XLIGHTS FOR BEGINNERS word art in white on a dark background with magenta and blue accents

xLights for Beginners: Set Up and Test Your First Pixel Prop

— Mattos Designs
Get one prop working in xLights with a clear Mattos setup process: show folder, model, controller, port assignment, color tests, and your first short sequence.
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DRAGON RECEIVER COMPATIBILITY word art in white on a dark background with magenta and blue accents

Dragon 4 Receiver and HolidayCoro: Check Compatibility First

— J.R. Mattos
Using a Dragon 4 receiver with HolidayCoro? Check the exact controller, receiver mode, power, and pinout before connecting. Here is what to send Mattos for help.
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MEGATREE WEATHER CARE word art in white on a dark background with magenta and blue accents

MegaTree Weather Care: Inspection, Maintenance, and Storage

— J.R. Mattos
Keep your Sasquatch MegaTree organized through setup, weather checks, and teardown. Inspect the parts, plan ahead, and save the details for next season.
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DIY MEGATREE TUBING word art in white on a dark background with magenta and blue accents

DIY Sasquatch MegaTree Tubing: What to Verify Before You Build

— J.R. Mattos
Before buying or cutting DIY Sasquatch tubing, match the material and dimensions to your exact kit. Use our worksheet to get the right specifications first.
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MEGATREE PLANNING word art in white on a dark background with magenta and blue accents

MegaTree Planning Checklist: Yard Space, Pixels, Power, and Budget

— J.R. Mattos
Plan the complete MegaTree: site, strand count, controller ports, power, cable routes, and budget. Use our checklist to find missing parts before setup day.
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CHOOSING A MEGATREE word art in white on a dark background with magenta and blue accents

Choosing a Sasquatch MegaTree: Legend, Tilt-Up, and DIY Options

— J.R. Mattos
Compare Sasquatch Legend, Tilt-Up, and DIY MegaTrees around your yard, lighting plan, and setup process. Build a complete parts list before choosing a size.
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EVO PIXEL STAKES word art in white on a dark background with magenta and blue accents

EVO Pixel Stakes: Layout, Controller Setup, and Testing

— J.R. Mattos
Set up our EVO Stake Set with the correct pixel count, cable order, and controller settings. Test colors and chases before adding the row to your show.
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PHOENIX RAY MAX DMX SETUP word art in white on a dark background with magenta and blue accents

Phoenix Ray Max Moving Head: DMX Setup and First-Test Checklist

— J.R. Mattos
Set up a Phoenix Ray Max moving head with a matching DMX mode, address, and software profile. Test one fixture and know what to check if it moves without a beam.
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YOUR FIRST LIGHT SHOW word art in white on a dark background with magenta and blue accents

How to Build Your First Synchronized Holiday Light Show

Plan and build your first synchronized holiday show with practical Mattos guidance on pixels, controllers, software, testing, installation, playback, and backups.
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FIX PIXEL COLORS word art in white on a dark background with magenta and blue accents

RGB Pixels Showing the Wrong Colors? How to Find the Cause

— J.R. Mattos
Wrong colors can come from color order, RGB/RGBW settings, channel mapping, or power. Use a simple primary-color test to find the right fix for your pixel setup.
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PIXEL TROUBLESHOOTING word art in white on a dark background with magenta and blue accents

Flickering or Dark RGB Pixels? A Troubleshooting Checklist

— J.R. Mattos
Find the cause of flickering or dark pixels with one test at a time. Check settings, compare cables and strands, measure safely, and send Mattos useful evidence.
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ADAPT YOUR LIGHT SHOW word art in white on a dark background with magenta and blue accents

Change Your Holiday Light Show Plan Without Starting Over

— J.R. Mattos
Need to change the display plan? Keep the working parts, check the real cost of a move, update xLights and playback files, and finish with a tested opening-night show.
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