Brian Linzy
Technology Connections
YouTube
freund@TechConnectify Didn't even have to click the link to know what the video's about!
ivory@TechConnectify I was just watching your video on Light Fixtures last night!
Scott@TechConnectify this is a great video
PupTrash@TechConnectify my favorite holiday tradition 💕
Eric Eggert@TechConnectify OH NO, NOT AGAIN!
@yatil that's what I'm saying every gd year
@TechConnectify I mean, I’m only thinking of your happiness. I’m totally up for no-effort November neonlight nonsense!
Sini Tuulia@TechConnectify That Christmas sweater is both an unholy abomination upon mine eyes and the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I love it!
(Also the video, but definitely the sweater!)
(Also the video, but definitely the sweater!)
Sylvhem@TechConnectify It’s time for my fav video of the year.
Derrick@TechConnectify You are to Christmas lights as @notjustbikes is to urbanism.
Andy K
Matt Ellery@TechConnectify That airbrush pun, *chef's kiss*
fogs 
@TechConnectify Your Christmas light videos are something I honestly look forward to every year, Alec. Thank you! 💙
Clinton Anderson SwordForHire@TechConnectify One of my favourite Xmas traditions!
Cheers
Daniele Pantaleo 🦥
@TechConnectify nobody expects the Alek's inquisition!
computercolinx@TechConnectify just in time for me to start decorating 😊
Nuvie@TechConnectify this is that i use to apply extremely pigmented, transparent coats to plastic lighting shells
https://a.co/d/h43CQzu
https://a.co/d/1Q7At6a
Literally purpose designed.
↫❦ Noptisun ❦↬@TechConnectify finally, that time of the year.
Dismal Manor Gang@TechConnectify Warning: There are puns and a wonderful expression "looks like gamer vomit"
disky@TechConnectify Whoa, had no idea you were here Alec! Followed, love you man.
Rev. GothAlice@TechConnectify Your camera somewhat picked up on the fatal flaw of LED lights for me and my eyes.
In order to implement variable brightness, especially with the animated fading effects, the LEDs are being driven by pulse-width modulation. Basically, being turned on and off very quickly.
I can see them turning off. The ultra-blues are the worst for this, and somehow /even worse/ in the peripheral of vision.
They're almost literally madness-inducing. Especially bad for downtown decorations!
@alice Unless there's an animated mode, it's generally not PWM. Instead, the cheap sets are simply using diodes and not even full-wave rectifying the power source, so they pulse at only 60 Hz *and* that pulse is very brief since they only light near the peak of each sine due to forward voltage.
And at least to my eyes, the animated ones (the ones with the power supplies) are MUCH less obnoxious because they're running at hundreds of hertz
@alice I talked about this in an older video but didn't bring it up this time in part because, assuming power-supply models spread, this issue should be diminishing.
Ironically, though, the models with a proper power supply have roughly the same string-together limits of incandescent sets, whereas the cheap AC-only LED sets can have dozens strung together since they're using so little power. 1.5 amps of 120V will light a TON of LEDs but the little power bricks can't put that out.
@TechConnectify The effect is amplified and made easier to pick up by cameras when the camera and LED are in relative motion. Same for my eyes; something about actually having space traversed during the downtime, maybe? But I'm already weird; I can hear partially into the ultrasonic.
It IS possible to find good rectified LED controllers with… :flounders for a noun: a specific type of variable voltage power transistor. Come on, brain. Variac isn't it, that's an analog control. 😖
xanna@TechConnectify Ah, NOW it's the holidays!
Indiri 
CegorachSo… @TechConnectify isn't going to be lynched from people of the Ore Mountains for using colored christmas lighting - but only because he's american and thus not expected to have any taste at all.
The Duke In Purple~@TechConnectify
Ah yes, the annual Christmas lights rant video I so desperately crave! :D
I'm experimenting with a Twinkly set currently where you can dial in the colors and brightness etc. hoping I can somewhat mimic decent incandescents with LED.
Ah yes, the annual Christmas lights rant video I so desperately crave! :D
I'm experimenting with a Twinkly set currently where you can dial in the colors and brightness etc. hoping I can somewhat mimic decent incandescents with LED.
DaiTengu@TechConnectify
"modern LED Christmas light sets usually make it look like a gaming PC exploded on your front lawn."
I fail to see the problem. Implied wanton destruction is one of my favorite things!
Adrian@TechConnectify excellent way to kick off the christmas season, that's for sure.
Tis the season to be sourly
Tis the season to be sourly
Ian Hanschen@TechConnectify I liked the frosting method - itreminded me of Crayola’s “Favorite Colors” frosted bulb light sets from the 90’s. I still have a few strands with a combination of red/white/green bulbs from those.
Flüpke@TechConnectify where did you get that sweater? 🤩
SkaveRat 🐀 
Technology Connections (@[email protected])
Attached: 1 image Oh, I also grabbed this dope ugly Christmas sweater!
@skaverat @TechConnectify too bad, I need that! 😂
simonbp@TechConnectify I can't wait for your full transformation into a model building channel.
You know you want a tiny model jukebox
Placidcasual@TechConnectify found a set here that are battery operated on aliexpress I think they'll be right up your alley you better check them out
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EH9UQ9R
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EH9UQ9R
Ivan Jarmoluk@TechConnectify let's gooooooooo I've been patiently waiting for this one. 🎉
Osfast@TechConnectify aww yeah. Another great Watch!
d4rk_0men@TechConnectify I got a set of "professional" outdoor lights from a specialty supplier a few years back because I was sick of constantly having to replace bulbs/strings and I'll never go back. The lights are sealed, they are white LEDs filtered through coloured plastics, and even the electrical sockets are sealed and protected against the elements with screw tight rubber gaskets. 5 years going strong.
Totoro(se)@TechConnectify I bought the connectable ribbon LEDs on clearance last year. The ribbon cable made putting lights on the tree easy although it took several tries to get it to look right. The LEDs are so close together that it's easy to overdo it and wind up with a blindingly bright tree. Once I figured out a pattern, it was the easiest lights I've ever used and the wiring omg ngl it's the best I've ever done in minimizing the wires. But the twinkle function is an utter horror to my eyes
Joey Rees-Hill@TechConnectify this video series is a treasure!
dutchplum@TechConnectify Where did you get that amazing sweater ‽
Aroop Roelofs@TechConnectify When the Mariah Carey starts playing, you know there is a ramble about christmas lights coming up.
@Adrian you're giving me anxiety over here
cousinDanny@TechConnectify been saying this for years!
Travis@TechConnectify I was waiting for this!
@TechConnectify Hey, I noticed that my parents have some lights use LEDs with caps. I don't know what brand these are, but I wonder if they do the classic color set and look like what you're after.
@TechConnectify yay nonsense!
Gordon Hill@TechConnectify I assume you have looked at WLED? I have a 10m string of WS2811 fairy lights and via the WLED software you can select a C9 as a palette option and you can adjust the brightness down if required, and when the time of year changes just change the palette. This photo doesn't do it justice but they may be worth a play with -
Ashe🐈⬛🍄@TechConnectify 'Tis the season!
Tobias
SkjeggtrollIf you're first breaking out the airbrush, it might be an idea to look at miniature modelling paints for colour options. Something like the Citadel Contrast Colors series might work well for this.
Carl Liebold 🚀@TechConnectify This guy is just geek-hilarious. I might make this part of my annual Christmas viewing...
Paul@TechConnectify The video I've been waiting for all year. I wonder, could you 3D print your own coloured caps using transparent filament? https://www.3djake.uk/3d-printer-filaments/pet-filament?&f%5B57%5D=186 - expensive, but think of the fun you'd be having.
Chartreuse@TechConnectify Since you briefly showed those NOMA (Canadian Tire) ones I'm kinda tempted to see how nice they are.
They at least don't have pink as shown, though are a 5 colour with an added orange. Though for some reason they only have them in the "frosted effect" pattern bulbs.
@TechConnectify Though hard to tell actually looking again if they are white leds under there or not, they're the same style bulbs as they're warm white sets so may be, or at very least the warm white leds could likely be swapped into the caps
Darryl Ramm@TechConnectify Yes! (but I am triggered more by the sweater than poor LED color rendering).
Just a Pumpkin@TechConnectify IDK what kind of plastic the little caps are made of, but PVC can be dyed very easily by using MEK solvent with either special PVC dye or another type of dye line I do. It's basically the purple primer but in your choice of colors. Super durable outdoors and I can still use all my pipe fittings bc it isn't adding any thickness. Maybe I should get a cheap set of lights and try it