RE: [mh] PA implementation questions

[Brent D. <br...@de...>]

Kevin,

In order to target specific rooms you need some way to switch specific
speakers on and off. The method that has been used by some members here and
that I have copied is to use a Weeder Digital I/O board to drive a relay
board that actually switches the output of the amplifier to the individual
speakers in response to signals/commands from MH.

Here is the equipment I am using:

PA Amp
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CT
LG%5F007%5F008%5F004%5F000&product%5Fid=32%2D2054

Speakers
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CT
LG%5F007%5F002%5F009%5F002&product%5Fid=40%2D4096

I am using the 70Volt output of the PA amp. To do this, you need a 70 Volt
transformer for each speaker you install, but it sure makes it nice not
worrying about matching speaker impedances. RS doesn't seem to sell the
transformers any more, but I get them from a local electronics supply store
for about $7 each. These have 1, 2.5 and 5 watt taps on them. I use the 5
watt taps, which means with my existing amplifier I can install 8 speakers
(40 watts/5 watts per speaker = 8). Here is a description of how 70V audio
works: http://www.alectrosystems.com/audio/Distribution/70volt.htm

Weeder Digital I/O Board
http://www.weedtech.com/wtdio-m.html

The relay board I use
http://www.apogeekits.com/relay_control_k6714-16.htm
(they have an 8-relay version if you don't want 16. I plan to add a couple
more speakers outside, so I went ahead and got the 16. Of course, I'll have
to get a bigger amp to do this...)

Once you get all this stuff, you can use code/common/pa_control.pl for
targeting specific rooms.

Hope this helps.

Brent

-----Original Message-----
From: mis...@li...
[mailto:mis...@li...]On Behalf Of Kevin
Long
Sent: Friday, June 17, 2005 7:43 AM
To: mis...@li...
Subject: [mh] PA implementation questions


I'm a little confused on the implementation of a PA with Misterhouse. I've
looked online at the Radio Shack catalog, and it appears to be just a
regular amplifier, which you can use with the speaker output of a sound
card.

Looking at some of the code, and googling for misterhouse PA, I get the
impression you can target individual rooms. Looking at Bruce's pa_control
code it also looks like a serial item!

So the bottom line is that I have voice working fairly well, and would like
to add broadcast into the house from the server, which is in the garage, and
I *really* would like a PA system, and I want to make sure I

A)get the right one,

and that

B)I can use it "correctly" (i.e. with room support) in mh.

Any input would be much appreciated.

Kevin.



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