Subject: From: Date:

RE: [ECS] Are you using TTS in your HA UI? A.J. Griglak Mon, 27 Nov 2000 17:37:47 -0500

Mon, 27 Nov 2000 17:37:47 -0500

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I dreamed up what I think is a great mix of cost effectiveness and sound
quality.  I have the sound card output going directly into a 66 punch-down
block.  Then, I currently run two sets of CAT5 wiring off that block - one
for upstairs, and one for downstairs.  There are only two of us in the
house, and my wife hasn't complained too much about the speakers, so I guess
it's OK.

To get more specific, I bought some regular headphone extension cables and
hacked them up.  There are three wires inside, which I spliced into three of
the CAT5 wires.  At first there was a pronounced hum on the speakers, but I
moved the third wire (the ground) to a different color and now you hear no
hum.  I then have regular RJ-45 jacks at the speaker locations, and made up
another spliced cable with RJ-45 on one end, and a female headphone jack on
the other.  I then plug any computer speaker into the cable, and I get
excellent sound out of it (depending on the speakers)  Downstairs I have a
three piece Altec Lansing set which sounds so good, I don't even bother with
my stereo anymore.  I just listen to MP3s through the ECS computer.  If I
wanted to 'zone' the speakers, I could simply put an appliance module on the
computer speakers to turn them on and off, yet I haven't seen a need for
this yet.  I use the TTS extensively - for TV Guide announcing, weather
reports in the morning, news reports, etc.  I am quite happy with the setup,
and I can add speakers quite easily.  When I had the house built, I prewired
for ceiling speakers, but don't use them much, either - you need an amp,
volume control, etc.

-=A.J.
  -----Original Message-----
  From: Kevin Trainor [mailto:kevin@thetrainors.com]
  Sent: Monday, November 27, 2000 3:10 PM
  To: ecs-list@netbloc.com
  Subject: [ECS] Are you using TTS in your HA UI?


  Hi All:

  I'm still in the early stages of implementing my home automation system
using ECS.  So far, I am controlling lights and pool filtration.  When I
finish writing my serial-byte interface, I will install my new access
control system on my entry doors.  Eventually, I expect to include HVAC
control, security system control and lawn sprinkler control.

  I have ordered a Leapord and it should arrive tomorrow.  Based upon the
new features that Mark has implemented for the Leapord, I expect to be able
to use it as both an input and an output device as part of my UI.  I can see
placing one at each of my entry doors, my bedroom, and maybe a couple of
other places.

  But somehow, despite having a touch screen console on which to display
messages, I am attracted to the idea of using TTS to get the user's
attention and inform him of messages of immediate importance.  These would
run the gamut of everything from a door being left open to smoke being
detected in the basement.  Having dreamed up this feature, I am baffled
about the right way to implement it.  Do I install a public address system
and blare every message to every room in the house?  Do I try to find an
intercom system with a computer interface that would allow me to direct
messages to certain locations?  Since I'm not trying to tackle voice
recognition of commands, is this just a silly "nice to have" feature that
will turn out to be not worth the effort anyway?

  So, at last, my questions:  What are the rest of you guys doing with TTS
and other sound output?  Is it worth doing?  What delivery mechanisms have
you used?  What else should I consider before embarking on this course?

  Thanks in advance for your help.

  Kevin

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-----Original Message-----
From: Kevin Trainor [mailto:kevin@thetrainors.com]
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2000 3:10 PM
To: ecs-list@netbloc.com
Subject: [ECS] Are you using TTS in your HA UI?

Hi All:

 

I'm still in the early stages of implementing my home automation system using ECS.  So far, I am controlling lights and pool filtration.  When I finish writing my serial-byte interface, I will install my new access control system on my entry doors.  Eventually, I expect to include HVAC control, security system control and lawn sprinkler control.

 

I have ordered a Leapord and it should arrive tomorrow.  Based upon the new features that Mark has implemented for the Leapord, I expect to be able to use it as both an input and an output device as part of my UI.  I can see placing one at each of my entry doors, my bedroom, and maybe a couple of other places.

 

But somehow, despite having a touch screen console on which to display messages, I am attracted to the idea of using TTS to get the user's attention and inform him of messages of immediate importance.  These would run the gamut of everything from a door being left open to smoke being detected in the basement.  Having dreamed up this feature, I am baffled about the right way to implement it.  Do I install a public address system and blare every message to every room in the house?  Do I try to find an intercom system with a computer interface that would allow me to direct messages to certain locations?  Since I'm not trying to tackle voice recognition of commands, is this just a silly "nice to have" feature that will turn out to be not worth the effort anyway?

 

So, at last, my questions:  What are the rest of you guys doing with TTS and other sound output?  Is it worth doing?  What delivery mechanisms have you used?  What else should I consider before embarking on this course?

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Kevin

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