Samsung LED TV - serial control - help (1 Viewer)

[arsenal333]

Samsung TV - RS-232 - Connection to PC using IRSS Guide

This guide is developed from the below threads that work through the issues and sparse information across the web on connecting a PC with the Samsung RS-232 port.

I have this fully working on my Samsung LED 55 inch (UA55B6000VM).

What you need

a. 1 x ex-link cable
(Samsung TV's use a different serial connection cable, referred to as a ex-link cable, is you want to attempt to make your own ex-link cable here is a good place to start.)

b. 1 x DB9 (RS-232) to USB cable, I've found these can be easily purchased from most PC Stores.

c. 1 x Samsung TV

d. HTPC, with MP installed, and the IRSS plugin installed.


Instructions
Hardware
1. Connect the DB9 (RS-232) to USB to your PC (USB end) and install the driver. (Take note of the com port number)
2. Connect the 2 DB9 ends of the Serial to USB and Ex-link cables, plug the 3.5mm jack into the Samsung TV service port.

Samsung TV (Using your TV remote you now need to enter the Service Menu and Change some settings.)
1. Put the TV into Standby Mode, press [Info] then [Menu] then [Mute] and then [Power] when the TV turns on is shows a new Service Menu.
2. Enabled the Hotel Option, and Set the RS-232 interface to UART.
3. Use the Power button the turn the TV off and on again.
TV should now be ready for for communication with your PC.

PC Software
Quick Test
1. Download the attached SamsungHexFiles.rar file and extract.
2. Edit the .bat files and add the correct com port number.
3. Run the SammyHDMIBat.bat as a test, your TV should either swap to the HDMI1/DVI interface, or show the switch on screen.

(If this works you have full connectivity with your Samsung TV, if not, you have some problem solving to do. I would suggest strongly to install Free Serial Port Monitor and try the test again, also go into the Samsung TV service menu and check your adjustments.)

Quick Test Working
1. Open MP Configuration program and the IRSS plugin configuration.
2. Goto the macro editor and select run program, goto where you extracted the SammyHexFiles.rar and select your .bat file.
3. Create a separate macro for each of the files.
4. Map the Macro's to an event, like suspend or resume and your done.

Creating your own hex binary files
Note: At the time of this being written there is currently an identified bug with IRSS and the hex implementation as per this thread. - Update: the bug is fixed as of version 'IR Server Suite - Test Build 1.4.2.4065.zip'

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The fix renders the 'Creating your own hex binary files' redundant however I'll leave it here as someone may still find it useful.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This method show a way to use IRSS to talk with your Samsung TV using your own Hex binary files, my hex files are attached 'SammyHexFiles.rar'.

To do this download a hex edit program, I used 'Free Hex Editor Neo' (google) to create the binary file, I just pasted 08220a000500c7 straight in and saved. I then created a .bat file with the following.
------------------------------
@echo off
MODE COM4:9600,n,8,1,p
copy/b "HexHDMI" com4
------------------------------

Hex codes to use

PowerOn: 082200000002d6
PowerOff: 082200000001d5

VolumeUp: 082201000100d4
VolumeDown: 082201000200d3
MuteToggle: 082202000000d4
SpeakerOn: 08220c060000c4
SpeakerOff: 08220c060001c3

HDMI1: 08220a000500c7
HDMI2: 08220a000501C6
HDMI3: 08220a000502c5
HDMI4: 08220a000503c4
VGA: 08220a000400c8
Component1: 08220a000300c9
Component2: 08220a000301c8
A\V1: 08220a000100cb
A\V2: 08220a000101ca
S-Video: 08220a000200ca
TVTuner: 08220a000000cc


Fixed - IR Server Suite - Test Build 1.4.2.4065.zip - Sending Hex Strings using IRSS

The following Hex codes should work by doing the following.

1. Open MP Configuration program and the IRSS plugin configuration.
2. Goto the macro editor and select serial, use a baud rate of 9600 and leave the other options.
3. Past in one of the below commands.
(I've tested some of the below with a partial fix supplied by chemelli, so they do work, hopefully the full fix will come along soon).

TV Off: \x08h\x22h\x00h\x00h\x00h\x01h\xd5h Tested Ok
TV On: \x08h\x22h\x00h\x00h\x00h\x02h\xd6h Tested OK

Volume Up : \x08h\x22h\x01h\x00h\x01h\x00h\xd4h
Volume Down : \x08h\x22h\x01h\x00h\x02h\x00h\xd3h
Mute Toggle : \x08h\x22h\x02h\x00h\x00h\x00h\xd4h
Speaker On : \x08h\x22h\x0ch\x06h\x00h\x00h\xc4h
Speaker Off : \x08h\x22h\x0ch\x06h\x00h\x01h\xc3h

HDMI 1 : \x08h\x22h\x0ah\x00h\x05h\x00h\xc7h Tested Ok
HDMI 2 : \x08h\x22h\x0ah\x00h\x05h\x01h\xC6h
HDMI 3 : \x08h\x22h\x0ah\x00h\x05h\x02h\xc5h
HDMI 4 : \x08h\x22h\x0ah\x00h\x05h\x03h\xc4h
VGA : \x08h\x22h\x0ah\x00h\x04h\x00h\xc8h
Component 1 : \x08h\x22h\x0ah\x00h\x03h\x00h\xc9h
Component 2 : \x08h\x22h\x0ah\x00h\x03h\x01h\xc8h
A\V 1 : \x08h\x22h\x0ah\x00h\x01h\x00h\xcbh
A\V 2 : \x08h\x22h\x0ah\x00h\x01h\x01h\xcah
S-Video : \x08h\x22h\x0ah\x00h\x02h\x00h\xcah
TV : \x08h\x22h\x0ah\x00h\x00h\x00h\xcch Tested Ok

Thats about it - Enjoy

Original Posts Below

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Hello

I've just got my ex-link cable to hopefully control my sammy through IRSS.

I've been trying for the last few hours to enter a syntax that will work, but have failed in every attempt. I've found the apparent hex codes on another website (codes) and other forums that have programmed something that works

I'm clearly out of my depth, does anyone have any ideas.

Greg

Codes Below ---------

RS-232 works through the Ex-Link port works with the following codes:

BAUD: 9600
Data bits: 8
Partiy: None
Stop-Bits: 1
Flow Control: None

NOTE: The following notation indicates that the command fits inside the "", HEX values are signified by a $, and hex values are separated by commas. So, "$08,$22,$00,$00,$00,$02,$d6" is 082200000002d6 in HEX

Power On : "$08,$22,$00,$00,$00,$02,$d6" --> WORKS
Power Off : "$08,$22,$00,$00,$00,$01,$d5" --> WORKS

Volume Up : "$08,$22,$01,$00,$01,$00,$d4" --> WORKS
Volume Down : "$08,$22,$01,$00,$02,$00,$d3" --> WORKS
Mute Toggle : "$08,$22,$02,$00,$00,$00,$d4" --> WORKS
Speaker On : "$08,$22,$0c,$06,$00,$00,$c4"--> WORKS
Speaker Off : "$08,$22,$0c,$06,$00,$01,$c3"--> WORKS

HDMI 1 : "$08,$22,$0a,$00,$05,$00,$c7" --> WORKS
HDMI 2 : "$08,$22,$0a,$00,$05,$01,$C6" --> WORKS
HDMI 3 : "$08,$22,$0a,$00,$05,$02,$c5" --> WORKS
HDMI 4 : "$08,$22,$0a,$00,$05,$03,$c4" --> WORKS
VGA : "$08,$22,$0a,$00,$04,$00,$c8" --> WORKS
Component 1 : "$08,$22,$0a,$00,$03,$00,$c9"--> WORKS
Component 2 : "$08,$22,$0a,$00,$03,$01,$c8"--> WORKS
A\V 1 : "$08,$22,$0a,$00,$01,$00,$cb"--> WORKS
A\V 2 : "$08,$22,$0a,$00,$01,$01,$ca"--> WORKS
S-Video : "$08,$22,$0a,$00,$02,$00,$ca"--> WORKS(IF TV HAS S-VIDEO)
TV Tuner : "$08,$22,$0a,$00,$00,$00,$cc"--> WORKS

 

[arsenal333]

Okay - I'm trying to work the problem a little, first on the list is confirmation that the serial interface is working.

The setup is to use the mentioned ex-link cable plus a USB to serial cable (Ritmo) - Drivers are installed and working.

I've read that I need to enable a few things in the Samsung TV service menu, in order to enable the service menu I've done the following.

Put the TV into Standby Mode, press [Info] then [Menu] then [Mute] and then [Power] when the TV turns on is shows a new Service Menu.

I've enabled the Hotel Option, and Set the RS-232 interface to debug. (this should give me feedback in a terminal window)

Turn TV off / on.

Goto the PC and run a terminal tool like RS232 Hex Com and setup your com port settings.

Turning the TV off/on should now give debug information through the rs-232 interface. This should be proof that you have the com settings and cable config working.

This is as far as I got last night - I'm hoping to be able to get the below codes working soon - initial attempts with codes have so far failed.

Again any help would be appreciated, specifically around the exact syntax I should enter for the codes in either the Hex terminal program or IRSS.

 

[arsenal333]

Another night of trial and error - results.....

Using the RS232 Hex Com tool, I've been able to successfully send the off/on, HDMI1, and TV Tuner commands to my Samsung LED TV.

In the RS232 Hex Com tool I set the command to be sent as Hex rather than Ascii

The following strings have worked.

TV Off \x08\x22\x00\x00\x00\x01\xd5 or 082200000001d5
TV On \x08\x22\x00\x00\x00\x02\xd6 or 082200000002d6
HDMI1 \x08\x22\x0a\x00\x05\x00\xc7 or 08220a000500c7
TV Tuner \x08\x22\x0a\x00\x00\x00\xcc or 08220a000000cc

It seems that the RS232 Hex Com tool can easily interpret and send either string. I noticed in the 'echo' that RS232 Hex Com tool will strip out the x\ characters and send '08220a000000cc'.

So having this working from RS232 Hex Com tool it was time to move onto IRSS, and setting up Marco's to send the serial commands.

I've used IRSS macro's previously to control my Marantz SR7002 through serial interface - works very well

anyway - I setup the Macro for serial send, and tried 082200000001d5 and \x08\x22\x00\x00\x00\x01\xd5 both of these attempts didn't work.

So I tried

\x082200000001d5 fail - help suggests the use of \x for Hex
\x08\x22\x00\x00\x00\x01\xd5 fail - help suggests the use of \x for Hex

082200000001d5\r fail - \r return character (I have to do this on the Marantz Macro's
\x082200000001d5\r fail - \r
\x08\x22\x00\x00\x00\x01\xd5\r fail - \r

Don't suppose someone could suggest the correct syntax for entry

 

[arsenal333]

Okay More testing - got a little further...

I'm using a program called 'Free Serial Port Monitor' to echo what is being sent from IRSS. This has help greatly in determining whats going on in the background.

firstly the syntax for Hex is as the help screen states: \x??h so for my hex string of

08220a000500c7
the input into the IRSS field would be
\x08h\x22h\x0ah\x00h\x05h\x00h\xc7h

Now for the problem,

Free Serial Port Monitor shows the correct echo for everything up to '08 22 0A 00 05 00'=correct, '3F'=wrong, should be c7.
echo = 08 22 0A 00 05 00 3F
should be 08 22 0A 00 05 00 C7

I don't know why this is, by the last hex \xc7h is being interpreted and sent as 3F this is the same for all my checksum hex's

\x08h\x22h\x00h\x00h\x00h\x01h\xd5h -off
\x08h\x22h\x00h\x00h\x00h\x02h\xd6h -on
\x08h\x22h\x0ah\x00h\x05h\x00h\xc7h -HDMI
\x08h\x22h\x0ah\x00h\x00h\x00h\xcch -TV

so for all \xd5h, \xd6h, \xc7h, \xcch they come out as 3F on the port echo...???

I don't understand how this can be, my thinking is leaning towards the Hex implementation IRSS. Would be great to hear from one of the dev's, please.... so close now, yet so far away...

 

[SiLenTYL]

now to find a usb to serial cable....

what model tv r u using? mine is in "my system" on the left below my name

 

[arsenal333]

Try MSY Online (Ritmo) for the serial cable, was sub $15 I think. I've updated my system details with in my profile, sou'll now be able to see my TV spec.

My thinking is still leading towards a bug in the implementation Hex, any Hex code starting with a character seems to default to 3F. Think I'll submit a bug report.

While I'm here I'll also list the serial codes for my Marantz, which are confirmed working.

Serial Com? Baud:9600, Parity:None, Data Bits:8, Stop Bits:One
@PWR:1\r - Turn Off
@PWR:2\r - Turn On
@VOL:1\r - Volume Up
@VOL:2\r - Volume Down
@AMT:0\r - Mute

Rest of the codes con be found here - Marantz RS232 Control Spec

Now Just to Get the TV codes working....

 

[arsenal333]

Another day of testing, and this time I have it working, however not using the serial hex input in IRSS.

After a lot of googling I read that one person created a binary hex file, and used the dos copy/b command to send it to his com port, which he was able to use to control his Receiver.

So I went about putting the pieces together.

I used 'Free Hex Editor Neo' (google) to create the binary file, I just pasted 08220a000500c7 straight in and saved. I then created a .bat file with the following.
------------------------------
@echo off
MODE COM4:9600,n,8,1,p
copy/b "HexHDMI" com4
------------------------------

Test from windows that it worked = yes

Then went into IRSS and selected the 'Run Program' instead of 'Serial' option in my Macro.

These files in the attached 'SamsungHexFiles.rar' - This will absolutely for, if you have your TV UART setting selected. Just edit the bat files to your com port number and run.

Side Note:
It has been quite a long and frustrating journey deciphering the sparse information out there on RS-232 and Samsung TV's. The collection of forum posts above should now provide the most complete set of information regarding this topic.

To make ones own ex-link cable here is a link to the diagram.
The best source of command code information was from this link

Another note: While I was able to get the debug mode working at 115200 baud, I was not able to successfully send any of the apparent non-hex commands 'n', 'N' to the TV.

 

[arsenal333]

Okay - Hex Implementation problem has now been confirmed as per this thread

Below are the hex commands as they should be applied in IRSS, I've only tested a small subset for my needs, however the others should also work.

TV Off: \x08h\x22h\x00h\x00h\x00h\x01h\xd5h Tested Ok
TV On: \x08h\x22h\x00h\x00h\x00h\x02h\xd6h Tested OK

Volume Up : \x08h\x22h\x01h\x00h\x01h\x00h\xd4h
Volume Down : \x08h\x22h\x01h\x00h\x02h\x00h\xd3h
Mute Toggle : \x08h\x22h\x02h\x00h\x00h\x00h\xd4h
Speaker On : \x08h\x22h\x0ch\x06h\x00h\x00h\xc4h
Speaker Off : \x08h\x22h\x0ch\x06h\x00h\x01h\xc3h

HDMI 1 : \x08h\x22h\x0ah\x00h\x05h\x00h\xc7h Tested Ok
HDMI 2 : \x08h\x22h\x0ah\x00h\x05h\x01h\xC6h
HDMI 3 : \x08h\x22h\x0ah\x00h\x05h\x02h\xc5h
HDMI 4 : \x08h\x22h\x0ah\x00h\x05h\x03h\xc4h
VGA : \x08h\x22h\x0ah\x00h\x04h\x00h\xc8h
Component 1 : \x08h\x22h\x0ah\x00h\x03h\x00h\xc9h
Component 2 : \x08h\x22h\x0ah\x00h\x03h\x01h\xc8h
A\V 1 : \x08h\x22h\x0ah\x00h\x01h\x00h\xcbh
A\V 2 : \x08h\x22h\x0ah\x00h\x01h\x01h\xcah
S-Video : \x08h\x22h\x0ah\x00h\x02h\x00h\xcah
TV : \x08h\x22h\x0ah\x00h\x00h\x00h\xcch Tested Ok

 

[Guzzi]

AW: Samsung LED TV - serial control - help

Thanks a lot for your postings - I am very interested and will do some tests myself as soon as I find the time for it.

 

[arsenal333]

No probs - hopefully these posts will make life easier for others. It wasn't until I installed the 'Free Serial Port Monitor' that I really started making progress, as before that I had no way to determine whether the correct syntax was being sent by the programs I was using.

Anyway would be good to get a list of samsung tv models that this works with, so for anybody that give this a shot please post your Model number and I'll add it to the first post.