Show Cue System

We have the NEC NP-PA622U projectors at our theater, and they speak the PJLink protocol.

So far, I have not succeeded in getting SCS to talk to the projectors. If I understand correctly, PJ-Net is not the same as PJLink, and SCS does not currently support the PJLink protocol.

I certainly would love to be able to control the projectors from SCS.

My most needed commands are:
- Freeze/Unfreeze
- Mute Video/Unmute Video
- Display Crosshatch (for alignment before each show)
- Select Input 1
- Select Input 2
- Select Input 3
- Select Input 4

Does anyone else use projectors that speak PJLink?

Thank you!

Hello
PJLink and PJNet is actually the same protocol, only by various manufacturers, differently named. The problem is that some vendors use PJlink protocol encrypted authentication, but this is not implemented in SCS. (E.g., Panasonic uses this method)
I have used the HTTP commands in the browser 's URL: http: // user1: password@IP/cgi-bin/proj_ctl.cgi? Key = and then: pow_on or shutter_on or video for video 1 or RGB for RGB2

So, create a device network in the device controller. HTTP method. Command line: http: // user1: password@IP/cgi-bin/proj_ctl.cgi? Key = and then in the control cue as parameter just pow_on for power on etc.
So at least at Panasonic, through the relatively simple web interface. With Casio it does not work so easy.

Option 2: Program start with external program PJLINK.EXE from Mitsubishi.
Since I have a * .bat file with e.g. Following:
start "" "d: \ Projects \ Beam Control \ pjlink.exe" 192.168.57.56 4352 ton %% 1POWR 1
Exit

So, if I do NOT have any password set on my projectors, should I be able to use a Control Send cue to talk to my NEC projectors?

Does anybody know the PJLink commands for Freeze/Unfreeze and Mute Video/Unmute Video?

Thank you!

tuxmos wrote:The problem is that some vendors use PJlink protocol encrypted authentication, but this is not implemented in SCS.

I now have a version of SCS that supports PJLink encrypted authentication. The authentication code is based on information obtained from the document PJLink Specifications. I can't test this here as I don't have a PJLink projector, but if anyone would like to test this for me then let me know.

We have the NEC NP-PA622U projectors with PJLink protocol. Mike, I would be happy to test!

Thanks, Stas. I've emailed you details.

I have successfully used RS-232 to control my Eiki XLC-200 projector. I took a serial cable, and split it, Added XLR connectors and I patch it through our audio patch bay to the projector. The run is about 65', and seems to work nicely. Be nice to use the Network connection though. The manual has the Serial codes that control almost everything. We use Video mute/unmute, and sometimes projector on/off.

To be ready for anything, we bought the MAC playback system, but it does not do RS-232 at all, OR telnet easily (need a complex script). That's why I like SCS a lot.

Thank you for implementing the PJLINK support. It works on itself. Unfortunately, the connection seems to place high demands on the transmission path (timing). When using WLAN or Powerlan as a transmission path, the control is unreliable. Not all commands are coming. Since the control via http as more reliable, even if it is not so elegant.
Also, the message that the device can not be activated when the projector is not online is unattractive. Unfortunately, SCS must be restarted completely if the projector is installed after the start of SCS. It would be nice if the button "Activate device again" would always be active. This is also the case when a remote SCS crashes or otherwise loses the connection.
I would also find it interesting if, e.g. In addition to the level indicators, the status for the devices (device control) could also be displayed. e.g. Red dot for offline and green dot for online or similar.

Many Thanks

tuxmos wrote:Thank you for implementing the PJLINK support. It works on itself. Unfortunately, the connection seems to place high demands on the transmission path (timing). When using WLAN or Powerlan as a transmission path, the control is unreliable. Not all commands are coming. Since the control via http as more reliable, even if it is not so elegant.

I don't know why there would be high demands on the transmission path. For PJLink connections SCS just opens a 'network client' and requests a connection with the projector, which would be operating as a 'network server'. After the initial authentication is completed (which should only take a few milliseconds) SCS then only sends a message to the projector when a relevant control send cue is activated.

tuxmos wrote:Also, the message that the device can not be activated when the projector is not online is unattractive. Unfortunately, SCS must be restarted completely if the projector is installed after the start of SCS. It would be nice if the button "Activate device again" would always be active. This is also the case when a remote SCS crashes or otherwise loses the connection.
I would also find it interesting if, e.g. In addition to the level indicators, the status for the devices (device control) could also be displayed. e.g. Red dot for offline and green dot for online or similar.

Some good and practical suggestions here.

I just wanted to report that PJLink is working well for me! I am able to control our two NEC projectors.

Mike -- I am so grateful! The ability to control the projector was a huge help during our last concert. We needed split-second timing on a couple of blank/unblank cues. Having SCS trigger that off audio playback was fantastic!

Thank you again Mike, it worked great in our show!

Mike Daniell wrote:...SCS then only sends a message to the projector when a relevant control send cue is activated.

Is this transfer via UDP or TCP?
With UDP, of course, transfers with "bad connection" could be lost.

TCP. TCP/IP is the protocol specified in the PJLink Specification.