Here are the RS232 Serial Protocols for the XA-1 : I have not tested these yet but expect to soon

serial communications protocol consists of start codes (4bytes), function code (2bytes), and reversal function code (2 bytes) for Toshiba HD DVD Player

Start code 0x45 and 0xB5

Example to send a pause code "00"
0x45,0xB5,0x00,0xFF

Example to send a Play code "15"
0x45,0xB5,0x15,0xEA

RS232C protocol:

3 wire 9600bps /8 data bits /1 stop bit /no parity /no flow control
9 pin male D connector DB9

pin 2 is receive
pin 3 is transmit
pin 5 is signal ground



start code: "45" + "B5"

Table of functions

00 Pause/step
01 1
02 2
03 3
04 4
05 5
06 6
07 7
08 8
09 9
0A 0
0D Slow
12 Power ON/Standby
13 Forward
14 Stop
15 Play
16 Display (Navi)
19 Review
1B Cancel
20 Setup
21 Enter
22 Return
23 Skip (back)
24 Skip (forward)
25 +10
26 T. Search
27 Audio
28 Subtitle
29 Angle
2B Repeat (VCR=Play Mode)
31 Door
32 Tab
33 Cursor
34 A
35 B
36 C
37 D
38 Return from Menu (resume)
41 Dimmer
4D Right
4E I/P Selector (resolution)
51 Left
80 UP
81 Down
82 Upper Right
83 Lower Right
84 Menu
85 Lower Left
86 Upper Right
92 Power ON
93 Power OFF
9F HDMI
DE Title (Top Menu)
EF Clear
F5 Open/Close

Mark,
What system are you using to control the HD-XA1? I guess the strings are universal, but just curious in case. Seems like I had some issues with unique protocol before, but I can't remember what I was programming. It must have been about 5 years ago.

I use RTI commands which are one way for now (two way later this year)

I know folks using Crestron are already using RS232 control of the XA-1

I am getting mine (XA-1) next week and will try the commands :)

Congrats on the new arrival! I also like the RTI stuff, and am looking forward to their new processor. The factory told me last week that it should be shipping product by CEDIA 2006. Since they showed the prototype and discussed its features/functionality at CEDIA 2005, I guess it's about time to start building it! The guy I talked to also mentioned that any T3 you have in the field should be upgradeable to WiFi to enable two way to the remote, which is fantastic.

:) Well, Mark, I guess we are the only ones who care about this! :)

I care, I care.
How about Main lobby or CQC support...

I've never heard of a 'reversal code'. Would that be 'FF' minus the function code?

Any idea where the protocols came from? I gave Toshiba a hard time during their HD-DVD Road Tour about whether or not the protocols would be in the manual or readily available on their website since they were happily touting it as a 'feature' of the player. To many companies say "LOOK! We have RS-232" - Then won't release the codes to control it. Go figure.

Thanks for the list.

Anybody got the PAUSE function to work? Using 0x45,0xB5,0x00,0xFF doesn't work for me... all other commands function ok.

Never mind, sorted. Slight error higher up the code meant the pause command wasn't being sent :D

Cheers,

Mark

update

a few folks have gotten the serial commands to work:

you must use a null modem adapter since pins 2 & 3 are reversed: there is no feedback from the XA-1 (one-way only, not bidirectional)

The commands given in post number 1 are correct

Yup, I can confirm that I am controlling my HD-XA1 exclusively via rs232.

Mark

Mark,

I have the HD-A1...Is there a way use the above strings for IR commands rather than RS-232 with RTI?

I'd like a discrete OFF command...

Thanks!

Mark,


I'd like a discrete OFF command...

Thanks!
Ditto!!!

My XA1 is controlled using RS232 only. Although a discrete off would be nice there are some workarounds that may be used until this issue is fixed. The usually hack of turning the unit on with a discrete on ("on" or "play") then followed by a "power" command doesn't work here because the unit will not respond to any additional commands until it boots up. But this could be done with a very long delay. The other option is to use variables (if your remote supports them) and keep track of the power status. Of course this assumes all control is done through your universal remote and not the supplied remote or physically touching the buttons on the front of the player. Mine is working flawlessly using variables and hasn't gotten out of sync once yet.

another way to do it is with a trigger command from your preamp or remote control system:

use a Niles AC-1 , or several models of power conditioners that accept triggers to switch AC outlets, and switch the AC power to turn the A-1 on and off

Mark,

I have the HD-A1...Is there a way use the above strings for IR commands rather than RS-232 with RTI?

I'd like a discrete OFF command...

Thanks!
FYI this is covered in the FAQ entry. discrete off doesn't work for both IR and RS232 as of v1.4. You need to complain to Toshiba.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7498601&&#post7498601

So Jeff...the prontohex didn't work for you?

Ed

markrubin,
Sorry to be dense, but are the 0xFF and 0xEA codes appended to the string supposed to be alternated? For example, do I start with 0xFF and then use 0xEA, then 0xFF, etc., or is there a reason to start with one or the other? I understand the first three 2-bit segments, just not sure how to implement the fourth one. Thank you for your previous help, too.

P.S. Is the issue of a non-functional "ON" and "OFF" resolved with the v2.0 firmware update? This was apparently a problem as mentioned by sfhub in post #15 in this thread.

markrubin,
Sorry to be dense, but are the 0xFF and 0xEA codes appended to the string supposed to be alternated? For example, do I start with 0xFF and then use 0xEA, then 0xFF, etc., or is there a reason to start with one or the other? I understand the first three 2-bit segments, just not sure how to implement the fourth one. Thank you for your previous help, too.

To find the fourth number, subtract the command from 0xFF.

Mark

Ah, thank you. I enjoy dabbling with this stuff, but am not my company's programmer (I have employees to do that :) ), so I am not as familiar with the inner workings of hexadecimal as some of you guys. I do understand where we are going with this though. Is it safe to assume that there is a checksum in the XA1 that needs to see the sum of the third and fourth codes always total to FF? That's what seems like must be happening.

Here are the RS232 Serial Protocols for the XA-1 : [31 Door]

Thanks Mark,

After you verify that all works as expected, I'll put a copy of your post in my manual.

-- Trevor

PS. I can't help but wonder what happens when the RCA receives the "Door" command :).

mark or Trevor,
Am I on the right track with my question from post #20? Anybody?

It certainly looks to be a checksum, but pretty pointless if you ask me as it unnecessarily complicates the process.

Mark

Others have verified these codes work:

http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin/mboard/rc-touch/thread.cgi?1160

It certainly looks to be a checksum, but pretty pointless if you ask me as it unnecessarily complicates the process.

Mark

On the other hand, if there's any possibility of receiving an incorrect byte and thereby having an undesirable result, then it certainly makes sense to provide at last minimal built in verification. Course, if the player is not able to report either error or success, it really puts a damper on error recovery :(.

-- Trevor

It certainly looks to be a checksum, but pretty pointless if you ask me as it unnecessarily complicates the process.
The serial and IR appear to share some processing. You get a lot more chance for bogus commands when dealing with IR thus the NEC1 IR protocol specifies that format.

The error handling is simple. It just discards.

The serial and IR appear to share some processing. You get a lot more chance for bogus commands when dealing with IR thus the NEC1 IR protocol specifies that format.

The error handling is simple. It just discards.

Sure, the error handling at the player end is simple. The troublesome part is at the command issuer end!

-- Trevor

For those that don't want to take the time to figure the reversal code. Here is what I built. I will be using this today (also via an RTI remote) and will let you know if I get full success. any feedback would be great also. I'm assuming we need to add a carriage return, but do we also need a line feed?

ALSO ATTACHED IS THE DOCUMENT SO YOU CAN VIEW IT MORE EASILY.
THANKS


START CODE FUNCTION CODE REVERSE CODE COMMAND COMBINED
0x45,0xB5, 0x00, 0xFF PAUSE/STEP 0x45,0xB5,0x00,0xFF
0x45,0xB5, 0x01, 0xFE 1 0x45,0xB5,0x01,0xFE
0x45,0xB5, 0x02, 0xFD 2 0x45,0xB5,0x02,0xFD
0x45,0xB5, 0x03, 0xFC 3 0x45,0xB5,0x03,0xFC
0x45,0xB5, 0x04, 0xFB 4 0x45,0xB5,0x04,0xFB
0x45,0xB5, 0x05, 0xFA 5 0x45,0xB5,0x05,0xFA
0x45,0xB5, 0x06, 0xF9 6 0x45,0xB5,0x06,0xF9
0x45,0xB5, 0x07, 0xF8 7 0x45,0xB5,0x07,0xF8
0x45,0xB5, 0x08, 0xF7 8 0x45,0xB5,0x08,0xF7
0x45,0xB5, 0x09, 0xF6 9 0x45,0xB5,0x09,0xF6
0x45,0xB5, 0x0A, 0xF5 0 0x45,0xB5,0x0A,0xF5
0x45,0xB5, 0x0D, 0xF2 SLOW 0x45,0xB5,0x0D,0xF2
0x45,0xB5, 0x12, 0xED POWER ON/STANDBY 0x45,0xB5,0x12,0xED
0x45,0xB5, 0x13, 0xEC FORWARD 0x45,0xB5,0x13,0xEC
0x45,0xB5, 0x14, 0xEB STOP 0x45,0xB5,0x14,0xEB
0x45,0xB5, 0x15, 0xEA PLAY 0x45,0xB5,0x15,0xEA
0x45,0xB5, 0x16, 0xE9 DISPLAY (NAVI) 0x45,0xB5,0x16,0xE9
0x45,0xB5, 0x19, 0xE6 REVIEW 0x45,0xB5,0x19,0xE6
0x45,0xB5, 0x1B, 0xE4 CANCEL 0x45,0xB5,0x1B,0xE4
0x45,0xB5, 0x20, 0xDF SETUP 0x45,0xB5,0x20,0xDF
0x45,0xB5, 0x21, 0xDE ENTER 0x45,0xB5,0x21,0xDE
0x45,0xB5, 0x22, 0xDD RETURN 0x45,0xB5,0x22,0xDD
0x45,0xB5, 0x23, 0xDC SKIP BACK 0x45,0xB5,0x23,0xDC
0x45,0xB5, 0x24, 0xDB SKIP FORWARD 0x45,0xB5,0x24,0xDB
0x45,0xB5, 0x25, 0xDA PLUS 10 0x45,0xB5,0x25,0xDA
0x45,0xB5, 0x26, 0xD9 T. SEARCH 0x45,0xB5,0x26,0xD9
0x45,0xB5, 0x27, 0xD8 AUDIO 0x45,0xB5,0x27,0xD8
0x45,0xB5, 0x28, 0xD7 SUBTITLE 0x45,0xB5,0x28,0xD7
0x45,0xB5, 0x29, 0xD6 ANGLE 0x45,0xB5,0x29,0xD6
0x45,0xB5, 0x2B, 0xD4 REPEAT (VCR=PLAY MODE) 0x45,0xB5,0x2B,0xD4
0x45,0xB5, 0x31, 0xCE DOOR 0x45,0xB5,0x31,0xCE
0x45,0xB5, 0x32, 0xCD TAB 0x45,0xB5,0x32,0xCD
0x45,0xB5, 0x33, 0xCC CURSOR 0x45,0xB5,0x33,0xCC
0x45,0xB5, 0x34, 0xCB A 0x45,0xB5,0x34,0xCB
0x45,0xB5, 0x35, 0xCA B 0x45,0xB5,0x35,0xCA
0x45,0xB5, 0x36, 0xC9 C 0x45,0xB5,0x36,0xC9
0x45,0xB5, 0x37, 0xC8 D 0x45,0xB5,0x37,0xC8
0x45,0xB5, 0x38, 0xC7 RETURN FROM MENU (RESUME) 0x45,0xB5,0x38,0xC7
0x45,0xB5, 0x41, 0xBE DIMMER 0x45,0xB5,0x41,0xBE
0x45,0xB5, 0x4D, 0xB2 RIGHT 0x45,0xB5,0x4D,0xB2
0x45,0xB5, 0x4E, 0xB1 I/P SELECTOR (RESOLUTION) 0x45,0xB5,0x4E,0xB1
0x45,0xB5, 0x51, 0xAE LEFT 0x45,0xB5,0x51,0xAE
0x45,0xB5, 0x80, 0x7F UP 0x45,0xB5,0x80,0x7F
0x45,0xB5, 0x81, 0x7E DOWN 0x45,0xB5,0x81,0x7E
0x45,0xB5, 0x82, 0x7D UPPER RIGHT 0x45,0xB5,0x82,0x7D
0x45,0xB5, 0x83, 0x7C LOWER RIGHT 0x45,0xB5,0x83,0x7C
0x45,0xB5, 0x84, 0x7B MENU 0x45,0xB5,0x84,0x7B
0x45,0xB5, 0x85, 0x7A LOWER LEFT 0x45,0xB5,0x85,0x7A
0x45,0xB5, 0x86, 0x79 UPPER RIGHT 0x45,0xB5,0x86,0x79
0x45,0xB5, 0x92, 0x6D POWER ON 0x45,0xB5,0x92,0x6D
0x45,0xB5, 0x93, 0x6C POWER OFF 0x45,0xB5,0x93,0x6C
0x45,0xB5, 0x9F, 0x60 HDMI 0x45,0xB5,0x9F,0x60
0x45,0xB5, 0xDE, 0x21 TITLE (TOP MENU) 0x45,0xB5,0xDE,0x21
0x45,0xB5, 0xEF, 0x10 CLEAR 0x45,0xB5,0xEF,0x10
0x45,0xB5, 0xF5, 0x0A OPEN/CLOSE 0x45,0xB5,0xF5,0x0A

I don't use CR or LF - simply the 4-hex command is sufficient.

Cheers,

Mark

thank you for the heads up.

For those that don't want to take the time to figure the reversal code. Here is what I built. I will be using this today (also via an RTI remote) and will let you know if I get full success. any feedback would be great also. I'm assuming we need to add a carriage return, but do we also need a line feed?

ALSO ATTACHED IS THE DOCUMENT SO YOU CAN VIEW IT MORE EASILY.
THANKS


START CODE FUNCTION CODE REVERSE CODE COMMAND COMBINED
0x45,0xB5, 0x00, 0xFF PAUSE/STEP 0x45,0xB5,0x00,0xFF


Anyone uses a novii remote and knows how to type this? I tried to put these four byte hex into novii directly but it doesn't work.

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but I'm at wit's end.

I have an XA2 and just got a Universal Remote Control's MSC-400, which alllows for RS-232 control, and I cannot get it to work on the XA2. I know the MSC is sending the codes, I checked that by connecting the output to my PC and firing up Hyper Terminal. I set up the device as 19200 bauds, 8 bit data, 1 bit stop, no parity. I have a null modem adapter in the path. Absolutely no code seems to work.

Any idea? Could it be a bad RS-232 board on the XA2?

do another test:

use hyper terminal from your PC to the XA2 and see if it responds to your codes

Thanks for the reply Mark.

I tried that as well. I copied the string sent by the msc-400, then after switching cables and in a different connection session I did "paste to device" (can't remember exact name of the command). No cigar.

Thanks for the reply Mark.

I tried that as well. I copied the string sent by the msc-400, then after switching cables and in a different connection session I did "paste to device" (can't remember exact name of the command). No cigar.

and you tried without the null modem adapter?

and you tried without the null modem adapter?

No I don't think I tried that last scenario from Hyper Terminal, although I did try it both ways from the MSC-400.


Does the RS-232 need to be somehow 'turned on' in the XA2? I didn't see any such option in the setup menu.

It turns out the RS-232 cables for the MSC-400 have a built-in null modem cross, so the adapter wasn't necessary (in fact it doesn't work if you add it in the path). I tried it with and without, but must have done something wrong either way. It's working now and everything is well with the world. Close enough anyway.

humpty bumpty for a old thread

I am having fits with my msc400 and Onkyo XA2 clone

I have a null cable wired, baud set to 19200, 8 bit data, 1 bit stop, no parity

I am sending codes as hex with no return carriage, example for play:

45, B5, 15, EA

no dice :(

any advice is appreciated

-Gary

humpty bumpty for a old thread

I am having fits with my msc400 and Onkyo XA2 clone

I have a null cable wired, baud set to 19200, 8 bit data, 1 bit stop, no parity

I am sending codes as hex with no return carriage, example for play:

45, B5, 15, EA

no dice :(

any advice is appreciated

-Gary

Check with the manufacturer (universal remote) to verify that they do or do not need anything to prefix each code byte when being used as hex. As an example, RTI requires it to be x45, xB5, x15, xEA and AMX requires $45, $B5, $15, $EA. I think this is probably where your problem lies.

Alex, thanks for the reply

the msc400 allows one to enter codes at ascii, hex and decimal, you just pick which one, lets use the code play for example

I have tried these variants(copied exactly from the program):

0x450xB50x150xEA as ascii
0x45,0xB5,0x15,0xEA as ascii
0x450xB50x150xEA\x0D as ascii
0x45,0xB5,0x15,0xEA,\x0D as ascii
0x450xB50x150x00\x0D as ascii
0x45,0xB5,0x15,0x00,\x0D as ascii
45, B5, 15, EA as hex
45, B5, 15, EA, D as hex
45, B5, 15, 0 as hex
45, B5, 15, 0, D as hex

my cable is fine, just testing it with multimeter, no shorts, it is null wired, the mini plug tip TX goes to RX on the Toshiba and vice versa

have tried 9600 and 19200 bauds

thanks for the help

-Gary

got it!!

the XA2 is looking for a straight cable, not nulled(swapped), normal msc400 cables are wired swapped

so TX on the MSC400/or etc. goes to TX on the XA2

19200 baud

the codes work in Hex and require the reversal, so 45, B5, 15, EA for play

thanks for all the help guys, hope this helps someone else down the road as well ;)

-Gary

got it!!

the XA2 is looking for a straight cable, not nulled(swapped), normal msc400 cables are wired swapped

so TX on the MSC400/or etc. goes to TX on the XA2

19200 baud

the codes work in Hex and require the reversal, so 45, B5, 15, EA for play

thanks for all the help guys, hope this helps someone else down the road as well ;)

-Gary

That's very weird. I got rid of my XA2 a few weeks ago but had it hooked up on the msc-400 via RS232. I could swear that I was using a 'normal' msc cable. Then again, I'm not getting any younger and my brains could be tricking me... Is there any chance that Onkyo tweaked the XA2's serial port?

In any case, glad you got it working.

That is odd. I am about 99% sure it does, in fact, require null modem. So 2-3, 3-2, 5-5 instead of your typical straight cable of 2-2, 3-3, 5-5. At least that's the case for the HD-XA2. Maybe Onkyo did change something.
Any rate, glad to hear that it's working for you!

what's the point to using serial control with the xa2 when it doesn't send a status command message when someone uses the ir remote or pushes a button on the front?

am I missing something? my onkyo receiver sends out !1PWR01 if I turn it on manually. This is true 2 way communication. I didn't have to ask it for the device status.

The XA2 will send status, but only if I ask it too :-( I have to tell it something in hex like 45BA15EA and it will replay with its playmode in text.

what's the point to using serial control with the xa2 when it doesn't send a status command message when someone uses the ir remote or pushes a button on the front?

I guess it depends on what you need from the player. In my system I just need it to respond to commands from my cinema which is a different room from where the XA2 is held. The RS232 works perfectly for me with no need for two-way comms.

Mark