model RS-2/S
Installation Instructions

 

Hardware
The RS-2/S adapter simply plugs into the RS232 port of most any PC, whether it be a laptop or desktop unit. The enclosed cable connects between the RS-2/S and the controlled audio/video device, typically a video cassette recorder (VCR). When installing the RS-2/S, be careful to note which jack to use on your VCR. It should be marked on the VCR chassis as "Control S In".

Keep in mind that there are two VCR addressing schemes at work. One is the port, or cable, selection that sends Control-S commands out the three cables attached to the RS-2/S3. The RS-2/S1 adapter has only one Control-S output cable, which is addressed as Port 1. The other addressing mode is the 5-bit addressing on each Control-S cable.

Many VCRs have a "VCR1, VCR2, VCR3" switch that enables a deck to respond to 3 of the possible 32 Control-S addresses. By connecting three VCRs on each of the three RS-2/S3 cables, nine VCRs can be easily controlled.

The RS-2/S adapters have an LED that is illuminated for about 1 second when power is first applied by the applications opening the serial port. The LED will also illuminate as any serial character is sent or received. The LED also stays illuminated whenever a 0FFh character is received. All of these LED indications can be used to verify that the adapter is working properly.

Software
Please refer to the enclosed RS-2/S protocol specifications for interface details. The systems integrator or software engineer will need write the necessary code to communicate with the RS-2/S and, therefore, the controlled VCR.

For a quick checkout, it's possible to use Windows HyperTerminal to generate a few Control-S codes. For this test only, set HyperTerminals to 9600 Baud, 7 bits, Odd parity, and for the correct COM port. Then, at the key board send a 02h by holding ALT, pressing the keypad "2", and releasing ALT. (This sends the first protocol character, selecting VTR1 and All ports.) Second, send a Stop code (24 decimal) by holding ALT, pressing 2, pressing 4, and releasing ALT. (The deck will need to be actively moving tape, such as Playing, in order to view the effects of this command.) Other deck commands that will work this way include Rewind (27 decimal), Record (29 decimal), and Slow Play (34 decimal).