RS232C Control of my PJ

mmadden28

For some reason the Remote or the IR portion of my Marantz VP 4001 PJ is not working. I even programmed my Harmony remote for it but no dice. I'm thinking that maybe the IR receiver in the PJ is bad--it worked in the past, but erratically at best.

I finally ceiling mounted the PJ and need to run through some of the Keystone corrections and Image shifting that apparently aren't available through the regular menu, only from the remote. (I really hate when manufacturers do that crap:mad: )

So I'm thinking the only option now is to try to control it via the RS232C port, but I'm having difficulty figuring out which cable I need. The best info I can find is a 9 pin Mini DIN to RS232C- but they seem to be scarce--nothing on Monoprice--I'm sure I can find a 9 pin to 9 pin serial (or even USB) around the office, but I don't have anything to convert to the 9 pin Mini DIN.

Also what software would I use to send the control codes to the PJ?

I'll build a DIY cable if I have to Just need to be sure I get the right stuff.
Can anybody provide any insight?

Also, I want to remotely turn the PJ on and off, but it only has a Remote Trigger out, nothing in. Would using the Rs232 control be the only option? Is something available to do this via RS232C w/o a computer?

Thanks!!

mmadden28

Anybody?

Sami

Do you have the RS232 command specs from the manufacturer?

Sami

Ok, found it.

http://us.marantz.com/VP4001_RS232_Control_Spec_MAI_V100.pdf

Give me a few days, I will try to find time to write you a software to control it. Any requests of what it should be?

Sami

For cables, I went with CAT5 to RS232 myself:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10415&cs_id=1041501&p_id=1153&seq=1&format=2

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10415&cs_id=1041501&p_id=1151&seq=1&format=2

Cat5 cable in between.

mmadden28

Thanks Sami,

Yeah I found those codes the other day--Also downloaded an application from www.controlcal.com - Not sure if it will work for me or not, but I figured I'd give it a try-but can't try it until I connect it.

My main goal is to run through the Keystone and alignment controls so I can get it setup for its new home (ceiling mounted). Most of the other controls I can access from its on PJ mounted menu buttons--but none of the keystone buttons are there. Not sure how I'll use some of the commands via RS232 as the remote kind of acted like a mouse where I'd point the arrow at each corner of the screen. I guess right, left up and down woudl work. But I figure if I can do basic V & H keystone correction, that'd be a start.

Never thought about using Cat5-I have plenty of those adapters around from all the Cisco stuff I have at work. The main problem though is the connector on the PJ is a Mini DIN 9pin, not D-sub. I guess I'll have to try to find a 9 pin mini DIN somewhere.

Sami

http://www.provantage.com/optoma-bc-rdrmyx02~7OPTO04J.htm

mmadden28

Thanks--I found that one last night, but its got a 30+ day lead time. I found another source, but not sure if their legitimacy-looking into.
I might be looking at making a custom cable.
Why does somethign so simple have to be so difficult?

What kind of control interfaces are projectors today using? This PJ isn't that old.

Sami

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=207999219&listingid=45157766

Custom cable might be your best choice since it's going into a PJ (long run). Cat5 cable + DB9 and DIN9 connectors.

You should be able to use hyperterminal to send in the commands: http://www.extron.com/company/article.aspx?id=rs232usht&tab=technology

Sami

I looked at the manual again, it's a crossover cable so to be sure, do make your own cable.

unc2701

The Xantech LCD touchscreen keypads can generate rs232 and can be operated stand-alone. Once you get past the proof-of-concept with a PC, you might look into picking up one- shouldn't be more than $100 on ebay for the 4" model.

mmadden28

Sami wrote: »

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=207999219&listingid=45157766

Custom cable might be your best choice since it's going into a PJ (long run). Cat5 cable + DB9 and DIN9 connectors.

You should be able to use hyperterminal to send in the commands: http://www.extron.com/company/article.aspx?id=rs232usht&tab=technology

It won't be a permanent run if its controlled by a PC-I would just connect a laptop up as needed for Keystone and image adjustments-I can't imagine I'd need to do that too often. (I hope) It'd only be a perm run if I had a reasonable standalone control pad or something like for the power.

Thanks on the Hyperterminal info-That will be helpful if the ControlCal app doesn't do what I need.

unc2701 wrote: »

The Xantech LCD touchscreen keypads can generate rs232 and can be operated stand-alone. Once you get past the proof-of-concept with a PC, you might look into picking up one- shouldn't be more than $100 on ebay for the 4" model.

Thanks - I'll check that out. Sounds like a reasonable price.



I found a 8 pin (but int he 9 pin layout) mini DIN cable that came with my Dell for the Video Output jack-figured if it fit and the missing pin was perhaps an unused one, I could just use it and splice it to a DB9. But the diameter or the sheild ring is too small. Now this puts a damper in things. So much for standards. I wonder if the other adapters will even fit-after all the effort.
I think I'll call Marantz and ask them what I need-or perhaps arrange to get the dang IR fixed. Ugh.

Sami

If it is a temporary solution, get one of these: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10415&cs_id=1041501&p_id=1152&seq=1&format=1#largeimage

Connect the pins of it to your PJ and custom CAT5 cable on the other end maybe. Just be careful not to touch the cable once the PJ is on... or you could just solder the wire and clean it out once done.

mmadden28

The thought had crossed my mind-but not with the Cat 5-Good idea-Although I think the pins of the DB9 might be to thick, but its worth a try-I have a bunch of those adapters lying around.
Maybe I'll just take a bunch of Resistor leads and stickem in the holes and use alligator clips.--Oh man now I'm really getting ghetto :eek::o

Sami

That's a female DB9, you might be able to squeeze them for a tight fit. Just make sure none of the females get in touch with each other.

mmadden28

Sami wrote: »

That's a female DB9, you might be able to squeeze them for a tight fit. Just make sure none of the females get in touch with each other.

Oh yeah-Didn't even think about that--See its those little details that always throws me for a loop-No wonder it always takes me longer to do the simplest things. :rolleyes:

mmadden28

FYI, I found that the Marantz VP-4001 is very similar-almost a rebadge (but not without Marantz upgrades based on everything I've read) of a Sharp XV-Z3000 PJ. Its Manual (pg 27)said to use the Mini DIN 9 Pin to DB 9 adapter part #AN_A1RS.
I found one at B&H in stock, but its pricey--It'll end up around $35-so worst case scenario-I'm pretty cofident that that cable will fit--I might just get it since its so damn hard to find right now--might be extinct before too long.

I'm still going to try rigging some pins and alligator clips first.

mmadden28

Well, I manually rigged a cable-actually several cables--I ended up taking a DB9F to RJ45 adapter soldering some short jumper wires into the female DB9 ends and plugging each line individually into the PJ. The male db9 pins were to thick to fit in the hole (it a curse for me )
I mapped and remapped the connections--continuity checked every connection end to end, but I'm not getting any respose from the PJ at all.
I did a loopback test on the serial port to verify it was communicating properly.
I used Hyperterminal and the ControlCal to send the commands--but nothing.
I tried both serial speeds--all the hardware,software control options-nada.
The PJ is supposed to respond with OK or ERR for anything. Nada.
The PJ works for all the other functions controlled by the buttons on the unit (its just there is no way to access the keystone controls via that menu)

Now I'm wondering if the IR receiving circuitry and the RS232 circuitry are related somehow hence why they both won't work.

I guess its time to call Marantz and work out a repair (assuming my receipt here is good enough).

Any other ideas? :(

unc2701

Not to be an ****, but are you certain that you've got RX-TX right? I've had them show up wrong in manuals before and testing it out w/ them flipped won't hurt anything.

mmadden28

Thanks--Its cool--believe me I understand--I used to handle all the desktop and network support issues at my job (its hard to shake that extra hat off once people are used to coming to you), and I would always start with the "Duh!" basics (but always in a respectful way), and 80% of the time it was a "Duh" moment or as they say in the tech world an ID-10T error. Sometimes though its the simple things that just requires a second set of eyes. So I don't get offended by simple suggestions from time to time.

I used to play with serial connections all the time, I used to build my own cables crimping pins and all that (back when I had more patience and was more frugal) and did a lot of manual modem commands and such-so I have the basics down--But I did try many different pin-outs and what not-even used a breakout box but no dice from the PJ. I am just not familiar at all with Serial comms with a PJ. I spent like 3-4 hours messing around with it.