DGX Programming
jjames
Posts: 2,908
Does anyone have any experience with the DGX-16 yet? I'd like to know if switching ins & outs is as easy as send_string 5001:1:0,'CI1O1T'.
Could someone post an example as to how to control this thing? We have four devices (I'm assuming blu-rays) that we need to output to 16 displays via HDMI. We (as of right now) only need to control each of the displays and none of the sources. So . . .
Why are there four outputs on a DXLink output board? Let's say I drop that into slot 1, and an HDMI input board in slot 2. Would a CI2O1T switch the input on the HDMI board to all the DXLinks on slot 1? Why are there four HDMI inputs on the input board? Is one slot one input / output?
To be honest - this new hardware doesn't make sense to my programming brain . . . help? Someone please explain this to me like you'd explain it to a six year old.
Could someone post an example as to how to control this thing? We have four devices (I'm assuming blu-rays) that we need to output to 16 displays via HDMI. We (as of right now) only need to control each of the displays and none of the sources. So . . .
Why are there four outputs on a DXLink output board? Let's say I drop that into slot 1, and an HDMI input board in slot 2. Would a CI2O1T switch the input on the HDMI board to all the DXLinks on slot 1? Why are there four HDMI inputs on the input board? Is one slot one input / output?
To be honest - this new hardware doesn't make sense to my programming brain . . . help? Someone please explain this to me like you'd explain it to a six year old.
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It uses the standard BCS protocol minus the T for take.
Audio is on the same switching level since it's embedded in the same stream.
Sent from my MB865 using Tapatalk
So for this instance, of four HDMI inputs and sixteen HDMI outputs, I would only need 1 x HDMI input board and 4 x DXLink Output boards.
Does each board come up as its own device? Are they like card frames in a 4x00, and you address them somehow? Still a little confused on how to actually integrate and switch stuff. I get that it's the BCS protocol, which is great, but if I have 16 x DXLink boxes throughout the store, how do I know which is Output 1, 2, 3, etc. I'd assume the DXLink boxes show up in the online tree to control the display?
I'd really like to have most of this programmed before we go and install it, hence all the questions.
I see no mention of feedback, but it's just a switch, no volume control or anything fancy, so I don't see that being too big of a deal. I imagine it reports it's state via BCS too, and you you would have to parse it, but I won't know that for sure until I get mine.
If they work like the UTPro, each DXLink box would be a device with a port for serial and another for IR.
My educated guess is:
5002:1:0 is the master in the Enova
5501:2:0 serial port of the first DXlink
5501:3:0 IR port of the first DXLink
5502:2:0 serial port of the second DXLink
5502:3:0 IR port of the second DXLink
and so on....
The other thing to note is that it is a native netlinx device, so you use send_command instead of send_string to control it.
The 16 chassis supports 4 input boards and 4 output boards i.e. 16x16. You control it as a standard AP 16x16 matrix with the two exceptions mentioned above. I have also attached an online tree picture of a UTPro 8x8 matrix and I am pretty sure the DGX will appear the same way.
Where did you hear about the delays for the DXLink cards? I was talking to my rep last Friday and he said our DXLink DGX system would ship next week.
I would love to hear any info that you have acquired.
****. That will be all.
Argh! Now that I've had a chance to work with a DGX frame it seems obvious that AMX has rushed the product to market to counter the opposition's wildly successful product and hasn't ticked all the boxes.
A couple of, ahem, minor limitations of the AMX vs Cr3stron product:
- No audio breakaway
- No USB breakaway
- Can only extract/insert analogue audio on the first 16 audio inputs/outputs of a 32x32 frame
- Passing of analogue audio seems to depend on the order equipment plugged into the frame is powered up - sometimes the frame won't pass audio until you cycle power to it. I've seen the frame severely distort audio passing through it from boot until the frame was power cycled as well.
- If you unplug a display from a DX Link receiver, the analogue audio on the receiver will cease until you plug the display back in. Analogue audio extracted from the output port associated with the DXLink output on the DGX frame will continue though...
The manual actually states that if you want audio breakaway, you have to wire 16 stereo audio extract ports on the input side to an audio matrix switcher and the outputs of that to 16 stereo audio insert ports on the output side of the DGX. Add another 16 hours of install and commissioning + $2k for the extra switcher.
So far due to the audio inflexibility of the product, it has taken me about 3 days of design time to get the 32x32 system I'm working on to a design I believe may be workable.
Ugh.
That's pretty much it, except it's SEND_COMMAND (not string) and you need to send it to 5001:2, not 5001:1. A working line of code in my current project:
SEND_COMMAND dvSwitchVideo, "'cl1i', ITOA(srcSourceData[nSource].nInput[VIDEO_INPUT]), 'o', sTrim(sOutputs), 't'" ;
... where the srcSourceData is a structure I use to track all my source data, and the end result of all that is just the input number, and sOutputs is a string I build to turn on multiple rooms at one time.
I found it did not work if I didn't put the 't' on the end of the command. There might have been something else going on (I have a bad habit of doing several things at once when troubleshooting, and it may be that something other than the 't'was involved in fixing it), but the 't' certainly doesn't hurt anything.
I have a project with 4 Autopatch matrixes:
1 DGX 32x32
1 20x4 Digital Audio
2 18x18 Precis DSP
I noticed that the current AMX Duet module is a resource hog and takes forever to initialize. I will probably use it only on the House Audio matrix as it provides good feedback. I am thinking about of using only straight send_commands or send_strings to the other Autopach matrixes including the DGX. This way the processing will be minimal. Is there a disadvantage of not using a module? Is there a disadvantage for not using a virtual device instead of the real physical device? I've interfaced with other Autopatch matrixes using the ‘other control system’ by straight strings and they have being work fine over the years. Any suggestions on these? Thanks!
Once you have one Duet module in the system, you will notice the slow-down effects. Try not to use any.
Sent from my MB865 using Tapatalk 2
DEFINE_DEVICE
// NXF - Slot 9 CARD (SER)= (309)
dvDGXSwitcher = 309:1:0 // 32 x 32 AMX HDMI Switcher (RS232 9600,N,8,1) Connected to DGX RS-232
Any other way, which is better? I want to use the simple BCS commands like:
SEND_COMMAND dvDGXSwitcher, "'CL1I1O7T'" //DGX Video Switch Input 1 to Output 7
Is the above correct? or there is a better way? Thanks!
Each of the units has a master built into it, so you just hook them up and use M2M to control them - the DGX chassis being 5002 - control is on port 2.
SEND_COMMAND 5002:2:2,'CL1I1O1T'
It's that easy.
Simon
Yay! I just found out about the audio breakaway issue as well. Along with... Can't send audio to an output unless there is video live. Can't send audio from a wallplate unless there is video live. Audio is embedded with the video stream. End of story. I doubt this will be able to be "fixed" in firmware either. Really sucks... I've got three DGX systems that we are installing because I really wanted to use AMX over Cr3stron.
I have a suggestion for AMX. If there is no correction in firmware possible, I would create a custom Audio switch and custom AIE boards with small single multipin connectors. Make it 1RU (or 2 if you have to) and have it link natively with the DGX over the ENC Link connector (appears to be Ethernet anyway). At least give us a WAY to make this competitive with CTron.
You also need to fix it so I don't need video at a wallplate! I can't hand out blackburst generators to customers so they can plug their MP3 players in!
Can anybody else confirm / share their experience with these issues and the DGX? I'm just reading up right now but my 1st chassis will be here tomorrow.
Thanks!
The DGX *is* a NetLinx master. If you want code to reside elsewhere instead of using it to run your code, you have to set it up M2M, then send your commands to the remote device. So if you make your DGX system 2, your dvDGXSwitcher has to point to 5002:1:2 . I wouldn't bother with the RS-232 port at all.
I bleive the processor in the DGX is the newer version that runs faster. I've been working on a couple and they do seem to run a lo faster.
For example:
NI master is system number one
DGX system is master number two
1. Put the IP address of the DGX in the URL list of the NI
2. In code residing on the NI, the DGX switcher is 5002:2:2
All that is necessary and has worked very well for me.
It was your plan to work. Does that work ? Please confirm since i am not able to execute SEND_COMMAND through Telnet.
Switching is happening when i execute SEND_COMMAND through its serial port directly using DGX_SHELL..
I have only one DGX-1600. I am not able to execute SEND_COMMAND 5002:2:1, "'CL0I3O5T'" in Telenet. There was no response.
Where as if i connect directly to Serial Port at backside of the DGX-1600. I am able to execute SEND_COMMAND 5002:2:1, "'CL0I3O5T'". I am getting a proper response and switching is happening.?
Where i am missing ?
Try directing the switching commands to port 1 of the device.