| RS232 CODES | ||
| Using RS232 codes to control consumer electronic equipment | ||
| Currently many electronic devices used in the consumer electronics market, especially the audio visual market, are designed to be controlled via a RS232 port (RS-232 Serial Port). For most devices, the RS232 port allows a user to control the device directly from a host computer or other device acting as a host computer. Why might this be beneficial? Typically these consumer electronic devices are sold with an infrared remote control. The remote control is used to activate many of the most common functions on the electronic device. However, there are many more functions which the user may want access to that are not included on the remote control. Remote controls have a limited number of buttons, so not all functions are included. Also, many remote controls are set up such that one button will loop through a sequence of related features. Take INPUTS for example. A single button on the remote will loop through HDMI1, HDMI2, HDMI3, HDMI4, RGB1, RGB2, Component 1, Component 2, Video 1, Video 2, S-Video etc. If someone is using a high end remote control with macro sequence programming features and needs to make sure the equipment is switched to Video 1 for a specific macro, there becomes the problem of how many times does one program the 'Input' button to get to RGB1? It all depends on the mode where the equipment starts off. Sometimes 'Input' must be pressed 3 times, sometimes 4 or more. The RS232 codes provide an easy way to go directly to a specific input, since most manufacturers create unique RS232 codes for specific functions on the equipment. So, Video 1 will have a unique RS232 code string, and Video 2 will have another unique RS232 code string. If these RS232 codes are now added to a macro sequence on the programmable remote, the device will always be switched to the correct Input. Inputs are only one example. The many RS232 codes available for a piece of equipment will depend not only on the features of the device (a Matrix Switcher will not have volume control RS232 codes for example), but also depend on what the manufacturer decided to include. Some equipment has RS232 codes for specific volume levels. Want to get to Volume 47? For some equipment there is a specific RS232 code for that volume. The next obvious question is what if you don't want to use a computer to control your equipment? Or, how do you get the programmable remote to actually send out the RS232 codes? Well, the answer to both these questions lies in a infrared to RS232 converter. This special infrared receiver will see infrared codes and then in response, send out RS232 codes. The RS232 converter must be programmed or course to not only see the correct infrared codes, but also send out the correct RS232 codes for the specific piece of equipment (since all equipment has different RS232 codes). There is one such device on the market which handles these tasks very well. Please check out the infrared to RS232 converter from Celadon, the RCV-5000. |
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| INFRARED CODES | ||
| The RS232 code device mentioned above, the RCV-5000, receives unique infrared codes that have been specifically created for it. These codes come in the .CCF (Pronto), .PCF (Pronto) and .LIN (Niles) format and can easily be loaded into one of these manufacturers remotes, or imported into other remotes that can handle these formats. Each infrared code is mapped to a specific RS232 code function for the piece of equipment being controlled. Off-the-shelf remote controls can also be used to control the device. Contact the infrared to RS232 code converter RCV-5000 manufacturer Celadon to see how this can be done. Celadon sells low volume remote controls that can be used for this purpose. |
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| RS232 CODES | ||
Each piece of equipment, be it a LG TV, a Runco Projector, or a Key Digital Matrix Switch, has a unique set of RS232 codes to access specific functions on the equipment. These RS232 codes are sometimes called data strings, command strings, command data or similar. Some of the RS232 code strings are ASCII, some are HEX and some are a combination of both. They all vary in baud rates, and communication protocols (9600, 8N1 or 19200, 8O1 etc.). Typical baud rates range from 1200 baud all the way up to 115200 baud. The RS232 Code converter must be able to handle these different baud rates and command protocols. The RCV-5000 listed above handles this by using specific firmware files specifically programmed for the piece of equipment. A single RS232 code firmware file is loaded into the RCV-5000 for the specific piece of equipment. In the above examples, a specific model of LG TV will have it's unique RS232 code firmware file. The Runco Projector will have a different RS232 code firmware file. All the files are pre-setup such that baud rate and command protocols are already programmed. |
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| RS232 CODES - EQUIPMENT LIST - For IR to RS-232 Control |
| RS232 Code Files | Electronic Equipment Using RS232 Codes (partial list) | ||
| benq2_1r.hex | BENQ PB7000 Projector | ||
| calibur2_r.hex | GE Calibur DVMR Triplex Digital Video Multiplexer Recorder | ||
| datasat12_r.hex | Datasat RS20i Digital Audio Processor | ||
| datasat21_r.hex | Datasat RS20i Digital Audio Processor | ||
| datasat31_r.hex | Datasat RS20i Digital Audio Processor | ||
| datasat41_r.hex | Datasat RS20i Digital Audio Processor | ||
| datasat51_r.hex | Datasat RS20i Digital Audio Processor | ||
| datasat61_r.hex | Datasat RS20i Digital Audio Processor | ||
| datasat71_r.hex | Datasat RS20i Digital Audio Processor (includes Auro functions) | ||
| dell2_r.hex | Dell 4100MP Projector | ||
| extron1_r.hex | Extron SW6 SV A MX Switcher | ||
| extron4_r.hex | Extron CrossPoint 88HV Switcher | ||
| farou2_r.hex | Faroudja NRS-DVI Digital Video Processor | ||
| feral1_r.hex | Feral QS440/1 Quad Switcher | ||
| fujitsu2a.hex | Fujitsu 42 inch Plasmas PDS4211E-H, PDS4211W-H, PDS4212E-H, PDS4212W-H, PDS4221, PDS4222 | ||
| fujitsu5_r.hex | Fujitsu Plasma P50XCA | ||
| infocus2_r.hex | InFocus SP7200 Projector | ||
| infocus3_r.hex | Infocus LP-820 Projector | ||
| ivision.hex | iVision SX+ | ||
| keydig1_r.hex | Key Digital Flash Matrix Switcher KD-MSW8x3 | ||
| keydig2_r.hex | Key Digital Matrix Switch KDMSW8x4 | ||
| koti2_r.hex | KOTI-816NR Video Multiplexer | ||
| marantz1.hex | Marantz Plasma Monitor - Model PD5010D | ||
| nect841_r.hex | NEC Plasma four plasma monitor 84VP4. Consists of 4 NEC 42VP4 Plasmas | ||
| nectv4_r.hex | NEC Plasma TV 42inch and 60 inch and similar Marantz | ||
| nectv5_r.hex | NEC Plasma TV 42inch model 42XM2/42VP4/42VP4D | ||
| optoma1_r.hex | Optoma HD81 DLP Projector | ||
| panaso1_r.hex | Panasonic Plasma and Toshia OEM plasma | ||
| panaso2_r.hex | Panasonic Plasma TV Model - TH42PHD6UY | ||
| quadsn1_r.hex | Quadscan Elite | ||
| runco3_r.hex | Runco PL-50c3611 Projector | ||
| samsng2_r.hex | Samsung Synchmaster 403T Display | ||
| sanyo2_r.hex | Sanyo DVR3009 | ||
| sharp3r.hex | Sharp Plasma LC-45G1X and TU-45GAX | ||
| sharp4_r.hex | Sharp Projector Model XV-Z2000 | ||
| sharp5_r.hex | Sharp LCD TV Model LC-65D90U | ||
| toshiba1_r.hex | Toshiba MT7 LCD Projector | ||
| toshiba2_r.hex | Toshiba HD-XA1 Hi-Def DVD Player | ||
| vidkv31_r.hex | Vidkron Vision 3 TV | ||
| viewsonic1.hex | Viewsonic Plasma VPw4200/4210 | ||
| zenith1_r.hex | Zenith Plasma 42 and 60 inch models only. |
| Don't see a piece of equipment listed? Want custom RS232 Codes for a specific device or application? Please contact Celadon for more information. |