This is getting way to convoluted!

RS232 is a serial data protocal that could be handled from a 8086 IBM computer. Sure, you can buy a Crestron or an AMX system that understands and uses this protocal within their respective proprietery systems, but you can also use your PC.

The advantage to RS232 is that it's hard wired. The chances of failed code execution are virtually nil, unlike ir and rf.

Maybe someone would like to share with Lonny how this would happen in the real world, since I have no experience sending RS232 codes to A/V equipment, and I can't help beyond this.