2007 is our first year getting into animated lights.  We are using a 16 channel, Light-O-Rama controller.  The controller is connected to a computer which actually runs the show.  All of the songs are sequenced using the Light-O-Rama program.  The program allows us to have the lights come on/off, shimmer, twinkle, and fade to the music.

After the equipment and software arrived, it was time to decide how to decorate the house.  We started just after Halloween.  Once the layout is done, I had to start the sequencing.  Becuase of the time crunch, some of our songs this year have been adapted from others. 

After stringing out all of the lights, it was time to get some power going.  That required about 8 trips to the hardware stores to find all of the extension cords they had.  Then I went back for more.

After getting everything hooked up and running how I wanted it, it was time to start the show.  The Light-O-Rama program comes with another program that allows me to set the times for the show to start and stop everynight.  This is one of the best features for us.  In years past we would go to sleep and forget to turn the lights off.  There just aren't that many people coming by at 4am to check out the lights.  Now, I set it and forget it.

Here is a picture of the computer and FM transmtter.  I have the Cat5 cable coming in from the Light-O-Rama Showtime control box.   This is where I can edit the songs and shows.  Notice the plug-in timer on the wall. I keep the FM transmitter plugged into that.  About 15 minutes before the show, the timer kicks it on. !5 minutes after the show, it goes off.