OceanDad Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 Hi - I've finally had enough of Sony TV's dropping off IP control. Going to serial control for reliable power on/off. What are people using to convert the 3.5mm input over Cat6 cable to an EA controller serial output ? I can hack something together, but if someone already has a reliable kits of parts that they use, that will save me some time. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LollerAgent Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 6 minutes ago, OceanDad said: Hi - I've finally had enough of Sony TV's dropping off IP control. Going to serial control for reliable power on/off. What are people using to convert the 3.5mm input over Cat6 cable to an EA controller serial output ? I can hack something together, but if someone already has a reliable kits of parts that they use, that will save me some time. Thanks. A pair of Wago or butt connectors is what I have used. It's ugly, but it's all I had in a pinch. OceanDad 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TFlury Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 Quick and dirty get a stereo and serial cable cut the ends off and dolphin clip them to the Cat6. Use a volt meter to check continuity to make sure your getting the correct 3.5mm rings connected to the RS232 pins. Better looking same method but with solder on ends and some heat shrink. I have done both, but I prefer the cleaner look. When I can I will push it through the HDBaseT if the option is there. OceanDad 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therockhr Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 1 hour ago, OceanDad said: Hi - I've finally had enough of Sony TV's dropping off IP control. Going to serial control for reliable power on/off. What are people using to convert the 3.5mm input over Cat6 cable to an EA controller serial output ? I can hack something together, but if someone already has a reliable kits of parts that they use, that will save me some time. Thanks. Ive also used a DB9 to RJ45 connector's like this https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=1151&gclid=Cj0KCQiApL2QBhC8ARIsAGMm-KGH3YyWiz7alJboCWaC2s5Db3q-HN33paWnzTLmuJncKZm8jjRo8tUaAr9yEALw_wcB and then use a DB9 female to 3.5mm cable to the TV like this https://www.sfcable.com/6ft-db9-female-to-3-5mm-serial-cable.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiApL2QBhC8ARIsAGMm-KEL1ZOZuA9eg78yWXPZ_L4VRiQUTz8ZyHa8Au1zR_BMzmnDBjRLFHQaAo4YEALw_wcB OceanDad 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therockhr Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 Also, if you are just connecting the 3.5mm serial on the TV to an EA-1 local to the TV, just use a regular stereo 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable. OceanDad 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmj4 Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 2 hours ago, OceanDad said: What are people using to convert the 3.5mm input over Cat6 cable to an EA controller serial output Another option, although pricier, but very stable, is to use Global Cache Flex units, which make IR, Serial, and contact/relay controls all IP-controllable and is compatible with C4 with a free drive. I've used them all over my house and they can be PoE-powered. Best bet for cleanest run is to just take the Ethernet cable, plug it into the GC unit, and then get their serial cable to plug into the Sony. This is what I do with my LG TVs since the IP control lags FAAAR too much. OceanDad 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAV Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 All EAs IO ports 1 and 2 are serial or IR. 1/8 stereo mini both sides, dolphin crimp, or solder to your Cat6. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OceanDad Posted February 19, 2022 Author Share Posted February 19, 2022 4 hours ago, RAV said: All EAs IO ports 1 and 2 are serial or IR. Is it null modem for serial on the Sony TV ? I know there's a null modem setting in the EA-5 driver that you can check after making the binding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAV Posted February 19, 2022 Share Posted February 19, 2022 13 hours ago, OceanDad said: Is it null modem for serial on the Sony TV ? I know there's a null modem setting in the EA-5 driver that you can check after making the binding. With IO ports, null is selectable in Composer. DB9, you have to wire per the device. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OceanDad Posted February 22, 2022 Author Share Posted February 22, 2022 Did a couple of TV's yesterday. Ended up going 3.5mm stereo (Sony RS232C) to 3.5mm stereo (Serial/IR Port on EA-5). Worked fine, although I did have to reboot the controller after doing both of them (after disconnecting the IP and making the serial binding) as it seems like the controller is still looking for the IP connection otherwise. Rock solid now of course. It's a shame that Sony can't figure this out - these were great over IP until about 6 months ago, since when the disconnects have been getting more and more frequent. Most of the time the only use of the driver is power on/off anyway - not using the smart TV functions, and volume/audio endpoint is something other than the TV itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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