232 commands 3

[ck1999]

I am trying to install a projector that is ceiling mounted at our church. Everything is working sufficiently so far. I am trying now to determine how to cut it on and off and tell the projector what input to use and the company said there is a 232 port for controlling the projector.
Since I am using a laptop without a 9 pin RS 232 port can I use the modem to send these commands. I was trying to do some internet searches and noticed alot of talk about using 232 with the modem but I am not sure where to get started.
Or do I need to go buy a 232 port for my laptop

Any help would be appreciated.

ck1999

 

[LawnBoy]

You can't use the modem, you will have to have a 232 port.

"We must fall back upon the old axiom that when all other contingencies fail, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." - Sherlock Holmes

 

[ck1999]

So is this what I would need:
url:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812203018

Also, do you have a recommendation for a better option to control the projector.

ck1999

 

[JimInKS]

The item you showed should give you an rs-232 port, but you will need software from the projector manufacturer to control it. Can you tell us the manufacturer and model number of the projector?

Most projectors have an infrared wireless remote. If your church is small and you have line of sight to the projector you can just use this directly. If it is a little larger room you can get an rf remote extender like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882203058

Neither of these options are as reliable as a wired connection, but require no wiring, and in general work pretty well.

The projector in our church has a wired remote, ie a regular remote that is wired directly to the projector.
We also have a projector in our youth center that I use a remote extender with.

 

[ck1999]

Thank you for your reply JimInKS. I will look into this more.

It is an optoma 728. It has a 3 pin mini-din 232 port for "controlling" the projector.

ck1999

 

[LawnBoy]

You will need a terminal emulator like HyperTerminal (although HT sucks out loud, it does work. I prefer Procomm).

Here's the manual:

http://marketing.optomausa.com/PDFs/usermanuals/Optoma_EP728_Manual.PDF

You don't want to control this thing with rs232. It involves sending strings of hex to the device, which will quickly turn into a large hassle (unless you're a programmer). Use the remote control that came with the unit.

"We must fall back upon the old axiom that when all other contingencies fail, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." - Sherlock Holmes

 

[gbaughma]

ck199:

The optoma is a nice projector. But Lawnboy is right... RS232 controls are a pain.

What, exactly, do you want to control with RS-232 that you can't do from the remote? The only things that you'd be able to do is stuff like switching the video source, changing the keystoning amount, and so forth (things that, once set, you probably wouldn't change anyway).

With our Optoma, we leave the source on "auto detect", and turn it on. That's it. Works great.



Just my 2¢
-Cole's Law: Shredded cabbage

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[ck1999]

Since the projector is mounted in the middle of the sanctuary I was wanting a way to control it that would be easier than trying to use the remote during the service. I was hoping to control it (On-off) from the back of the church. I am looking at a remote extender but since it is at the ceiling I really do not have a shelf to place the receiver. I am looking at a product from niles audio but I am checking out options right now.

I have looked on the internet for ways to send commands through the a com port and someone had written a vba program in excel that I was looking at to try and modify, if this was a viable option.

I would of thought optoma would make a wired remote (as a accessory of course) to purchase but the do not.

Thank you for your replies

ck1999

 

[gbaughma]

The Optoma has IR receivers both front and back.

Mine is mounted high in an auditorium, and I never have an issue with the remote "reaching".....

Have you tried it?



Just my 2¢
-Cole's Law: Shredded cabbage

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[ck1999]

Yes I have tried it. And it is hard to tell when it is on initially. I think it has about a 30 second warm up period. So I cannot not tell if it is on or warming up. I am trying to determine how to Know for sure that it is on. I think for now I will have someone close to the project cut it on with the remote and then they can look for the green light.

Thanks everyone for your replies.

ck1999

 

[DTracy]

Turn off the room lights, maybe you can see the pilot light or bring in some field glasses and have a closeup looksee.