control a digital receiver trough rs232 and NI-700

khalid

Hi, I am new to amx , and i have some issues to figure out how to control a digital receiver (STRONG SRT4100) trough an RS232 and NI-700 controller. It has been a week that I am trying to acheive it by my self but it's beginnig to take a lot of time, so if someone can be kind to show me the way or give some hints, it would be great. Thanks a lot.

ericmedley

khalid wrote: »

Hi, I am new to amx , and i have some issues to figure out how to control a digital receiver (STRONG SRT4100) trough an RS232 and NI-700 controller. It has been a week that I am trying to acheive it by my self but it's beginnig to take a lot of time, so if someone can be kind to show me the way or give some hints, it would be great. Thanks a lot.

Post the code you've written and are having trouble with and we'll see if we can help.

khalid

ericmedley wrote: »

Post the code you've written and are having trouble with and we'll see if we can help.

As I 've said before I am totally a newbie, so I have no clue how to make the NI-700 controller acknowledge the digital receiver through an RS232 (I read the documentation though), so I tried these lines below (I must say that I am aware it's not sufficient, and the site of the manufacturerof the digital receiver doesn't provide the codes for the device, my concern is that I want to be able to see the device in the netlinx studio and power off/on the receiver, If I can do that I will manage to go on and learn more) thanks in advance.


PROGRAM_NAME='receiver'

DEFINE_DEVICE
COM1 = 5004:1:0
COM2 = 5005:2:0
dvRECEIVER1 = 4000:1:0
dvDiscDevice = 4001:1:0
DEFINE_CONSTANT
DEFINE_TYPE
DEFINE_VARIABLE
DEFINE_START
STATIC_PORT_BINDING(dvDiscDevice, COM1, DUET_DEV_TYPE_DISC_DEVICE,
'My DVD', DUET_DEV_POLLED)
DYNAMIC_POLLED_PORT(COM2)
DYNAMIC_APPLICATION_DEVICE(dvRECEIVER1, DUET_DEV_TYPE_RECEIVER,
'My Receiver')

(***********************************************************)
(* THE EVENTS GO BELOW *)
(***********************************************************)
DEFINE_EVENT
DATA_EVENT [dvRECEIVER1]
{
// Duet Virtual device data events go here
}

vining

Is there actually a DUET module specifically for this device? A quick google search shows that box's RS232 is for firmware update only but that could easily be wrong but if you can't get a protocol maybe there isn't one. I didn't see a DUET module for it either but it could be under a different name.

khalid

vining wrote: »

Is there actually a DUET module specifically for this device? A quick google search shows that box's RS232 is for firmware update only but that could easily be wrong but if you can't get a protocol maybe there isn't one. I didn't see a DUET module for it either but it could be under a different name.

Hi, you are right, I found the box's RS232 too, but no DUET module, but if doesn't exist, can't I use an other duet module just for turning off/on the device? thanks vining

ericmedley

khalid wrote: »

Hi, you are right, I found the box's RS232 too, but no DUET module, but if doesn't exist, can't I use an other duet module just for turning off/on the device? thanks vining

That's going to be a matter of trial and error. You'll just have to download some modules and see if they work.

If Vinning is correct and the rs232 port is for firmware upgrades, you might be able to control the unit. Sometimes it works and sometimes not. If you do get it to work bear in mind that some day the firmware might be updated and the control functionality might stop working. I've had it happen on several occasions.

In fact I've had it happen enough that I keep my own policy that I don't try and 'hack' a system this way. If the manufacturer says the control port is for programming only, I stick with that.

khalid

ericmedley wrote: »

That's going to be a matter of trial and error. You'll just have to download some modules and see if they work.

If Vinning is correct and the rs232 port is for firmware upgrades, you might be able to control the unit. Sometimes it works and sometimes not. If you do get it to work bear in mind that some day the firmware might be updated and the control functionality might stop working. I've had it happen on several occasions.

In fact I've had it happen enough that I keep my own policy that I don't try and 'hack' a system this way. If the manufacturer says the control port is for programming only, I stick with that.

thanks eric, can you give some advice or perphaps URL's to download duets file that may work? It would be very helpful

vining

First find out is this box can actually be controlled via RS232. Call the manufacturuer if you have to and if you can get the protocol.

Every device maker has their own quirky ways of creating RS232 communications so unless this box is actually OEM'd by someone else the chance of finding an alternative usable DUET module isn't likely at all. In fact you'd have a better chance of winning the lottery with out playing.

Find out if the box can even communicate via RS232 first and if not just use IR. Most set top boxes are only IR anyway so don't drive yourself too crazy with this.

khalid

vining wrote: »

First find out is this box can actually be controlled via RS232. Call the manufacturuer if you have to and if you can get the protocol.

Every device maker has their own quirky ways of creating RS232 communications so unless this box is actually OEM'd by someone else the chance of finding an alternative usable DUET module isn't likely at all. In fact you'd have a better chance of winning the lottery with out playing.

Find out if the box can even communicate via RS232 first and if not just use IR. Most set top boxes are only IR anyway so don't drive yourself too crazy with this.

thanks vining, I will give it a try.