Friday, December 13, 2002
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It's a very technical Christmas, Charlie Brown
By
Connie Schmitt
There’s something about these words that bring back memories: “C’mon kids, pile in the car. We’re going to go look at Christmas lights.” And with that, we’d get in the car, fighting for a window seat and someone would inevitably have a candy cane that they wouldn’t share. Halfway to wherever we’d be going a great Christmas argument would break out and by the time we actually viewed any lights, at least two kids would be crying.
But in those days anything would get us excited: A strand of blinking lights draped on a single tree, a wreath on a door, even some candles in the windows. Today, however, many Christmas light enthusiasts have taken their hobby high-tech and their residential displays are rivaling those professional displays you see at the Zoo. Take Greg Hormann, for example. The software developer started creating his computer-run animated light show about two years ago.
“I’ve always loved decorating for Christmas,” he said. In years past Hormann did all the traditional lights and he even decorated their townhouse as a large wrapped present. But, like many born hobbyists, Hormann wanted more. While discussing possible light displays with a co-worker, Hormann found out about an engineer who discovered out how to run animated lights off of a personal computer. So he spent a few hours online and starting buying the hardware required to run animated Christmas lights.
For those Christmas decorators who don’t have degrees in electrical engineering: It’s complicated. If you don’t believe me, check out Greg Hormann’s Web page http://www.kconline.com/ghormann/new/christmas.phtml. He has a complete description of the hardware needed to set up a display of your own; complete with a price guideline and suggested stores. It’s a rather expensive hobby. Hormann estimates that he’s spent about $1500 total on his Christmas display and this is only his second year. “But most of that is for all the different relay boxes- those can be reused from year to year,” he said.
One of the other expenses is the electricity bill. That’s where animation helps. Since only about one-fourth to one-third of that total lights are only lit at one time, the bill isn’t as much as you would think, says Hormann.
Hormann started out hooking the bushes in front of his home to different circuit boxes which he then hooked up to his home computer. He designed his own software to get the lights to switch on and off at different intervals to produce effects he names "Light leapfrog, dancing bushes, and window chasers." This year Hormann constructed two 6-foot snowmen by attaching lights onto a mesh background. Using his high-tech know-how, the snowmen appear to be throwing snowballs at each other.
Hormann estimates it took about 7 days to get the display up and running properly this year. It’s not getting the actual lights put into place, he explained, it’s the behind the scenes stuff. With over 2,000 feet of wire and 84 different circuits it sound like an electrical nightmare. His new Christmas Countdown also gave him a bit of trouble and he was up until 5 o’clock in the morning making sure it worked properly.
While Hormann’s display might not have as many lights in total as others around Cincinnati who have been going all-out for 30 years or so, he’s really happy with the results so far. “This was a growth year,” he said. He hopes that with some creative assistance from his wife, Mary, he’ll be able to create more figures with lights next year.
Animated Christmas lights have been getting popular throughout the country. About three years ago a new software system called Dasher was released. It’s a commercial product that people can buy that will animate their lights. You find out more about the Dasher software and the hardware you’d need to make he system work at http://www.christamscave.com.
For those who would rather see the joys of Christmas right at their computer, check out http://www.planetchristmas.com and see lighted displays from all over the world.
Holiday displays from around Cincinnati
Colerain Township: Dixon residence, 2451 W. Galbraith Road. Almost 2 acres including 400 large figures, 148 animated figures, six trains, 80,000 lights, music and visits from Santa on weekends.
Fairfax: Easter residence, 3722 Camden Ave. With about 20,000 lights, 150 illuminated figures, 14 mechanical figures and 14 wooden figures, the Easters have been delighting children for years.
Miami Heights: Belvins’ residence, 4674 Zion Road. If you didn’t know any better, you’d swear Santa lives here. Over 65,000 lights, trains, more than 600 figures, including elves decorating a tree and an old Cadillac and visits from Santa himself on the weekends.
Middletown: Hormann residence, 6656 Devon Drive. A Countdown to Christmas that lets everyone know the seconds until the big guy in red drops down the chimney; oversized snowmen that get into a snowball fight; and over 5,700 mini-bulbs that are connected to a PC which allows all sorts of special animated effects.
North College Hill: Zapf residence, 2032 W. Galbraith Road. (Between Hamilton Ave. and Pippin Rd.) For over 30 years, the Zapf’s have used about 60,000 lights, 27 decorated trees, eight hand-made signs, 550 illuminated figures, 14 animated figures, trains and more to turn their residence into Santa’s South Pole.
Westwood: League residence, 2574 Montana Ave. Driving up Montana from I-74 commuters can’t miss this massive display of more than 25,000 lights and 100 figurines including snowmen, toy soldiers and Christmas trees constructed of lights. Over half of the display stretches over the backyard so turn down a nearby side street to get the full effect.
Connie Schmitt is a freelance writer and long-time Cincinnati resident.
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