| Post 1 made on Saturday November 29, 2008 at 20:13 | ...it's new! |
jack D Long Time Member |
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I just realized that if I inserted an RFX9400 into my pronto system I could pull up the menu of my Meridian processor (which has an RS232 jack) on my TSU9800. Apparently, however, I would need a prontoscript to do this. I'm a total newbie so I assume it would take a significant investment of time (which is probably not possible) for me to learn how to create such a script.
Is it generally true that even if your AV device is RS232 capable a prontoscript would have to be written specifically for that device?
Are there scripts already written for such controls? The Meridian manual talks about 232 control so someone must be using it. I haven't found any discussion of Meridian equipment in this forum.
Any ideas on how I could go about getting a Meridian to work with the TSU9800/RFX9400 given that I most likely can't write the script?
thanks.
This message was edited by jack D on Saturday November 29, 2008 at 22:06. |
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| Post 2 made on Saturday November 29, 2008 at 20:29 | ...it's new! |
cosmicvoid Junior Member |
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| To use RS232, you wil need a RFX9600. The RFX9400 only has IR outputs. |
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| Post 3 made on Saturday November 29, 2008 at 21:16 | ...it's new! |
Barry Gordon Founding Member |
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The problem with a third party (Lyndel or I for instance) in developing such a capability is two fold. (1) finding the time (2) having the equipment to test with. There is no doubt it can be done. Lyndel and I use different approaches for RS232. I utilize a PC program as an intermediary and do not use any RFXxxxx units at all, while Lyndel takes the opposite approach.
There are many on the forum who are capable of doing the same but generally face the same issue. Also, none of us like to work for free and dedicated one of systems can take a lot of time, with no base to amortorize cost over. |
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| Post 4 made on Saturday November 29, 2008 at 21:45 | ...it's new! |
jack D Long Time Member |
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1. Sorry. Yes I meant the RFX9600.
2. I don't have any problem paying someone to do it for me but it just depends on the ballpark amount about which we are talking. I think I understand at least a few of the problems that would have to be overcome. I'm sure that Barry and Lyndel could do it.
3. It would be kind of nice (wishful thinking?) if someone had already done it. There have to be some crazy Meridian owners out there. ;-) |
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| Post 5 made on Saturday November 29, 2008 at 22:33 | ...it's new! |
Keith B Founding Member |
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I'm one!!!
I haven't had a chance to play with this yet but it is certainly on my to do list. I had an interface running on NetRemote for several years and it worked pretty well. From the Meridian side of things, it was not too difficult to work with and compared to some device protocols I've seen, it's really quite simple. The string that is output via RS232 replicates what you see on the Meridian. If you go to the Meridian site, you can download their RS232 document and have a look.
I will be happy to share what I have when I get there jack D.
Keith |
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| Post 6 made on Saturday November 29, 2008 at 23:07 | ...it's new! |
jack D Long Time Member |
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| Yes I already scanned the Meridian doc. For a non programmer like me it seemed reasonably straightforward but I still don't know how to put the info in that doc togehter with the requirements of pronto scripting......???? So what to do? |
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| Post 7 made on Saturday November 29, 2008 at 23:40 | ...it's new! |
Keith B Founding Member |
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I'm a non programmer too! When I can get a bit of time (sorry), I'll send you a small xcf that shows how to send commands. Receiving will have to be done by script which I'm learning now.
Keith |
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| Post 8 made on Sunday November 30, 2008 at 11:39 | ...it's new! |
jack D Long Time Member |
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| Great. May I ask how you learning prontoscript? Is there a "manual?" |
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| Post 9 made on Sunday November 30, 2008 at 11:48 | ...it's new! |
Doberman Junior Member |
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Is there a generic script one can use for receiving commands? Sending an RS232 command is not so hard, but can one use a plug&play piece of code for the receiving part?
Just a thought...
This message was edited by Doberman on Sunday November 30, 2008 at 14:20. |
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| Post 10 made on Sunday November 30, 2008 at 11:54 | ...it's new! |
jack D Long Time Member |
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| On Saturday November 29, 2008 at 21:16, Barry Gordon said... |
The problem with a third party (Lyndel or I for instance) in developing such a capability is two fold. (1) finding the time (2) having the equipment to test with. There is no doubt it can be done. Lyndel and I use different approaches for RS232. I utilize a PC program as an intermediary and do not use any RFXxxxx units at all, while Lyndel takes the opposite approach.
There are many on the forum who are capable of doing the same but generally face the same issue. Also, none of us like to work for free and dedicated one of systems can take a lot of time, with no base to amortorize cost over. |
Barry,
Yes the financial part is sticky, isn't it? If you spend all the time for one project for one person all of the development cost involved would have to be billed to the first customer which might end up costing a lot of money. Then what about the first customer who pays all that money to finance the development and then the second customer pays what? Just like pharmeceuticals. The first pill costs maybe millions. The second pill cost a few cents if the drug goes into mass production.
I guess the ideal is for one of you guys to have the incentive to do the script for yourselves first. Can I get you interested in installing a Meridian processor in your set up? ;-) |
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| Post 11 made on Sunday November 30, 2008 at 15:33 | ...it's new! |
jack D Long Time Member |
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| On Sunday November 30, 2008 at 11:48, Doberman said... |
Is there a generic script one can use for receiving commands? Sending an RS232 command is not so hard, but can one use a plug&play piece of code for the receiving part?
Just a thought... |
I don't know. I think I'm going to try to contact Meridian tomorrow and see if they can tell me what I need to do via RS232 to make the full menu work in two way mode on a remote control. |
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| Post 12 made on Sunday November 30, 2008 at 16:51 | ...it's new! |
Keith B Founding Member |
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jack D, I sent you an e-mail.
Keith |
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| Post 13 made on Sunday November 30, 2008 at 16:57 | ...it's new! |
Barry Gordon Founding Member |
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I would be more than willing to install a Meridian processor and do all the work, IF someone (perhaps Meridian) sent me one. In fact If Meridian gave me one I would distribute the app for free.
In a few years RS232 will be gone and all devices will talk TCPIP. The only real problem I have is between the pronto and the PC where periodically wifi goes to hell or the pronto goes to sleep or the Pronto is waking up or... My code is very robust and handles the cases but sometimes there are strange delays and the logs show wifi issues. I wonder if many of the Pronto to RFX problems are due to the same issue.
I generally will only buy a processor if it has RS232. I use a DVDO iscan vp50 PRO for that reason (and they sent it to me for free). I do not wish to get started on them re marketing vs reality. I use a JVC projector via RS232, and a lexicon MC1 the same way. I am getting ready to turn off the lexicon (any interested buyers) and have a Cary Audio Cinema 11A to install. However they have not yet released the RS232 codes, and the forum comments are not very inspiring regarding once again marketing vs reality.
The main advantage of RS232 is that I can really control the equipment building very complex sequences if needed to do what I want with out ever leaving the chair. Also the positive feed back from 2-way RS232 is worth a lot when things are not working well.
As I have stated before I use no RFXxxx devices and do all of the RS232 (and IR) from a PC that is well hidden. That PC is my little $900 "Crestron" controller and the Pronto TSU9800 is the "Crestron" Remote. The rest of the cost of a "Crestron" system is in my labor hours, but what the heck it is my hobby.
Unfortunately the Cable boxes, The DVD megachangers, the PS2, the WII, and the BR disk player still have only IR. Someday. . . |
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| Post 14 made on Sunday November 30, 2008 at 17:52 | ...it's new! |
jack D Long Time Member |
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Well the sony 400 disc changer that works with Escient servers has an RS232.
Hmm how can we get Meridian to give you one of their processors? :-) |
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| Post 15 made on Sunday November 30, 2008 at 18:57 | ...it's new! |
Barry Gordon Founding Member |
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Yes I know about the Sony 400's but I have the three hundreds which unfortunately do not. The new Sony BR mega changer will though!
I have looked at the 400's but they will not fit in my cabinets otherwise . . . |
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| Post 16 made on Sunday November 30, 2008 at 19:27 | ...it's new! |
jack D Long Time Member |
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Barry,
Yes I heard about the Sony BR mega changer but I hate playing the waiting game. I've been there before. Too frustrating. For the moment I'm ignoring all gossip about that product. In any case, I assume that the BR mega will be just as large as the SD 400s. Guess you will have to build a new cabinet. |
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| Post 17 made on Monday December 1, 2008 at 10:45 | ...it's new! |
bov Founding Member |
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I have a Meridian G68 AV processor and a load of digital speakers. It was quick and easy to do simple one way RS232 control by using the RS232 codes provided on the Meridian website - no prontoscript coding required.
That said, I'd like to get two way communications working so the remote shows me the current settings (mode, volume etc).
This message was edited by bov on Monday December 1, 2008 at 10:55. |
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| Post 18 made on Monday December 1, 2008 at 12:15 | ...it's new! |
Barry Gordon Founding Member |
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| I will probably also avoid the Sony BR mega for a while, due to its projected price being over $2000. That is unconscienable. The entire transport mechanism should be the same as for a standard DVD, and the BR electronics and the laser assemblies should be fairly standard by now! |
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| Post 19 made on Monday December 1, 2008 at 16:09 | ...it's new! |
jack D Long Time Member |
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| Yes that does sound like a ridiculous price for the Sony BR mega. |
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| Post 20 made on Tuesday December 23, 2008 at 08:55 | ...it's new! |
jacovn Junior Member |
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I have 2 way rs-232 with meridian working (Source, Preset and Volume)
But if you have no programming skills it can be quite hard to get it going unless you copy it 1:1 but than you would be stuck with a layout you might not like.. |
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