PJNMCT - Thanks for the link now I have to dicepher
rrowan - the RGB lights sounds cool !!! Since this is a completely new build from the ground up I would like to start off with what is cool !!! How ever my $$ goal for 2013 is around $1000 don't even know where that will get me.
kgustafson - Sponge Mode I like it!!! I think stating off I would like a mega tree or (2), some smaller trees, some arches, possibly lighted yard art (like deer or something or snow flakes hanging in trees) and icecicle lights on home only about (80 - 100ft)
I think I need a mentor
Mega Tree = 16-32 channels per tree (dependent on single color or multi) assuming you are not going smart strings.
Smaller Tree = 1-4 channels per tree (4 channels if you are doing white, red, green, blue) per tree
arches = 8 channels per arch (assuming 8 segments)
each piece of yard art = 1 channel
Icicle lights = 1 channel per strand of light you want to control (a strand of light may be multiple string tied together)
With this you can begin to see how many controllers you will need.
So lets figure 2 mega trees with 16 strands of light = 32 channels
8 small trees with 4 strands of light each = 32 channels
4 arches with 8 strands of light each = 32 channels
8 pieces of yard art = 8 channels
4 segments of icicle lights = 4 channels
grand total of 100 channels of light elements
You will need either an Etherdongle flashed for DMX or a Lynx DMX Dongle to connect DMX to from your computer.
The Lynx Express has 16 channels to control. You will need 7 of these for your channel count (7*16 = 112 channels). You will have 12 channels not used. (If you drop one arch you could do this with 6 Lynx Expresses).
Costs for this:
ETD - about $110
Lynx DMX Dongle - about $70
Lynx Express $67 + $25 (case) + $30 (cords) (~$125 each)
The total cost would be around $110 (ETD) + $875 ($125 X 7)
this is about $985 total. This does not include cost of lights, cost of extension cords, etc.
Kurt