My problem:

No response from Denon Receiver when I send RS-232 Commands
to it. We're using port 5 on the XP-8. Using the supplied RJ-45 ->DB9s supplied with the XP-8.

What I want to know:

In this situation, what would you do to troubleshoot it?

Things we've tried:

2 different straight through cables.

Downloaded Hyperterminal to my Win7 computer to try that.

Trying a crossover cable at right now.

Went to driver configuration and selected serial.

Set the Denon Receiver to 2-way in it's settings.

Am I missing any good ways to troubleshoot RS-232 in this circumstance?

download Hercules HW and use it instead of Hyperterminal (just my preference)

Hook directly from your laptop to the AVR and make sure it's responding to commands AND you're getting some sort of response FROM the AVR.

Start there.  It's much easier when you KNOW that you can communicate with the unit, and you've got the right straight-through/null-modem cable, etc.

How I do output a carriage return with the hercules software?

Figured it out.

It's .

However, I still haven't been able to get the denon receiver to respond to any commands.

The next step I'm going to take is to find a piece of equipment that responds to the RTI control system, and then confirm that I can also communicate with that using RS-232 from my computer.

Go into the Denon Receiver and turn off the 2 way setting because I think that is meant for when you want to use Denon's own 2 way hand held remote and base station and not a 3rd party control system. Just a suggestion.

2nd that.

Alright, that is done. Going to go try and set up a B&K CT600 with my USB->Serial cable to confirm it is working.

So, Remote set to 1-way serial in Denon Menu. Still no success.

Are using serial codes from the database, or are you just typing them in?

Tried database, and driver.

Next step will be to use a cm-232, because so far, I haven't been able to get anything to work over the 2-way ports. (Denon 4310 and CT600.3)

Have you selected the correct port to send the commands to? Are you loading drivers or the rs-232 commands?

FASTLS

I had to put a null modem adapter on to get proper coms from the 2 way. I used a straight through cat 5 and the supplied db9 to 45 adapter.

If you did not already try this... the Denon receivers must be turned on manually and then shut off with a 232 command before they will respond to 232. I also suggest a microprocessor reset (disengage hard power button, hold in two upper left buttons behind flip down door, re-engage hard power button, release after a couple of display flashes) followed by a firmware upgrade before you spend all of that time programming the receiver.