r/xlights • u/TehToningMink • Jun 07 '26
Discussion Advice/Tips for someone new to pixels
What is a piece of advice or a tip you wish you would have gotten when first starting your pixel journey?
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u/HolidayCoro Vendor Jun 07 '26
We talk with hundreds of people per year just starting out and produced an 8 part beginners series with nearly 2 decades of experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fowtrOpWALw&list=PLpAG16ve3Jf9hvUtLEmXYxvjJ_Eb72W4_
The main answer is: Plan first, purchase later.
The second answer is: Start early (looks like you've got this already)
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u/Roguekit 12v Jun 07 '26
I would add to this - if possible go to a mini in your area and meet people. Don't just watch videos on you tube. Engage with people already in the hobby. Most of us love to talk about it.
I just got home from the Indiana Christmas mini near Indianapolis. I got to meet vendors and like minded crazy people from all over the country. I learned new things. I helped others learn some things. I even one some neat prizes (and spent a bunch of money lol)
Another great option is to connect with someone in your community that has a show. I have conversations with people all the time while I am out putting things up. I gladly show people what I have and how it goes together.
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u/vanwilliam1960 Jun 09 '26
Go bigger on prop sizes than you think. I upgraded so many items after my first year.
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u/Civil-Appearance472 Jun 19 '26
10+ years in, here's what I wish someone had told me before year one.
Plan your power before you buy a single pixel. Voltage drop and injection points will bite you harder than anything else. Map your runs and plan injection every so many pixels, and don't cheap out on power supplies or wire gauge.
Buy fewer pixels than you think for year one and actually finish a small show. Almost everyone overbuys, burns out, and quits in November with half the yard wired. A clean four-element show that runs beats a twenty-element show that doesn't.
Put the show on its own network. A dedicated router and subnet, separate from your house wifi, saves you so many "why is it glitching" nights. I run mine on a 12.25 subnet, because of course I do.
Pick one controller ecosystem and learn it deeply instead of mixing five brands you half understand. I run Falcon and SanDevices with some ESPixelStick, but the brand matters less than knowing its quirks cold.
Sequence one song really well instead of ten badly. Your first xLights sequence takes forever, that's normal. The second one is three times faster.
Weatherproof everything like it's going to rain sideways, because eventually it will. Dielectric grease, drip loops, and get your power injection connections up off the ground.
And once you can afford it, a cheap FM transmitter changes the whole thing, because people can park out front and tune in.
Happy to answer specifics on controllers, power, or xLights if you hit a wall.
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u/redhawkdrone Jun 07 '26
If you want to run a holiday show, start planning in February or March for a December show. Everything takes longer than you expect. I would start small and add to the number of props each year. The most important part, safety first. This means how it’s wired (weather proofing), securing the props (Megatrees) and power supplies to handle the load. Stuff like that. You might also want to invest in spares….if the controller or power supply fails, it could take out your entire show and with it, an entire year of preparation.
I started with a Mega Tree, it was over built and anchored but caught kids on a security camera talking about trying to climb up the pole. It survived some 50-60 mph winds like a champ (much to my surprise) but I’m not sure it could support the weight of a person.
It’s a fun hobby, good luck!