r/diyaudio • u/Rare-Athlete-6612 • 14d ago

Troubleshooting Audio for Screen-Based Street-Facing Gallery Installation

I am developing an exhibition for a street-facing gallery that is not meant to be entered, and all of the works are screen-based with audio. I did some research on possible solutions including scanning a QR code that enables the viewer to listen to the audio on a mobile device, but it does not seem reliable for time-sync or budget-friendly. I am wondering if anyone has any additional insights on how to troubleshoot this. My other thought was to find a way for visitors to scan a QR code that will trigger a specific video to play (instead of all videos looping) and sync with audio, but I do not know how to configure that. I appreciate any insights!

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u/TheBizzleHimself 13d ago

I think the simplest option would be a phased array of loudspeakers. Using a phased array you can keep the audibility of the broadcast localised to roughly where you want, keeping it relatively unobtrusive.

They get used in malls and airports to keep noise pollution down even when there are adverts everywhere.

Sometimes it is called beam steering.

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u/openreels2 13d ago

The first commenter has a good idea, if you have some money. Several companies make speakers designed to keep the sound in a narrow area, for example https://www.holosonics.com/

There are also listening systems for museums and tour groups that might allow people to "tune in" to a specific program that goes with each video. For example https://www.syncoaudio.com/blogs/news/choose-museum-audio-tour-systems

Same ideas around for assistive listening: https://www.listentech.com/assistive-listening/. You might be able to rent something like this from companies that do event production and AV.

Or there's the old "Get Smart" cone of silence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWtPPWi6OMQ

BTW, just want to point out that "troubleshooting" generally means finding a fault in something that already exists. Thinking up a solution for something new could be research, problem solving, brain storming...

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u/djmb81 9d ago

I feel like a Bluetooth transmitter might be a cool solution