Whole House Wireless Audio Solution for Automation / Alarm

[kevkmartin]

MrD's excellent tutorials over in the network resources section on using the NSLU2 device in parallel with an ISY-99 to greatly expand / improve its functionality have inspired me. If you haven't read his articles - even if you don't have an NSLU2... you should. They are very informative; much of the info can be extended to apply to any type of server - making it a valuable resource to your ISY-99.

 

After getting an NSLU2 set up and configured with the ISY-99 to do voice announcements, I was driven to action to finally identify and implement a (relatively) cost effective method to transmit and play wireless audio from alarm / home automation systems.

 

I did a lot of on-line research, and never really stumbled across an off the shelf solution. I think what I've come up with it a definite step in the right direction - using off the shelf products; I would appreciate feedback on improvements or alternative products.

 

Equipment:

 

The core of the system is the Rocketfish RF-RBUSB wireless transmitter /receiver http://www.rocketfishproducts.com/products/home-theater/RF-RBUSB.html:

 

This little guy is BOTH a wireless transmitter and receiver (full duplex); up to 8 of these can be linked together to share the same audio.

 

Each one retails for about $65.

 

I also purchased a set of Logitech Speakers Z130. These are pretty standard powered PC speakers; any powered speaker will do. I like these because the pair of speakers can be separated, allowing use of ONLY the single powered speaker.

 

These are ~$17 each.

 

In addition to the transmitter / receiver, and the speaker, I used an Insteon Outlet Linc Relay at each location. This allows me to independently turn on and off specific speaker / transmitter combinations to target WHERE in the house a specific announcement should be made. This part is definitely optional, and may be over-kill for the typical installation.

 

The outlet lincs are $46 from smarthome.com

 

 

Set-Up:

 

At the location of the audio source (in my network closet, next to the NSLU2, in my case) attach the sound output to the input of as RF-RBUSB. If desired, a powered speaker can also be connected to this unit's output jack - if constant audio output is desired at this location. This RF-RBUSB can NOT be switched, as it will be the "hub" device to which all others are paired.

 

At each additional location, install an additional RF-RBUSB, and attach a powered speaker to its output jack.

 

All of the RF-RBUSBs must be paired to each other.

 

With just this set-up, and at a cost of ~$150, you can have audio in two locations without running wires all over the house.

 

Additional locations can be added for ~$80 per location (1 RF-RBUSB + 1 powered speaker).

 

The system can support up to 8 linked devices.

 

 

Optional, but COOL Insteon Integration:

 

So now, let's get fancy!!! Assuming that you install multiple wireless locations (zones) throughout your house - independent control may be desired.

 

By installing an Insteon OutletLinc Relay at each location, you can select any combination of audio output locations for any announcement on the fly using ISY-99 programs.

 

Simply plug the RF-RBUSB into the constant power of the Outletlinc, and the Powered speaker into the Insteon switched outlet. With that step done, you can use ISY-99 programs to first turn on the specific speakers you want to announce to, and then broadcast the desired audio. The sky's the limit here!

 

 

End Vision:

 

With proof of concept now completed, I want to install this as a "polished" product.

 

I plan to identify a location in each room to install a small in-wall box. Inside the box, I will install the Outletlinc, and place the RF-RBUSB and Powered speaker. I will cover each box with a removable speaker grill (painted to match the wall).

 

Using an automatic input selector, both my alarm audio output, and the soundcard output could be connected to the "hub" device (with the alarm prioritized), allowing the alarm system and the home automation system to share a network of speakers.

 

 

What suggestions / comments do you guys have?

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi kevkmartin,

 

Thanks so very much. I just wanted to say that you can count on us to help making this a polished product. By polished I mean bi-directional communications with ISY and programs.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

[OmegaQuest]

Sound interesting.

 

By any chance can the RF-RBUSB be daisy chanined/linked to the other to spand long distances?

 

*Example: Main RF-RBUSB in basement, then 100 feet away have another RF-RBUSB in a theater room linked to the basement one, next have one on the mian floor linked to the theater room and so on....

 

Reason is my house is very large (5,000+ finished sqft) and if they all have to be linked to the main one in the basement, that will not work.

 

Thanks

[kevkmartin]

They are all linked to each other; each one retransmits what it receives... So it should work.

[OmegaQuest]

You say: "They are all linked to each other". But what if one is out of range of the others, except one? Can it still get the Audio sent from an "Out of Range Hub" ?

[kevkmartin]

As I said... I believe the answer is yes.

[RichCini]

I'm building-out a similar kind of setup to that in this thread (http://forum.universal-devices.com/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=11204) using EventGhost and Microsoft Speech. The Rocketfish unit described above looks like it is discontinued, but I found a similar kind of thing at Smarthome from Channel Vision (http://www.smarthome.com/83617/Channel-Vision-WA-361-1-to-Many-Wireless-Audio-Receiver/p.aspx). The link is for the receiver -- the transmitter is the WA-321.

 

It's a "one-to-many" audio transmitter/receiver with a range of about 300'. It doesn't have the retransmission/mesh capability of the Rocketfish, but for a smaller installation, it might be OK. I bought a transmitter and three receivers and I'll give it a try.

[RichCini]

Here's the update. I received the ChannelVision units this week and set them up on a test basis. They are somewhat sensitive to the input volume from the PC (excessive distortion) but it's acceptable. They seem to have a sleep mode of some sort because there is a delay in hearing the audio when testing speech phrases. I haven't finished testing it, but I think I'll have to embed some sort of delay in the phrase so that I can hear the entire thing.

[kevkmartin]

I never followed up with photos. Here's one of my in wall PC speaker set-ups (the grill, painted to match) is removed for the photo).

 

[kevkmartin]

Just finished installing the last set of these in the last Guest Bathroom.

 

I must be crazy, because now - I have a total of 19 zones, independently switchable, tied into the whole house voice announcement system.

 

There is now no part of the house (including the garage, rear, and side porches) where Crystal's voice can not be heard!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[kevkmartin]

P.S. In the end, I ended up abandoning the wireless route, and ran a dedicated cat 5e to each speaker location, carrying the line level audio.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[kevkmartin]

 

With grill...