ecsl@netbloc.com: 9729: RE: [ECS] Are you using TTS in your HA UI?

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RE: [ECS] Are you using TTS in your HA UI?
A.J. Griglak
Mon, 27 Nov 2000 19:16:38 -0500

Mon, 27 Nov 2000 19:16:38 -0500

Yes, the Diamond has two outputs, which can be used in a four speaker
setup - fronts and rears, or two sets of stereo speakers.  I use one for
speakers right next to the ECS computer, and the other output goes into the
punch down block as I've described.

Here's the manual for the board that I have:
http://www.diamondmm.com/support/ts/manuals_guides/monstersound_mx300-manual
.pdf

And here's the details for the latest Diamond Monster
http://209.10.182.36/default.asp?menu=monster_sound_mx400&sub_menu=tech_spec
s

-=A.J.
  -----Original Message-----
  From: Kevin Keast [mailto:libertyc@prodigy.net]
  Sent: Monday, November 27, 2000 6:51 PM
  To: ecs-list@netbloc.com
  Subject: RE: [ECS] Are you using TTS in your HA UI?


  Hi A.J.

  Does the Diamond have multiple outputs so if you want to separate MP3's
and TTS into two different systems?

  Kevin
    -----Original Message-----
    From: A.J. Griglak [mailto:aj@griglak.com]
    Sent: Monday, November 27, 2000 5:40 PM
    To: ecs-list@netbloc.com
    Subject: RE: [ECS] Are you using TTS in your HA UI?


    One other thing....  Get a sound card capable of multiple sound
instances at the same time - such as ECS's TTS and Winamp....  The Diamond
Monster II 300 does this as well as the Sound Blaster Live.

    -=A.J.
      -----Original Message-----
      From: A.J. Griglak [mailto:aj@griglak.com]
      Sent: Monday, November 27, 2000 5:38 PM
      To: ecs-list@netbloc.com
      Subject: RE: [ECS] Are you using TTS in your HA UI?


      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-----

Yes, the Diamond has two outputs, which can be used in a four speaker setup - fronts and rears, or two sets of stereo speakers. I use one for speakers right next to the ECS computer, and the other output goes into the punch down block as I've described.

Here's the manual for the board that I have:

http://www.diamondmm.com/support/ts/manuals guides/monstersound mx300-manual.pdf

And here's the details for the latest Diamond Monster

http://209.10.182.36/default.asp?menu=monster sound mx400&sub menu=tech specs

-=A.J.

-----Original Message-----
From: Kevin Keast [mailto:libertyc@prodigy.net]
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2000 6:51 PM
To: ecs-list@netbloc.com
Subject: RE: [ECS] Are you using TTS in your HA UI?

Hi A.J.

Does the Diamond have multiple outputs so if you want to separate MP3's and TTS into two different systems?

Kevin

-----Original Message-----
From: A.J. Griglak [mailto:aj@griglak.com]
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2000 5:40 PM
To: ecs-list@netbloc.com
Subject: RE: [ECS] Are you using TTS in your HA UI?

One other thing.... Get a sound card capable of multiple sound instances at the same time - such as ECS's TTS and Winamp.... The Diamond Monster II 300 does this as well as the Sound Blaster Live.

-=A.J.

-----Original Message-----
From: A.J. Griglak [mailto:aj@griglak.com]
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2000 5:38 PM
To: ecs-list@netbloc.com
Subject: RE: [ECS] Are you using TTS in your HA UI?

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-----