Could someone explain RS-232 ports? (1 Viewer)

[Tom_Price]

I don't understand how these ports work. I hear they are used for remote control of other units and I know I have one on my receiver, DVD player, CD player, and electic projection screen. How would I use the connection to its ability with these components?

Thanks,
TJ

 

[ChuckSolo]

RS232 ports are more commonly known as serial communications ports on a computer. These serial ports allow for "bits" of information to pass through the wires of an RS232 cable one bit at a time, i.e., in single file. In effect, the process is extremely slow in the data transfer department. It is extremely inefficient in today's PCs, but may be ok for audio/video equipment though.

 

[Ted Lee]

they're mainly used when you need to upgrade the firmware for the component.

 

[ChuckSolo]

My old Sony Surround system used to have these to hook up each individual component to each other. I never really saw the advantage. I think it was so you could turn on each component by using only one button on the remote. I hardly ever used it.

 

[Dave Koch]

>>> they're mainly used when you need to upgrade the firmware for the component.

Why would I have it on my Rotel Amp?

 

[Bob McElfresh]

Well, some THX equipment include a DB-25 connector for the line-level inputs. These connectors have the advantage of having screws to lock the connector in place. They are identical to a RS-232 connector, but they are really for analog inputs.

There are some high-end Crestron/et. al controller systems that will use the RS-232 connections on some equipment to do basic control functions like "turn on", "change volume". But it's not real common because the protocol and command-sets are different for every device. And since almost all of these components have to have a IR port to receive commands from a remote - it's actually a lot of extra expense to put a RS-232 jack.