commbox-micro-manual

CommBox Micro Training, Installation, Application notes.

COMM BOX PTY LTD | abn: 431 583 817 05 | Telephone +61 2 9938 4811 | Fax: +61 2 9905 6153 PO Box W105, Warringah Mall, NSW 2100 Australia | www.commbox.com.au

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Introduction CommBox Micro was introduced to answer the need for a small, economical but still very capable Programmable Media Controller, particularly for use with Home Theatre and also for applications where there is no audio or video requirement. In fact, it can function in a similar way to PLCs if desired.

CommBox Micro is simply the programmable controller section of a CommBox Classic unit.

It has all the same capabilities without the inbuilt audio and video systems.

It has no front panel controls, but there is a socket for connecting an optional diagnostic control panel.

For system integrators already familiar with CommBox Processors, this manual covers the points of difference and presents some typical applications - it is not intended to be complete in itself but, for programming purposes, to be used in conjunction with MAN0008.

This manual will concentrate on Choosing your ancillary equipment Connecting this equipment for control purposes Guiding you through the process of changing a standard Theatre Commander template to suit CommBox Micro in a typical home theatre environment.

For detailed information on the many advanced capabilities of CommBox Micro, other Command Systems products that form part of the system and the software tools that tie it all together, see MAN0008.

Thank you for purchasing a Command Systems product! We know you’ll be pleased with it!

The CommBox team, Command Systems Pty. Ltd. Brookvale, NSW, Australia.

COMM BOX PTY LTD | abn: 431 583 817 05 | Telephone +61 2 9938 4811 | Fax: +61 2 9905 6153 PO Box W105, Warringah Mall, NSW 2100 Australia | www.commbox.com.au

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What’s inside the box?

Here is a block diagram.

User Program Storage (EEPROM)

Front Panel Socket Microcontroller

4 timers

IR modulator Serial Port Interface. (RS-232 & IR)

RS-232 port (DB9) Programming, Networking & Control port.

6

5

4

3

2

1

IRBus Control panel port

PIU port

 Serial ports – IR & RS-232. 

Touchscreen or other Control panels Control Panel

IR receiver

Peripheral Interface Unit.

(Relays, Power switches etc.)

CommBox Micro is simply a highly programmable controller that can respond to incoming messages and control virtually anything that is capable of being controlled by Contact closure * Switching * Analog Voltage 0-10 † RS-232 RS-422 * Requires Peripheral Interface Unit.

RS-485 † Requires ZTP0001 P.I.U. Infra-red

COMM BOX PTY LTD | abn: 431 583 817 05 | Telephone +61 2 9938 4811 | Fax: +61 2 9905 6153 PO Box W105, Warringah Mall, NSW 2100 Australia | www.commbox.com.au

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How to connect a CommBox Micro.

Lights

Screen

Power

Curtains

Projectors AirCon

Dimmer

Modular Switcher

PC for programming only

PIU Peripheral Interface Unit Relays, Digital outputs, Analogue outputs.

Serial Port

Power Supply 12-16v.

DB9 programming port can also be used to link up to 119 TCs and/or CommBox Micros using a ZVF0003 Coms Router.

Typical serial port usage Audio system Projector Cassette/CD DVD VCR Video Commander Any of these ports are capable of either Infra-Red or RS-232 communication

Control panel, Touchscreen, IR Receiver

COMM BOX PTY LTD | abn: 431 583 817 05 | Telephone +61 2 9938 4811 | Fax: +61 2 9905 6153 PO Box W105, Warringah Mall, NSW 2100 Australia | www.commbox.com.au

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How to program CommBox Micro Because the CommBox Micro lacks the full-size unit’s inbuilt audio and video facilities, any references to these in existing programs, templates and macros have to be changed. Fortunately, this is quite easy because you can use the Resource Usage dialog to find all the places where you need to make changes.

Of course, your application may not need any audio controls, in which case there’s nothing to do! There’s no reason why unused items can’t be left in place – they just won’t do anything.

But it’s quite likely that you will be using a remote-controllable audio system of some type. This is probably going to be an infra-red controllable “Hi-Fi”-type item such as an AV receiver or modular Music System. These units often have video switchers in addition to the normal audio input selections and volume control.

Another possibility might be to use the audio functions of a projector or TV monitor.

In any case, TC’s normally inbuilt audio functions will need to be replaced by “Send Serial Code” commands that will activate the appropriate functions.

Here’s how I’d suggest you go about it:

1. Choose and Load a Codeset You will need to use a codeset to suit the equipment you are using and one that already has the Input select and Volume Up/Down commands. If there is nothing suitable in the library you may have to sample your unit’s remote control.

2. Change the Volume Control in the Function List Change the Audio Control Add and Audio Control Subtract items to Send Serial Code statements.

3. Change the Input Select macro I suggest you add the necessary Send Serial Code commands and leave the existing Audio Switch, Video Switch and AV Switch commands in place. This is because other things, such as the Control macro, may rely on them.

That’s all there is to it!

COMM BOX PTY LTD | abn: 431 583 817 05 | Telephone +61 2 9938 4811 | Fax: +61 2 9905 6153 PO Box W105, Warringah Mall, NSW 2100 Australia | www.commbox.com.au

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CommBox Micro application 01 Conference/Training room Control panel &/or IR Receiver

12-18 VDC ZTT0200 CommBo x Micro

Screen, equipment power, lights

ZTP0004 Mini PIU

:::: : :::: :

All ports are capable of IR or RS-232/485 :::: :

VCR AMP

Input address

Input address

Audio 1

Audio 1

Audio 1

Audio 1

Audio 1

Audio 1

Audio 1

Audio 1

Audio 1

Audio 1

Audio 1

Audio 1

Audio 1

Audio 1

Audio 1

Audio 2

Audio 2

Audio 2

Audio 2

Audio 2

Audio 2

Audio 2

Audio 2

Audio 2

Audio 2

Audio 2

Audio 2

Audio 2

Audio 2

Audio 2

Video

Video

Video

Video

Video

Video

Video

Video

Video

Video

Video

Video

Video

Video Outputs

Video

Inputs

Input address

Inputs

Input address

Inputs

Input address

Inputs

Input address

Inputs

Input address

Inputs

Input address

Inputs

Input address

Inputs

Input address

Inputs

Input address

Inputs

Input address

Inputs

Input address

Inputs

Input address

Inputs

Input address

Inputs

Inputs

DVD

Control port Output address Audio 1 Audio 2

RGBHV

Video

ZTR0100 Input looping/ Input looping/ Input looping/ Input looping/ Input looping/ Input looping/ Input looping/ Input looping/ Input looping/ Input looping/ Input looping/ Input looping/ Input looping/ Input looping/ Input looping/ Modular expansion expansion expansion expansion expansion expansion expansion expansion expansion expansion expansion expansion expansion expansion expansion socket socket socket socket socket socket socket socket socket socket socket socket socket socket socket Switcher

RGBHV

RGBHV

RGBHV

RGBHV

RGBHV

RGBHV

RGBHV

RGBHV

RGBHV

RGBHV

RGBHV

RGBHV

10 pin IDC ports can be used for monitor “loop-thru” outputs

RGBHV

RGBHV

RGBHV

Video RGB RS-232

COMM BOX PTY LTD | abn: 431 583 817 05 | Telephone +61 2 9938 4811 | Fax: +61 2 9905 6153 PO Box W105, Warringah Mall, NSW 2100 Australia | www.commbox.com.au

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CommBox Micro application 02 Home Theatre system PIU Peripheral Interface Unit

AirCon

Choose from a large Multi CD player

DVD

Cable TV Cable TV

(video & audio wiring not shown)

VHS range of control panels Tuner

AV Surround Amplifier

Outside speakers

In-room speakers

COMM BOX PTY LTD | abn: 431 583 817 05 | Telephone +61 2 9938 4811 | Fax: +61 2 9905 6153 PO Box W105, Warringah Mall, NSW 2100 Australia | www.commbox.com.au

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Games PC

CommBox Micro application 03 Free-running Retail Sales/ Advertising display How to connect two VCRs to provide continuous replay, or scheduled multiple replays over a 24 hour period, starting at a time set by an external timer switch.

CommBox Micro is programmed so that VCR 1 is rewinding while VCR 2 is playing, and vice versa.

VCR 1 Video In Video Out Audio In Audio Out IR or RS-232

1

2 3 4 5 Serial Outputs Micro-TC

VCR 2 Video In Video Out Audio In Audio Out IR or RS-232

6

Cabling to lower floor or another part of the building‌

RLMD-P automatically switches on power to plasma screen when a video signal is available, and switches it off when the video is switched off.

A/V In RLMD-P Isolated A/V Out

Power In Plasma Screen Video In

Audio Amplifier

COMM BOX PTY LTD | abn: 431 583 817 05 | Telephone +61 2 9938 4811 | Fax: +61 2 9905 6153 PO Box W105, Warringah Mall, NSW 2100 Australia | www.commbox.com.au

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