needing someones help with finding laser show videos from Audio Visual Imagineering.

[mixedgas]

While the cost may be prohibitive, nothing legal I'm aware of, stops a 16 year old from applying for a variance.


Steve

[fortheluvoflasers]

While the cost may be prohibitive, nothing legal I'm aware of, stops a 16 year old from applying for a variance.


Steve

that's the thing i tried asking SEVERAL laser companies & organizations about the variance including the company AVI who i tried to see if i could purchase shows from and the managing director said that anyone could sell shows to me but they would have THEIR variance taken away from them.
i also contacted a section of the government(FDA) who apparently gave them a variance in the first place said that most places don't even give variances to those wanting to purchase shows for home use.

i would love to get a variance however...i am worried that it is just going to be a huge hassle just to get it approved meaning that they probably wouldn't give me a variance because of my age!

i am really losing patience here because i have done so much research on laser shows and i am not getting anywhere.

i guess this is a really expensive hobby though.
will anyone who is reading this be willing to pass what my concerns are to more people??? i just don't see the issue with purchasing laser shows and legal aspects.

[polishedball]

This isn't that difficult. Buy projector, buy pangolin, mocha, lsx, spaghetti etc. play shows. You don't need a variance to buy shows you need a variance to rent projection equipment as avi does there rentals.

[fortheluvoflasers]

This isn't that difficult. Buy projector, buy pangolin, mocha, lsx, spaghetti etc. play shows. You don't need a variance to buy shows you need a variance to rent projection equipment as avi does there rentals.

ok but...you guys are going to need to understand that i do not under any way shape or form have skills to create laser shows! i think and process things differently then others and i understand this is not your guys fault but i have tried the best i can to explain this.

1. i looked on pangolin about this and laser projectors are more than $1,000 to buy. MY PARENTS ARE ON A BUDGET!!!
2.we are getting ready for a huge move to the midwest and my parents have to rent a house which takes so much money which also means that we have no way of getting 1,000 dollars to spend on equipment.

3.i have spoken with many people about this cause i want to learn more information on laser shows since i don't know much about it and obviously i need a variance because i was told from someone at pangolin that i most certainly need a variance IN ORDER TO BUY LASER SHOWS AND GET A PROJECTOR I NEED A VARIANCE!!!.

i am sorry if i am causing some frustration but i just don't knowhow else to do this.

it may not be difficult for you guys but it is for me. and that is just the way it is.

i have been told one thing and told a completely different thing. if you guys are just going to point fingers at me like i should know more about laser shows then i should then there is no reason for you guys to reply to my forum.

thanks anyway.


4.

[polishedball]

obviously i need a variance because i was told from someone at pangolin that i most certainly need a variance IN ORDER TO BUY LASER SHOWS AND GET A PROJECTOR I NEED A VARIANCE!!!.

i am sorry if i am causing some frustration but i just don't knowhow else to do this.

Im not trying to be a jerk, but seriously. Ebay sells projectors to anyone, Marc at CT or Dan at Xlasers can get you a certified rig and variance but yes it will cost 4 ~ 7K.

What i meant was if you buy a DAC almost any, they come with shows. Pangolin has an awesome show space. If you place an order for a FB3 QS with them, they don;t ask for a variance number they are happy to send you product.

If you just want and only want videos is there a particular show you are looking for from AVI?

[Stuka]

Foretheluvoflasers-
Dude, take a deep breath, then read the many replies above again.

If you are wanting to watch actual laser shows in your own home, you do NOT need a variance -
that requirement is ONLY if you want to do laser shows in public and/or for commerce!!

I can't imagine anyone at Pangolin saying you have to have a variance to buy a projector or shows, because that is certainly NOT the case!!
WHo at Pangolin told you that, and what exactly did they say?
(and AVI isn't the only place that sells laser shows, BTW...)

Lasers are an EXTREMELY expensive hobby, and unless you plan to spend a LOT of money (as in several thousand dollars, minimum!), you're not going to be able to come close to the level of shows you see in planetariums. There's a reason that many of us on this forum are old enough to be your dad - we couldn't afford this hobby when we were younger!!!

There are ways to get into lasers cheaper, but it generally requires a lot of custom hobbiest-level tinkering in electronics and fabrication.

You need to be realistic about your expectations, and accept the recommendations and info being offered to you.
Many of the participants here have been working with lasers (several professionally) for a LONG time, and the free advice they'll offer you is priceless!!

And trust me - the hobby does NOT get any cheaper as you get older, and the cost involved is not easy for any of us!!

[fortheluvoflasers]

Im not trying to be a jerk, but seriously. Ebay sells projectors to anyone, Marc at CT or Dan at Xlasers can get you a certified rig and variance but yes it will cost 4 ~ 7K.

What i meant was if you buy a DAC almost any, they come with shows. Pangolin has an awesome show space. If you place an order for a FB3 QS with them, they don;t ask for a variance number they are happy to send you product.

If you just want and only want videos is there a particular show you are looking for from AVI?

i am sorry again for causing stress. there is a show i am interested in but not sure about your opinion on it.

i heard there is a show i heard about called laseretro. i believe it is 80's music and i have heard it is really good. would you know about that show?

let me know thanks

[colouredmirrorball]

You don't need to buy a $1000 projector. Each part in your projector will cost about $200, that is if you buy decent parts that won't break within half a year.
The first step is to get a job. Then save up until you have $200. Buy something. Repeat.

Decent 30k China scanners - about $200.
Laser module - depending on your skills, $100 - $200 for a not that bright one.
Software and DAC - $200.
Case, sturdy aluminium base plate, various parts and equipment (including fog machine) - $200.

The neat thing about this simple plan is that you can spread out your expenses. If you have a job that brings up $50 during the weekends you can buy a new part every month. Within half a year you could have a working projector. And it doesn't need to be top notch, if it's only for home use you could just tape everything down to the base plate or something. Nobody cares. No variance needed, but please don't blind yourself.

Really the hard part about building a projector is saving up for the parts. The rest is pretty simple, if you know something of electronics. Basically put the components on a convenient place on the base plate, and attach some wires. The boards are labeled so it's pretty self explanatory. Besides if you don't know how to do things just ask. Using common sense is a good idea.

Keep your eye open for bargains and second hand units. But be aware that such products might not have the expected lifetime.

At least that's how I'm doing it for a pretty long time :P

Also forget about Pangolin. Sure you get a lot of shows and options, but it's beyond your budget. $500 for the entry level software? Not very interesting.
LSX and Spaghetti both come with a lot of shows and are decent programs. I think those are your best alternatives.

Oh, a last warning. From this point there is no return. Your wallet will suffer from chronical emptiness.


My € 0.02

[Stuka]

What information are you wanting to know about the Laser Retro show?

Several planetariums around the Southeast play it; not sure about your part of the country.

Here's one of the show listings:

http://www.thevlm.org/laser_retro.aspx

[Steve Milani]

i am sorry again for causing stress. there is a show i am interested in but not sure about your opinion on it.

i heard there is a show i heard about called laseretro. i believe it is 80's music and i have heard it is really good. would you know about that show?

let me know thanks

http://www.ocean.edu/campus/planetarium/LaserShows.htm