I am having an issue with controlling a Sony XBR-75X850D via RS-232 (which is a 3.5mm jack on this model).

Previously I have used an Extron MLC 62 RS D which sent a RS-232 command to a Sony CEC converter (used a classic DB9 connector for this one). The CEC converter converts the RS-232 to CEC and sends it along an HDMI cable to the TV. This was working for a few months but has suddenly stopped. Now I am trying to go directly to the TV with the RS-232, though I have to use a 3.5mm jack to do so. I am having trouble getting the TV to recognize any RS-232 command from that 3.5mm jack. I triple-checked the wiring and the settings on the TV to make sure everything is set correctly.

Does anyone have any experience/success stories with controlling these XBR's via serial? Or is it a lost cause that I should abandon?

Mine is a slightly newer generation (Z9D), but I'd expect the function to be the same. I do remember seeing that some recent generations required a firmware update to activate the RS-232 "mini-port." I had a little trouble at first, but I did get it working.

In any event, I basically did the following:
* Got an RS-232 to 3.5mm converter from Amazon
* Confirmed that the pin-out was correct (tip=Rx, ring=Tx)
* Set the IP control parameters as specified (On, Normal & Pre-Shared Key)
* Set RS-232 control to "Via serial port"
* Set Standby to "Enable"
* Turn the set off

It may or may not be important, as I'm not entirely sure which of my tweaks finally got it working, but try sending Standby Enable as the FIRST serial command, before Power On.

Also, make sure the baud rate is at 9600. I had it too high at first, based on an older Sony protocol doc. Speaking of which, I still don't have a current RS-232 command list. After dealing with five levels of Sony support! It's ridiculous that they don't just post this on the product support page like every other manufacturer....

What control system? Is IP control an option?

IP is an option for the Sony Bravia TVs*, but that's not what I'm using....I've set mine up with RS-232. My control system is Nevo, with Q50 handhelds and NC-50 z-wave hubs. (The Nevo S70 does IP control, but I prefer the Q50, which does not.)



*According to the documentation, which is exceedingly poor. I cant comment on whether real-world implementation works as well, or is set up as readily, as the RS-232 control I'm using.

Did you ever figure this out??? I have almost the exact same setup (XBR75X850E with Extron MLC 62 RS D controller via RS232). I had it working for a bit and it suddenly stopped. I went and reprogrammed the Extron controller and got it back up and running. Now, it has gone out again and I can't seem to get it back. I called Extron support to have a tech tell me they've had a lot of trouble with these TV's. He said that the serial ports will sometimes accept commands and sometimes will not. He had me unplug the TV for a bit and plug it back in which did nothing. Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am pulling my hair out trying to fix this!!!

Can anyone point to a specific cable they'd recommend for this?  I've heard Sony's pin-out is a bit different, and once I hang my 85, I don't want to un-hang it! :D  Thanks!

I spoke to a Sony tech today. You can't use a straight through cable. I had to buy a null modem adapter, which unfortunately I found to be pinned out wrong when I checked with a multimeter.

Ugh.  Did you find a null modem adapter that works with the right pin out?

I ordered one from www.cdw.com as my company has an account with them. Won't know for sure until it arrives. This TV is going to be the death of me...

These TV's will lockup. I was modifying my Crestron module to add some of the smart features, but during development and testing I would constantly need to unplug power to reset the TV. I finally abandoned it and only control them IP or IR if they have a rear input.

mark,

When you say "lockup", do you mean the RS232 port just stops taking signals? Do you happen to know if the Sony XBR75X850E can be controlled via IP?

Bravia series TVs can be controlled via IP.

However, after deploying a few dozen of them like this, we've been seeing stability problems. The TVs stop responding via IP, and need a hard power cycle before they will come back online. Depending on what's feeding it's network port, other shenanigans may be required as well. Simple IP control must be turned on in the network menu. The IP API is different from the RS-232 API, BTW, just to have fun with acronyms.

When dealing with RS-232, you've got to have the TV powered up, and send it a "POWER INIT" code at least once, ($8C,$00,$01,$02,$01,$90) before it will start responding to anything once it turns off. Otherwise, you could end up with it on, test it for things like volume control, and it would all work. Then you turn it off, and ... it goes dead.

And yeah don't forget to turn on the Serial control in the menu for RS-232. I just spent way too long trying everything else before realizing that setting is in the menu.