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[lincon]

Hi,

I'm new to the x10 and bill's voice commander and before I take buy all the bits I need I was looking into how I could control the whole house from any room, the best Idea so far i've seen is baby monitors but I think i've come up with a better easier idea and want to know if you guys will think it will work.

The idea is to buy a bluetooth braclet (see link  http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Steel-Bluetooth-Vibrating-Bracelet-W-LCD-For-Cell-Phone_W0QQitemZ330389712590QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Jewellery_MensJewellery_MensBracelets_GL?hash=item4cecc2eece

The controling computer would have to have bluetooth but that's easy as you can buy a bluetooth dongle for £2.00 on ebay, you can then walk around the house and speak to the computer using BVC and you'll be able to hear the computer's reply via the braclet, this also stops the need for speakers around the house.

Will this work?

Thanks

[Tuicemen]

Many of us have played with the Bluetooth idea for speakers, the issue is range.
Bluetooth will work with some modifications, using a Dongle and Headset I was able to hear the PC all over my lot, how ever the PC couldn't hear me until I was in range for the head set.
The Brackets I've seen are not Class1 (which you'll need for the range issue) and they have no speakers in them they simply vibrate.
I have since thought about small hands free BT devices that you clip to you cars visor but thouse also aren't class 1. These are large enought to modify with an antenna
Now there are some wireless BT speaker that are Class 1 but their expensive.

[Alan V]

Here's a Class 1 BT headset whose price is not too outrageous http://www.callpod.com/products/dragon

You should be able to find the Dragon V1 headset on the web for even less.

[bitman]

Wow, the eBay listing shows the bracelet saying "Connect Fail".
Might be time for a marketing meeting.

Let us know how it goes though.   

 

[HA Dave]

.............  I think i've come up with a better easier idea and want to know if you guys will think it will work.

.. a bluetooth braclet (see link )
The controling computer would have to have bluetooth but that's easy as you can buy a bluetooth dongle for £2.00 on ebay, you can then walk around the house and speak to the computer using BVC and you'll be able to hear the computer's reply via the braclet, this also stops the need for speakers around the house.
Will this work?

I don't know.. I didn't read where the bracelet had speakers... just that it vibrates.

I did read of one user some time back that used a 100 meter headset unit... and was very happy with it. I myself (and others) tried the earpieces made for phones and they worked well.. but had limited range (33 meters).

Don't forget about intercoms! They have the advantage of being BOTH speaker and microphone. Plus they can be placed or even mounted in common areas like hallways and garages... and also serve double duty with their original function (they are still intercoms too).

[mkgriff]

okay it's time to put my two cents in.  I use a USB microphone in the same room the television, it will work up to three rooms away with very little yelling and it completely understands the commands.  You were right Dave if its work this long it will probably work okay.  A USB microphone will cost you somewhere from $30 to $200 depending on the type and quality of the microphone (mine was $30+ at RadioShack).

[HA Dave]

... You were right Dave if its work this long it will probably work okay. 

I was right once before... in 2006 if I remember correctly.

We did a lot of testing and trials with BVC in the "early days". But I never did get my hands (or would it be wallet) on a USB microphone. Whereas I didn't have good luck with the old-fashion mini-jack mics (because of the auto gain).... I really had many more successes than failures all around. Anything that can get good clear "telephone quality" mono sound... was all I ever needed.

Glad to hear your [also] having the good results from BVC that I've grown accustomed to myself.

[mkgriff]

I also use Dragon dictate, I needed good clear quality sound, that's why I have a USB microphone.  I don't believe a USB microphone self adjusts like the phono jack style.  Really it wasn't too bad pricewise from RadioShack.  I had all the issues from the other microphone that just plugged in to the minijack in the back that you were talking about.  Of course I did find them at the local computer store four all the way up to $200 (I would love to try that one).  Anyway my next endeavor is a friend of mine is going to give me a copy of Dragon 10 that he purchased and doesn't like, it came with a Bluetooth microphone and he's going to let me have it also, so I'm going to give that a try on BVC to see if it works any better.  My only issue is going to be something that is battery powered versus something you don't have to worry about going dead...