The Macro Editor has macros commands and scripts that you can assign to macro buttons or cues that will send serial data out the back of the processor's DB9 serial connection. These can be used to trigger other show control devices such as video switchers, MP3 players or even other lighting consoles.
It is a good idea to initially set up the communication parameters before sending any data. This can be done by adding a macro to the first cue in a cue list and making the cue list automatically run at load time. You will have to check with the device you are sending data to to configure the parameters properly.
Make sure you specify the correct Port number. The DB9 connector on the back of the processors is Port 1. The setup string consists of four parts:
[BAUD RATE], [PARITY], [DATA BITS], [STOP BITS]
The default is 9600,N,8,1. If your device is expecting these settings, you will not need to run this macro. If you must change the settings, you only need to run the macro once during a session.
The macro that actually send the data is called SerialOut:
Again, make sure you specify the correct Port number. The Output String can be any text and does not need to be encompassed in double quotes. (Note:, ^M will send a Carriage Return, ^J sends a Line Feed and ^I sends a tab).
See Also:
Telnet and Serial Communications for bidirectional communications