I thought i would also get everyone's inpunt on here as well as my other reaserch. I know what RS232 is, now my question is how do i go about using this codeing?
As i am installing and sellign more and more high end system i see the rs232 option. I would like ot know if it is to my benefit when using a pronto or any other type of remote.

Thanks
Lonny

Pronto's and other programmable remotes were not particularly designed for RS-232 functionality. Typically RS-232 funcionality is used in higher-end control systems such as AMX or Crestron. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule, and I have personally used these remotes with both AMX and Crestron processors.

These systems are what you need in order to parse the data from the particular equipment you are controlling. For example: Say you are controlling a projector with an AMX control system. Beyond the basic ON/OFF/Source controls, you could extend the control one step further...You could have the projector report how many hours are on the lamp. The AMX processor could then use this information in a number of ways: it could simply display it on a touch panel; it could track how many hours the projector has been on, and follow usage requirements that you set, or if you get really fancy, you can have your processor send you or your dealer an email when you get close to the expected lamp life. That way you can order a new lamp in time. You could even use mathematical statistics to track your average use and send this email to you a week (or 2...whatever), before you are expected to reach the lamp life.

These are just a few ideas for you to mill over.

RS232 is actually sort of a standard that crosses over from the pro audio and pro video industries to the high end home automation industry. Manufacturers such as Crown have developed sophisticated systems that utilize the protocol. (Crown IQ for instance) Many other manufacturers have also adopted this protocol in their flagship products. BIamp systesm, DBX, the list goes on. Crestron and AMX enjoy a healthy market share because they can interface via RS232 with many of these other systems as the graphical control interface. As NLM pointed out, the increased sophistication and flexibility is the real benefit. However, with greater flexibility and complexity comes a steeper learning curve.

So, basicly for your average hometheature or A/V distribiution you would not use rs 232.
And, you need to use a crestion or AMX system to take advantage of it?
Reason why i ask is companies such as Denon and a few others i deal with have the RS232 inputon them. and without these system it is no use to me?
Correct?
LOnny

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.

I see RS232 as more of a programming interface or tool. Crestorn and AMX weren't really developed for the home AV market originally. They were developed for the pro industry (convention sytems, etc.) Most people that use a Crestron system in a residential sytsem use wireless models, and other than programming the hardware. It's all RF and IR . In a hardwired scenario such as a large convention centre or a venue that has a dedicated complex hardwired multi-zone AV system, it's totally interactive with feedback, and yes was developed for the PC platform well before most of the hardawere that has followed. you will see RS232 in industrial situations such as ice arena's where temperature and other parameters are provided in real time via RS232, or HVAC systems , etc.

RS-232 is a two way communication protocol that is transmitted and received through a serial connection. It preceeded the PC and is used by dumb terminals, printers, modems and other devices that need to communicate. The benefit of RS232 is that it is hard wired and two way. It showed up in our industry to control projectors and switchers and is typically used by Crestron and AMX. Some equipment has commands available via RS232 that are not available in IR. That is at the whim of the manufacturer. If two way is not needed, newer components with a robust set of discrete IR commands are usually sufficient to properly control AV systems

Lonny,

The rs232 ports you are seeing on residential gear is there for a variety of reasons. Control of the equipment with a robust control system or firmware upgrades or as a service port for the repair tech. Plain and simple, if you want to utilize the serial protocol for a piece of gear you will need some way to interface with that gear. Creston/AMX/Elan are the top three options for most dealers, as they are market tested, tried and true. There are other ways, PC control is one option, build your own control system or the Xantech IR/RS232 converter. The Xantech piece will make the most sense for you at this point if you are not a dealer for one(or more) of the big three. Serial communications and TCP/IP communications are becoming more of a standard on resi gear and that trend will continue. Why? I think it is because the better manufacturers see the need and want to be known as a company that 'looks out for the integrator'. Many of the people here on this forum install and program control systems and I am willing to bet that the guys that are doing the programming have 'favorites' in there companies product line card, because they are easy to integrate and have a simple robust serial/IP protocol. I know I have my favs. I have seen a lot in this post about how serial is a 2 way communication, they are right and wrong. I have controlled many units that dont give any feedback, do I do these IR at that point? NO. I know that if I screw a DB9 connector to the back of a piece of gear it will not 'just fall off', like an emitter. I have also found that some gear does not have discrete IR commands but will have those needed commands in the serial protocol manual.
If I understand IR correctly, IR is simply a type of serial data that originates as an electrical signal, then converted to IR light energy, transmitted to an IR receiver where it is converted back to electrical energy and then interpreted by a microprocessor for control of a piece of gear. Serial communications stays completly in the electrical domain from one piece of gear to another. We, as A/V people, know that the fewer 'conversions' you have in a audio or video signal the purer the end result, right? Why do we treat control any differently?

Just my $.10