E T C
®
Q u i c k G u i d e
Unison
®
AV/Serial Interface v1.0.0
Unison AV/Serial Interface v1.0.0 Quick Guide
Page 1 of 9
Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
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3031 Pleasant View Road, P.O. Box 620979, Middleton, Wisconsin 53562-0979 USA
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Comments about this document:
7081M1301-1.0.0
Rev A
Released 07/2004
Copyright © 2004 ETC. All Rights Reserved.
Product information and specifications subject to change.
Overview
This quick guide is intended for use by ETC trained technicians and technicians
programming devices that will communicate with Unison via a serial interface. It assumes
an intermediate level of familiarity and experience with the equipment involved.
With Unison
The Unison AV/Serial Interface station provides a
method for PCs or any other type of device capable of
RS232 serial communication to control and interact with
a Unison control system. The AV/Serial Interface acts as
virtual station similar to existing station types except you
manipulate the virtual buttons and faders with serial
commands. The feedback information is also passed
back in the form of responses and by polling the status
of the virtual buttons and faders.(just like the visual
feedback LEDs on a standard wall station). The
functionality of the AV/Serial Interface station in a Unison
system is easily configured by adding a new station (the
default type is the 12 button, 16 Fader station) into an
existing Light Manager™ configuration (v1.55 thru
v1.9.0) then configuring the station just like any other
station. The Unison AV/Serial Interface station protocol
(the serial communication with the station as defined in
this document) defines the serial interaction with the
station itself. It supports manipulation of three virtual
objects to control the functions configured in Light Manager:
• Buttons: These represent the station's virtual buttons. A button's state can be maintained on
as though someone were holding it down, or simply be off. There is also a command to
execute a “press”, which simulates a press and release of a button (the most common
use). Each virtual button on the station has a corresponding virtual LED to indicate
function state. These LEDs are controlled by the Unison processor and are read only.
• Faders: These represent the station's virtual faders. Faders can be set to any level from zero
to full on. Each virtual fader also has a virtual LED, which is also a read-only property.
• Rates: The station also utilizes fader rates to facilitate smooth level transitions given the
limited bandwidth of RS232. There is a configurable rate that corresponds with each fader
of the station. When a new fader level is given, the fader is moved at the set rate to the
new level. The rate is set in a unit of seconds.
The AV/Serial Interface station is physically either a 1 gang or 2 gang device that is similar
in appearance to Unison PC Interface stations. It is important to note that the AV/Serial
Interface and the PC Interface station have different electronics and are not
interchangeable.
2.80"
4.50"
FRONT VIEW
AV/Serial Interface
Computer
