or even more reduce my bottom diameter from 4' to 3' (Top diameter is 1') to get a good horizontal density too. What do you or anyone here think?
Planning to grow from 10ft to 18ft and 16 strands (56 nodes) to 48 strands (106) nodes or there about. Enough that it doesn't get the high-water pants effect. Sticking with 2" spacing though. Thanks for all the videos and hard work Ron!
You bet! Nothing wrong with 2 inch spacing at all. I still love the way my tree looks.
My first year with pixels. My mega tree was 16 strings of 100 pixels with 2 in spacing. This next year, I will go to 32 strings of 150 pixels with 1 in spacing. My tree was about 17' tall, and with the new config, I'll go to about 14'. I'm ok with a shorter tree if I can get better resolution. Also had a 3' radius at the bottom, and I will probably keep that.
Nice! I think you will love it!
Damn, now you tell me. Last spring I went from 2" to 1" and pushed them all over again. But that was OK because my previous Boscoyo pixel strips were several years old and I replaced them all figuring it would be stronger. I would never consider using weathered strips that are more than 2 years old for 1" spacing.
I'll have to replace all of mine as well. After 5-6 years and new spacing, it's time to just get it done. LOL
one thought for sequencers... Make two different tree models (1inch mega tree) and (2 inch mega tree)
then you could basically drop the effects onto both trees... adjust which ever one that needs adjusting....
or maybe call it (hi-rez tree and lo-rez tree) same could go for matrix and panels RIGHT?!? or am I missing something?
It's a time issue for me but something I have considered.
@@xTremeSequences Certainly understandable, but considering your expertise in HD props compared to many other sequence vendors, it’s yet another thing that would set you apart. And as with anything, with repetition you will cut the time it takes you down significantly.
This is my first year. I have a 12.5ft tree 16x50 with 3” spacing. I wasn’t happy with using certain graphics in the sequences, mainly because it was hard to tell what it was from the street that is only 35ft away. So… I figured ok…what if I add strands to 24x50? So, I made that in lights to see if the graphics looked better. And for the most part, it did. However, I can’t seem to figure out what size gifs, or images to use that would make it better. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Thanks for this video 🤜
I think this year I'm going to do 100 per string instead of 50 per string @ 1 inch spacing.
For a beginner like me where can I get my hands on a dancing Santa & a dancing gingerbread man?
I think that's a smart choice. You can always grow your tree.
I’m curious what is more impactful, pixel density per string or string density per tree? is: 16 strings at 1” or 32 string at 2” or would it be a wash…
That's a great question. I have always said having more strings is more important than the number of nodes per string. The vertical strings have the lowest resolution for any tree so I suggest 24 is a minimum to take advantage of xLights effects and images. The density of the pixels will help add more definition for images and videos.
As 2nd yr Xlights guy, Am considering adding four or eight more strings to a 16 x 100 pixel mega tree with 1.95" spacing. Will a 20 String (180 degree) Tree provide a sharper resolution on gifs? Or, should I consider a 24 string setup for sharper resolution? Thanks in advance!
Great question. I recommend 24 strings. The effects and usages will look better.
2018: 4 strands of LED lights on a pole.
2019: 6x50 pixel strands
2020: 8x50 pixel strands
2021: 10x50 pixel strands
2022: (hoping for) 16x50
All pixels at 2" spacing
1" spacing? Maybe someday
Hi Ron, just starting year two and building a 1 inch space 5 m 32 Strand mega tree.
Am I mad? :-)
Not at all! You will love it.