help with Russound serial commands?

[MikeB]

Hi -

Wondering if someone can might be familiar with the Russound serial protocol and perhaps help with a couple commands I'm trying to generate.

For example, I can turn Zone 3 ON using the following command:
F0 00 00 7F 00 00 70 05 02 02 00 00 F1 23 00 01 00 02 00 01 14 F7

However, best as I can figure this is the command to issue a Zone 3 NEXT TRACK command but it does not seem to be working:
F0 00 00 7F 00 02 70 05 02 02 00 00 68 00 00 00 00 00 01 66 F7

Anyone familiar enough with the protocol to lend a hand?

Thanks!

 

[wlj]

For example, I can turn Zone 3 ON using the following command:
F0 00 00 7F 00 00 70 05 02 02 00 00 F1 23 00 01 00 02 00 01 14 F7

However, best as I can figure this is the command to issue a Zone 3 NEXT TRACK command but it does not seem to be working:
F0 00 00 7F 00 02 70 05 02 02 00 00 68 00 00 00 00 00 01 66 F7

Hi Mike,

Russound's protocol is a pain to work with, and the documentation leaves a good bit to be desired.

I've got two different Russound protocol documents that show differing commands. One document ("Russound Controllers RNET Protocol and Specifications RS-232 Communication v1.00.4") shows the commands you list. The other ("RS-232 Communication Quick Start and Hex Code Listing v1.00.05") shows another set of commands:

Zone 3 On:
F0 00 00 7F 00 02 71 05 02 02 00 00 F1 23 00 01 00 02 00 01 17 F7

Zone 3 Next:
F0 00 00 7F 00 02 71 05 02 02 00 00 68 00 00 00 00 00 01 67 F7


I can't immediately test either of these, but I wanted to share what's in the docs. A protocol capture using the RNet Analyzer should also reveal what you keypads are actually sending. Both the docs and the RNet Analyzer are available from Russound's Portal. PM me your e-mail address if you'd like me to send them to you directly (they're too large to post here).


As a side note, I'm a bit surprised the "Zone 3 On" command you listed works -- it seems like it should control zone 1 as byte six identifies the zone (00 = z1, 01 = z2, 02 = z3, etc...).

Good luck!

Cheers,
-Bill

 

[MikeB]

Thanks for the reply and the documents!

It's working for me, but not how I had hoped - I'm sure because of the configuration I'm using.

I have 2 CAV6.6 units setup with 12 zones. I use a program called CAV66.EXE that interfaces my units with a program called J.River Media Center, allowing to me play multiple zones of MP3s through my system from a multi-channel sound card on a PC.

CAV66.EXE passes track information for display on the keypad, and also intercepts keypad presses (like next track) and sends them to J.River Media Center for playback control.

I also use an ISY automation controller hooked to the Russound to send serial commands to turn zones on/off. I was hoping to use the ISY to send next/previous track commands (triggered by an X10 controller), which CAV66.EXE would receive and pass onto J.River so I could control my MP3 playback from an X10 remote control.

I know these commands are working because they are working for my tuner sources, but not my MP3 sources.

In any case, thanks for the help - that document is awesome! I had the older one, but not the one that listed explicit commands.

Thanks again.

 

[MikeB]

Thanks for the reply and the documents!

It's working for me, but not how I had hoped - I'm sure because of the configuration I'm using.

I have 2 CAV6.6 units setup with 12 zones. I use a program called CAV66.EXE that interfaces my units with a program called J.River Media Center, allowing to me play multiple zones of MP3s through my system from a multi-channel sound card on a PC.

CAV66.EXE passes track information for display on the keypad, and also intercepts keypad presses (like next track) and sends them to J.River Media Center for playback control.

I also use an ISY automation controller hooked to the Russound to send serial commands to turn zones on/off. I was hoping to use the ISY to send next/previous track commands (triggered by an X10 controller), which CAV66.EXE would receive and pass onto J.River so I could control my MP3 playback from an X10 remote control.

I know these commands are working because they are working for my tuner sources, but not my MP3 sources.

In any case, thanks for the help - that document is awesome! I had the older one, but not the one that listed explicit commands.

Thanks again.

I ended up getting this working great. I'm using a combination of RS-232 commands to my Russound and REST commands to my server running JRiver Media Center, all sent by my ISY. I now have an X10 PalmPad remote controlling the audio out on my patio.

Thanks for the help!