[ANSWERED] NEC Shutter Control Help

PaulieDazzle

Currently trying to shutter an NEC PA653UL using Isadora, and running into a strange issue. PJLink is working and I can control it's power and muting, but when it comes to shutters, I am unable to do so. Currently, the only way to shutter it is via webpage access and clicking the shutter button. Been sifting through documentation and even tried an old user actor that sends hex to the projector to shutter it (along with trying a few different hex strings) and can't seem to crack it. Any advice?

Juriaan

@pauliedazzle

Hi!

If I grab the manual of the projector that you described it seems that you are able to turn off the shutter options of the projector; Could you give that a shot and report back to us?

According to the information you provided you have hardware connection, other Plink commands work so it is not on the communication layer between the two devices, which leaves a problem on a hardware level with the shutter itself.

Let us know :)

PaulieDazzle

@juriaan

The shutters function when I click the shutter button on the LAN webpage, it's that the PJLink AV Mute commands, both the AVMT 11 and AVMT 31 only mute the image and do not engage the shutter at all. The project I'm working on needs use to be able to cue the shutter in and out. Not sure if there needs to be a tertiary program that Izzy should fire to then engage the shutters or if there is a different command that I should be sending over TCP/IP

@pauliedazzle try capturing network traffic using an app like Wireshark. Trigger the shutter in/out from the webinterface and see what happens under the hood as a starting point. Considering the fact that the other pjlink commands work and the shutter does respond from the webinterface seems to imply there’s something wrong with the syntax, not the hardware.

DillTheKraut

@pauliedazzle said:

NEC PA653UL

Most modern laser projectors doesn't come with a physical shutter anymore, but dim or shut down their light source, or simply blank the picture. The bigger ones offer to decide between those options.
While the light source/laser off is comparable with the physical shutter, the picture mute is not, as it still gives the minimum light of the projector, often resulting in a 'glimmer' where a true black is needed on stage. There often is a menu setting to switch between those modes.

A quick look into the documentation reviled following (it really was just quick, I might be partly wrong):

1. There are separate remote buttons for those functions on the remote.

2. the PJlink documentation has contradicting information.
While the 'supporting command list' says only the mute function is supported, but not the shutter (NEC calls it lens mute), there is a note at the documents head, saying later revisions (13.1, probably meaning the Firmware) do support it.

Wrapping all up, I guess there are two different commands available, but if they work depends on the firmware revision your projectors are on. Unfortunately, the pjlink documentation on their webside doesn't provide detailed information of any of those commands.

Edit: Found this document, which offers different command strings for mute and shutter.

@dillthekraut Didn’t look as far into the model info, good call. As a shortcut/save yself some trouble it might be worthwhile to look into an oldie but goodie hardware solution like the wahlberg dmx shutter. Physical device, works like a charm

PaulieDazzle

@justhere

Wireshark was the way to go! Thank you so much!

Trying the TCP commands didn't amount to much, but looking at the HTTP commands did it.
To shutter: http://[Projector IP Address]/pjctrl?D%3D%2512%2570%250%254%251%250%25109
To unshutter: http://[Projector IP Address]/pjctrl?D%3D%2512%2570%250%254%251%251%25110

Using the Get/Post URL Text actor, with the mode set to post-form

@pauliedazzle you’re very welcome, glad it helped. Have a good one 👍