Sound

[art]

I currently use the X10 Chime modules, the beep feature, and the X10 Universal Module to provide audible feed back for Insteon events. In the old days, I could leave my computer on and the X10 software could activate .wav files and my computer could blast anything based on received X10 signals.

 

I have looked at Smarthome's use of a door bell, scores of other doorbells on the market, and sound generators, even looked at coding Arduino and building a device from scratch. Maybe someone else has a solution, but here's is what I propose.

 

Provide an 1/8" ouput jack on the ISY that provides an audio line level output. The ISY and some add-on circuitry would then be able to play up to six short .wav (or whatever format) files and send the output to the jack. Users could upload the .wav files into "slots" in the ISY. Could be different chimes, voice, sound effects, or whatever the user desires. Upload could be very similar to the network module's web server's user interface.

 

Yes, there are commercial chime modules for intercom paging systems that I could hook up a four channel I/O link to ($400) or I could purchase several expensive door bells and I/O modules ($500). I could even purchase a home audio system that the network module could talk too and burn a CD with various tracks of sound, but an ISY direct interface would be much neater. Most door bells allow you to select one of six sounds for the front door bell and then have a chime for the rear door. Haven't seen any six-door door bells that give six different sound.

 

Basically, I want a variety of sounds that can be controlled by Insteon (the ability to control the volume would just be an added bonus.

 

If there is another solution (cheap(er)) that is already offered, please "chime" in.

[gatchel]

Why limit it to 6. You can change the SD card out to a 16GB card. Thats plenty of room for WAV files..."Sounds" like a cool idea. (Pun intended)

[art]

I had settled for six based on several door bells out there that offered six different selectable sounds and the cool but expensive commercial chime module, but your right, memory should be the only limit since one would not be smarthome IO device dependent.

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi art,

 

The problem is the aditional circuitry which requires A/D converters and all other bells and whistles. Are there any networked based chime modules out there? This way, we can use the network module to have it play a sound.

 

A cool idea would be to use one of these new and cheap dorid tablets so that not only you could control ISY but also get notifications back from ISY for Audio and Video control!

 

With kind regards,

Michel

[apostolakisl]

Wouldn't it be possible to send a command to a pc via the network module and have the pc play the mp3 or wav file?

 

I don't know what software exists to do that if any. Perhaps it is an application that someone could write?

[art]

That's what I used to do with the X10 software, but I really like having the ISY run everything without my PC. I really want a fancy chime module. I am now back to making a network sound module with an Arduino; I just don't have the time to learn another language.

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi art,

 

Have you looked at Droid tablets?

 

With kind regards,

Michel

[art]

I did, but can't see how they would meet my functional requirements. Besides, I could simply use notify if I wanted to carry my cell phone around. And for the price and the number required, I could simply by a dedicate computer.

 

I am looking at a previous posts suggestion of having the computer play the wav files. If successful, I may just run cgi files that call .bats that play the files. But it is not the solution of a multi-tone chime module that I was looking for.

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi art,

 

There are droid tablets for around $180.00 .. if you are going to use a dedicated computer, droid provides the same functionality + more and much lower cost and energy consumption.

 

And, this is tablet PC I am referring to and not a phone.

 

With kind regards,

Michel