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Optimod 8200 Connection

B

Brilliant_Marconi

Guest
I'm in the processing of backing-up my 8200 custom settings. I can connect my 8400 with no problem. But, I'm not able to connect to my 8200 through a direct connection (through a null modem cable). Are the 8200 and 8400 direct connection settings the same? I've confirmed the passcode I'm using is correct by entering it on the front panel and gaining access. Any insight to what I might be missing? My laptop is running XP. Thanks.
 
I wouldn't think the settings from an 8200 would sound the same on an 8400. Maybe I'm wrong about that but I think Bob and Gregg changed a few things between those boxes.
 
RadeoEngineer said:
I wouldn't think the settings from an 8200 would sound the same on an 8400. Maybe I'm wrong about that but I think Bob and Gregg changed a few things between those boxes.
Click to expand...

8200 audio processing settings do not translate well to 8400. Greg and I had to more or less start from scratch when doing the 8400 factory presets.

Disclaimer: Regarding communications, it's been a long time since I tried to set this up, so some of the advice below may not be 100% accurate. My comments apply to 8200 with v3 software.

Note that the 8200 has both an RS232 and RS422 port. Be sure to connect to the RS232 port.

First, in the 8200 be sure that PC Security Enable is set ON.

From the manual:

The OPTIMOD 8200 with software Version 3.00 or higher, can be controlled with a computer utilizing RS-232 and the Orban supplied 8200PC software for Microsoft Windows, or through binary commands. The Orban 8200PC software offers full access to all 8200 features, while the binary communications method can only recall presets.

When set to On (default), this control allows remote control of the 8200 through RS-232 communications, only with the Orban supplied 8200PC software for Microsoft Windows. Access to the 8200 is the same as under Version 1.2x. When set to Off, this mode disables all password protection entirely. PC access using binary commands is allowed for recalling presets only. Complete control by 8200PC is still allowed, however password protection is disabled. Please note that in this mode, unauthorized access is possible, so take measures to insure that a secure link is used to the 8200. Concurrent 8200PC and binary communications method is not possible.


The installation instructions for 8200 PC Remote are in this folder:

ftp://ftp.orban.com/8200/8200PC/

8200 PC Remote needs to be able to directly address the computer's serial port. The 8200 manual only covers Windows 95 and 98. For XP and higher, I believe that the instructions in the 8400 manual apply, starting on page 2-26:

If you want to communicate through a local PC, you will need to connect a serial (COM) port of the PC to the SERIAL 1 port of your 8400 through a null modem cable (supplied with your 8400), and then use Dial-Up Networking with a RAS null modem (Windows 98) or Direct Cable Connect (Windows 2000 and XP) to make the basic connection. (The Orban update installer application installs the necessary .inf file for the RAS null modem.)

The RAS null modem is a file that installs a "virtual modem" in Windows. It looks like a modem to Windows, but instead allows your computer and the 8400 to communicate directly between their serial ports through a null modem cable. To use it, you establish a new Dial-Up Networking Connection and specify the RAS null modem when asked which modem you would like to use. You then treat this Dial-Up Networking connection as you would any other Dial-Up Networking connection that uses a real, physical modem.

8200 PC Remote should issue a diagnostic message if it can't communicate with the computer's COM port. Of course, you will also have to make sure that the computer's serial port is configured correctly. If 8200 PC Remote can talk to the computer's COM port, you should be able to configure the serial port within 8200PC Remote.

The correct baud rate for a direct serial connect is 9600.

Hope this helps.

Bob Orban
 
8200 audio processing settings do not translate well to 8400. Greg and I had to more or less start from scratch when doing the 8400 factory presets.
Click to expand...

No Bob, but the 8400 presets translate very nicely to the 8200 and they sound better. In fact the version-2 8400 EQ settings will make your 8200 sound like a brand new box and louder. Naturally you’ve got to take into account that the 8400 EQ frequencies will not be exactly the same, and the base clipper is softer.
I’ve got two 8200’s on the air using ver2 5300 Oldies presets and have no problems competing with the competition. Folks can’t believe I’m using an 8200 on the air. If you want to try these presets download the 5300 (hard clipper) software update and then view the settings with any text editor. Start with an original (ver-3) 8200 preset and a “less more” setting and then plug in the ver2 settings. Naturally you can’t use all the settings, but the EQ, bass clip, multiband drive, multiband clip, and final clip are all usable. I would not go back to using the original 8200 presets.
 
mp3RadioGuy said:
8200 audio processing settings do not translate well to 8400. Greg and I had to more or less start from scratch when doing the 8400 factory presets.
Click to expand...

No Bob, but the 8400 presets translate very nicely to the 8200 and they sound better.
Click to expand...

I haven't tried that specifically. However, the "ultra low latency" (UL) presets available on our current boxes are very similar to 8200 presets structurally except that they use 256 kHz anti-aliased clipping instead of the 128 kHz clipping in the 8200.

Bob Orban
 
Sorry for the confusion. I'm not trying to use my 8200 settings in our 8400's. I was just saying I am able to connect to my 8400's via my laptop and I can't connect to my 8200. I guess I knew what I meant to say....I just didn'y convey it very well.
 
Code: 
[left]Hi “Brilliant Marconi”, title of your post “Optimod 8200 Connection” shows clear what you ask, I have too in the past the same problem with XP OS instead of 2000 where my 8200 connects without any problem, if you have already read the guidance of Bob Orban “Salute Robert:)  “I believe that the instructions in the 8400 manual apply, starting on page 2-26” and still have problem then there are two options you have.

Right click on 8200PC ->properties-> conventiontionality->check run program as in windows98/windows Me and try again if problem persistent try the following solution/trick which works fine for my XP PC setup.

Connect 8200 Optimod not direct to RS232 Port of your PC but through an RS232 to USB converter/adaptor (your 8200 now connects via USB port) follow the manufacturer instructions to install drivers and then must check from control panel->system (at 8200PC manual has details about) what COM # is, so may configure accordingly the 8200PC settings to SEE the connection COM # port.

I hope may help you.
Regards 
XFon
[/left]
 
Thanks for all the great feedback. I'll try again when I'm back on-site. Thanks again.
 
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