Hi all,

I'm a newbie both to this forum and RS-232. I want to buy an HDMI 4x4 Matrix to put all of my AV equipment in one room. I can't seem to find any additional remotes for the matrix and it only comes with one, which would obviously be a problem when trying to control it from different rooms. I wanted to know if it were possible to put an 8 button keypad in each room and wire them together so that each keypad is a specific output and each button on each keypad is an input. This way, I won't need to worry about remotes and just control the matrix from the keypads. Another reason why i wanted to use the keypads via RS-232 is so that I would use two matrices together. The first output of the secondary matrix would be connected to the fourth input of the first one. This would lower my connectivity to 7x7, which is more than 4x4. I can't just buy an 8x8 since I simply can't afford one. So if I wanted to watch a source connected to the secondary matrix on an output connected to the first, say input 7, hitting 7 on the keypad would change the input on the secondary matrix to 8, the output on the secondary one to 5, the input on the first one to four, and then the output on the first one ( Inputs 1-4 are on the first matrix where 4 is the input from the output of the second matrix. Since 4 isn't an actual media source input 4 on the keypad would really be input 5 where 5-8 are the inputs on the secondary matrix.) I know it's confusing, I had to draw it all out myself, but I believe it will work as long as RS-232 is capable of doing this.

Thanks,
macintosh1097

Sorry, I forgot to mention the model of the matrix i'm looking at.

It's a Binary B-210 4x4 matrix, here's a link to it: [Link: snapav.com]

Possible? Sure.
Cascaded matrices have been done for a long time.
Missing link is how. What control system are you looking at? Keypad? Homebrewed system (fun stuff imho)?

Lots of ways to skin the rabbit.

You are asking a very broad question that needs a few details filled in about your desired monetary commitment.

I'm looking to do a homebrewed system. I don't want to pay lots of money for commercial equipment, plus id just like to do this myself. All I want do be able to do is Control each output from a Keypad in that room. First I need to learn to how to use RS-232 since I've never done anything with it before. Would a computer be required for constant operation or could I program it and then take away the computer. I don't want to have a computer running for it all of the time.

So really what I need to learn first is how to utilize RS-232. How would I go about connecting and programming each button on the Keypads to the matrix in order to do a specific function?

Connect your computer to the matrix and experiment a bit to get the hang of the protocol. Use a usb to db9 adapter if your computer doesn't have a true serial port. I believe it requires a straight through versus a null modem cable.

Use a serial emulator like hyperterminal or putty to send the commands. Baud:9600 Data bits:8 Parity:none Stop bits:1.

0101 sets input 1 to output 1. You will have to add a carriage return to the end of the command.

Here is the protocol available on Snap's site.

[Link: snapav.com]

This is a keypad I found that could fill the bill. No experience with it, just a quick search:

[Link: xkeys.com]

Happy integrating :)

Last edited by schlepp571 on November 23, 2014 16:00.

Check out a Global Cache GC100, and an app called TouchControl. The GC100 plugs into you router and gives you 1 or 2 Rs232 ports and several IR Ports. TouchControl is in my opinion the best home automation software out there, and costs a fraction of the price of any of the others. I messed around for years with microcontrollers, and hundreds of home brew bits trying all sorts of things similar to what you are wanting to do with just an hdmi matrix. With the above you will have a full home automation system up and running in a week! Or at least a hdmi matrix that can be controlled from any smart phone. The Gc100 is quite expensive, but they often are on ebay at reasonable price.