PROP-1 and DTMF

[CraigN]

Hi,

I was thinking about building the "Asylum Door" prop using HI-REZ Designs "Axe Killer" DVD this year and wondered if the PROP-1 can interpret DTMF tones to trigger the actuators that control the axe strikes to the door.

I read the Nuts and Volts article on DTMF tones but am not sure I understand how it works with the PROP-1?

Would additional hardware be required?

Any help is appreciated.

Haunting in Ohio.  :o

[JonnyMac]

You would have to use an external chip, that decodes the DTMF and provides a ready signal to the Prop-1 -- this consumes five pins.  If that is okay with you and you can build up the DTMF decoder chip (which aren't cheap) board, we can help you code it.

[CraigN]

Thanks Jon, as always, for the quick reply.

I was hoping I could do without another $90 investment for the board, but I think I understand why it's needed.
I saw this product http://www.pimpmyprop.com/DTMFControllerDetails.htm and am not sure if I still need the prop-1 to drive everything?  Looks like it just drives the relays from the embedded DTMF tones generated by the Audio track on the DVD.

Have to investigate further  :)

Thanks for the advice.

[JonnyMac]

If you're set on using DTMF for sync, that board will do the trick.  If you look at the docs you'll see that it has the DTMF decoder circuitry and a microcontroller built into it. 

[JackMan]

Craig,
      There's only 3 axe strikes in that video, it would take a little trial and error but shouldn't be too hard to set the timing on a
Prop-1 to get the same effect on that prop. If you already have a Prop-1 to use for this project I'd give it try.

[CraigN]

Jackman - Thanks.

I think it might work with sitting a script to run and time it out.
Biggest problem with using Prop-1 is getting the loop on DVD start to match up to starting point with script on prop-1. Any timing error will create an out of sync axe strike which could ruin the illusion.
It might be possible to have the prop-1 and DVD reset every few minutes or use the Prop-1 to start the DVD loop.

Will keep thinking it through. :)

[JackMan]

I think it's doable. Not sure what you are using to trigger the video to start but you should be able to start the Prop-1 program at the same time.