Does Rise Vision control rs232 functionality over the Display that is being used?

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Hey Dave,

For what function are you using this for? Turning the lcd on and off?

Glad this was asked as well. I've recently been exploring RS232 display control for the first time, and was curious to what software to use that could schedule display power on / off.

Also, curious if anyone is using the USB to Serial connectors successfully with this type of software, as two of primary media player models do not have Serial ports.
Thanks a ton!!

I've never used a serial to USB adapter, or software to control RS232 actions with our software. Sorry!

hey guys thanks for the response!

I plan to use the control function to turn the display on and off in unison when the media player turns on and off.

I have found this site that provides a basic script function to manage the screen's control functions as an executable application for windows. (for LG only)
http://www.rajneeshnoonia.com/blog/20...

I'm purchasing the converter cable today and will test it out (let you know how it goes jeff).
Then I will set a task scheduler(on windows 7) on start up to activate the application and power up the display and power down at night.

I would love to develop a player API(just starting my network)....but for now I was wondering if you guys know of any third party software that can work for now.

Cheers,
Dave

That's awesome Dave! Please let us know how you make out!

Thanks guys.

Dave - Sounds like you've got a great plan in place! Let us now how it turns out. I know that some displays have built-in, browser-based control software that can schedule power on/off, but must be accessed via it's RJ-45/Ethernet port. This however, requires another cable run, and/or adding an additional router to the hardware equation. I agree that a USB / USB to Serial with software solution would be nice to find.

Byron and Robb - I don't want to hijack this thread or run it off course. Could you provide a place for continued discussion on this (and similar 'non-Rise' specific DS collaboration), or is it ok to continue here?

Thanks!

My vote is to continue here. If it's Digital Signage related, it's Rise related ;).

Jeff your hijacking is completely welcome and appreciated!

Thanks guys!

Just a quick update,

So far all the avenues I have looked at were unsuccessful for a free or cost effective method.

every screen serial input is unique to the manufacturer thus complicating things.

However, if you are using a commercial display from a reputable screen manufacturer they might provide a solution for free ready to go. LG provides such software.

For now I'm looking at funding a solution for my network.

Hi Dave,

Couple of thoughts on RS232 display control.

First off my apologies for having not tackled this already. Unfortunately we have a bunch of pressing priorities and given the multitude of displays, etc. to support we have pushed this down the list. I am hopeful that the industry will move to standardize their display controls over time so that when we do take this on it will be easier.

In the mean-time though I thought I would share with you how we envision this being solved when we do built it out.

We will either write a very simple application that resides on the display player pc or we incorporate this functionality into our player application that is already present, and in either case this functionality uses our API to read the schedule for this particular display from our server and when it is not scheduled to show anything it sends the "off" code to the display and when we are scheduled to show something, as per the schedule API, this app sends the "on" display code to the display.

Further, I would like the configuration of this function to be controllable from the display page UI and on that page the user can choose which port to use - serial, USB, or whatever and then they can select which display driver to use. The display drivers are configured to map on / off commands to the proprietary command for that particular display. In this way we can add more and more display drivers over-time and also allow the user to configure their own should they need it without having to constantly re-write / update the client side application functionality.

Now having said the above. If someone other than ourselves was to create this as an application and resell it back to the community, we would be more than thrilled to support their efforts! Anything to get more effort, and reward, coordinated and shared amongst the community.

Thanks!

5 months later, I'm going to chip in! I've actually gotten several more requests for this, and it still seems like there is some legwork to get any solution.

If anyone is working on this, the ability to switch inputs is extremely powerful too. I get asked all the time if I can switch the Tv from the digital presentation to...a live streaming video for example.

So far, the only way that I've found to accomplish remotely switching inputs is to install the commercial display's software on the appliance, then remote in with LogMeIn, etc. Also, I know that some of the display software versions allow you to schedule input changes this way. Of course, this has to be done outside of the Rise Vision App.

we will need this functionality as well..ability to turn power on and off of our displays.
Since there are really just 3 major players in commercial displays, would it be hard to setup just for LG, Samsung and NEC?

Understood re. the need guys but unfortunately we're booked solid for at least the next quarter. I can say that if someone makes this there are many who will buy it...

Since I started this question I still have not found an easy plug and play solution. To control a display in this method requires some heavy duty stuff that doesn't cost cheap. Creston and one other company (Forget the name) make solutions for this problem...but its pricey if your require per display.

@ lonniebos....Unfortunately its not a question of the big 3. Every model has a different ASCII setup therefore you need to have software that is compatible with all three major brands and all their models, both commercial and consumer grade.

Most commercial displays have this feature. All you need is the software to operate it. Most manufacturers offer such software...you just have to make some calls to head office.

If I come across something that works I will let the forum know.

Cheers,
David