Tech Forum

Hi All,
We've been looking at the Sony EVI-D70 the church has on the website, however I'm a little concerned about the best way to control it. I have about a 100 foot cable run that I will need to make. I'm assuming that I would need to use the RS-422 cable for that length. Does any one know if the camera includes the control software? Has anyone succesfully used this camera by interfacing RS-422 cable with a computer? Any other suggestions on controlling it (low cost)?
Thanks very much,
David

I have not used the RS-422 controls but have used the hand remote on one at three events. It works great. We had the camera sitting on a tripod on the 3rd clerks office and controlled it from the overflow area watching a TV.

I am also interested in the computer controls. The computer will need a RS-422 interface card to allow the communications.

PaulBB1 wrote:The computer will need a RS-422 interface card to allow the communications.

There's several ways that can be done. The difference between RS-422 and RS-232 is in the physical layer. Both are serial communications using the same protocol. So a simple adapter would work at well.

The real questions is what's the cost effective way to do it.

If I remember right the RS-232 connector is a D Connector 9 pin serial port. So a standard RS-232 serial card will work? Should be cheap. The problem as I see it is the putting a cable through conduit to the Library/satellite cabinet and then connecting the wires to the correct pins.

I wonder if I still have my pin removal tool?

And then there is the software. Your right is it worth it when the remote works great.

PaulBB1 wrote:If I remember right the RS-232 connector is a D Connector 9 pin serial port. So a standard RS-232 serial card will work?

With an adapter.

IIRC, the big difference between 232 and 422 is that 232 has a single ground wire and all signals reference it. 422 uses a differential pair - meaning that when one wire is driven positive, the other is driven negative. There is no "ground" line.

However, the whole concept of serial data, speed, start/stop bits, etc are all the same. So once you can adapt electrically, the higher layers of the protocol stack should work.

So your choice is to add a 422 card or to find a 232 to 422 adapter.

RussellHltn wrote:With an adapter.

IIRC, the big difference between 232 and 422 is that 232 has a single ground wire and all signals reference it. 422 uses a differential pair - meaning that when one wire is driven positive, the other is driven negative. There is no "ground" line.

However, the whole concept of serial data, speed, start/stop bits, etc are all the same. So once you can adapt electrically, the higher layers of the protocol stack should work.

So your choice is to add a 422 card or to find a 232 to 422 adapter.

All of the above is correct. If you can't find an adapter between 232 and 422, it is pretty easy to build one. I think I have the hand-drawn schematic for the one I built several years ago. Please inform if it is needed.

I have seen at least one implementation of 422 that included tri-state/buss arrangement. But since we're looking to interface the "master", I don't think it's an issue. It would be the cameras that would go tri-state.

RussellHltn wrote:I have seen at least one implementation of 422 that included tri-state/buss arrangement. But since we're looking to interface the "master", I don't think it's an issue. It would be the cameras that would go tri-state.

The form with the tristates is called RS-485, described in this page: http://www.rs485.com/rs485spec.html

Thank you for all the replys. Some of you have mentioned using the hand remote. I'm assuming this has to be line-of-site to use. Is this correct? Unfortunately for me my control room is not line of site to where the camera will be.

At one time IR extenders were quite popular.