As some of you know I have been very critical of Optoma based upon my past experience controlling their projectors. Despite my better judgement I specified an Optoma H57 into a price conscience job. I went to the web site and downloaded their serial protocol. As is typical with Optoma their documentation leaves a bit to be desired but low and behold the command set actually WORKS!

Ok, I only tested power on, off and component and video input selections ( which are all that I requre ) but unlike my last experience, power on turns on the unit and power off turns it off. They still resort to foolish firmware that searches for sync upon an input selection but this I can manage in code. And they are not alone in this foolishness, to wit InFocus which has the same stupid feature. Hey guys, if I am smart enough to write the serial code then maybe I am smart enough to expect the unit to follow my commands. Alter your firmware so that IR codes continue to seek sync if you must but assume that a serial command should be followed as the individual generating it may in fact know what he is doing. ). What they have fixed is that the power off command is now executed immediately. It no longer pops up a screen asking for an second power off press. This is a very good feature and I congratule Optoma for making this change to their firmware. I have complained to Optoma about this over the phone and at CEDIA. I doubt they made these changes due to my bitching but for what ever the reason they have made them.

The protocol is simple ( it would pass the Ernie test ) and save the incomplete documentation ( it never actually describes what the string will look like, does not have a start nor end byte ) it works.

I have always liked their video and only objected to their control issues. Now that they have listened and fixed the previous problems I suggest everyone give Optoma an other look. I have not looked at their feedback. But even if it is an ACK command discrete codes at this price point are acceptable. There does seem to be some indication that there will be feedback but as we are have only just finished testing the code set from a terminal emulation program I am a bit ahead of myself on this. Assuming someone adds a comment I shall post later after determining if the feedback works.

Alan