I'm unable to make RS232 work! It's amazing, protocol is as simple as it gets, yet no response whatsoever from the player. Anyone lucky enough to make it work and care to share? Any input would be appriciated.
Almost ready to switch to Oppo.

It looks like the power on code should be:
POWR1
or in HEX:
50 4F 57 52 31 20 20 20 0D 0A

The manual is kind of vague, but it appears you may need a null modem.

If I'm reading manual correctly it should be 8bit and CR or:
50 4F 57 52 31 20 20 20 0D
What is OA at the end?

I tried with and without null-modem (pins are male, so it hints towards null-modem).
There is no response whatsoever (ack or nack) so it may be protocol issue but manual clearly states 9600,8,1,N.
Just my luck...

0A is a line feed.
Is there something in the setup menu like energy saving or HDMI CEC that you can try to disable?

Not in DVD. Player is different than Sharp's TV - which I have no problem controlling - that's why it's so frustrating...

I am having a problem controlling this blu-ray player, as well. It will work for a while, but if it sends back an ERR string, it will lock up. After that, it won't take any additional commands.

Here is the syntax:

POWR01 x0Dx0A

You need the additonal ASCII spaces after the 1 for a four space parameter field.

I think I will pass on this one. No reason to fight. Although there is not that many players with RS232

Oppo...'nough said.

Denon has multiple BD players with RS-232 that support feedback as does Sony with some of their ES players.

Used to use Denon but there was something funky with their RS232 implementation. On the receiver end - rock solid, DVD's - not so much. I had to try parity or no parity every time. One needed it, one did not. As I said - funky.

I was actually looking into Oppo. Works well? No problems? And how are new Denon blue rays - god as well?

Yea the new Denon ones are good as is the Oppo. Well I've never dealt with the Oppo, but I have messed with the Lexicon unit which is identical.

The Oppo is a great unit. Unsolicited feedback and with the SE version the analog outputs are the best I've ever heard. The upconversion is very nice and BluRay playback is outstanding. I highly recommend it! Oh, and their tech support is great too.

I'm looking forward to the new Denon 2011 BD player which is coming out later this summer. According to the Denon training I was out last week, it will have start up times significantly faster than both the Oppo and PS3 as well Netflix and YouTube and RS-232 support.

The Oppo is certainly not going to stream netflix or you tube. It does stream DLNA but it is a beta feature, it works pretty well, but it's not a pretty interface, just your standard folder structure. Maybe someday it will stream subscription services, but really, it's not meant for that market segment. In my opinion it's meant for the video/audiophile, at an affordable price point.

I agree. I think that is a great piece. Unfortunately it is only sold direct, which makes it hard for us to sell.