Need advice for sound recording application

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Don Nelson - 23 Nov 2003 00:55 GMT

Hi,

I want to use computer as a recorder over an 8 hr period.

I am flirting with this concept to solve problems of file size.

Rules: Order of importance

1. I need to catch all sounds over 8 hr period.
2. I don't want a 1gb (aka huge) wav file when done.
3. I want to have a loose time of occurrence of sound.
4. I don't want quiet time
5. I don't need great quality as I am looking for voice or impact sounds.

The sounds I am trying to get will be short in duration and occur at
intervals of 15-20 minutes
Solution:
Write program in Visual Basic
When program first starts establish a base "threshold" below which will be
ignored
pseudo code (terrible but should show concept)

DO
Open file
Record for 1-2 minutes
Close file
copy file to tempfile.wav
Scan temp file for sounds above base threshold
If FoundSound=> baseThreshold then save as time.now + ".wav" else delete
tempfilename.wav
LOOP

This should result in a worst case scenario of less than 100 small wav files
named as the time of occurrence.

What I am trying to do is stop harassment by drunken neighbors (apt
dweller). They have taken exception to the fact that I like to sleep all
night and not be awakened by drunks yelling and screaming at 3:00 am!

Landlord has climbed their tree about it so now they do things like scream
in window "F!@# you" or pound on wall a few times and then shut up. In the
middle of night!

In earlier days before our society became one of "no consequences", allowing
people to treat each other disrespectfully with impunity these guys would
have gotten thrown a beating. Now you can't even say you should do it
without ending up in jail.

I have to take this route because I am disabled (cancer) supporting my 87
year old father and just can't afford a new long-run digital recorder.

Any ideas will help. Don't be bashful if idea is unworkable or stupid then
suggest something (OTHER than taking up drinking with them!).

Thanks, Sleepless in California

(Yeah I know I should move to a REAL state where people have manners and
treat each other with respect Utah, Washington etc.) Yes I am California
native (and becoming ashamed of it as I see peoples behavior)

Reply to this Message

Richard G. Harper - 23 Nov 2003 02:11 GMT

The short answer is that unless you want to spend a LOT of time at this, you
aren't going to get anywhere. You'd literally need to examine the WAV file
on a binary level to see if it contains anything but random noise.

Get a sound-activated tape recorder instead. Solution in a box, and I'll
guarantee you it'll work better than any software you could write.

Signature

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> Hi,
>
> I want to use computer as a recorder over an 8 hr period.

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Don Nelson - 23 Nov 2003 02:50 GMT

First thanks for your time Richard,

My only problem with that is the sounds are single and very short in
duration and response time would be critical.
By the time a voice activated recorder senses sound, turns on and gets up to
speed the event is over. This is one of the things they are counting on.
They've already been caught by making long event times already.
How about I read the input pins on activeX sound objects for input?

Thanks again and hope all is well with you and yours over the Holidays.

Don

"Richard G. Harper" <rgharper@email.com> wrote in message>
Get a sound-activated tape recorder instead. Solution in a box, and I'll

> guarantee you it'll work better than any software you could write.
>snip

Reply to this Message

Richard G. Harper - 23 Nov 2003 12:42 GMT

Well, I wouldn't even know where to begin; and I don't know who would know
where to begin. You'd probably be better off finding a general programming
newsgroup for this kind of information.

Signature

> First thanks for your time Richard,
>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> > guarantee you it'll work better than any software you could write.
> >snip

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Old Nick - 24 Nov 2003 02:48 GMT

On Sat, 22 Nov 2003 18:50:58 -0800, "Don Nelson"
<nelsond20@earthlink.net> wrote something
......and in reply I say!:

I realise you don't want to spend money. But there are sound-activated
tape recorders that electronically delay the sound getting to the tape
itself, but use the sound to start the tape moving and record. So you
catch everything.

On the PC, if you record a mono signal at 11Khz, 8 bit, the file after
8 hours would be only 320 Mb, or 40 (or so) Mb/hour. That's not too
huge these days. Check the file in a viewer, and look for spikes, and
you have got your noise and a pretty good estimate of time.

You can record at even lower resolutions in most recorders. 6Khz and 8
bit mono gives only 170Mb or so after a night's recording.

>My only problem with that is the sounds are single and very short in
>duration and response time would be critical.
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>> guarantee you it'll work better than any software you could write.
>>snip

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by man's. There would be nowhere to go.
Or wait a while. Then you won't have to imagine.

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anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com - 26 Nov 2003 10:47 GMT

Don my man, jump in your wagon, nick down-town and hire a
reel to reel tape recorder/player. Get a wall power-
socket timer, leave the reel to reel on Record with the
microphone turned on and simply set the power to switch on
and off, at whatever intervals you want.

Bazza.

>-----Original Message-----
>Hi,
[quoted text clipped - 58 lines]
>
>.

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ANCHORING - 29 Nov 2003 16:36 GMT

Suggest that you use two VCR recorders with mike hookups. Set the 2nd one to
start four hours later than the first. You can pick up sound this way even
though you don't have video.
nojusticewiththis

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