Tannoy system using Chromecast Audio

[Alis_Klar]

Hi,

 

I have been asked to look into a Tannoy system for use a lock-down event and possibly radio station in future. I have been quoted for a Analogue and IP based system. I even looked into UAP‑AC‑EDU Ubiquiti AP with speaker (problem with that was that we would need speaker in every class and not an AP in every class)

 

The advantage of a Chromecast is the cost and the fact it wireless and only needs a standard 5v USB power source (although a sufficiently loud speaker would not get enough power from 5V 1A I guess)

 

I suppose anywhere with mains power (and all classrooms have this) and Wifi coverage will be ok. Need to look into cheap Wifi Streaming speakers with about 20-30W power output.

 

Something like the Libratone but doesn't have to look nice.

 

Hardest part I suppose is the software side.

[Alis_Klar]

Stream music anywhere in your house with these WiFi speakers | Hackaday

 

This guy did it with a Arduino but only gets 32kb/s and no buffering. Could be done with Raspberry Pii or Rii T01 Compute Stick I suppose (This Compute Stick has 3.5mm jack unlike the iPhone 7)

 

 

Other option is iTunes and loads of second hand AirPort Express units.

 

 

 

Jeeez this all makes the Chromecast Audio seem like the easy option!

[sister_annex]

Without knowing the full situation it's hard to comment but I wouldn't be relying on an over the air solution if its for lock-down announcements - 100v line systems are the best option imo, tried and tested and shouldn't be that expensive depending on how many classrooms/ speakers you want installing

 

also with a system like this it should be easy to pipe in any other external feed, like your radio etc (we do it here to test) and have that come out of the speakers

[Alis_Klar]

@sister_annex thanks for that we were quoted £7k for a 47 speaker analogue system with 1 Zone. We could add a lock-down system for a tiny additional cost.

[sister_annex]

@sister_annex thanks for that we were quoted £7k for a 47 speaker analogue system with 1 Zone. We could add a lock-down system for a tiny additional cost.

 

7K doesnt seem that bad (if installation is included)

 

we dont have a lock-down system here just the tannoy part (been in since building was installed eons ago but still works as good as day 1)

[Alis_Klar]

Yeah that included everything. Supplier said that speakers are daisy-chained so I guess it was a 100V system. I suppose that's another advantage of a Low Tech solution can be repurposed and will never become obsolete.

[Alis_Klar]

You can create Chromecast groups and stream from a Chrome browser tab.

 

https://support.google.com/chromecast/answer/6328691?hl=en-GB