RS232 or IP Control

[pemberto]

Hello All,

I am in the process of building my first htpc and an aspect of the build that I am very interested in is the control of the box. I currently have a Crestron automation system that provide the ability for me to control my home theater via IR, RS232 or IP.

What I am keen to undestand is what is possible for controlling Media Portal, can I control it via RS23 and if so where can I find a copy of the protocol.

Thanks

Pemberto

[and-81]

I don't think there is anything available at the moment for controlling MediaPortal with RS232 (Someone correct me if I'm wrong).

What sort of control are you after?

Do you just want simple navigation control, like a user sitting in front of the tv with a InfraRed remote control? Or do you want full control (Play this file, Tune this Radio station, etc ...) ?

Cheers,

[pemberto]

Aaron,
Thanks for the response. I would really like all control if possible either using rs232 or IP. If this has not been developed, it would be great if the team could look at providing a two way protocol so that a user can get system feedback.

For example, I have a two way Crestron remote using RF signals, talking to a crestron RF gateway which talks to the Crestron central processor. All my equipment is connected to this central processor, RS232 - Amp, DVD, Plasma, Video Processor, IR - Xbox 360, Tuner, Sat Box ect.

With a two way control using RS232 I can see what the amp is doing. If I go directly to the amp and change the input or volume this is in realtime updating the remote.

Pemberto

[and-81]

That sort of control would be very nice, but as far as I know nothing like that exists yet.

Unfortunately I don't have the time to spare from other projects I'm working on to devote to this sort of thing right now.

I know I could put together something simple in quick time, but it wouldn't be good enough really.

I believe there is a bluetooth or PDA control plugin around, maybe you could use (maybe with small modification) their work ...

[RobertinoM]

hi, maybe I am wrong.. but I know a guy who is working on it..

as far as I understood crestron, the processor is working with three inputs anaog (value 0-65535), digital (0,1) and serial (means ASCII)

the crestron processor can be programmed with macros that are sent to e.g. MP and executed there. What you need is a parser for the crestron commands coming to MP.

I will ask the guy if my understanding is correct and if he is still working on that.

regards robertino