JED Microprocessors Pty Ltd
173 Boronia Rd Boronia 3155, Vic, Australia. +61 (03) 9762 3588

 Home/Contact > Projector_Controllers > T440

The T440 is a lower cost RS232 remote controller for LCD and DLP video and data projectors, LCD and Plasma flat panels, for budget installations in lecture theatres, classrooms, churches or conference rooms.

>T440 code 9

For T440 distributors:  Return to main projector controllers


Go to T440 Downloads (data sheets, etc)


A Power-Point presentation (doesn't need Office to run) on the T440  is available for download: (it is a 5 Mbyte file, 24 slides):
JED T440 demo.PPS
T440 system small T440 with T461

View / download T440 connection diagrams (above) as PDF:
   T440_Connections.PDF
 

Left is JED's new 439 USB switcher. This is controlled via the second RS232 port or Relay-3 on a T440 so that USB paths to control an Electronic Whiteboard can be steered in step with video, as it switches from a classroom's main computer (Video to Computer:1) to a guest laptop (Video to Computer:2) See: USB Switcher page

Right is the new T441 2x stereo or 4x mono channels audio switcher/attenuator. The T440 uses the second RS232 for this.

The T440

The 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.

 

T440 4Key-code0

T440 4Key-code1

T440 4Key-code2

Code 0
 

Code 1
 

Code 2
 

T440 4key-code5

T440 6Key-code9

T440 6Key-codeA

Code 5
 

Code 9
 

Code A
 


 

T440 6Key-CodeBLW

T440 6Key-codeBPW


 

T440 6Key-codeBPM

Code BL white
 

Code BP white
 

Code BL-M (metallic finish)
 

T440 8key Code E

Code E
 

Code BL-M showing "Liquid metal" surround.
 

Keyboards

The 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" mode

Keyboards 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 function

Pressing both Volume keys together mutes the sound and picture on most projectors (some don't have support for this).
(Either yellow key, or the current channel key, restores the picture/sound).

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 On

In 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 control

The Code-E keyboard (above) is a control panel for LCD or Plasma TV, which adds a Channel Up/Down to the other functions. 

Audio control

The 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:

  1. The projector has enough, and appropriate, audio input connectors for the video & computer channels to be used;
  2. There is a line level audio output connector on the projector to drive the room amplifier and speakers; and
  3. The projector actually controls the audio level of the output audio via RS232 (not just the projector's internal tiny speakers).
If all of these three are NOT true, you will need a T441 or T461 to control the audio.

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.
 

T441 audio attenuator/mixer

The T441 is a small boxed audio attenuator/mixer which switches and controls line-level audio in a small A/V room installation. It is powered from the same 12 volt adaptor which runs T440's etc.

It has two main modes and an auxillary mode of operation: A DIP switch on the end selects modes:

  • In stereo mode, there are two stereo input pairs which are typically a computer stereo pair and an A/V stereo pair from a DVD/VCR. These are switched to an RCA pair on the back to feed into the room PA system. The default setup in a T440 selects these audio channels automatically for, say, Code:0, 9 or A keyboards; or
     
  • In mono mode, the four RCA inputs are regarded as separate line inputs, which could be from two computers in mono and two A/V signals each in mono. These are switched to one of the rear RCA connectors to the room mono PA. This is used if T440, OPT4 is set and one needs to select between, and control, 4 audio channels;

  • In the third mode, the first RCA input pair is regarded as two mono channels, and are used for two computer channels selected by T440 Computer:1 and Computer:2 respectively. Input one is fed to both output channels in mono, and input 2 is (currently) fed to one stereo output. The other stereo channel is selected by Video:1 and  is passed in stereo to the two outputs. (Next pcb rev will feed input 2 to both outputs ...This mode came as an un-intended bonus!)    

Note: The T441 is code compatible with the T461, so the T460 can drive it too, if an application only needs two stereo/four mono channels. The RS232 codes are available, so it can be driven from foreign controllers.The T441 is code compatible with the T461
 

T441 back panel

 

T461 audio attenuator/mixer

The T461 is a 1RU high 19-inch rack mount unit, with four line level stereo RCA pairs as inputs and one line level RCA pair as output. It has an RS232 input and a 240 volt IEC mains connector. A 12-volt power output can power the T440. All connections are on the rear, and on the front are four LED channel indicators and screw-driver adjustable prescaler trim pots. (This photo has T460s rather than T440s.)

The T440 can also drive all 8 T461 relays (with latest release) and also drive a T462 relay box. Any two relays can be selected ON for any T440 channel. (This relay drive facility is also used to drive the USB switcher.)


T461 4 channel audio controller

 

Application

The 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!

Operation

The operation of the T440 is very logical:  
  1. Turn the system on by pressing the ON key. or a combined Video / On or Computer / On  or TV / On key . The projector starts, and a green LED blinks for the warm-up time. At this point the channel LED shows the last used signal source;
     
  2. If a different source is needed, press an alternate source key until the desired source LED turns on;
     
  3. When running, use the yellow VOLUME UP and VOLUME DOWN keys to set the desired audio level for that source. In absolute source volume systems, or, in systems using the JED T461 audio attenuator/mixer, the last used setting is remembered channel by channel and recalled when that source is re-selected. In “incremental” systems, the projector usually displays the varying audio level on the screen. Pressing both volume keys together causes a picture/sound mute;

    (In some alternate layouts, other functions are performed by the yellow keys, eg control “picture/sound mute”, or "picture freeze", if selected);
     
  4. When the show is finished, pressing the OFF key ramps the audio down and turns off the projector. The red Off LED flashes for the cooldown period.

    The proper warm-up and cool-down and lockout times are set for the projector, until the unit goes to standby mode for the next cycle. (Red LED on non-flashing.)
  5. Pressing the OFF key in the standby mode will re-poll the projector, and if the projector communications is responding, the red LED with blink once. If there is no communications, the red LED with blink three times. (If there is no blink at all, it is because that particular projector has no readback of status on OFF mode, or no feedback at all, i.e. the IR controlled projectors.)

PIR input for automatic closedown

The 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.
 

InstallationT440 rear

The wiring for the T440 system is very straightforward:
  1. Mount the T440 in or on a panel or Clipsal 2000 base on the wall. A cut-out drawing is supplied in the user manual. All wiring to the T440 is via plug and socket Phoenix connectors to the rear, and the wiring is into screw terminals, so no soldering is needed at this end. Plugs are provided with the unit, and wires are simply stripped and fixed into plug holes with grub screws. Changeover of a unit is pull-out/plug-in, and just needs a screwdriver for the mounting screws;
     
  2. In the simplest case, the units needs a 9 to 25 volt DC plug pack or bench supply connected to one plug (labelled +V, Gnd). Current consumption is under 25mA. 

    A 12 volt plug pack is supplied with units in Australia or new Zealand.
      
  3. Connect a three wire RS232 cable (TX, RX Ground) from the plug labelled "Projector". Wire the other end of the cable to the projector RS232 control socket input. (A fourth line, CTS is an RS232 output, always HIGH, available for some projectors which need a CTS or DTR input at a logic "1");
     
  4. If the JED T461 remote audio attenuator/mixer is needed, the connections between the T440 and T461 consist of three more RS232 lines (TX, RX and Ground) from the "Second RS232" connector to the rear of the T461, and power to the T440;
     
  5. Wire the PIR into the T440 3-pin plug, or jumper these two contacts if no PIR used, so the timer function operates.

Setup

Setting up the T440 is also very straightforward and done from rear with a small screwdriver. 

Note: Every T440 holds all codes for supported projectors and flat-panels.

Just set the pair of rotary numbered switches (called "Program select")  to the specified family code.

The option DIP switches allow for some special functions, eg to automatically send a "pixel align" command after a "computer" channel select or when the computer button is re-pressed. Option switches also allow swapping some video channel allocations.

The top, single rotary switch is used to set the keyboard configuration.

(By using a combination of switch settings, a number of variables such as warmup and cooldown times and PIR time-to-poweroff can be loaded into non-volatile memory of the T440 at install time. Normally these are preset times, but can be changed if desired by setting a function number, eg F0 onto the program select switches, and a value into the keyboard select switch, and toggling the reset switch to load the value. This is also how the T440 can be setup for different (non-standard) sources such as Component or HDMI in place of Composite or S-Video)

It does not need a complicated lap-top based programming setup on site. 

Reprogramming

The microprocessor in the T440 can be easily reprogrammed in situ via a serial cable from a laptop or notebook in a couple of minutes, if a projector is changed to one NOT currently in the data base (If it is already in the data base, it the family just has to selected with the rotary hex switches.)

Updates are available to distributors on email request. The download cable is available from JED, (or you can easily construct your own from instructions in the User's Manual) and the download utility is available on the net. As new projectors are added to the list, the version number will be incremented. Covered projectors are listed on their support pages in the latest user's manual below. 
 

T447 Projector cable breakout box

This 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:

  • For the plug-in 12v power supply (using the circular connector pre-wired on the power cable. Power then goes down the CAT-5 cable to the T430/T440;
     
  • RS232 for the projector/flat panel; and
     
  • For a PIR (Passive InfraRed people detector), supplying 12v power and relay contact. 

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.

 

447 back

T447 front

Downloads

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

Projector families supported

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   

Angle mounting bracket Angle bracket T460 mounting

This mounts a T440 on a desk or on a wall at a 45 degree angle to the desk (or wall). It is finished in white or black power coating and has mounting screw holes and a cable entry hole in one panel, allowing it to mount on a desk with holes and mounts through the bottom, or to mount on a wall with cable and mounting screws through the back.  Photo. The standard colours are matt white or matt black.

T465 Microphone and radio input line mixer

This unit, mounted in a matching Clipsal panel similar to the T440, has two volume controls on the front, and is positioned in the stereo line output from the T461 (or projector audio output) to the PA amplifier. This allows a lectern microphone and an audience participation / roving radio mic channel input as well. Mic and radio audio operates independently of the T440 On or Off state.

T465 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

What's inside the T440

The T440 is based on the Atmel ATmega2561 CPU. The T440 system is also available, with a custom keyboard, for any application which needs remote control of systems via an RS232 connection. Contact JED to discuss.

How to buy the T440

Customers, if you are interested in the T440, call one of the distributors on the main JED projector control page: JED projector controllers

If your favourite audio/visual distributor is NOT listed, call them, pass on this www site, and invite them to call Ed Schoell. We wish to cover all areas with distributors and installers familiar with these devices. (While we are prepared to sell direct to customers all over the world, our preference is that customers buy via a local, experienced distributor, who can then offer installation and training as part of the transaction. JED does NOT offer these services ... we just make and program them ... that keeps us busy enough!)

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

Updated June 28th  2009