For T440 distributors: Return to main projector controllers
The T440The
JED T440 projector controller (and optional T441 or T461 audio controller)
offers
a convenient system to control video and data projectors from a
suitable point on a lectern, bench or wall near a speaker's location in
a hall or theatre. Alternatively, the controller and front assembly can be mounted on a black or white Clipsal 2000 base block, and can be wall mounted near the operator's position. A 45 degree white or black metal case is also available (see below) The T440 has an attractive white, or black, smooth escutcheon surrounding it, to give an overall size of 110mm by 70mm. This covers the screw holes and can be mounted into a lectern or desk at a convenient point for the speaker to control video and data projector operations. As an option, just the adhesive backed keyboard and electronics board can be supplied without a Clipsal plate, to allow installers to mount the system on their own panel to match the decor of media control desks or wall plates in boardrooms, etc. The T440 is wired back to the LCD projector via an RS232 data cable, needing only three wires (TX, RX and Ground). (A connection for a fourth wire with 9 volts on it is available as a CTS or DTR line HIGH to the projector to enable RS232 transmission, as some projectors expect this input to be HIGH before allowing transmission.) The control codes for different projectors are programmed into the T440 controller, and the projector family needed for a particular installation is selected on the rotary switches on the back. Keyboard type and options are selected on other switches on tha back.
KeyboardsThe normal keyboard background colour is off-white, or "beige", as the photos show. Other colours and key layouts can be produced if a quantity are needed.The CodeBL-Metal is the latest option: this comes with a darker "liquid metal" surround ... the same matt metallic finish used by European auto companies for interior fittings. Looks great in boardrooms! The T440 has a choice of keyboard labels ... many different layouts can be accomodated, with up to eight keys, and up to four LEDs (always in the positions shown.) In some layouts, a separate On and Off key is provided, having green and a red LEDs as state indictors. During warmup the green On LED flashes. During cooldown, the red Off LED flashes. A channel LED comes on steady to indicate the channel to start with after warm-up. (This can be preselected by pressing other buttons).
Keyboard "Double-press" modeKeyboards with a single computer key or a single video key are able to select alternate video or computer channels by setting the OPT4 switch on the back. (The primary channels are selected when first switching from Computer to Video (or after startup), and a second press is needed to select the alternate channels.) Audio mute functionPressing
both Volume keys together mutes the sound and
picture on most projectors (some don't have support for this). The audio keys auto Increment/Decrement the audio level if a yellow key is held down. (Times are programmable.) Keyboards with combined Channel function and Power OnIn layouts which combine a channel button with the "On" function, the selected channel LED flashes during warmup. (The channel can still be changed during warmup.) On Code B layout, a "portrait" or vertical format can be chosen. Keyboard for TV controlThe Code-E keyboard (above) is a control panel for LCD or Plasma TV, which adds a Channel Up/Down to the other functions. Audio controlThe control of audio level is usually done in the projector, and audio control signals are sent to the projector along with the video source and power control signals. This assumes:
If a
T441 or a T461 audio controller is
installed,
it is controlled with a second serial port on the T440, and the T441/T461
selects
and controls the audio levels in step with "source select" signals sent
to
the video projector.
ApplicationThe simplicity of operation of the T440 is its major advantage when installed in locations where a number of users/teachers/lecturers who are unfamiliar with A/V equipment, and without an audio/visual assistant/operator, need to run a "show".They need to power up the projector, select a source, run a video or computer presentation or demonstrate some other program, or display a feed from a document or microscope camera on the video screen, and then close the system down again. Contrast the four or six buttons on this unit with the 20 or 30 on some IR remote controls, each one different from room to room. This unit is identical from room to room, even with a mix of different projectors. And when the show is over, T440 controller does not walk out the door in the lecturer's pocket like IR remote controllers often do! OperationThe operation of the T440 is very logical:
PIR input for automatic closedownThe relay contact from a PIR (Passive InfraRed) detector in the room is sensed by a T440. This can be used for a reset of a time-out on the projector power, so that while people are in the vicinity, the projector keeps running until manually turned off. Users can set a time-out period after which the projector automatically powers down if no activity is detected on the keyboard or via the PIR. The Run-time is adjustable from zero (disabled) to sixteen hours.(As the system is about to close down, red and green LEDs flash in a distinctive manner, and a green or channel key press cancels the closedown.) This option is intended for classrooms and theatres where manual turnoff might be missed, to save lamp hours. Installation
The wiring
for the T440 system is very straightforward:
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T447 Projector cable breakout boxThis box is used as a way of simplifying wiring of a T430/T440 to projector connection. A CAT-5 connector socket can be seen just to the left of the CPU in the rear view photo above. A very simple and reliable way of wiring a system is to connect from this socket to the CAT-5 input socket on the front (see right) of the T447 projector interface box, using a commercial pre-terminated type EIA 568-A (non-crossover) cable. With one simple plug-in connection, the RS232 Tx and Rx lines (with correctly twisted ground pairings), the CTS line, the PIR input line and a 12 volt power line and ground are all connected. No wiring is necessary to any of the screw terminals on the T430/T440. Also on the front panel are a pair of LEDs indicating Tx and Rx line status, green for the -9 volt rest state and red and yellow for Tx and Rx T440 transmit of command and projector's reply; On the other end of the T447 are the following connections:
JED will supply a pre-tested cable with this box to suit all supported projectors. The projector make/model and cable length (to 2 M) must be specified with the order.
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A data sheet in PDF
form: T440DS.pdf
The
latest binary code is available on request by email from JED: jed@jedmicro.com.au
The latest list of included projectors and families is at: T440: T440
Included projectors at V029.pdf
The latest user's manuals in PDF form, comes in two parts: T440V029A.pdf &
T430/T440V029B.pdf
The projector codes are selected by the two-digit hex switches on the back, and many projectors are supported by a particular driver. Minor variations are supported by allocating adjacent codes (e.g. supporting absolute or incremental audio volume setting or different reply or channel codes or baud rates.)
The software data base of projectors supported on the T430 is the same as that of the T440, and will track it as new versions are released. New versions can be emailed to distributors and downloaded via the built-in downloader, via the one serial port (not the second one, as in the T440.)
As at Rev029, the supported families are:
Acer PD727, P1165,
P1265, P5260, P5270, P5280, P5370
BenQ MP5/7xx, SP820, Opt 771
Dell
Eiki
Epson VP21, X5, X6 via IR
HP projector
Hitachi proj
Infocus
iiZEL
LG LCD/Plasma TV
Mitsubishi
NEC LCD TV (& Sherwood), Plasma
and NEC Projector
Optoma (various)
Panasonic Projector
Pioneer Plasma
Plus U5, U7 Projector
Sanyo LCD TV, projector
Sharp
Sony projector
Toshiba projector
Taxan/Kaga projector
It is powered by a 12 volt
source, eg the 12 volt regulated power
available from the back of a T461, or a PAK12/300 plug-pack. (It draws
75mA)
The left hand volume control is for the microphone input, and this is added to both channels equally. Rear preset switches allows the gain for the microphone channel to be preset in 6 steps of 10dB (0 to 50db). Inputs can be balanced or unbalanced (a switch on the back can ground one channel). Phantom power at 12 volts can be connected to the balanced microphone inputs to power a phantom-powered microphone preamplifier. Another switch controls a base-cut switch to reduce breath pops, etc.
It also takes a radio microphone input, and mixes it to both channels as well, via the right-hand volume control.
The advantage of such an audio control panel is that the lecturer does not need access to mic volume controls on the audio amplifier (which might be across the room in a secure rack), and can control the roving mic channel from the lectern as well.
A rear stereo log pot allows the T461/projector input level to be preset. (This signal level is adjustable via the "volume" buttons on the T440.)
A second stereo output is available to feed a cassette tape recorder to allow taping of lectures.
A photo is available here: T465.jpg
A
data sheet is available for download: T465DS1.pdf
Distributors worldwide ... if you are interested in the T440, call/email Ed Schoell at +61 (0) 3 9762 3588 to be added to the list and to our direct mail distributor recommendations: eschoel@jedmicro.com.au