Pulsating LED Tail Lights - Does anyone know how do you do this ?

[jefalijas]

Does anyone know how to make the LED tail lights pulsate like the following videos ?

‪VW Golf R by autocar.co.uk‬‏ - YouTube

‪LED tail light install in MK6 MKVI Golf‬‏ - YouTube

[Corey_R]

It's a similar issue to when video cameras film TV screens. The frame rate of the camera vs that of the screen causes flickering. Same with LEDs. They're not really pulsating like that...

[SMOK3Y]

Ya coreys right, i see it alot on top gear & fith gear

[SChan]

Yes, that's true.

[mr gee]

Can't remember where I copied this from. But here it is, apologies if I ripped it from someone here:

Volkswagen Golf Emergency Brake Warning Flash
When braking in an emergency the hazard lights flash to warn traffic following behind.
This feature can be turned on and off in Vagcom/VCDS using Byte 17 Bit 0.
For the lights to flash the following parameters must be met
• Deceleration has to be higher then 7m/s² and
• for a duration longer then 700ms or
• the ABS must be active for more then 2 seconds.
Once one or both of these requirements are met the indicator lights will flash until the parameters are no longer met.

you can also select whether you want brakes and/or hazard lights to flash

[maca]

Did you guys actually watch the videos?

The first R is definitely some kind of special effect set up within the tail light module as both sides sweep at the same time, and the front LEDs don't flicker at all.

The second video just looks like two seperate photos that have been swiped together to create that effect.

[Corey_R]

you can also select whether you want brakes and/or hazard lights to flash

Yeah... that's not what the OP is asking about.

Did you guys actually watch the videos?

Sure I did. My first post still stands. This isn't anything unusual and has occured for decades with cameras and certain types of light sources. There are other threads around the forums which have argued this too, only to end up at the same conclusion.

Want more proof?
Look at the first video again! That was the international launch of the Golf R at the Frankfurt Motor Show! Do you really think that Volkswagen would have modified the Golf R to have some super special fancy tail light effects for the FIRST PUBLIC LAUNCH of their new Golf flagship? Think about it

[Candyman]

Wiring in a "racing lights" module for LEDs is done in various display units we use at work

Should be possible on the VW

I would suggest VW did just that for the display vehicle for effect

[maca]

Yeah... that's not what the OP is asking about.



Sure I did. My first post still stands. This isn't anything unusual and has occured for decades with cameras and certain types of light sources. There are other threads around the forums which have argued this too, only to end up at the same conclusion.

Want more proof?
Look at the first video again! That was the international launch of the Golf R at the Frankfurt Motor Show! Do you really think that Volkswagen would have modified the Golf R to have some super special fancy tail light effects for the FIRST PUBLIC LAUNCH of their new Golf flagship? Think about it

Don't get me wrong, I'm not disagreeing with your comment as I've seen it happen on my own car in front of my own eyes. However, the effect on the first R is too synchronised and perfect for it to be the interference caused by the LED tails.

[Corey_R]

It's not really... look at it again, on the right side, both lights are OOS.

And again... this was the "first R" - the one used for the press shots and all that jazz. I can assure you, if it did have some fancy lights chasey crap going on, it would have been reported on by someone somewhere.... but it never was. I mean Autocar filmed that video, you'd think they would have mentioned it. This wasn't some "tuner show". It's 100% just a camera issue.

Also do a google search on "golf r frankfurt motor show". Whilst the photos are disappearing from the web, there are still A LOT of them out there, and not a single one shows the tail lights in an state of this "chasing lights". There either on, or off. I still have a few hundred photos of the car from that show from when it first hit the web, and none of them exhibit this on "still cameras".....

From Autocar's gallery:


I challenge anyone to find one which shows otherwise...

[Drift]

Agreed it's the camera. PAL standard refreshes at 25FPS Vs NTSC @ 30FPS. The LED tail lights and indicators in modern vehicles are typically supplied by their own driver circuit, which as per standard high intensity LED driver circuits, modulate the output. The frequency of this is usually so high that it's barely noticeable to the naked eye except in circumstance that you catch them briefly from the corner of your eye whilst moving your head or eyes. However, the frame rate of the cameras emphasizes this effect to the point it looks almost unnatural on video footage.

[buzuki]

the lights are pulse width modulated, possibly the camera is picking this up.

[Whistler]

If you're not, like, 11 years old, why the he'll would you want Christmas lights on your ride?
You would seriously consider this AND drive it?

All class.

[Ryan_R]

Not that anyone needs to see another example of this refresh rate conflict, but you can see the same effect on these LED speed signs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbnDnanYm0w&feature=player_detailpage#t=278s

I'm guessing that movie would be filmed at 30FPS if it's a GoPro camera in HD mode.