Pixel Megatrees

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Revision as of 07:34, 12 May 2020 by Dirknerkle (talk | contribs)
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Pixel megatree.png

A pixel megatree is just a normal megatree but fashioned using strings of pixels instead of strings of normal LED or incandescent lights. Because pixels provide the ability to control each individual light's color instead of each string as in a basic megatree, pixel megatrees allow for the display of patterns or even pictures -- and in some exotic cases, motion video!

The same considerations for height and width apply to pixel megatrees as they do to basic megatrees in that the lengths of the materials you choose to use will help determine the general shape, height and width of the tree. A major difference, however, is that strings of pixels are much bulkier and heavier, which puts significant stress on the wiring between each pixel as the pixel string length increases. This stress can cause electrical connection problems and ruin the display. To combat this problem, DIY'ers use additional support materials such as zip-tieing the pixel strings to guy wires or paracord or using pixel mounting strips that hold the pixels firmly and eliminate the stress on the pixel string's wiring.

Google pixel mounting strips and you'll find many sources; two excellent sources are Boscoyo Studios (https://boscoyostudio.com/) and Holiday Coro (http://www.holidaycoro.com/). Both of these companies provide a great many additional DIY products and have been solid supporters of Christmas lighting DIY'ers for many years.

Pixel mounting strip.jpg

Because of the added complexity of using pixels, pixel megatrees are controlled by pixel controllers and often powered using multiple external DC power supplies, and sequenced using software tools designed for controlling the many thousands of equivalent "channels" that pixel displays require. Software such as Vixen-3 and XLights are two popular pixel sequencers -- that also can be configured to control conventional non-pixel lighting, too.