I thought I'd follow up with more info for anyone who has RS232 challenges int he future. The KanexPro SDI matrix we were trying to use didn't work out. After many attempts to communicate with their tech support the take away seems to be that no one at KanexPro actually knows how RS232 works. So, we switched to the Kramer ELectronics 8x8 3G SDI Matrix Switcher. Their HEX communication was much better documented and their tech support was friendly and informed.
Below please see our HEX for RS232 commands for both the Kramer Electronics 8x8 3G SDI Matrix Switcher and the tvONE DVI + Audio Input 5-Port Expansion for C2 Series Switchers. I worked through this with my assistant programmer TJ Hospodar. These are used to control input and output selections.
Kramer Electronics 8x8 3G SDI Matrix Switcher Notes
For switching input and output:
01 82 83 81 (no qoutes)
switch video command = 01
input2 =82
output3 =83
machine1 =81
(no carriage return)
Isadora Format
01 81 81 81
01 82 81 81
01 83 81 81
01 84 81 81
01 85 81 81
01 86 81 81
01 87 81 81
01 88 81 81
NOTE:
dip switches on the rear signify machine#. one machine system requires said machine set to machine#1.
dip switches 1/2/3/4 & on/off.
1off 2off 3off 4off --and--
1on 2off 3off 4off
BOTH signify machine#1.... and i set it to the latter.
NOTE:
these codes are formatted for protocol2000 (rather than the machine's default protocol3000)
to change protocols, you hold down two buttons on the face of the machine at the same time. [lock] button blinks to confirm.
protocol2000, hold [output#2] and [lock]
protocol3000, hold [output#3] and [lock]
it is said that you can switch protocols via RS232.
for protocol2000, send: #P2000 carriage return (no quotes).
for protocol3000, send: 38 80 83 81 (no quotes).
unconfirmed.
tvONE DVI + Audio Input 5-Port Expansion for C2 Series Switcher Notes
To switch inputs
F 04 00 00 0082 00000N CS [CR]
F= start of packet
N = 0..4
CS = 86+N (86 = 04 + 00 + 00 + 82)
[CR] = carriage return = end of packet
Isadora Format
<< "command" 0D >>
"F040000008200000086" 0D
"F040000008200000187" 0D
"F040000008200000288" 0D
"F040000008200000389" 0D
"F04000000820000048A" 0D