video collecting/game room tips #1 : LED Puck lights

[BrutallyHonestGamer]

Hi all. I am going to start posting some videos of things that i found out that seem to be useful for collecting video games and with making/improving a game room. Here is tip#1 so far, how to use simple puck lights to accentuate game systems.

 

I think they look good, any feedback would be appreciated. The goal I guess with the tips is to give others ideas on how to improve their own game rooms and collections from my experience over the years.

 

[Deemar]

That looks terrible.

[MH_Warrior]

Not a bad idea, but I would use something with a lower profile. Something that doesn't hang down as low, cuz while the lighting effect is kinda cool, the light units themselves are kinda distracting. Of course, that would be a lot more effort and money.

 

What about lighting the consoles from behind?

[raskar42]

I think this has potential. Top lighting the consoles shows off the main face. Back lighting or bottom lighting would have too many shadows. The light does look kind of harsh though. Maybe if the lights were softened or filtered somehow.

[CatPix]

The idea is good, but the realisation is poor.

- BLUE Leds. This look so cheap, and the color is so unnatural.

- the spot effect could work only if your beam was wider. Here you have one shiny blue circle in the middle, and the rest of the system in the dark.

- uncentered spots. I know the balance between aesthetic and functionnal is hard to achieve, but in your case, clearly, what is important are the systems. Yeah, the spots will not be aligned vertically? Who cares? it's not what people will care about.

 

If I have one suggestion to make, it would be to use 12V Halogen lightbulbs (or 220V ones if you're more inclined net to mess with AC converter; tho it may require a more durable setting). They make that spot effect, and the light is more natural and strong.

[CatPix]

(Edit : can't delete a message?)

Edited June 19, 2013 by CatPix

[+GoldenWheels]

I used these led lights on a strip to light my cabinet:

 

http://www.amazon.co...led wholesalers

 

Skip to 7:20 to hear about the lights. They're pretty neat, but bascially being on a 16 foot long ribbon they are limited (unless you want to do some simple soldering, i didn't) to how you can turn/bend them. I have two CLOSE to 90 degree turns but to do so without solder you need to twist the way the ribbon/light faces, I was able to hide that part of the run over the bookcase, then twist back to pointing down where I needed it. So it's like a 'U' shape where at the bottom of the U the lights point sideways instead of down. They do colors, flash, fade, etc, all on a remote. You can adjust brightness and color. Underside has 3M peel off tape, very easy application. Damn cheap too. I'm thinking about getting more as I read one transformer can run two strips. If you want to solder the ribon has cut points I think every 3 feet.

 

http://youtu.be/KGxnsDNYT28

[Armonigann]

Not perfect, but I do think they look pretty cool..If I had a "game room" I would definitely want to do something like that.

[Lentzquest]

If only lights came in woodgrain color....

[Necron99]

I think they look too bright, maybe a softer light that spreads a little more.