Anyone have experience with both the RTI K4 and the Xantech SPLCD64V?

I'm curious how several of these screens could work together utilizing their RS-232 outputs. A typical scenario I'm struggling with is 3-4 touchscreens to control 3-4 serial devices, such as lighting, matrix switcher, security, and possibly an AV pre/pro.

It's almost as if there needs to be a 4x4 or 4x8 rs-232 router involved, am I correct? Xantech's solution is to use two RS2321x8, wiring one backwards so it acts as a 8x1 then into the 1x8, and you need to use 422/232 coverters for each panel.

The K4 has microphone and speakers so it looks like intercom options are coming soon?

Thanks in advance for the help!

I'm waiting on a K4 as we speak... A*A* is clueless, as usual.

I did speak with Matt (At RTI) the other day and he said that the K4's that are shipping do not have a microphone, and that the speakers are more or less for the blips and beaps...

The Xantech 232 router has 422 or 232(not both) for the input and 4 422 rj45 outputs and 4 232 9pin outputs. So no need for the 422/232 converters unless you're going further than the 232 will work distance wise to the device to be controlled or need more than the 4 9pin 232 outputs.

The splcd's are not 2way so they don't work real well for security to provide feedback of open zones or alarm status. They do work great for lighting and a/v though.

To answer your original question, I haven't done anything with the K4 but have done several of the splcd's and as long as you have current firmware/software, they work great.

Just like the T3 You can upload your own short wave files to the K4, noises, songs, spoken words whatever

So it seems like neither solution will really work well for a security keypad substitution.

The Xantech SPLCD64V only has 422 out, not 232, so to use the Xantech 1x8 backwards (8x1 for multiple LCD support), apparently converters are needed. This info was provided from Carl at Xantech, I've never tried this application of the SPLCD's.

I'm sorry to hear that the K4 doesn't have the microphone option. I guess the only immediate solution is AMX/Crestron for a complete user interface solution that will replace my security keypads, intercom, and be able to control AV and lighting?

This is right on topic for me. I'm working on the design for my own house and I'm hoping to have a panel in the bedroom that will cover AV, lighting, HVAC and security. I've done very little RS232 at this point but when a $500 AV receiver has a RS232 port you can see where the industry is going, and where it should have gone years ago. Somehow I thought the K4 was going to do it all but maybe I was thinking more about IP based devices such as security cameras. Any alarm panels that have a web browser for control and status options?

I know the HAI Omnipro II with weblink software has internet support. The problem is the lack of two-way communications to get the acknowlegement back to the touchpanel I guess...."gee, did the alarm disarm?"

From my understanding the K4 would use the RP6 for RS232. Thus, up to 6 RS232 connections can be made on a single RP6 and several RP6s can be daisy chained if more are needed.

The ELAN VIA64 has 4 2-way RS232 ports when used with the SC4. There is a short list of products that it talks 2-way with.

I was under the impression that the K4 had the ability to do the RS232 internally (has the input for the module)... that was purely assumption on my part... we all know what happens when we ass-u-me...

Either way, it can do RS232.

Andy

I was told the K4 wouldn't do two way RS-232 (I thought RS-232 by definition was two way) until 1Q06 by an RTI rep., which means 2Q06 if we're lucky?

the K4 only sends rs232 commands and does not receive them(to my knowledge). I don't believe you can get status of any of your serial devices. I played with it a little bit the other day and must say the 2 way communications aside it is a badass keypad, very nice interface, graffics, and easy to program.

A 2-way RTI processor is in the mix and is closing in on the final stages of testing. This of course is still mostly unverified as to the timeline, but it will allow the K4 bidirectional 232 communication.

This is just one way control.

If you can't do Crestron/AMX it "might" be possible to control an HAI system via Weblink with the K4s built in web browser.

That would give you two way control of security, lighting, and climate.

This method may also work with the Fireball through the web browser interface.

This is not that slick but may be a way to go, although the price of the K4 is well into the Crestron/AMX range.