DIY LED Ambilight Color Tech

Add LED rope lights behind your set to create ambient lighting.

LED rope lights are commonly deployed behind televisions to reduce eyestrain and to create a soothing ambient effect. Rope lights are inexpensive, draw little power and sometimes even run on USB for added convenience. Looping these LED lights behind your set to create a nice lighting effect is possible at low cost, with a variety of LED color choices at your disposal.

Things You'll Need

• LED rope light
• Self-adhesive cable tie anchors
• Small plastic cable ties
• Wire snips

Instructions

1. Peel off the self-stick backer from each cable tie anchor. Stick one on the back of the set at each corner.

2. Plug the rope light into AC power or the USB jack, depending on the light in use. Lace a small cable tie through the anchors.

3. Route the rope light from one anchor to the next, forming a rectangle behind the set. Secure at each anchor by pulling the cable tie snug but not tight over the rope light.

4. Trim excess cable tie tails using the wire snips. Add a cable tie and anchor if necessary to support the light in places where it dips or sags.

References

• Birddog: Create the Ultimate Entertainment Area with LED Lighting
• TV Backlights: TV Backlights -- LED & Home Theater HDTV Lights