Technabob » doorbell

DIY Doorbell Will Make You Wish for Visitors

Lambert Varias — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:00:47 +0000

David Watson hated the doorbell in his current house. The one in his old house had actual chimes, but this one played a “terrible recording” instead. So when he set out to make his own doorbell, he wanted one that sounded great. Then he thought, why not make it look great too? The end result? A door resonator bell.

The central component of the device is a set of resonator bells for kids – similar to a xylophone, but with plastic parts instead of wood – but putting the whole thing together was anything but elementary for Watson. He had to improvise a lot, although he was also able to take notes from similar projects. In the end, he had a pair of Arduino clones controlling eight pager motors, one for each note. Watson made the wooden mallets himself, and also designed the plastic hinges and had them 3d printed. So was it worth all the trouble?

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

I think this is one of the best DIY projects I’ve ever seen in a while. Watson should probably paint or decorate the board to make it look better, but it looks neat as it is. I also love the fact that you can program it to play songs. I wonder if it’s possible to enhance it so that it will play a different tune depending on who’s at the door. I already have a great tune for door-to-door salesmen.

[David Watson via Hack A Day]

NES Controller Doorbell: I’D Hit That

Lambert Varias — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 12:34:44 +0000

To whoever made this fun doorbell: wouldn’t it be more awesome if you had to punch in the Konami code before it rang? Requiring the code will also deter naughty neighbors who’ll no doubt be compelled to play with the doorbell. Or just press it at least once. I know I would. I mean, it’s a controller tacked on a wall.

The modder fiddled with a wireless doorbell system and placed the receiver inside the iconic controller. Head on to TechEBlog to see the only video about a doorbell that you’ll be willing to watch.

[via Neatorama]

Nuclear Doorbell is the Most Annoying Way for Visitors to Announce Their Arrival, Ever.

Technabob — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:50:49 +0000

Are you constantly missing the UPS guy because you didn’t hear them knock on the door? Or maybe you’re just sick of the old “ding-dong” of your doorbell. Well this doorbell is most certainly going to get your attention – or at least annoy the crap out of you.

With a push of its wireless button, the Nuclear Doorbell blinks its lights and loudly announces visitors with a cacophony of botherssome sounds, ranging from an droning klaxon to possibly the worst voice actor ever telling you that there’s someone at the door, to the sound of barn animals in a panic.

Here’s an audio/visual demonstration of one of these action, in case you want to turn down that Brittany Spears song you’ve got playing and subject your eardrums to something REALLY unpleasant.:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Attention! Attention! I’m really irritated now.

So if you’re ready to make your eardrums ache from jarring sounds every time a survey-taker comes to your front door, you can grab one of these unholy things over at UK outfit GadgetShop for £16.99 (appx. $24 USD).

Wireless Bird Doorbells Sure to Get Your Cat’S Attention

Technabob — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:45:39 +0000

Personally, I’ve got no problem with the traditional “ding-dong” when solicitors come to my front door (it’s the solicitors themselves that I have an issue with). But you nature-lovers out there might like something a little more organic when the doorbell rings.

These avian doorbells from China not only look like birds, they let out a variety of dissonant chirpy and tweety noises when a visitor arrives on your stoop.

While some might find the bird sounds soothing, I think I’d pull every last hair out of my head if I had to listen to one of these every time someone was at the door. My orange tabby cat, on the other hand, has already plunked down his credit card to order a dozen.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

For all you bird watchers (and felines) out there, they’re available in both the brown sparrow and green lark designs for $10 to $11 bucks a bird.

Netstreams Doorlinx: the Mp3 Doorbell

Technabob — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 22:12:17 +0000

Mobile phones proved that people were sick and tired of the old standard phone ringer, so why don’t people feel the same about their doorbells?

The NetStreams DoorLinX lets you upload your favorite (non-DRM’ed) MP3 track to your doorbell via WiFi, and replace the classic “ding dong” sound with any sound you want. However, the doorbell supports files up to 500k in length, so you so don’t expect to play the full version of Hey Jude on it. The DoorLinX also offers integration with NetStreams’ IP-based home automation gear.

[via HiddenWires via Engadget]