Controlling Multiple RS232 Devices

[Mogulbasher]

Ok I have a Sim2 HD800 a Parasound Audio Video controller, a Kenwood Entre DVD player and two comcast 6412 DVRs

I am looking to be able to control the whole lot excluding the concast boxes via RS232 from a Tablet PC.

I do have a HTPC running Win XP MC that is in the same location and all the theatre equipment.

Can I do this with NEt Remote and Girder and if so what additional hardware do I need. I know I need to plug the RS232 cables into something and that would need to be plugged into a PC somewhere. Would I do this via a 4 port RS232 PCI card or via a 4 port RS232 controller with TCP/IP input

Sorry for the novice question but just starting out here.

[Promixis]

Hi,

If the devices are close to the HTPC and the HTPC is mostly on, then I would get either a 4 port PCI serial card or USB - Serial adapter. EBAY for an edgeport card. They are excellent.

Then post here with each device and attach a protocol description and we will get you up and running.

[quixote]

I finally have my w800 working, but WHAT A NIGHTMARE!
Allow me to explain. I ordered and received the device. It arrived quickly and with no problems whatsoever. ( I highly recommend automatedoutlet.com). Anxious to get it working I ran home (I had it delivered to my place of employment) only to find to my dismay that I have only one rs232 serial port. I took a little trek out to my nearest computer peripheral store, and bought a serial 9pin rs232 to USB adapter by tripp-lite. I walk home and try to install it. no luck. I try the mini-CD that came with the device, I try downloading the drivers off the website, to no avail. I then wrote an email to the support staff.



To whome it may concern -
I am having trouble, even though I have followed the instructions to a T. I have also tried downloading the drivers from your web site without results. I am using Windows XP MCE SP2, and the hardware wizard keeps telling me that the software contains no information on the hardware. Please advise ASAP.
Thank you.

To which they responded:


It appears that you initially attempted to install the drivers from the CD that came with the U209-000-R. Is this correct? If this is the case, do you get a different error when you attempt to install the drivers from the CD?

Admittedly, I wasn't as specific as I should have been. Regardless I had found a few accounts of negative feedback, so I returned it to the store before getting involved in some long, drawn-out attempt to get it to work when it was supposed to be plug n play.

Before I returned it I called the local futureshop and asked if they had a similar product that I had found online for the same price. The guy told me that he had 1 left, but it was an opened box, and there is a 10% discount because it was open. I asked him to hold it for me for an hour and a half while I make my way over there.

An hour later and the guy is standing in front of me telling me he doesn't have it. That he couldn't find it. Anyway, to make a long story short, I threw a fit and asked to speak to the manager. The manager gave me Another adapter that was 10 bucks more for the same price, so it was all good. I brought it home, plugged it in, searched the included CD for the appropriate driver and it was installed and working within 30 seconds.

The moral of the story is: If you have a choice between a Tripp-lite U209-000 R and an IOGear GUC232A for 10 bucks more, TAKE THE IOGEAR.

[Promixis]

Yes, be warned not all usb-serial adapters are equal.

[Mogulbasher]

Ok Thanks, I will stop by once I have it in hand and installed. Could you give me a little more on what info you need in the protocol description...Thanks

[Promixis]

Ok Thanks, I will stop by once I have it in hand and installed. Could you give me a little more on what info you need in the protocol description...Thanks

we need

baud rate, parity, stop bits, data bits, flow control etc etc.

plus what commands the device expects, how they are formated etc etc

[Mogulbasher]

Thanks I will be home this weekend to try it out...I will let you know how it goes...A