Sounds like if the RS232 spec has that level of control, that will probably be the way to go. IR seems way too klunky to be useful in this application.

It also sounds crazy, but I like crazy. I plan on doing some integration of the 990 with my home automation system as well. I presently have a custom built media server connected to a multi-zone preamp/keypad system. I finally got around to writing some of the automation software the other night so that it starts streaming music to the system when it detects (via RS232 connection to the preamp) that any zone is listening to one of the four media server stereo output pairs. Fun stuff.

Excellent....

I agree that 232 is the way to go, as well.


Scott, if you are listening...

Is there a list of 232 commands available??

Also, is there a list of discrete ir commands for the 990?

Well, I couldn't resist the urge to hook up the 990 to a serial protocol analyzer, since it's sitting here on my desk at work. By no means is this anywhere near complete or conclusive.. but it is very encouraging!

It should be possible to make some very slick remote interfaces for the 990, including reflecting anything shown on the front panel display. This is very cool news, since my equipment closet isn't visible from the seating in my theater. I've been planning on putting together a touchscreen controller, so now I know I can display the current volume level, other settings, etc., and not have to guess.

Of course, I don't know any of the commands you can send to the 990 - that will have to wait for the spec. I also don't know what a lot of the bytes in the protocol mean yet.. Also, not worth figuring out since we think we'll be getting a spec soon.

Perfect,

Looks like a simple program will become a new thread..

Slick... I don't see myself making use of this feature, but the geek/engineer in me thinks there is the potential for some great stuff using this once the right information is available and some of the right minds chew on it a bit.

VERY cool indeed...

Now if only the powers that be (Scott, are you listening?? ;-) ) would release the full RS232 command set, so that users could create home automation macros for such things as individual speaker parameter setups for different rooms as described above, as well as for other features, such as specific selection of digital inputs, etc, it would be invaluable...

I'm new to the world of Home Automation systems, but does any manufacturer provide this info to the end user? I was always under the impression that command sets (such as IR codes, and I'm assuming HA commands) were only provided to 3rd parties with which the manufactuer has negotiated, who subsequently provide appropriate and complete command routines for their hardware/software packages (ie, Crestron and Harmony).

I'm assuming this is the case, because I wouldn't think that Outlaw would want to have to provide support to end users for problems at that level, but I'm curious. Can anyone shed light on this?

RS232 command sets are released in some cases. Traditionally it has been exclusively to custom installers, but the Internet has changed that somewhat. Sherwood does not include this info in the P-965 manual and in fact includes a warning against tinkering with it, but Scott mentioned in a post a week or two back that they were in the process of putting something together to provide us with some (all?) of this info. In all likelihood, they've been focusing on getting 990's shipped out the door (yeah!), but now that shipping has started I suspect they'll be able to work on it some more.