Serial control

ceejm1 · Post by **ceejm1** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 2:10 pm

I'm currently investigating how to control an Extron Matrix switcher via RS232 from Housebot. I've searched the archives and everthing that I can find alludes to a serial control device being part of housebot as standard.

Problem is I can't find it! There is generic serial settings option under settings, but nothing in any of the help areas as to how to use it.

I believe that a new hardware interface needs to be set up, but the only option I have is to set up caller ID modem?

Is it possible that the version of housebot I have is missing this, if so where can i download it from?

Thanks in advance.

James

ellisr63 · Post by **ellisr63** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 4:10 pm

If you can't find it you might want to try girder. i assume you can execute Girder from Housebot just like Meedio. I am running a autopatch from girder and you should be able to do the same.

ron

Post by **Richard Naninck** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 5:04 pm

Just reinstall HouseBot again and make sure you add serial support while going through the installation wizzard. As for the help, you can find that on your harddrive in HouseBot/Help/D_GenericSerialDevice.chm

See this post...

http://www.meedio.com/forum/post-205379 ... ht=#205379

ceejm1 · Post by **ceejm1** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 6:50 pm

Thanks for that, its a while since I originally installed housebot but that option sounds vaguely familiar.

BTW, I am running Girder alongside Housebot and its currently taking care of a number of 232 devices. Just thought i'd try the housebot offering to keep track of in/out status without too much traffic between the two.

Thanks

James

Circe640 · Post by **Circe640** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 12:24 am

I have a Extron System 8 Plus that I control via My Marquee 8500 which is controlled via RS 232 from HouseBot. What exactly are you trying to do as I may be able to help you set it up

ceejm1 · Post by **ceejm1** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 2:01 pm

Thanks for your kind offer!

To make what i'm trying to acheive a bit clearer, a brief description of my system:

I've been running girder for a while now and it takes care of all IR traffic and 232s to lighting systems and relays, etc. Aside from a few timing functions, Housebot basically deals with the 'pretty' side of things, providing the interfaces for a number of software remotes. The majority of traffic between the two is HB to girder via the bridge with girder occasionally setting property values in HB for Status, etc.

I am now adding an Extron MAV88 matrix to the system, and while i'm quite happy setting it up to be controlled from girder, the issue I have is maintaining an indication of its state in terms whats patched where. There will be no access to the front panel, so receiving information from it regarding manual operation isn't an issue. I had orginally intended to have a proprerty value change sent to HB from girder at the same time as the appropriate command was sent to the matrix (which may be an option) but my only worry was a risk of the two becoming out of sync as it was relying on the info being passed between the two applications.

Therefore, and back to the topic, I thought it may be better to have the matrix controlled directly by HB so that property values were intrsically linked to the operation of the switcher.

Now, If someone can tell me thats theres absolutley no chance of a property value change from girder being lost, then thats probably the way forward, but as the vast majority of the commands that initiate the switch will come from a soft remote it seems unnecessary for HB to send to girder, for girder to immediatley send back.

Hope that all makes sense.

Let me know your thoughts!

Thanks

James

Circe640 · Post by **Circe640** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 4:14 pm

Personally I would go with a direct HB connection to the Extron. The fewer points of failure the better. Handling serial in HB looks a bit confusing at first but once you get your head around it, it is quite straight forward.