I work at a special needs college and a couple of our residents have epilepsy, we use baby monitors to detect if there is an issue but with the design of the building one of the rooms is unable to use this method. We would need a device that live streams audio through wireless (Cabled if possible) so we can monitor the student in case anything occurs. I am asking if there are any devices which will be great for this.
Live stream audio for monitoring
- Thread starter Azbat297
- Start date
- Oct 11, 2014
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Baby monitors often use the same frequency wireless so wireless networking per se may not be viable.
Does the room contain a working ethernet jack? What is the distance between the room and the monitoring location?
Do you need to monitor the audio via some existing network device or is just a microphone on the resident's end and a speaker on the monitoring end all that is needed (i.e., listen only versus intercom).
Is there any concern that the resident may unplug or otherwise disturb the microphone either intentionally or otherwise?
I googled "microphone over ethernet" along with some variations of the words and phrasing.
I excluded wired camera/microphones for the obvious security and privacy concerns but if the camera can be truly disabled then such a system may be acceptable. I do not know your full environment.
Here are a couple of examples of what I found:
https://www.monoprice.com/Product?p_id=3597&gclid=CJKL6J2G49ICFVxLDQodoI0IPQ
http://www.markertek.com/product/mux-500028-2pk/muxlab-500028-rca-stereo-audio-hi-fi-balun-2-pack
There are other similar links and products.
Should be quite doable - just not totally sure about the full extent of any constraints that may exist or to what extent you can "be creative" in setting up the necessary audio connectivity.
Does the room contain a working ethernet jack? What is the distance between the room and the monitoring location?
Do you need to monitor the audio via some existing network device or is just a microphone on the resident's end and a speaker on the monitoring end all that is needed (i.e., listen only versus intercom).
Is there any concern that the resident may unplug or otherwise disturb the microphone either intentionally or otherwise?
I googled "microphone over ethernet" along with some variations of the words and phrasing.
I excluded wired camera/microphones for the obvious security and privacy concerns but if the camera can be truly disabled then such a system may be acceptable. I do not know your full environment.
Here are a couple of examples of what I found:
https://www.monoprice.com/Product?p_id=3597&gclid=CJKL6J2G49ICFVxLDQodoI0IPQ
http://www.markertek.com/product/mux-500028-2pk/muxlab-500028-rca-stereo-audio-hi-fi-balun-2-pack
There are other similar links and products.
Should be quite doable - just not totally sure about the full extent of any constraints that may exist or to what extent you can "be creative" in setting up the necessary audio connectivity.
The room doesn't have an Ethernet Jack though if necessary we can have one put in. The monitors we have currently don't use wireless, if you know a good monitor which doesn't use camera that would be great. It is only to listen though would be handy if the listening device is portable in case staff need to go to a different room or help other students.
- Oct 11, 2014
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- 4,394
- 146,290
An ethernet jack would expand the connection options available for you plus provide for future growth.
Otherwise any unused pair of wires - maybe an old telephone jack with intact wiring back to the monitoring room should work.
Is a camera inclusive system acceptable provided that the camera is disabled in some manner leaving only audio?
I have been looking at products such a doorbell cameras, PoE devices,wired and wireless intercom systems.
One key requirement is that the microphone audio be always on versus the source (resident) needing to push a button.
Almost becoming a custom setup: microphone on one end of a wire with a speaker connected on the other end, and a power source. Very straight foward to use a project boxes to make the listening device portable.
If we treat this as a DIY (Do it Yourself) project there are many options.
Google "audio surveillance microphone images".
Lots of links such as:
https://www.google.com/search?q=audio+surveillance+microphone&source=lnms&tbm=isch&tbs=qdr:y&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjijYyniuXSAhVDxCYKHb5vDHIQ_AUIBygC&biw=1457&bih=855#tbs=qdr:y&tbm=isch&q=audio+surveillance+microphone+images&*&spf=192
Some devices are just bare wires and would need a plug added. Others come with a variety of plugs - you would just need to match or use and adapter for the room's existing wired connection.
However, you may identify a couple of the products as being completely "plug and play" within your environment and the resources available to you.
Otherwise any unused pair of wires - maybe an old telephone jack with intact wiring back to the monitoring room should work.
Is a camera inclusive system acceptable provided that the camera is disabled in some manner leaving only audio?
I have been looking at products such a doorbell cameras, PoE devices,wired and wireless intercom systems.
One key requirement is that the microphone audio be always on versus the source (resident) needing to push a button.
Almost becoming a custom setup: microphone on one end of a wire with a speaker connected on the other end, and a power source. Very straight foward to use a project boxes to make the listening device portable.
If we treat this as a DIY (Do it Yourself) project there are many options.
Google "audio surveillance microphone images".
Lots of links such as:
https://www.google.com/search?q=audio+surveillance+microphone&source=lnms&tbm=isch&tbs=qdr:y&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjijYyniuXSAhVDxCYKHb5vDHIQ_AUIBygC&biw=1457&bih=855#tbs=qdr:y&tbm=isch&q=audio+surveillance+microphone+images&*&spf=192
Some devices are just bare wires and would need a plug added. Others come with a variety of plugs - you would just need to match or use and adapter for the room's existing wired connection.
However, you may identify a couple of the products as being completely "plug and play" within your environment and the resources available to you.
We can add a connection for Ethernet, if the video is disabled on the device that would be fine. As long as the device isn't to obvious the student shouldn't touch it, though having a camera might make the student uncomfortable. It all depends on what the device looks like. If we got a microphone and connected it to via Ethernet to a machine what software would you need to pick up the audio.
- Oct 11, 2014
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I suggested running the ethernet cable just for future proofing. However, if ethernet wiring is actually installed, then all four pairs would be needed for modern installations. Let's drop the ethernet wire "option" to simplify things for my sake as much as anything....
As I now understand it, the audio monitoring will be via the audio output on an existing computer - correct?
Actually no software is needed. Your audio card has all the software needed once the connections are in place.
All you actually need is just a pair of wires between the student's room and the monitoring room. Normal home speaker wires should work very well. What is the distance between the student's room and the monitoring room?
Using a single pair of wires for a mono connection:
You will need a 3.5 mm (1/8 inch) female port on the student's end and a male 3.5 mm (1/8") plug on the monitoring room end.
In the student's room you would place a simple mono microphone that would plug into the matching female port.
In the monitoring room you would connect the male plug to the mic in (most likely pink port) plug on the computer.
Then select the mic port as "Recording device" on the monitoring room computer. [Note: the Line-in port may be an option.]
The key is properly connecting the necessary plugs on each end of the wire pair between the two locations.
Google, if necessary, TS, TRS, and TRRS (where T=tip, S=sleeve, and R=ring) if and as necessary. Look for diagrams.
No intention to insult your intelligence or overwhelm you either. The plug and port connections are important.
Do you happen to have a standalone microhone available - one with a 3.5mm (1/8") male plug?
Good news is that you have many options. Bad news is that the details still need to be narrowed down some.
As I now understand it, the audio monitoring will be via the audio output on an existing computer - correct?
Actually no software is needed. Your audio card has all the software needed once the connections are in place.
All you actually need is just a pair of wires between the student's room and the monitoring room. Normal home speaker wires should work very well. What is the distance between the student's room and the monitoring room?
Using a single pair of wires for a mono connection:
You will need a 3.5 mm (1/8 inch) female port on the student's end and a male 3.5 mm (1/8") plug on the monitoring room end.
In the student's room you would place a simple mono microphone that would plug into the matching female port.
In the monitoring room you would connect the male plug to the mic in (most likely pink port) plug on the computer.
Then select the mic port as "Recording device" on the monitoring room computer. [Note: the Line-in port may be an option.]
The key is properly connecting the necessary plugs on each end of the wire pair between the two locations.
Google, if necessary, TS, TRS, and TRRS (where T=tip, S=sleeve, and R=ring) if and as necessary. Look for diagrams.
No intention to insult your intelligence or overwhelm you either. The plug and port connections are important.
Do you happen to have a standalone microhone available - one with a 3.5mm (1/8") male plug?
Good news is that you have many options. Bad news is that the details still need to be narrowed down some.
Thanks for all the help on this one,
We could run a cable from the students room through the attic and into the PC in the office (Motioning room) though the staff may want to go into the student lounge and they may wish to monitor the student in question from the lounge.
We don't have and microphones spare but buying one wont be an issue, it just needs to be good enough quality.
I know you can get security systems which you can access via a web portal, I don't know if something similar to this would be possible to set up but just for audio, if need be we can just blackout the camera.
Its about 25 feet from the students room to the office.
We could run a cable from the students room through the attic and into the PC in the office (Motioning room) though the staff may want to go into the student lounge and they may wish to monitor the student in question from the lounge.
We don't have and microphones spare but buying one wont be an issue, it just needs to be good enough quality.
I know you can get security systems which you can access via a web portal, I don't know if something similar to this would be possible to set up but just for audio, if need be we can just blackout the camera.
Its about 25 feet from the students room to the office.
- Oct 11, 2014
- 39,440
- 4,394
- 146,290
Sort of a "moving target" here.
Stay off of the web.
Simplicity is best. If a baby monitor with camera works (i.e., the audio requirement) with the camera lens obstructed. Do that.
Much like a Mom who cannot stay in the kitchen and must move about the house. She will carry the baby monitor end with her.
My sense is that you are in an environment where the desired results may be at the end of some learning curve.
“No Battle Plan Survives Contact With the Enemy” per Helmuth von Moltke.
Just start trying things and let the process and end results evolve.
Stay off of the web.
Simplicity is best. If a baby monitor with camera works (i.e., the audio requirement) with the camera lens obstructed. Do that.
Much like a Mom who cannot stay in the kitchen and must move about the house. She will carry the baby monitor end with her.
My sense is that you are in an environment where the desired results may be at the end of some learning curve.
“No Battle Plan Survives Contact With the Enemy” per Helmuth von Moltke.
Just start trying things and let the process and end results evolve.
Sorry for being a pain,
We have tried baby monitors before though due to the design on the building and the walls baby monitors don't work effectively.
I will have to discuss with the members of staff about it, I have just been asked to set it up and they are not to clear on what they want, just trying to give them options.
Could it be possible to set up the web portal though restricting the access to an IP address.
Though I don't know if you could recommend a good microphone to use?
We have tried baby monitors before though due to the design on the building and the walls baby monitors don't work effectively.
I will have to discuss with the members of staff about it, I have just been asked to set it up and they are not to clear on what they want, just trying to give them options.
Could it be possible to set up the web portal though restricting the access to an IP address.
Though I don't know if you could recommend a good microphone to use?
- Oct 11, 2014
- 39,440
- 4,394
- 146,290
Not a pain - just lots of variables involved.
Again I would exclude a web portal even within your own network. You could do that but there would be a number of issues beyond the camera connection and privacy concerns.
Microphone suggestion:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=496661&gclid=CJeyqOKx6NICFciKswodbXAJAQ&is=REG&ap=y&m=Y&c3api=1876%2C%7Bcreative%7D%2C%7Bkeyword%7D&Q=&A=details
http://www.cablestogo.com/product/40622/25ft-velocity-3.5mm-m-m-mono-audio-cable
Basically a test setup. Run the 25ft M-F extension cable from the office to the student's room via the attic.
Keep the male end in the office near the office computer having speakers. The female end of the extension cable would be in the student's room.
Somewhere up out of way if possible but someplace close to where you can plug in and secure the microphone.
The male end of the extension cable would plug into the microphone port and once that port is selected as the Recording device you should be able to hear the sounds on the office computer speakers via the audio software.
I am not familar with the microphone per se but chose it primarily because of the clips and attachments that may provide more flexibility with securely placing the microphone in one place. And it does have its "extension" cord to provide a few more feet if needed.
Good chance that someone around has one of those older long-necked desk microphones - if so that may work. Just for testing.
Connect it all up in the office and test before running the extension cable through the attic.
Then run the cable and test again.
Figuring that all goes well then demonstrate to the staff members.
If the general concept proves workable then the microphone, its' placement, cables, connections, etc. can be tidied up or otherwise improved upon.
You just want to have it working before demonstrating it all.
Again I would exclude a web portal even within your own network. You could do that but there would be a number of issues beyond the camera connection and privacy concerns.
Microphone suggestion:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=496661&gclid=CJeyqOKx6NICFciKswodbXAJAQ&is=REG&ap=y&m=Y&c3api=1876%2C%7Bcreative%7D%2C%7Bkeyword%7D&Q=&A=details
http://www.cablestogo.com/product/40622/25ft-velocity-3.5mm-m-m-mono-audio-cable
Basically a test setup. Run the 25ft M-F extension cable from the office to the student's room via the attic.
Keep the male end in the office near the office computer having speakers. The female end of the extension cable would be in the student's room.
Somewhere up out of way if possible but someplace close to where you can plug in and secure the microphone.
The male end of the extension cable would plug into the microphone port and once that port is selected as the Recording device you should be able to hear the sounds on the office computer speakers via the audio software.
I am not familar with the microphone per se but chose it primarily because of the clips and attachments that may provide more flexibility with securely placing the microphone in one place. And it does have its "extension" cord to provide a few more feet if needed.
Good chance that someone around has one of those older long-necked desk microphones - if so that may work. Just for testing.
Connect it all up in the office and test before running the extension cable through the attic.
Then run the cable and test again.
Figuring that all goes well then demonstrate to the staff members.
If the general concept proves workable then the microphone, its' placement, cables, connections, etc. can be tidied up or otherwise improved upon.
You just want to have it working before demonstrating it all.
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