Difference between ESP8266 WiFi Module and RF 433MHz Transmitter/Receiver Module

Hello,
I'm new to Arduino, and would like a help figuring out which one of them is better for my project.
What are the different purposes of ESP8266 WiFi Module and RF 433MHz Transmitter/Receiver Module?

My project is, to send input values gotten from multiple ADXL335 Accelerometers, to an Arduino, then output the values as sounds (not just those piezo "bzzz" sounds but like a nice bell audio controlled by the input of accelerometer) through a speaker, as seen below:

My guess is, there are a few ways to do this:

Speaker <- Arduino <-> wifi module < - - - - > wifi modules <-accelerometers

Speaker <- wifi module < - - - - > wifi modules <-> Arduino <-accelerometers

Speaker <- Arduino <-> RF Receivers < - - - - > RF Transmitters <-accelerometers

Speaker <- RF Receivers < - - - - > RF Transmitters <-> Arduino <-accelerometers

Which one of these would work the best (easiest/efficient)? If not - can you please give me a suggestion?

Thanks in advance!

If you want "musical" sounds a Raspberry Pi might be more appropriate.

Whether you use an ESP8266 or a 433MHz module you will need one connected to the sensors and another connected to the Arduino.

The ESP8266 has the advantage that it is a combined microprocessor and wireless device. A 433MHz module will need to be accompanied by an Arduino.

The lower frequency of the 433MHz module will penetrate obstacles (such as walls) better and will probably have longer range.

Apart from those comments if you just want to send data from one place to another and don't specifically need Wifi then either will be suitable.

...R

I suggest perhaps using a DFPlayer mini module for the Arduino.. serial based, costs like $3.00 USD.. and are easy to use.

Save costs of a $35 RPi! :slight_smile:

Main "Arduino".... has both/all acceleromters connected to it.
Arduino takes readings of all devices..
Arduino parses/analyzes this 'data'
Arduino triggers DFPlayer module to play correct .wav or .mp3 file...

Ah thanks you two -
just clarifying, I don't really want to play an mp3 file -
I would like the accelerometer to act as like a real-time controller to adjust and change the sounds.
As seen here in this project:

Would "DFPlayer" achieve that? Or can't I just use like a wireless (bluetooth) speaker?

Hi,

Have you looked at ESP32 rather than?

Tom... :slight_smile:

cloudurchin:
just clarifying, I don't really want to play an mp3 file -

However it may be the simplest way to make a suitable sound. Roughly speaking, that is how your PC makes sounds.

Would "DFPlayer" achieve that? Or can't I just use like a wireless (bluetooth) speaker?

A speaker does not generate sounds. It only enables you to hear sounds generated by something else. I have no experience of Bluetooth speakers but I suspect that is an idea that is beyond the capability of an Arduino.

...R

TomGeorge:
Hi,

Have you looked at ESP32 rather than?

Tom... :slight_smile:

Ah briefly yes, but thinking that I need many of them and it will be costly, I think I will resort to making my computer play the sounds. But thank you for the suggestion!

Robin2:
However it may be the simplest way to make a suitable sound. Roughly speaking, that is how your PC makes sounds.
A speaker does not generate sounds. It only enables you to hear sounds generated by something else. I have no experience of Bluetooth speakers but I suspect that is an idea that is beyond the capability of an Arduino.

...R

Right. Hmm, yes, I will be using Max MSP, or other MIDI software to make sounds.

To begin with, I'm wondering how can I send the 3 analog values (the values of X, Y and Z coordinates from the accelerometer connected to an Arduino) to my computer wirelessly (so that I can use those values in Max MSP, Processing etc.)?

Which one is easier: WiFi Module or RF 433MHz Transmitter/Receiver Module?

cloudurchin:
To begin with, I'm wondering how can I send the 3 analog values (the values of X, Y and Z coordinates from the accelerometer connected to an Arduino) to my computer wirelessly (so that I can use those values in Max MSP, Processing etc.)?

Which one is easier: WiFi Module or RF 433MHz Transmitter/Receiver Module?

You did not say in your Original Post that you wanted to send the data by wireless to a PC. I had assumed you wanted to send it to another Arduino. That is also why I wasted my time making comments about generating sounds.

Most PC's have WiFi included and I don't know of any that have 433MHz wireless.

However most PC's also have Bluetooth and it would be a great deal easier to use than WiFi unless you are already familiar with web programming. Bluetooth is just serial-by-wireless.

...R

Not sure what is needed here not clear for me. But, one big difference is the frequency they work on.....

I have experience with 344mhz modules. The cheap Chinese ones. You have to lucky to get a good one. I have one module failing over 3 meters disagree and I have one working over 60 meters whit the receiver behind a concrete wall.

So just a fair warning about those...

your sketch shows where you want to put the wireless.
but your video does not show any need for wireless.

also, the video shows a Theremin style
Arduino Video Tutorial 04: Light Theremin | RS Components - YouTube some guy named Massimo Banzi...

why are you discussing sound ? I thought you wanted to figure out how to best use wireless ?

what is the distance ?
what mediums do you have to go through ?
is this all line-of-sight ?

battery powered ?

Robin2:
You did not say in your Original Post that you wanted to send the data by wireless to a PC. I had assumed you wanted to send it to another Arduino. That is also why I wasted my time making comments about generating sounds.

^I'm really sorry about wasting your time... I guess my explanation was unclear. I'm actually still unsure about the set-up of the project's system itself, so I might be explaining things in a wrong way. I really appreciate your input and time though, because I am learning a lot of things from everyone's reply. Again, I'm really sorry.

I'll try to clear things up here - yes, I did say that I want to send the data gained through the accelerometer to an Arduino. It's because I thought that the only way to process the data (play sounds/melodies according to the accelerometer's data) was through sending the data to an Arduino first. As in, I was imagining of the system being:

Accelerometers & Arduino & Wifi modules <---> Wifi module & Arduino & MIDI software (Max MSP, Processing, etc..) & Speaker

OR something like:

Accelerometers --Wifi modules---> Arduino -> Wifi modules <---> Arduino <-Speaker.

Initially I thought I can just connect the accelerometer to the wifi module, and have another wifi module that's receiving data from the accelerometer, and connected to an Arduino that's connected to a speaker.

However, after getting replies here, I realised that for this project, the PC's Bluetooth capability can replace all the complicated coding/configuration for a speaker. So it can be like:

Accelerometers -> Arduino -> Computer with MIDI software (Max MSP, Processing, etc..) running & playing sound <---Bluetooth---> Speaker.

Robin2:
Most PC's have WiFi included and I don't know of any that have 433MHz wireless.

However most PC's also have Bluetooth and it would be a great deal easier to use than WiFi unless you are already familiar with web programming. Bluetooth is just serial-by-wireless.

^Ok, so you are saying, I can use the Wifi module to communicate the data I got from the Accelerometer to my computer wirelessly, but not with the 433MHz RF Transmitter/Receiver - am I right?

And I'm guessing you're also suggesting that it's easier to use a Bluetooth modules like HC-05 to send the data to my computer, rather than using a Wifi module? That's a really good idea, but the thing is, while I own multiple Wifi modules already (I ordered them a few weeks ago), the Bluetooth modules can be quite expensive. Since I am going to gain data from about 10 or more accelerometers, thus 10 or more "wireless" modules, I am hoping that there is a way for me to use the Wifi module, or the cheaper option 433MHz RF Transmitter/Receiver.

Bringamosa:
Not sure what is needed here not clear for me. But, one big difference is the frequency they work on.....

I have experience with 344mhz modules. The cheap Chinese ones. You have to lucky to get a good one. I have one module failing over 3 meters disagree and I have one working over 60 meters whit the receiver behind a concrete wall.

So just a fair warning about those...

^Hey, sorry my questions/posts are really messy and unclear - I'm super confused about this whole project!
Right, frequency! That's the thing I don't understand. Like how are they different in frequency(?) compared to Wifi modules??
But okay, if the 344mhz modules are not very reliable, I might go with the Wifi module. Thanks for letting me know :slight_smile:

dave-in-nj:
your sketch shows where you want to put the wireless.
but your video does not show any need for wireless.

also, the video shows a Theremin style
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57S3dylfw3I some guy named Massimo Banzi...

why are you discussing sound ? I thought you wanted to figure out how to best use wireless ?

what is the distance ?
what mediums do you have to go through ?
is this all line-of-sight ?

battery powered ?

^You are right. The video is just an inspiration of what I want to do. So basically I want users to play with/touch/move the accelerometer, and play sounds. However, my work won't be embedded in the ground, and instead be an object to be held in hand. And I want the movement of the hand to be big - almost violent, so it would be great if I can make it wireless. As of now, my accelerometer & Arduino is connected to my computer via USB cable, and I want to get rid of this cable.

I was discussing sound, since I wasn't sure how I was also going to send the sound wirelessly to the speaker, from the inputs of the accelerometer. But I think that's sorted now, because I decided to just send data gained from the accelerometer to my computer (wirelessly), and make a sound using a MIDI software inside my computer, and then sending the sounds to a speaker via Bluetooth. Sorry about asking all these stuff in one forum - maybe I should have separated it.

what is the distance ?

Distance between the accelerometer/Arduino to my computer would be about 2-5 meters.

what mediums do you have to go through ?

Mediums, as in obstacles between the accelerometer/Arduino and my computer? Nothing. Everything will be in the same room.

is this all line-of-sight ?

Sorry - I don't really get what you mean by "line-of-sight", but if it means if it's in the same room/space, yes. My computer, Arduino/Accelerometer, Speaker, everything in one room.

battery powered ?

Yes, since I want to create like a wireless 'object', with no cables connected to a powerpoint or a computer.

My question boils down to, I guess, what would be a good way to send data gained from accelerometer (that is connected to an Arduino Uno board) to a computer wirelessly?

Referring to Reply #10 ...

^Ok, so you are saying, I can use the Wifi module to communicate the data I got from the Accelerometer to my computer wirelessly, but not with the 433MHz RF Transmitter/Receiver - am I right?

And I'm guessing you're also suggesting that it's easier to use a Bluetooth modules like HC-05 to send the data to my computer, rather than using a Wifi module? That's a really good idea, but the thing is, while I own multiple Wifi modules already (I ordered them a few weeks ago), the Bluetooth modules can be quite expensive. Since I am going to gain data from about 10 or more accelerometers, thus 10 or more "wireless" modules, I am hoping that there is a way for me to use the Wifi module, or the cheaper option 433MHz RF Transmitter/Receiver.

You have not told us the level of your existing programming knowledge. If you already know how to do web programming and can feed data from the internet to your "music" program then you should have little trouble with a few Wifi modules. But if you don't know all that stuff there will be a lot to learn and most of it outside the scope of the Arduino Forum.

If you plan to use Bluetooth to connect to your speaker I don't know if it is also possible to use Bluetooth to connect to an Arduino. Maybe you would would need a USB Bluetooth device on your PC to supplement the internal Bluetooth device. As I say, I just don't know.

If you want to use 433MHz wireless then you will need an Arduino with a 433MHz wireless module connected to your PC (presumably using a USB cable). That Arduino will collect the data from the other 433MHz wireless modules and pass it to your PC. I have done that sort of thing with nRF24L01+ 2.4GHz transceivers and I feel sure it would also work with 433MHz modules. If you are seriously considering the 433MHz modules you may also wish to consider the nRF24 modules which are cheap and work very well. This Simple nRF24L01+ Tutorial may be of interest. It includes an example for a master and 2 slaves that can easily be extended to a larger number of slaves.

By the way I know nothing about music beyond how to play a CD.

...R

If you plan to use Bluetooth to connect to your speaker I don't know if it is also possible to use Bluetooth to connect to an Arduino. Maybe you would would need a USB Bluetooth device on your PC to supplement the internal Bluetooth device. As I say, I just don't know.

I was going to say the same thing..

It screams "Use Bluetooth"... but if you are also going to be streaming audio 'back/out' from the same 'receiving' PC.. then I'm sure.

I would also think that with a 3rd party/BT dongle as Robin mentions...

My choice would be to find/use a BT speaker that comes with a BT dongle/device...

Robin2 and xl97,
Sorry for the late reply - I didn't think of USB Bluetooth device, thank you for your advice.

Robin2, thank you for your suggestion of the 433MHz wireless module - I have briefly looked at documentations of them. Despite I kind of started looking into how to code for ESP8266, it seems quite complex compared to 433MHz module - its pros seem to be a relatively manageable coding for beginners / quicker communication, whereas the cons are that it's not as reliable(?) as the wifi modules in transmitting the data...
I am thinking of trying them out when I can.

Thank you all for your help, it has been really informative.