I think the diffused look is nice, but doesn't make a lot of sense to me personally ... as the diffusion sort of dampens what is normally a key display item in your show.
I mean it could be intentional, but I don't think that material is well suited to that application.
My experience with RGB has been that let them shine ... its a lot easier to accept them for what they are rather than try to put into tubes and diffuse the light.
We mount ours in 1/2 pvc conduit (cheap at $1.xx for 10') and drill holes (in one side only), then cut a slit (double pass in saw, conduit in a jig) ... requires a table saw ... and the slit holds the nodes perfectly, they are easy to service, self draining ... all all pointing in the same direction for controlled light dispersion. Not the easiest to do, but works well.
Another material I think could be used more is the white shower liner material ($20 for 4x8 sheet at home depot) ... and its as touch as leather and very flexible. Its basically a sheet form of PVC. That makes a super durable strap thats super easy to mount nodes into using the right drill bit size (don't remember offhand).
Scott