Stafford Forum / Christmas project to raise money for charity

wmrcomputers · 26 Mar 2009 21:58:19

This might sound bizarre as it's only March, but time & planning is essential so please read on.

For the last few years I've put up a static christmas light display on our house. Nothing special there - it's something Staffordians seem to have gone crazy doing.

However, for 2009 I want to be DIFFERENT enough to raise money for the Special Baby Care unit at Stafford hospital - our choice because my wife always had VERY premature births, and without them at least 2 of our kids would not be here today. Enough said.

This year I am turning our lightshow into a fully musical animation! (yes I've watched too many American movies!). I'm fairly confident that this will be the first of it's kind in Stafford.

Obviously we already own most of the lighting required. I've spent a couple of hundred already this year on additional lighting, plus a special PC controlled relay board to allow a PC to switch the lights on & off at very fast speeds. I've spent an enourmous amount of time developing a program to run a series of animations to some very dramatic pieces of music (including the classic Wizards of Winter as seen on various adverts) and now I'm more desperate than ever to make it all happen.

THE HELP I NEED.....

Items still required (which I simply can't afford to buy) are as follows.

1. An old (not even necessarily working) laptop PC. The spec is totally unimportant as long as it is capable of running Windows XP and has a parallel port (the long socket used originally for older type printers before USB ones were born). I had one off Shoes (cheers buddy), but should have thought about this project before doing a friend a favour!

2. Not 100% sure on how to go about it, but I need to create a big (8 to 10ft ish) tree to the side of the house. A tree would be the obvious choice but I'd have nowhere to put it away throughout the year, so I'm thinking more along the lines of a pole (scaffold or something?) which would have strings of lights coming down to the ground in a tree shape. By day it wouldn't resemble a tree but in the dark it would still give the desired effect.

3. Some kind of waterproof junction box for the cables (mains) to connect into on the outside wall. It would need to house 14 terminals and would be a permanent fixture to the wall. The cables coming into the house will again be enclosed into a terminal box (already sorted) and connected to the computer equipment when it hits December.

4. A drum of BLACK round mains cable (rating not too important as most lighting being used is fairly low wattage or LED's)

5. A pair of old amplified speakers (built in amp) - tatty won't matter as long as they work good enough for music to be heard clearly enough at opposite side of the street

6. If anyone has anything other that they think would be of great use please let me know.

I know it's a big ask, but PLEASE try to help me to help a good cause!!
If you guys can help, there will be a nice mention of STAFFORDFORUM.COM placed on a sign outside too. smile

Thanks for reading!
Wayne

Admin · 27 Mar 2009 03:08:20

I really hope you get the help you need, because this sounds like a wonderful idea!

Sofa · 27 Mar 2009 04:08:46

This sounds ace! Count me in for any help I can provide.

MyCult · 27 Mar 2009 05:31:27

wmrcomputers wrote:
I am turning our lightshow into a fully musical animation!

THE HELP I NEED.....

1. An old (not even necessarily working) laptop PC. The spec is totally unimportant as long as it is capable of running Windows XP and has a parallel port (the long socket used originally for older type printers before USB ones were born). I had one off Shoes (cheers buddy), but should have thought about this project before doing a friend a favour!

I have one.
I *think it will run XP* will get you the spec. yours to lend over Xmas to run your nutty light/music show. Although I'm sure this will look amazing and it is for a very good cause I'm glad I don't live near you tongue .

I would have a condition/request though... You program a display to at least one of these tunes (in order of preference)

Imperial March
The Exorcist
The Omen Theme

big_smile This is not a deal breaker though mate. Lappy is your to lend regardless I just think that would be well funny.

Last edited by MyCult (27 Mar 2009 05:34:09)

db · 27 Mar 2009 05:36:01

Sofa wrote:
This sounds ace! Count me in for any help I can provide.

anything like this, you can always expect sofa to get massively involved lol..

sounds like a bonzer idea, wmr.. i'm no use to you vis a vis any of your requests, but look forward to watching this story unfold smile

db · 27 Mar 2009 05:36:57

MyCult wrote:
I would have a condition/request though... You program a display to at least one of these tunes (in order of preference)

Imperial March
The Exorcist
The Omen Theme

eek

this would be amazing..

MyCult · 27 Mar 2009 06:45:44

yikes Forgot just how old that lappy was.

Right it does work I have it booted it is running an old version of Mandrake

From what I can tell the spec:

CPU 150MHz Pentium with MMX (wow!)
640K System RAM & 80896K Extended RAM (about 80MB I think)
CDROM
Parallel Port & USB
Docking Station
HD Size ? There is obviously a hard drive in there but i think it's made out of Lego.

This WILL NOT run XP. However if it is of any use to you, you can have it and all the dust it is covered in.

*edit* Will not run unless plugged in.

Last edited by MyCult (27 Mar 2009 07:17:26)

gk141054 · 27 Mar 2009 08:12:42

I doubt its much use, but if it is (and despite the comments received big_smile ) I would be happy to donate this laptop...

http://www.staffordforum.com/viewtopic.php?id=2535

However it is a POS and may well not work without some tinkering....

Sorry I can't be of more assistance.

wmrcomputers · 27 Mar 2009 10:31:07

@mycult - thanks for the kind offer my friend but i think it would probably need to be around the 500MHz + mark and DEFINATELY needs to run XP. However, huge HUGE thanks for the kind thought. As for being "glad you don't live near me", i'm hoping the neighbours will be understanding enough, plus the actual SOUND2LIGHT side of things will only be programmed to run twice a night - say 6pm and 8pm, and only last 4 or 5 minutes.

@gk - Any idea's of the processor speed on that one?

@Sofa - haha! Might have to get you outside dressed up as Santa for the switch on!! wink

@Admin and everyone else... can't believe the interest this has sparked up! Now i KNOW I can't fail! lol

I have a screen preview on my PC which uses an actual photograph of my house (taken with some of the lighting in place last year), but the preview uses unsightly huge pixels. It does however give an idea of what it's all about. Will try finding some screen recording software later to compose a video file of it for anyone curios about where this is (hopefully) going.
smile

gk141054 · 27 Mar 2009 12:36:27

According to Wikipedia its anything from 266 - 500 MHz

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMD_K6-2

Don't even know if it switches on, will have a check when I get home and see.

wmrcomputers · 05 Apr 2009 20:05:03

Another request to my list of required bits if anyone can help....

I need to source a very short length of 10 core (minimum) mains cable! Just a metre would do it. Only needs to be rated 3amp but more would still be acceptable.
Basically I need this going between connections in the house permanently through the wall into a sealed box outside - it will make my life much simpler when it comes to connecting everything up each year and I won't have to leave windows open for cables to go out.

I tried looking online without much luck so if anyone knows of a place I might get some please let me know.

Cheers again!

Gramaisc · 06 Apr 2009 05:17:33

Twelve-core seems to exist for disco lighting purposes. You could ask in the disco shop opposite the gaol, where the sadly missed secondhand bookshop used to be. If you only need a few feet the postage is a bit extreme. They don't quote the voltage rating for this but it would appear to be mains stuff. If no joy there, then maybe try Newey and Eyre on Sash Street.

Gramaisc · 06 Apr 2009 06:25:43

Gramaisc wrote:
....maybe try Newey and Eyre on Sash Street.

Sorry. It would appear that this branch is no more. There is no reference to a Stafford branch on their website, and the old phone number comes up unrecognised. Looked a bit quiet the last time I went past. Sadly missed?

Gramaisc · 06 Apr 2009 06:43:44

CEF on Astonfields should do 12 and 25 core 300V cable at about Â£2 a metre, maybe they'll do short lengths. See pages 40-41, in the bottom left hand corner.

wmrcomputers · 06 Apr 2009 06:53:41

Excellent - cheers Gramaisc.
smile

db · 06 Apr 2009 06:55:06

roll on christmas! i can't wait to see this smile

(although it would be nice if we have a half-decent summer first)..

Gramaisc · 06 Apr 2009 08:46:34

dirtybobby wrote:
roll on christmas! i can't wait to see this

I'm expecting it to be a Stafford Forum logo that can be seen from the Space Station - at the very least. If there are no questions on here from people on Western Downs wondering what's going on at the RAF, then there will be serious repurcussions.

wmrcomputers · 06 Apr 2009 11:31:07

smile

wmrcomputers · 09 Apr 2009 19:25:30

VIDEO PREVIEW

Right. Flaming youtube now mutes audio when you upload files with copyrighted background sounds, so this was the best I could come up with.

First of all, bear in mind this isn't a real video of the actual lights, but a graphical representation of the layout etc. The underlying picture of the house is real though.
Secondly, there are a few glitchy bits where it would appear that my lightshow is out of sync, however this is due to the Hypercam software conflicting with the actual lighting program a bit - nevertheless it should give a good idea as to what it is all about!

RIGHT CLICK HERE and choose SAVE TARGET AS. Once you've downloaded it play it using media player or whatever you usually use. If you just click the link and "stream" the video file, it will probably keep freezing up and look worse, so save it as suggested.

Hopefully my link will work!! lol (EDIT: It does, I've tested it!)
wink

Last edited by wmrcomputers (09 Apr 2009 19:57:58)

Andreas Rex · 10 Apr 2009 06:39:04

Wahey! Excellent stuff...will defo be heading your way to gawp!

wmrcomputers · 12 Apr 2009 07:43:25

Anyone got any thoughts on what kind of level of sound I might use??

Obviously it doesn't need to be disco volume or anything (might P the neighbours off), but we live on a crossroads and i imagine people will stand to watch from a fair distance back (at least the opposite side of the junction) to get a full view of the lights.

PC speakers aint quite going to cut it, so I was thinking of something like a pair of 30W per channel powered speakers from Maplin?

Andreas Rex · 20 Apr 2009 08:25:31

wmrcomputers wrote:
2. Not 100% sure on how to go about it, but I need to create a big (8 to 10ft ish) tree to the side of the house. A tree would be the obvious choice but I'd have nowhere to put it away throughout the year, so I'm thinking more along the lines of a pole (scaffold or something?) which would have strings of lights coming down to the ground in a tree shape. By day it wouldn't resemble a tree but in the dark it would still give the desired effect.

Hi Wayne...

My mate has a tower scaffold unit which is about 4ft wide, 5ft long and about 5 metres high which would fit the bill. It's a bit rusty, but that wouldn't matter when it's dark and covered in lighting. I'm pretty sure he'd be happy to lend it to you, especially for such a good cause. PM me if interested.

edit: I know it's much higher than you wanted, but you wouldn't have to make the tree go all the way up.

wmrcomputers · 20 Apr 2009 14:06:46

Cheers Andreas, I'll certainly keep it in mind if nothing else crops up.

Thanks

wmrcomputers · 05 Jun 2009 19:26:07

PROGRESS UPDATE FOR JUNE...

Now sourced an adequate ( i hope ) laptop to run my programming from.

STILL IN NEED OF (so please keep eyes & ears open for me)....

# amplified speakers (just basic stereo, not a 5.1 surround or anything) - Needs to be adequate enough to be heard clearly on opposite side of the street. I'm thinking something around 30watts RMS. Any sound experts want to advise me on that please??

# A drum of black 2 or 3 core mains cable (just for extending cables to individual lights etc)

# Waterproof cable connectors (mains) - Several needed!

# A big tree to go at the side of the house on our spare land (still not quite sure what I want, it just needs to fill the gap and be able to have lighting of some decription placed on it). Anyone know of a tree that would grow RAPIDLY that I can plant there? lol wink

This list isn't endless, so if anyone stumbles across something they think i could use in some way, please let me know so that I can consider it.

Thanks muchly!

Gramaisc · 27 Jun 2009 18:24:00

The nights are drawing in now. Any progress? Are they up yet for a trial run?

#1 26 Mar 2009 21:58:19

Christmas project to raise money for charity - Can anyone help?!

#2 27 Mar 2009 03:08:20

Re: Christmas project to raise money for charity - Can anyone help?!

#3 27 Mar 2009 04:08:46

Re: Christmas project to raise money for charity - Can anyone help?!

#4 27 Mar 2009 05:31:27

Re: Christmas project to raise money for charity - Can anyone help?!

wmrcomputers wrote:

#5 27 Mar 2009 05:36:01

Re: Christmas project to raise money for charity - Can anyone help?!

Sofa wrote:

#6 27 Mar 2009 05:36:57

Re: Christmas project to raise money for charity - Can anyone help?!

MyCult wrote:

#7 27 Mar 2009 06:45:44

Re: Christmas project to raise money for charity - Can anyone help?!

#8 27 Mar 2009 08:12:42

Re: Christmas project to raise money for charity - Can anyone help?!

#9 27 Mar 2009 10:31:07

Re: Christmas project to raise money for charity - Can anyone help?!

#10 27 Mar 2009 12:36:27

Re: Christmas project to raise money for charity - Can anyone help?!

#11 05 Apr 2009 20:05:03

Re: Christmas project to raise money for charity - Can anyone help?!

#12 06 Apr 2009 05:17:33

Re: Christmas project to raise money for charity - Can anyone help?!

#13 06 Apr 2009 06:25:43

Re: Christmas project to raise money for charity - Can anyone help?!

Gramaisc wrote:

#14 06 Apr 2009 06:43:44

Re: Christmas project to raise money for charity - Can anyone help?!

#15 06 Apr 2009 06:53:41

Re: Christmas project to raise money for charity - Can anyone help?!

#16 06 Apr 2009 06:55:06

Re: Christmas project to raise money for charity - Can anyone help?!

#17 06 Apr 2009 08:46:34

Re: Christmas project to raise money for charity - Can anyone help?!

dirtybobby wrote:

#18 06 Apr 2009 11:31:07

Re: Christmas project to raise money for charity - Can anyone help?!

#19 09 Apr 2009 19:25:30

Re: Christmas project to raise money for charity - Can anyone help?!

#20 10 Apr 2009 06:39:04

Re: Christmas project to raise money for charity - Can anyone help?!

#21 12 Apr 2009 07:43:25

Re: Christmas project to raise money for charity - Can anyone help?!

#22 20 Apr 2009 08:25:31

Re: Christmas project to raise money for charity - Can anyone help?!

wmrcomputers wrote:

#23 20 Apr 2009 14:06:46

Re: Christmas project to raise money for charity - Can anyone help?!

#24 05 Jun 2009 19:26:07

Re: Christmas project to raise money for charity - Can anyone help?!

#25 27 Jun 2009 18:24:00

Re: Christmas project to raise money for charity - Can anyone help?!

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