I have the following equpment:

- Yamaha RX-Z9 Receiver
- Directv DVR
- Scientif Atl cable box
- Polk XM reference

To what extent can I have 2-way capability? Right now I do not have an extender, but am looking to get as much 2-way out of this setup as possible. Can someone help me determine what's out there for what I have? I do not know how to write the modules so I will have to rely on whats in the market now. Thanks, greatly appreciated.

Jimmy

Jimmy Bellagio,

The TSU9600 is not intended to be end user programmable. As such, the 9600 is not like a computer where the user can simply click on an install procedure and add a new program.

The 9600 is not impossible for end users to program, but in your case the programmer will need to be familiar with ProntoScript. I have customers who can add buttons and modify screens, none are working with the ProntoScript.

Only the newest components provide the capability for two way interaction.

Two Way Comms is possible, but as buzz has pointed out: If you want to do it you're going to need to do some javascript / prontoscript programming. You would also need either an RFX9600 or use a PC to act as the go-between. The RS232 codes that can be set in MyDatabase are one way and do not wait for / or process any response from the connected equipment.

Regarding newest components: I have two components that both have RS232 firmware dating back to 1998 and they are both capable of two way comms! Buzz, I'm not sure what you are referring to wrt 'newest components', if it's the Pronto side I agree with you; if it's equipment being controlled by the Pronto.........

[ ... ]

In the overall scheme of things, very few components support 2-way RS-232. Early in the game only a few of the super expensive units supported RS-232 of any flavor. In the last three years, RS-232 has become more common at a lower price point. Some units that offer RS-232 support accept commands, but to not provide any feedback.

I didn't want to get anyone excited, thinking that simply pointing a Pronto at a unit will result in 2-way control.

What planet are you from? I'd run out of room listing all the 2-way gear available to me (CI), and most of it also available in the average retail marketplace...

Well thats almost how 2 way IP works with imerge etc this is the way things are moving. enter IP address and there you go 2 way comms!

Care to share a bit of that list, particularly those with tcp/ip comms?

I agree, there's no excuse for anything in the rack to not have an ethernet port listening for telnet/ssh/whatever at this point.

Interesting new thread on TCP enabled devices guys! I recently went dumpster diving on the web to see which manufacturers are now putting an Ethernet port on their equipment.

There are a large number of them from Sony to Marantz to Pioneer and then some! However I have yet to find a spec sheet that clearly indicates that the unit will allow control over the ethernet port (PrePro's & Blueray/DVD players in particular). Most of them are simply using the ethernet port to bring in added content; especially the higher end blueray players that support the java environment. It seems as if they (the manufacturers) are more focused on content enrichment rather than control when it comes to IP comms and Ethernet.

I'd love to see a concerted move towards Ethernet and away from RS232, but I have a feeling that alot of the manufacturers are stuck in the mud on this item or moving rather slowly.

As you may have guessed I'm in the market for some new equipment and if anyone can suggest an IP controllable PrePro, Blueray player or flatscreen, I'd appreciate the post!

Funny how this thread went from 2-way papability and RS232 to TCP/IP... mayeb they should be separated.



Not IP controllable, but RS232 controllable:

[Link: parasound.com]

[Link: usa.denon.com]
and most receivers above it

[Link: usa.denon.com]



Ethernet control:

[Link: usa.denon.com]
[Link: usa.denon.com]
[Link: usa.denon.com]

[Link: integrahometheater.com]
[Link: integrahometheater.com]


Integra gear sucks overall... I have had probably a 30 to 40% failure rate on their product. With Denon, Pioneer, Marantz, Parasound, no problems at all...



Can control via web browser:

[Link: yamaha.co.jp]

There is some gear available with TCP/ IP, but most gear that has RS232 and was made within the last 5-10 years has 2-way capability. 232 is a standardized interface, and has worked fine for two decades or more.

To add to EVO's list:

TVs: Two major brands at least have RS232 with very easy protocol

Matrix Switchers: Most have RS232

Multi-Room Audio: All decent ones have RS232

Lighting Systems: All decent ones have RS232 or TCP/IP

UPS and other power management are available with RS232 or TCP/IP

Tuners and DVD players - not a huge selection but some have RS232

Music and DVD Servers - Most have TCP/IP control but also RS232

CCTV DVRs are available with RS232

Have I forgot anything?

You can easily convert any RS232 serial device to TCPIP using external interfaces like the Lantronix device servers. You can then do a direct socket connection to the device (from Pronto) or even open a virtual COM port on the PC to connect to it.

Perfect points charris and jon.

I could literally spend a week straight listing all the gear I know about that has 2-way RS232. Jon's suggestion about the Lantronix gear is a great idea.

Digi also makes an extremely nice and rather expensive wifi DB9 RS232 to IP dongle which does a great job: However you are still pumping RS232 comms encapsulated in an IP packet and as a result you are now dealing with both RS232 and IP protocol issues (if any). Although it is a pretty slick solution, it's not true IP comms as the RS232 protocols (or lack thereof) are still the base comm methodology. All the IP does is act as a transporter for rough and ready old technology.

Jon: although your solution is eloquent and very functional, it's not true IP: It's RS232 comms wrapped in an IP overcoat. Mid & Low-end manufacturers appear to be in transition to RS232, but they really need to jump forward an extra step to true IP based comms. Media server manfucatuers may have been IP out of the gate; unfortunately I'm not interested in that path as I've built TCP listeners to control my PC through the pronto. The components I am interested in seem to be stuck in the mud (players and pre/pros).

Thanks to all for your suggestions on players and pre/pros!