Sound System
New Sound System
Feb 2004
Well here we are again trying to modify the sound system to get an improved response. The holy grail is to be able to quickly chose a specific sound for a specific situation. Here is the latest attempt
rem01.jpg
Here is my radio with the MCD Switch 16 installed. One channel has been converted to
allow me 16 on/off/temporary switches.
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Here is the CD player I modified. Each relay to the left is wired to the controls
of the CD player. The plan was to push the button on the radio and this would control
the CD player. Results are unsatisfactory for various reasons.
rem03.jpg
Next during a shopping trip to a electronics place I find this IR remote for computers.
The remote s designed so you can control programs such as a DVD player on a computer by
remote. So if you have your computer hooked up to a TV set or something you can relax
on the couch while you control the computer DVD player.
There appeared to be quite a lot of stuff available for these IR remotes. There is a program that can control Winamp that allow you direct access to an song you have on your playlist. This was looking promising.
The down side of IR is you need line of sight to get it to work. If there are people all around R2 this maybe a problem. I also figured I can wire in several IR receivers so the reception of the signal will have a better chance than if there is only one IR receiver.
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While searching through software and such for the IR remote I found out about
an RF remote. There sure aren't that many out there but ATI makes one.
It comes with a USB receiver. This plugs right into the back of the computer
rem06.jpg
Here is the laptop I plan to use for my sound system. This is my good one.
I figure I can get a used one cheap off ebay if the screen is cracked.
I think I can configure everything on the laptop and all I have to do is
turn the power on and the thing boots up and is ready to use.
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Plugged in
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The RF is great, there is quite a bit that can be done. I can configure the
remote in 2 ways. I can set up each button to play a specific sound or I
can set up it that by punching in a number it will play that sound/song.
The problem is after punching in the number there is a slight delay as the
program makes sure I am not punching any more numbers. Only when it is
happy I am not punching any more numbers it can then play that specific
number. So there is a slight lag to it. On the plus side I can have as
many sound/songs as my hard drive can take.
rem10.jpg
I have just gotten an adaptor to convert 12V DC to the 16VDC I need to power the laptop.
Well so far this looks like an excellent system. The down side is there is quite a lag time from powering up to the time I am able to play any sounds/songs. This appears to be the direction I am going until I see something else that may be better
Pros
Laptop is more durable then desktop
Laptop can use the 12V onboard power supply
Virtually unlimited sounds/songs
RF remote can go through walls and does not need a line of sight
Programmable remote
Cons
Laptop in computer may not handle the harsh conditions.
Long lead time waiting for the laptop to boot up before it an be used
Expensive way to get sounds