2.1 Basic Message
Structure
Basic Message Structure
ThefollowingcomponenteldscompriseastandardASCIImessage.Optionalelds,suchas
extra characters for special modes, restrictions or added functionality, are shown in shaded
areas.
START AND END OF MESSAGE: Every message begins with the left “(“character and ends
with the right “)“ character. Note that if the start character is received before an end character of
the previous message, the partial (previous) message is discarded.
PREFIX CHARACTERS (OPTIONAL): For acknowledgement that the projector has responded,
and/or to maximize message integrity, insert one or two special characters before the 3-character
function code:
$ Acknowledgment. See 2.4, Maximizing Message Integrity
& Checksum. See 2.4, Maximizing Message Integrity
FUNCTION CODE: The projector function you wish to work with, such as channel selection or
gamma, is represented by a three-character ASCII code (A-Z, upper or lower case). This function
code appears immediately after the leading “(“ that starts the message. In messages sent to the
projector,aspacebetweenthefunctioncodeandtherstparameter(orspecialcharacter)is
optional.
REQUEST/REPLY SYMBOLS: If the controller is requesting information from the projector,
a “?” question mark appears directly after the function code. If the projector is replying, a “!”
exclamation mark appears directly after the function code. For set messages to the projector,
neither of these characters appear—the code is followed by the data itself (see next).
OTHER SPECIAL FUNCTIONS (OPTIONAL): To add functionality to the current message,
include one or more of the following special characters between the function code and rst
parameter. If more than one (M SP), add in any order.
A Auto Mode adjustment (rare—for video standard selection only). See 2.6, Other
Special Functions
E Enable Control Inquiry. See 2.6, Other Special Functions
G Global Control Inquiry. See 2.6, Other Special Functions
H Return the Help text for a control. See 2.6, Other Special Functions
I Used as an index for controls containing many values. See 2.6, Other Special
Functions
K Keypad emulation. See 2.6, Other Special Functions
L Return a list of options for ‘list’ controls. See2.6, Other Special Functions
M Find min/max adjustments (i.e., range). See 2.6, Other Special Functions
N Return the name of the control. See 2.6, Other Special Functions
S Adjust a specic source setup only. See 2.6, Other Special Functions
T Return the type of control (i.e. Slidebar etc.). See 2.6, Other Special Functions
P Adjust image in PIP window. See 2.6, Other Special Functions
DATA: The value for a given projector state, such as “on” or “off”, appears in ASCII-decimal
format directly after the request/reply symbol. You can add an optional space after the symbol—
i.e., before the data—in a set message, but data in replies follow the “!” symbol without a space.
Other details to remember about data:
Allvalues returnedbythe projector(reply messages)havea xed lengthofeither 3or•
5 characters regardless of the actual value—the value is padded with leading zeros as
necessary.
Data in set messages to the projector does not require padding with zeros.•
For any given parameter, data is always the same number of characters. E.g., the • shutter
value, which is either “on” (1) or “off” (0) is always 3-digits: 001 or 000.
AppendixB►SerialCommunications