I'm looking to set up a simple (read: as little chance for failure as possible) audible alert system for my Indigo based home automation/security system.

Right now I am using 2 x10 chime modules and they work sort of ok, but aren't that reliable nor are they configurable in the least. They have one choice for an audible alarm and are subject to all the quirks and shortcomings of x10 in general.

Currently I use 2 of these. One to signal when doors are opened during the day (monitored with triggerlinc and ds10a units) and one to signal when doors are opened at night... the sounds they emit are the same. The placement is the differentiator here (and it's far from ideal).

I'd like to have a device I can either define a series of beeps or even choose my own sounds to play, but I want to keep it simple in terms of the device complexity and the energy it consumes (i.e., I don't want this to be a computer (dedicated or otherwise) to this activity with its own set of powered speakers, etc.)

The pre-packaged INSTEON solution for this on Smarthome.com is really expensive, but, more at issue, has dorky sound options I certainly do not want playing in my house on a regular basis.

Ideally, I'd like to use a simple device that would emit series of beeps, defined in Indigo, that is simple and uses very little electric. I've wondered how I could repurpose the ADT alarm/chime that was in the house when I bought it, but am not sure how. Maybe an I/O link to control it somehow?

Any ideas would be much appreciated. I've tried many searches on this forum and haven't turned up a lot so far.

Thanks,
Mike

Anyone have any feedback on this, please?

I've used these in other projects, and found them to work quite well. They have a simple contact closure system to start playing specially numbered MP3 files:

http://www.roguerobotics.com/products/electronics/ump3

That would allow you for up to 8 different sounds (more if you wanted to use an alternative more complicated mode) which could be whatever you can put on an MP3. I don't think your going to find a lower power solution. I paired them up with some old PC speakers off my junk pile, and ran both off the same DC source.

I have two different things and aren't exactly what you are looking for but may help?

I used the x10 chime for driveway notification with a Dakota Alert sensor. It was the only x10 device I used. I liked it because it was a nice small, all in one package. The x10 portion went out on my PowerLinc so what I am using is an icon appliancelinc with the x10 chime plugged into it. As you know when you apply power to the x10 chime it sounds off. So I just trigger the icon applincelinc on with an auto off. Bit clunky but works and get the Insteon reliability.

I also use sounds pulled off iTunes for notification alerts. I have an old recording of my family dog (dead now) barking. He now barks when someone is in the driveway. I didn't like leaving the stereo receiver on all the time so using Airfoil (system sound), Airport Express (AE) and a $10.00 Lansing? speaker that is on sale at MacMall ATT. It used 3 AAA batteries so converted it to run off the power from the USB port on the AE. Works good so far (about 2 months). I have Indigo speak on other events so can hear all these too. I sometimes just grab it at take it out to the deck or garage for a quick and dirty music system.

Jody

Thanks to both of you for the cool ideas. Gives me something to work with!

Mike

Hi Cuhouse /Jody,
I found your post and I think your idea might help me?
I'm trying to do the same thing,
I also need an audible alert that is a sound recording (mp3), from a door opening.
Can you please explain how you got yours working?
I already have the Indigo and door triggerlincs working. I just need some explanation on how you setup the airfoil and airport express and speaker to sound the alert recording of the dog bark.
I've never used an airfoil or airport express before. My situation is almost identical to what you have done!
Thank You
-Tom

Just my .02¢ but for the cost of the AE, powered speakers, Airfoil etc why not just get
something like the Logitech Squeezebox Radio and play whatever you need thru it?

I've been using one for that purpose for quite a while now and love how it can use different
preset volume levels for different types of announcements, will play any audio file, streaming
or otherwise, and still is a very nice stand-alone music player. Just some simple AS to get it all working.

Carl

p.s. just a happy user, no affiliation to Logitech.

Interesting - if you don't already have an amp in the rooms that seems like a reasonable alternative, although not sure it's worth the price difference: Squeezebox Radio $150 (at discounters), Airport Express ($99) + powered speakers ($20) + Airfoil ($25) = $144, and to add another room it's only $124 since you only need one copy of Airfoil. You do get the other features of the Squeezebox Radio though that might make it worthwhile.

The thing I like about the latter solution is you don't have to mess around with creating sound file announcements and streaming those to the Squeezebox - I can just direct the output from my Indigo Server Mac through Airfoil to any Airport Express (or Apple TV, or any computer/iOS device running Airfoil Speakers). At least, I think that's what you have to do with the Squeezebox - feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

Although, if some enterprising user who owns a Squeezebox wanted to write a plugin to handle the file management it would probably hide a lot of complexity for the user (it's already on the wish list)...