| ECS-L Home Automation and Security Archives |
| Subject: From: Date: | RE: [ECS] Dedicated Speakers vs Local Phone Sessions Dan Hoehnen Thu, 27 Aug 1998 12:49:54 -0400 (EDT) |
Ingo, how about an intermediate solution. I use a 35 watt PA amp from radio shack. It regularly goes on sale for $100. It has 4,8 and 16 ohm speaker outputs as well as a 70 volt output. It has a couple if mic inputs and audio inputs. I have my pbx paging output connected to it and my sound card output. It also has a priority input, that when activated, cuts out all inputs except for one (can't remember which one). This priority input is either 12 volts or contact closure, so hv or ecs could easily enable it. The priority feature could be used to cut background music whenever ecs wanted to make an announcement. The 4,8,16 ohm outputs also lead to a simple 3-zone system. You could use relays to control each of these outputs and then just wire the speakers on each output in series/parallel combinations to amke the impedance be right for each output. The only thing I not sure about is how the volume on 1 output is affected if you disconnect the speakers on another output. I currently just use the 8 ohm output with an impedence macthing box so I can drive all my speakers. Just a thought... On Thu, 27 Aug 1998, Ingo Dean wrote: > Maybe I should break down and hardwire something... but I can't afford > one of those whole-house multi-amplifier jobs. So I'd probably have > to buy a few cheap sets of computer speakers and run line-level audio > to each. > > Would that sound worse than the wireless? > > What brand/model are those? Have you tried others as well? > > I found this on the net: http://www.recoton.com/docs/wire432.htm and > http://www.recoton.com/docs/wireprodlist.html > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Dan Carrington [mailto:dc_grafx@microworks.net] > > Sent: Thursday, August 27, 1998 11:22 AM > > To: ecs-list@vancouver.ml.org > > Subject: Re: [ECS] Dedicated Speakers vs Local Phone Sessions > > > > > > You might want to think again about the wireless speakers. > > The set that > > I have that I used to use for ECS feedback are the standard > > 900mhz type > > and they pick up all sorts of low background beeping, > > buzzzing, clicking > > and such. I now use them for music in the garage. They are ok for > > music or something that always has sound, but is used for > > ECS feedback > > they are not getting sound the majority of the time and therefor you > > will hear all the things out there on the wavelengths. > > They do have a > > frequency dial on tx and rx but that only lets you pick the quietest > > area of the band, but unfortunately they float. I have to tweek the > > dial on my speakers at times to pick up the signal. > > Another thing, I > > also tried an x10 appliance box to turn off the speakers > > when not in use > > to quell the noises and unfortunately the speakers make a > > VERY LOUD POP > > when turned on so that was also a bust for inhouse > > feedback. It dosn't > > bother me with they turn on as I am opening the garage > > though but they > > do still do the same loud pop. > > > > Dan Carrington > > > > > > > > Ingo Dean wrote: > > > > > > I was interested in the local phone sessions because > > there would be > > > some voice feedback through the phone. If I had speakers > > next to all > > > my X-10 keypads, that would accomplish the same function, and my > > > family could follow voice prompts. > > > > > > Is anyone on the list using wireless speakers? > > > > > > I was imagining putting my Soundblaster output into the wireless > > > speaker transmitter, and then spreading the speakers > > throughout the > > > house. I could then even "zone" them by plugging them all into > > > individual appliance modules. > > > > > > Does anyone have a good (cheap) source of wireless > > speakers? Ideally > > > the first set should come with the transmitter, but you'd > > be able to > > > purchase additional speakers as needed for maybe $20 to > > $40 each set. > > > I don't need music quality, just good enough to understand TTS. > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > > > From: don.sb.net@sb.net [mailto:don.sb.net@sb.net] > > > > Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 1998 8:16 PM > > > > To: ecs-list@vancouver.ml.org > > > > Cc: bwalters@fastlane.net > > > > Subject: Re: [ECS] Intercom vs Dedicated Speakers > > > > > > > > > > > > On 1998-08-26 ecs-list@vancouver.ml.org said: > > > > >I know that most are using dedicated speakers in > > various rooms > > > > >throughout the house and those with PBX systems use > > the built-in > > > > >speaker of the feature-phone. However, I have a > > > > 2-story house and > > > > >installing ceiling speakers isn't that pretty of an > > > > option for me > > > > >(although it -can- be done). The house also has a > > > > built-in intercom > > > > >system with speakers already in each room and I keep > > > > wondering why > > > > >those wouldn't be usable? Has anyone done anything > > along this > > > > >line? > > > > > > > > Hi Bill: > > > > Just a suggestion, but if you have your intercom > > > > everywhere you want > > > > speakers, and you don't need the intercom, why not just > > > > pirate the wiring > > > > from the intercom? I imagine they all home run to the > > > > intercom main unit. > > > > > > > > Don > > > > > > > Dan Hoehnen dhoehnen@infinet.com He who dies with the most toys, wins! ************************************************************************* * Home Automation Index: http://www.infinet.com/~dhoehnen/ha/list.html * * * * Port16.ocx & Port32.ocx - Give Visual Basic access to I/O ports * * http://www.infinet.com/~dhoehnen/software/ * *************************************************************************