I have just bought a HDMI matrix switcher.

It claims that the matrix can be controlled by RS232.

I am trying to control it via a Phillips Pronto and a serial extender.

The extender indicates that it is sending RS232 signals but I cannot get the matrix to switch.

I have been given ASCI codes like POWER 00 is which is 504F574552203030 in HEX but again no luck.

Does anyone know how I can test the matrix by directly controlling it with a PC and Hyper Terminal.

I had a quick look and it looks like Hyper terminal requires files as opossed to strings.

Thanks for any help!

Regards Alf

Can you supply more produt details.

Brand.
Model number.

D

Whats is the model number????

Regards,

Rafael

Thanks you for the post.
Hi guys, Im a newbie. Nice to join this forum.
__________________
http://moviesonlinefree.biz

I want to control a Monoprice 4x2 HDMI matrix switch via RS-232. I can't find any documentation for the codes. Does anyone have some details on how to do this?

This is the switch:
[Link: monoprice.com]

Looks like Monoprice updated their website and now have the RS-232 control specs. Any idea how this would look in a Philips Pronto Professional configuration?

[Link: monoprice.com]

I played around with these codes in my Pronto RFX9600 and didn't have any luck. Suggestions?

I have this same 4x2 switcher and have been having issues with the rs232 commands.

Can anyone confirm one of the commands so I can check my structure? Thanks

I don't have this switcher (but I am thinking about buying one) but looking at the documentation it seems there is a command (or "order" as in "I order you to...") protocol and a status protocol. The commands are 4 bytes long. The first is the command, the second is the command inverted (~order) and the last two appear to be markers of some sort. So it appears that the power toggle command is the string:

"\x10\xEF\xD5\x7B";

I would expect that the switcher would reply with a status string that your would then need to decode. Annoyingly there doesn't appear to be discrete power codes but I suppose you could try sending a dummy command like:

"\xFF\x00\xD5\x7B";

and see if the switch responds with status. If so you can determine the power state from the status returned and decide whether the switch needs to be powered on. You could also leave it on all the time I suppose.

The switching commands are fairly simple:

A = 1 "\x00\xFF\xD5\x7B";
A = 2 "\x01\xFE\xD5\x7B";
A = 3 "\x02\xFD\xD5\x7B";
A = 4 "\x03\xFC\xD5\x7B";
B = 1 "\x04\xFB\xD5\x7B";
B = 2 "\x05\xFA\xD5\x7B";
B = 3 "\x06\xF9\xD5\x7B";
B = 4 "\x07\xF8\xD5\x7B";

Again. I have no way of testing this but this is how I interpret the docs. Please let me know if this works.

The problem you guys are going to have, is that it's a $66 switch, and none of us CI's would touch it for fear of the problems it will cause down the road. The saying is,"you get what you pay for".

Thank you very much. I will test out these commands later tonight when I get home and post up my results. That is a huge help for me. I could not figure out what ~order meant.

if anyone else is looking at this switch, I have had no handshake issues (which I have experienced with other $300 4x2 matrix switchers). These switches either work or don't. if your not paying the bill I suppose it does not matter what it costs. If you are personally paying the bill, I would recommend this switch. Worst case, you return it to monoprice and waste $15 in shipping. As with any matrix switcher, use good quality cables.

Displays:
LG Plasma (35ft cable)
Optoma projector (50ft cable)

Sources:
PS3
PC
Comcast/Motorola cable box

I did not have any luck with those codes..
I will post up any progress I make.

Althoguh i might decided to make a custom executable driver instead.

Hmmm... The docs mention DTR enable That would imply that you must enable DTR (pull pin 4 high) during communication like with the MSCOMM DTREnable option. I'm not sure that the Pronto serial extender has a similar option via the Serial class. Perhaps this would need to be handled in hardware by making an adapter that always pulls this line high. Another thing to check is if the DTR pin is asserted high by default by the serial extender. If so then there is probably a software problem. If it is low then that would be the first thing I would work on.

Are you using a 9-pin null modem adapter? I am using the Monoprice 4x4 HDMI matrix and I have to use the null modem to make it work with my RTI XP-8.

No I was not but I will give that a try.

I did ask monoprice if I needed a null modem cable and they said no :(