Professional A/V: LAN and RS-232 Control Tips and Documentation
Remote control commands are a great way to expand accessibility and functionality of your compatible Roland Switcher.
There are a number of free software programs to help you test this functionality before integrating it with a 3rd party control system.
Syntax handling may vary by system. More details below in the Sample Commands section.
Bitfocus Companion Compatibility:
This is a popular free software that uses Elgato Streamdeck. Some.
MIDI Control:
For more information on MIDI control, including SysEx commands, please see this guide. It only covers the V-1HD, but this information can be applied to other compatible switchers by referencing that switcher's MIDI Implementation documentation.
Test Software:
Tera Term is great for both TCP/IP (LAN) and Serial (RS-232) testing.
Terminal and Command Tips:
Make sure local echo is turned on in the terminal settings so you can see what you are typing.
<stx> (Hex: 02H) in a command string is how you start a command, but you don't actually type those letters out. In the Tera Term terminal window, press ctrl+B, this functions as <stx>.
Some terminals with local echo enabled may display this as "^B"
Note: Some models do not require stx when using TCP/IP control
Some products end their commands with either <CR> (carriage return) or <LF> (line feed). You set this up in your terminal settings so that the Enter key automatically transmits this.
When configuring the connection settings, refer to the Reference manual to match settings.
-
For Serial (RS-232) control: Match the port number and baud rate
-
For TCP/IP (LAN) control: Match the IP address and port number
Sample Command:
Change PST channel to 3:
<stx>PST:2;
stx is entered in Tera Term by pressing ctrl+B, followed by the letters PST, then a colon, then variable a, which is 0-7 for crosspoints 1-8, so 2 is for SDI input 3, followed by a semicolon and the Enter key
Press CUT button:
<stx>CUT;
stx is entered in Tera Term by pressing ctrl+B, followed by the letters CUT, and because there's no variables, a semicolon and the Enter key
Control System Syntax
Not all Roland Switchers require stx at the beginning, but here are different ways to enter it.
- If your control system requires that you enter each command as Hex values, stx is entered as 02 or 02H.
Bitfocus Companion:
- stx is entered as %02
Crestron BPC-8:
- stx is entered as 02
Crestron 3 & 4 Series:
- stx is entered as \x02
Hercules:
- stx is entered as <stx>
- #002 and $02 may work as well
- Note that <cr> is not needed at the end
Kramer:
- stx is entered as \x02
PuTTy:
- stx is entered by pressing Ctrl+B
Q-Sys:
- Some Roland models require a network password added to each command.
-
Here is an example with a password of "0000":
- 0000\n[COMMAND],[VALUE];0000\n
- If creating a module, you can program it to prompt for the password.
Tera Term: stx is entered by pressing Ctrl+B
Control Documentation
Here is a list of manuals that cover the different types of remote control. You can click the name of your product to go directly to its manuals page.
V Series Switchers
- Utility Owner's Manual - USB Update/Restore App [Win/Mac]
- Remote Owner's Manual - USB Tablet Control App [iOS]
- Utility Owner's Manual - USB Update/Restore App [Win/Mac]
- Remote Connection Guide - USB iPad Control App [iOS]
- RCS Connection Guide - Control App [Win/Mac]
- Remote Control Guide - MIDI
- RCS Owner's Manual - USB Control App [Win/Mac]
- Remote Owner's Manual - USB Control App [iOS]
- Reference Manual - RS-232
Note: MIDI is USB only, there are no DIN connectors
- Reference Manual - RS-232, MIDI
- Reference Manual - MIDI
- Remote Owner's Manual - USB Tablet Control App [iOS]
- Remote Control Guide - RS-232, MIDI
Note: Also supports VISCA over IP PTZ Control
- Reference Manual - LAN, RS-232
Note: Also supports VISCA over IP PTZ Control
Note: A password is required to connect
- Remote Control Guide - LAN, RS-232
- Additional Information
Note: Also supports VISCA over IP PTZ Control
- Reference Manual - LAN, RS-232
Remote Control Guide - RS-232, MIDI
Note: For RS-232, please use the MK1 Remote Control Guide
- Reference Manual - MIDI
Note: Also supports VISCA RS-422 PTZ Control
- Remote Control Guide - LAN, RS-232, RS-422
VR Series AV Mixers
- Remote Control Guide - MIDI
- RCS Owner's Manual - USB Control App [Win/Mac]
- Remote Control Guide - MIDI
- RCS User's Guide - USB Control App [Win/Mac]
Note: The VR-1HD does not support MIDI control, only the RCS software with a USB MIDI Controller
- RCS Owner's Manual - USB Control App [Win/Mac]
Note: MIDI is USB only, there are no DIN connectors
- Reference Manual - RS-232, MIDI
- RCS Owner's Manual - USB Desktop App
Note: Also supports VISCA over IP PTZ Control
Note: A password is required to connect
- Remote Control Guide - LAN, RS-232
- Reference Manual - RS-232, MIDI
Note: Also supports VISCA over IP PTZ Control
- Reference Manual - LAN, RS-232
Note: Also supports VISCA over IP PTZ Control
Note: A password is required to connect
- Remote Control Guide - LAN, RS-232
Note: A password is required to connect
- Remote Control Guide - LAN, RS-232
Matrix Switchers
- Reference Manual - LAN, RS-232, WebRCS
- Reference Manual - RS-232
- Reference Manual - LAN, RS-232, WebRCS
Note: Also supports VISCA
- Reference Manual - LAN, RS-232, RS-422
- Reference Manual - LAN, RS-232, WiFi
- XS-80H RCS Owner's Manual - LAN/RS-232 Desktop App
- XS-80H Remote Manual - WifFi Tablet App
Converters
- VC-1-DMX Tool “Using the VC-1-DMX Configuration Software” - USB Editor [Win/Mac]
Note: A password is required to connect
- Reference Manual - LAN
Instant Replay and Direct Streaming
Note: A password is required to connect
- Reference Manual - LAN, RS-232
LAN Control will be available in a future update