Nexus C-816 User manual

Nexus Audio Systems

C-816 MULTI-ROOM CONTROLLER

RS232 Command Re erence

1.0 03/23/2011 1

RS232 PROTOCOL

The C-816 Controller has an RS-232 port that allows the system to be ontrolled with an external

ontroller or be ome a sub-system in a whole-house ontrol pa kage. This allows the system installer to

integrate the operations of the C-816 with other ontrol systems in the home.

The C-816 Serial Port allows full ontrol of all system fun tions. In addition to being able to ontrol the

C816/expansion Controllers ‘on board’ fun tions (on/off, input sele t, et ) RS-232 ontrol in ludes

ontrol of the Tuner and other sour e omponents, in luding any atta hed iPod/do k ombinations.

When the C-816 ‘sees’ a ommand for one of the on board fun tions, it responds a ordingly. When it

sees a ommand su h as CD play, the in oming RS-232 ommand is interpreted in a similar manner to a

keypad button press and the C-816 will output the appropriate orresponding IR ommand.

The Serial Port on the C-816 uses a female DB9 onne tor wired in a DTE onfiguration. Tx (transmit)

= pin 2, Rx (re eive) = pin 3, Ground = pin 5. Communi ation settings are 19200 baud, 8 bits, no parity,

no handshake.

Figure 1. RS-232 Port Pin Out

Ea h ommand must be terminated with a arriage return: < r>. If an invalid ommand is sent, the C-

816 will respond with ERR. If a valid ommand is sent, the C-816 will respond with OK unless it is a

query type ommand, in whi h ase the C-816 will respond with information. Every response from the

C-816 is terminated with < r>.

The C-816 sends out unsoli ited information whenever a keypad is operated. The syntax is the same as

that used for ontrolling the C-816. For instan e, if someone turns on Zone 1 via a keypad, the C-816

will transmit Z011 out of the serial port. The string will be terminated with < r>.

Note: the symbol < r> shown in the table below represents a arriage return ontrol hara ter who's

value is hex 0x0d. This is what must be transmitted to the C-816 at the end of every ommand, not the

hara ters <, , r, >.

RS232 ommand table starts on next page.

1.0 03/23/2011 2

Command Syntax Parameters Des ription

Zone Power Zxxy< r> xx=zone, valid range 01-

y=state, 1=on, 0=off

Similar to pushing the power button on a

zones keypad. This will power up/down

the spe ified zone

Zone Power

Query

Zxx?< r> xx=zone,

valid range 01-16

Ask the C-816 if a zone is on or off. The

C-816 will respond with Zxx1 for zone

on, and Zxx0 for zone off. xx is the zone

number queried.

All off ZA0< r> 0=off Turn all zones off. If an Expansion

Controller is onne ted, it's zones will

also be turned off.

All on ZA1< r> 1=0n Turn all zones on. They will be set to

their last used sour e and volume.

Sour e Sele t Sxxy< r> xx=zone, valid range 01-

y=input, range T, 1-6

Similar to sele ting a sour e on a keypad.

T=tuner, 1-6=inputs 1-6. Inputs 5 and 6

orrespond to expansion slots 1 and 2.

Sour e Query Sxx?< r> xx=zone, valid range 01-

Ask the C-816 what input a zone is on.

The C-816 will respond with Sxxy, where

xx is the zone number queried and y the

input it is set to.

Fun tion Fxxyy< r> xx=zone, valid range 01-

yy=fun tion:

on keypad: SU, SD, RW,

FW, ST, PS. Additional

on IR remote: GU, IN,

EX, MN, CU, CD, NU,

NR, ND, NL, EN, N1,

N2, N3, N4, N5, N6,

N7, N8, N9, N0, TR, DI.

Similar to pressing a fun tion on a

keypad or remote. SU=s roll up,

SD=s roll down, RW=rewind, FF=fast

forward, ST=star, PS=pause.

R-3 Remote only: GU=guide, IN=info,

EX=exit, MN=menu, CU= h up, CD= h

down, NU=nav up, NR=nav right,

ND=nav down, NL=nav left, EN=enter,

N1-N0=numeri buttons, TR=tra k,

DI=dis .

Volume

Absolute

Vxxyy< r> xx=zone, valid range 01-

yy= volume, range 00-

Set an absolute volume level in a C-816

zone. NOTE: yy number is in dB so 00 is

the loudest at 0dB and 99 is the softest at

-99dB.

Volume Query Vxx?< r> xx=zone, valid range 01-

Ask the C-816 what volume a zone is set

to. The C-816 will respond with Vxxyy

where xx is the zone number, (01-16) and

yy is the volume of that zone (00-99) =

0dB to -99dB

Volume Step Vxx++< r>

Vxx- -< r>

xx=zone, valid range 01-

In rease or de rease the volume of a zone

by one step (1dB).

1.0 03/23/2011 3

Command Syntax Parameters Des ription

Frequen y

Query

FREQ?< r> none Query what frequen y the Tuner is on.

The reply will be ‘FM’ or ‘AM’ followed

by the frequen y. Example: ‘FM105.9’ or

‘AM1010’

FM tuner

frequen y

FMFxxxx< r> xxxx=frequen y, valid

range 0875-1079,

leading zeros required.

Set the FM frequen y of the C-816

internal tuner. If the tuner is on the AM

band, it will swit h to FM.

AM tuner

frequen y

AMFxxxx< r> xxxx=frequen y, valid

range 0530-1710,

leading zeros required.

Set the AM frequen y of the C-816

internal tuner. If the tuner is on the FM

band, it will swit h to AM.

Swit h to FM FMB< r> none Swit h to the FM band without hanging

the frequen y.

Swit h to AM AMB< r> none Swit h to the AM band without hanging

the frequen y.

Frequen y Seek SEEKx< r> x = + or x = - Seek up or down the urrent band (FM or

AM), and stop on the next station.

Slave tuner

ontrol

SL_ Prepend to tuner

ommands above

Allows ontrol of tuner in slave hassis, if

one is atta hed.

Query tuner

preset

PRE?< r> none Che k if urrent tuner frequen y is

assigned to a preset. The reply will be

PRE00 if it is not a preset, or PRExx

where xx = preset number.

Set FM preset PRExxFMyyyy

< r>

xx = preset number,

range 01-20, yyyy =

frequen y, range 0875-

1079

Assign an FM tuner frequen y to a preset.

Set AM preset PRExxAMyyyy

< r>

xx = preset number,

range 01-20, yyyy =

frequen y, range 0530-

1710

Assign an AM tuner frequen y to a

preset.

Mute on MUTE_ONxx

< r>

xx=zone, valid range 01-

A tivates mute on the desired zone xx. If

xx is omitted, then zones will mute

a ording to those enabled in the mute

menu.

Mute off MUTE_OFFxx

< r>

xx=zone, valid range 01-

De-a tivates mute on the desired zone xx.

If xx is omitted, then zones will un-mute

a ording to those enabled in the mute

menu.

1.0 03/23/2011 4

Command Syntax Parameters Des ription

Treble Txxyy< r> xx=zone, valid range 01-

yy= value, range 00-20

Adjusts the treble for a given zone. The

adjustment range is -10dB to +10db with

0dB being flat, so a yy value of 0 =

-10dB, 10 = 0dB, 20 = +10dB.

Bass Bxxyy< r> xx=zone, valid range 01-

yy= value, range 00-20

Adjusts the bass for a given zone. The

adjustment range is -10dB to +10db with

0dB being flat, so a yy value of 0 =

-10dB, 10 = 0dB, 20 = +10dB.

Query sour e

name

SNxx?< r> xx=sour e, range 01-07 Returns a hara ter string des ribing the

name of the queried sour e.

Set sour e name SNxx < r> xx=sour e, range 01-07,

= a hara ter string,

max 10 hara ters

Sets the name of sour e xx to .

Example to hange the name of sour e 2

to CABLE, issue:

SN02CABLE< r>

Query zone

name

ZNxx?< r> xx=zone, range 01-16, Returns a hara ter string des ribing the

name of the queried zone.

Set zone name ZNxx < r> xx=zone, range 01-16,

= a hara ter string,

max 16 hara ters

Sets the name of zone xx to .

Example to hange the name of zone 1 to

KITCHEN, issue:

ZN01KITCHEN< r>

Query number

of zones

ZONES? none Returns the number of zones in the

system. It will be either 08, or 16 if a

slave is atta hed.

1.0 03/23/2011 5

Nexus C-816 iPod control protocol

This se tion des ribes the ommands used to ontrol an iPod atta hed to a Nexus C-816 via the RS232

port on the rear of the unit. The RS232 port uses a baud rate of 19200, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and no

parity. In the examples shown, the string < r> represents a arriage return; a single byte non-printable

hara ter with the hexade imal value 0x0d. For information regarding onne ting an iPod do k to the

C-816, please refer to the Nexus C-816 installation guide.

Command list.

I_SLOT1

This ommand allows a devi e atta hed to the RS232 port to take ontrol of an iPod atta hed to slot 1 of

the C-816. If the iPod is not in use, a reply of “OK” will be returned. If the iPod is in use (by a keypad),

a reply of “ERR iPod in use” will be returned. After this ommand is issued, and if su essful, a 32

se ond timer will be started. If any iPod related ommands are sent to the ontroller, this timer will be

reset. If no iPod related ommands are re eived for 32 se onds, a reply of “Slot1 timeout” will be

returned, and the RS232 port loses ontrol of the iPod.

Example:

--> I_SLOT1< r>

<-- OK< r>

I_SLOT2

Same as I_SLOT1, but instead takes ontrol of an iPod on slot 2.

I_ ELIPOD

When the devi e on the RS232 is finished ontrolling the iPod, it should issue this ommand to make

the iPod available to the system.

Example:

--> I_RELIPOD< r>

<-- OK< r>

I_ ESDBSEL

Resets the iPod's database sele tion to an empty state, and sets the ategory ount to zero. This is

analogous to pressing the iPod menu button repeatedly to get to the topmost iPod menu. Any previously

sele ted database items are de-sele ted. The ommand has no effe t on the playba k engine – any songs

urrently in the play queue will ontinue to play.

Example:

--> I_RESDBSEL< r>

<-- OK< r>

I_GETNUMCATDB EC

Retrieves the number of re ords in a parti ular database ategory. For example, the number of artists, or

albums in the iPod database ould be queried. The ategory types available are as follows:

Playlist = 01

1.0 01/02/10 6

Artist = 02

Album = 03

Genre = 04

Tra k = 05

Composer = 06

AudioBook = 07

Pod ast = 08

This ommand must be used to initialize the ategory ount before sele ting a database re ord using the

I_SELDBRECORD ommand. A ategories re ord ount an hange based on prior ategories sele ted

and the database hierar hy. For example, if the database has just been reset using I_RESDBSEL, then

this ommand would return the total number of re ords for a given ategory. However, if this ommand

is sent after one or more ategories have been sele ted, the returned re ord ount will be a subset of the

re ords that are member of all the ategories sele ted prior to this ommand.

Example:

--> I_GETNUMCATDBREC 02< r> 'request the number of artists

<-- 184< r> 'there are 184 artists

I_ ETCATDB EC

Retrieves one or more database re ords from the iPod based on the results from the

I_GETNUMCATDBREC ommand. This ommand spe ifies the ategory type (see above), the starting

re ord index, and the re ord ount. For example, using a ategory type of two (artist), a starting index of

zero, and a re ord ount of five, the iPod will return the names of the first five artists in the database.

Example:

--> I_RETCATDBREC 02,0,5< r> 'request artist names starting at re ord 0, get 5 artists

<-- a-ha< r> '5 artist names are returned

<-- Aaron Neville< r>

<-- AC/DC< r>

<-- Adam Ant< r>

<-- Aerosmith< r>

I_SELDB EC

Sele ts one or more re ords in the iPod database, based on a ategory relative index. For example

sele ting ategory two (artist), and re ord index one results in a list of database re ords from the se ond

artist in the artist list. Sele tions are additive and limited by the ategory hierar hy. Sele tion of a single

re ord automati ally passes it to the playba k engine and starts its playba k. This ommand may only be

used after a ategory ount has been initialized by use of the ommand I_GETNUMCATDBREC.

Example:

--> I_SELDBREC 02,2< r> '(see above) Artist number 2 (AC/DC) is sele ted

<-- OK<CR>

I_PLYCU SEL

This ommand opies items from the iPod's database engine to the playba ks engine, and optionally

shuffles the tra ks if shuffle is a tive, then starts playba k at the spe ified tra k index.

1.0 01/02/10 7

Example:

--> I_PLYCURSEL 0< r>

<-- OK<CR>

I_GETPLYSTAT

Requests the urrent iPod playba k status. A reply of “Playing”, “Paused”, or “Stopped” will be

returned.

Example:

--> I_GETPLYSTAT< r>

<-- Playing<CR>

I_GETCU PLYT IND

Requests the index of the urrently playing tra k in the playba k engine. The index is returned.

Example:

--> I_GETCURPLYTRIND< r>

<-- 12<CR>

I_GETINDPLYT TIT

Requests the urrently playing tra k title. The tra k title will be returned.

Example:

--> I_GETINDPLYTRTIT 12< r>

<-- Tra k1: Walking On Broken Glass<CR>

I_GETINDPLYT A T

Requests the urrently play tra k artist. The artist name will be returned.

Example:

--> I_GETINDPLYTRART 12< r>

<-- Artist1: Annie Lennox<CR>

I_GETINDPLYT ALB

Requests the urrently playing tra k album name. The album name will be returned.

Example:

--> I_GETINDPLYTRALB 12< r>

<-- Album1: Medusa<CR>

I_PLYCONT

Controls the playba k state of the iPod. If the iPod is already in the requested state, then this ommand

has no effe t. The states that the iPod an be put into are listed below:

Toggle play/pause = 01

Stop = 02

Next tra k = 03

Previous tra k = 04

1.0 01/02/10 8

Start FF = 05

Start REW = 06

End FF/REW = 07

Next = 08

Previous = 09

Play = 10

Pause = 11

Note: if the urrent tra k is an audiobook or pod ast, then Next and Previous ommands skip to the next

or previous hapter. Otherwise, they a t like Next tra k and Previous tra k.

Example:

--> I_PLYCONT 01< r> 'Toggle Play/Pause

<-- OK<CR>

I_GETSHUF

Requests the urrent shuffle status of the iPod. The reply will be Shuffle off, Shuffle tra ks, Shuffle

albums.

Example:

--> I_GETSHUF< r>

<-- Shuffle off<CR>

I_SETSHUF

Sets the shuffle state of the iPod. Use 00 to turn shuffle off, 01 to shuffle tra ks, or 02 to shuffle albums.

Example:

--> I_SETSHUF 01< r> 'Shuffle albums

<-- OK<CR>

I_GET EP

Requests the urrent repeat status of the iPod. The reply will be Repeat off, Repeat 1, or Repeat all.

Example:

--> I_GETREP< r>

<-- Repeat off<CR>

I_SET EP

Sets the repeat state of the iPod. Use 00 to turn repeat off, 01 to repeat one tra k, or 02 to repeat all

tra ks.

Example:

--> I_SETREP 01< r> 'Repeat 1 tra k

<-- OK<CR>

I_GETNUMPLYT

Requests the number of tra ks in the list of tra ks queued to play on the iPod.

1.0 01/02/10 9

Example:

--> I_GETNUMPLYTR< r>

<-- 14<CR>

I_SETCU PLYT

Sets the index of the tra k to play in the now playing playlist on the iPod. The number of playing tra ks,

and the urrent playing tra k index may be queried using I_GETNUMPLYTR and

I_GETCURPLYTRIND. This ommand only works if the iPod is in the play or pause modes, not in the stop

mode.

Example:

--> I_SETCURPLYTR 7< r>

<-- OK<CR>

I_ EQIPODNAM

Requests the name of the atta hed iPod. The name will be returned. If the user has not set a name for the

iPod, then “iPod” will be returned.

Example:

--> I_REQIPODNAM< r>

<-- John's iPod<CR>

I_METADATAON

This ommand enables reporting of the artist, album, and tra k names out of the RS232 port. This info

will be reported every time the tra k hanges without having to request it. Ea h item is reported with a

field identifier, and a arriage return at the end. For example, if the song hanges on the iPod whi h is

on slot 1, the following will be sent out the serial port:

Artist1: Be k

Album1: Sea Change

Tra k1: The Golden Age

For the iPod on slot 2, the prefixes will be Artist2: Album2: and Tra k2

Example:

--> I_METADATAON< r>

<-- OK<CR>

I_METADATAOFF

Can els reporting of song metadata out of the serial port. This information ould still be requested

manually using the ommands I_GETCURPLYTRIND, I_GETINDPLYTRTIT,

I_GETINDPLYTRART, and I_GETINDPLYTRALB.

Example:

--> I_METADATAOFF< r>

<-- OK<CR>

1.0 01/02/10 10

Other manuals for C-816

This manual suits for next models

Other Nexus Recording Equipment manuals

Nexus

Nexus C-816 User manual

Popular Recording Equipment manuals by other brands

KV2 Audio

KV2 Audio 500 Series user guide

Robotics Technologies

Robotics Technologies microBus-Cam II installation manual

Seca

Seca 460 quick start guide

Cognex

Cognex MVS-8000 Series Hardware manual

Mect

Mect MPNC006 Series user manual

Bad Caf

Bad Caf THE LEASH operating manual

Strymon

Strymon NIGHTSKY user manual

Mitsubishi Electric

Mitsubishi Electric 16CH DIGITAL RECORDER DX-TL5000U user manual

Tews Technologies

Tews Technologies TPMC465 user manual

Honeywell

Honeywell Excel 50 user guide

SeaLevel

SeaLevel COMM+8.LPCI user manual

Arturia

Arturia AUDIOFUSE STUDIO user manual

Rukra

Rukra RK-1240 quick start guide

Samson

Samson SCOM owner's manual

Dynacord

Dynacord DPS260 owner's manual

Nice

Nice Core user manual

Pyle Pro

Pyle Pro PSS8 manual

RF-System

RF-System TinyGate Assembly and user's manual