Contemporary Research 232-MCT User manual

4355 Excel Pkwy, Suite 600, Addison, TX, 75001
Phone: [phone] • Toll-Free: 888-972-2728 •Fax: [phone]
E-Mail: [e-mail] •Website: www.crwww.com
Product Manual
232-MCT
Mono Caption Tuner
Ver.5.1 April 2, 2012

Contemporary Research 2 232-MCT Mono Caption Tuner
Table of Contents
Overview ............................................................................................................................................. 3
Specifications...................................................................................................................................... 4
Physical ................................................................................................................................................... 4
Front Panel .............................................................................................................................................. 4
Rear Panel ............................................................................................................................................... 4
Internal Character Generator/Captioning.................................................................................................... 4
RF Tuner.................................................................................................................................................. 5
Includes................................................................................................................................................... 5
Options.................................................................................................................................................... 5
Troubleshooting .................................................................................................................................. 5
Tuner Setup......................................................................................................................................... 6
Tuner Helper............................................................................................................................................ 6
Terminal .................................................................................................................................................. 7
RS-232 Control Protocol ..................................................................................................................... 8
Overview ................................................................................................................................................. 8
General protocol specifications .................................................................................................................. 8
Command String Structure ........................................................................................................................ 8
Command and Status Response ................................................................................................................ 8
RS-232 Commands ................................................................................................................................... 9
Character Generator Commands...............................................................................................................11
Keypad Channel Command ......................................................................................................................12
IC-RC Remote Emulation..........................................................................................................................12
Tune Ring Commands and Replies............................................................................................................13
Terminal Communication Commands ........................................................................................................13
RS-232 Command Hints and Tips..............................................................................................................13
Response Strings .............................................................................................................................. 14
Channel/Source Status Response String (T): .............................................................................................14
Audio Status Response String (V): ............................................................................................................14
Front Panel Mode Status Response String (S):...........................................................................................14
RS-232 Cable Connections................................................................................................................ 15
Single Tuner............................................................................................................................................15
Multiple Tuners........................................................................................................................................15
Rack Mounting .................................................................................................................................. 16
RK1 Single Unit Rack Mount .....................................................................................................................16
RK2 Side-by-Side Rack Kit ........................................................................................................................16
Safety Instructions ........................................................................................................................... 17
Limited Warranty and Disclaimer ..................................................................................................... 18

Contemporary Research 3 232-MCT Mono Caption Tuner
Overview
The Contemporary Research 232-MCT is an economical RS-232/IR controlled video tuner featuring mono audio, 125-
channel access in CATV, HRC, or IRC modes, closed captioning and intelligent control. Fully programmable, the unit
can restore all settings on power-up from non-volatile memory. A list of accessible channels, called channel rings, can
be stored in memory, used for convenient channel up/down control and to control direct access to unlisted channels.
Switchable inputs for NTSC video and mono audio are included for display of PC graphics, a character generator
information channel, camera or other A/V sources.
An onboard character generator displays on-screen text for closed captioning, channel names, and text from a custom
control system. Full setup, control, and feedback is provided by RS-232. Up to nine 232-series tuners can be
controlled from a single RS-232 port. In addition, remote tuning ring channel up and down operation can be accessed
through contact closure inputs. Enjoy a full range of wireless control with the optional IC-RC IR Wireless Remote.
Interacts with PCs and control systems via RS-232, using simple ASCII-format commands and feedback, up to
9 tuners can be linked to a single RS-232 control port; AMX, Crestron, or RTI modules available.
Tunes 125 channels CATV, HRC, or IRC modes, using true synchronous video detection and intercarrier SAW
filter
Stores programmable tuning ring in memory to control channel access
Receives IR commands from front-panel sensor and wired IR input on the back, also responds to Sharp IR TV
commands
Accesses tuning ring channel up/down from contact closure inputs
Displays closed-captioning text, on-screen channel names, and on-screen text from custom control systems
Inserts blue screen video image when unit senses loss of video level
Restores all operation status after loss of power from data stored in non-volatile memory
Mutes both audio and video, variable volume control
Switches between tuner and external A/V input (video and audio inputs, can convert stereo to mono)
Mounts in 19" rack with optional RK1 or RK2 kit for dual side-by-side installation
Setup available via RS-232 using free Tuner Helper software, a Terminal application, or by custom system
programming
Integrates with 232-AMP for educational applications, pole mount bracket available
Firmware updateable via local PC over RS-232
Firmware Versions:
V5.1 Adds RS-232 command for setting Unit#, enables use of fully-wired RS-232 cables (ignores voltage on pins 4
and 9).

Contemporary Research 4 232-MCT Mono Caption Tuner
Specifications
Physical
Size: 8.5" [216mm] wide x 1.75" [38mm] height (1RU) x 6.0" [153mm] deep
Weight: 1.5 lbs [0.68kg]
Enclosure: All aluminum with durable black powder coat paint
Mounting: Rack mounting for one or two units side-by-side optional (RK1, RK2)
Front Panel
IR Sensor: Receives 57 KHz IR commands, CR mode 9 or Sharp TV
Power LED: Green LED behind IR window lights when power is on (AV unmuted)
Rear Panel
Power In: 2.1mm coaxial jack (inside center conductor positive), 350 mA maximum
10.5 to 14.5 VDC, 12 VDC typical (may be unregulated)
RS-232 Control: DB-9 male connector
User selectable 300 to 19,200 (9600 default) baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit
Employs standard ASCII strings from any terminal program, PC, or control system
Can accept non-standard RS-232, including 0 to +5 VDC operation
Integrates with 232-AMP, daisy-chain RS-232, set tuner to Unit 2
Closures: 2 momentary closure inputs - Channel Up (Pin 4), Down (Pin 9), GND (Pin 5)
IR In: 3.5mm stereo jack for optional IR-RXC IR Receiver
Sleeve= DC power+ from power jack input, limited to less than 100mA
Ring=DC power–(GND)
Tip= IR data signal
Antenna/Cable: ‘F’, female, 75 ohm impedance
AV Input: 1 RCA female NTSC composite, 2 RCA mono audio (mixes stereo input to mono)
Video Output: RCA female, NTSC composite, 75 ohm impedance, 1V peak-to-peak typical
Audio Outputs: 2 RCA female, mono, unbalanced, 330 ohms impedance
(they are marked Left/Right, but both provide the same mono output)
Response: Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) 0.5%, 0.1% typical 20Hz to 20KHz
Level: +8dBu, (2V RMS), 0 to -70 dB and mute, 64 steps
Internal Character Generator/Captioning
Characters: ASCII
Format: White text over video or white text with black background over video,
Up to 32 characters, 13 lines
Function: Closed captioning, channel labels, interactive menus, messages, and system feedback
Captioning: Modes CC1-CC4, TT1-TT4, On/On with Mute/Off modes, CG text times out to show
captioning

Contemporary Research 5 232-MCT Mono Caption Tuner
Specifications
RF Tuner
Frequency Range: NTSC television 55.25 to 801.25 MHz, 62.5KHZ fine tune resolution
Maximum Input: Maximum Input: +20dBmV max, +10dBmV nominal*
Video Gain: ±5% maximum, 2% typical
Video Phase: ±3 degrees maximum, 2 degrees typical
Includes
12 VDC power supply, 500 mA min (North American shipments only)
Options
CC-232 RS-232 Control Cable (specify make and model)
RK1 Kit for mounting single unit in 19” rack, RK2 Kit for mounting two units side-by-side in 19” rack
IC-RC IR Wireless Remote
PMT-1 Pole Mount Bracket can mount tuner (and 232-AMP) to a video projector pole.
Troubleshooting
Symptom: Problems with Cable Channels
There are three types of cable channel systems, Cable, IRC, and HRC. While the Cable setting works for over 90% of
installations, there are a few cable systems set for IRC and HRC channel frequencies. Here’s how to tell which is which:
IRC–Channels 5 and 6 are missing. Change to IRC and they will appear.
HRC –None of the channels tune in, or they are noisy or lack audio. Change to HRC.
Symptom: Need to change Unit # of Tuner
See Page 9 for S2 RS-232 command.

Contemporary Research 6 232-MCT Mono Caption Tuner
Tuner Setup
There are several ways you can set up the 232-MCT tuner via RS-232.
Tuner Helper
Download this easy-to-use free software tool (Version 3.2.0) from the bottom of the www.crwww.com home
page, or the Downloads page. The three tabs you’ll use are:
Control –Acts a test control panel, sets up TV Standard and Volume.
Setup –Channel ID text and define list of channels (tune ring)
Text –sets closed captioning operation
COM –defines RS-232 port or IP port for communication
All changes are live, so your changes are real-time. You can save your setup to a file, then use to clone
identical tuners.

Contemporary Research 7 232-MCT Mono Caption Tuner
Terminal
It’s also easy to use an RS-232 Terminal app for setup. The 232-MCT is shipped set to Standard Cable, and
the internal channel list is set to 2-126. To limit the channels, use the TR command and enter a list of
channels. If your PC is XP and you still have Hyper Terminal, you can enter the setup commands in a
Notepad text file, then select the page from HyperTerminal to clone the tuner. Download the HyperTune
file from Download for a manual and a sample text file. If you have Windows Vista or newer, search for Tera
Term and download the application. It’s a great Terminal application, and it also has a Send File option that
can send the text file.
To quickly "clone" MCT Tuners:
Create a text file with Notepad as shown below
Add an Enter at the last line (commands need it to be sent)
Save by job name
Open Windows Terminal (or Tera Term for Win 7 users) set up for RS-232 control (COM port, 9600,
8 data bits, 1 stop, no handshake) and connect.
Select the HyperTerm Transfer menu, select Send Text File, and choose the file you've just saved, or
File/Send File in Tera Term
Sample file:
>S0=0 (Tune Mode Cable)
>TR=2,4,5,7-10,19,32,50 (Tune Ring Channels)
>Q4=3 (Onscreen Channel Display - Channel and Name)
>Q0=0 (Captioning off)
>TN=2,NBC (Channel name - up to 8 characters)
>TN=4,FOX
>TN=7,ABC
>TN=5,PBS
>TN=19,CW
>TN=32,KAZQ
>TN=50,WC
>P1 (Power On)
>TC=19 (Tune to Channel 19)

Contemporary Research 8 232-MCT Mono Caption Tuner
RS-232 Control Protocol
Overview
The 232-MCT full duplex RS232 scheme enables a system programmer to control all TV Tuner functions as well
as monitor 3 groups of TV Tuner status. All commands are sent as ASCII strings. No delays between characters
or commands are required, as data is interrupt driven and buffered.
The 3 status groups are: Channel/Source Select, Audio Levels/Mode and Front Panel. Each of the groups has
one ASCII status response string containing all of the status data for that group. The current status string of a
group is sent from the 232-MCT whenever a valid command for that group is received by the 232-MCT RS-232
port or front panel. A group's status may be requested at any time via the RS-232 port. Status of all 3 groups is
sent at power up. The format of each group's status response string remains the same always.
Up to 9 232-MCTs may be cabled together and addressed for individual control from a single RS-232 port. Each
232-MCT is assigned a unique unit code (Front Panel Mode 2).
Communications parameters (Front Panel Mode 1) are 300 to 9600 baud, 8 data bits, No parity, and 1 stop bit.
Factory default is 9600 baud, Unit#1.
All settings are saved to NVRAM in the 232-MCT.
General protocol specifications
Characters in command strings to the 232-MCT are common ASCII keyboard characters.
Command strings sent to the 232-MCT begin with the ASCII > (greater than symbol) as an 'Attention' character
and end with carriage return - ASCII CR, Hex $0D, or keyboard Enter - as an 'End-of-command' character.
Responses from the 232-MCT begin with the ASCII < (less than symbol) as an 'Attention' character and end
with a carriage return followed by line feed an ASCII LF or Hex $0A as 'End-of-command' characters. A carriage
return is required at the end of each command and is assumed in all examples.
Command String Structure
[Attention] (Unit#) [Command] (Parameters) [Return]
Attention Single character (>) starts the string
Unit# The Unit# is expressed as an ASCII 0-9 when used in multiple tuner applications.
To address all units, use a Unit # of 0 (Zero –versions 4.0 and above)
Sending no unit number will default to Unit#1
Command A two-character command
Parameters Added attributes to some commands
Return A carriage return ends the command string, you may use ASCII CR, Hex $0D, or keyboard
‘Enter’ in programming. For simplicity, the programming examples in the manual will not show
the ‘CR’ – so remember, you’ll need to add it in your control code.
Command and Status Response
Commands can be sent back to back at any time without any delay. To allow for rapid, multiple commands,
status responses are intentionally delayed by about 125mS, sending the most current status in response to
control commands or user actions.

Contemporary Research 9 232-MCT Mono Caption Tuner
RS-232 Commands
Typical Setup Commands
S0=
Set tune mode
0=CATV
1=Broadcast
2=HRC
3=IRC
S2=
Set Unit #
1-9
TR=
Set Tune Ring (TR)
Example: ‘ >2TR=2,4,7-10’
Limits access to specified channels, 120 chars max
You can use dash for sequential channels, include 126 if you are
using external AV inputs
Stores unit #2 Tune Ring as 2,4,7,8,9,10
Q4=
Label Mode with Status (0-3)
Sets on-screen channel label mode. Same as TM, current mode
reflected in status, setting TM will also change Q4. (Ver 3.1)
0=None
1=Alpha only
2=Numeric only (default)
3=Both alpha and numeric labels
Channel labels are displayed overlaying the video in the top-left corner
of the screen for about 10 seconds after each channel change.
Tuner displays the channel number only.
Q0=
Caption Mode Off (0-2)
Example: ‘>Q0=0’ or ‘>Q00’
Sets captioning mode
0=Captioning off (default)
1=Captioning on
2=Captioning active when volume is muted
Captioning off
Tuning
TR=
Set Tune Ring (TR)
Example: ‘ >2TR=2,4,7-10’
Limits access to specified channels, 120 chars max
You can use dash for sequential channels, include 126 if you are
using external AV inputs
Stores unit#2 Tune Ring as 2,4,7,8,9,10
TT=
Select tuned channel (0-126)
Example: ‘ >TT=28’
0=video mute, 255=video unmute*
126=External AV Inputs
Selects channel 28 only if 28 is present in current TR
TC=
Force tuned channel (0-126)
Example: ‘ >TC=39’
0=video mute, 255=video unmute*
126=External AV Inputs
Selects channel 39 regardless of current TR
TP
Set to previous channel
Selects previous channel only if present in current TR
TU
Tune channel up
Example: ‘ >3TU’
Selects next higher channel in stored Tune Ring
Bumps Unit#3 tuned channel up one from available Tune Ring
TD
Tune channel down
Selects next lower channel in stored Tune Ring
Power and Mute AV
Both activate the same function
P0
Power Off
Same as XM
P1
Power On
Same as XX
PT
Power Toggle
Same as XT
XT
Toggle Mute A/V
Alternates Mute A/V on and off
XX
Mute A/V off
Turn A/V outputs on at previous level
XM
Mute A/V on
Example: ‘>XM’
Mutes A/V outputs
Mutes audio and video outputs

Contemporary Research 10 232-MCT Mono Caption Tuner
RS-232 Commands
Volume and Audio
VU
Ramp volume up
Starts volume ramping up
VD
Ramp volume down
Starts volume ramping down
VL
Ramps volume to level (0 –63)
Sets volume to specific level
VX
Volume Mute off
Restores audio volume to previous level
VV
Stop volume ramp
Stops volume ramping
VT
Toggle Volume Mute
Alternates audio mute on and off
VM
Volume Mute on
Example: ‘ >VM’
Turns off audio outputs
Mutes audio outputs
S5=
Power-up volume
0=restore to previous level (default)
1= Restore to full
S7=
Set audio mode
0=Mono/Mono (fixed)
Status
SQ
Request Q Mode status
Unit sends “Q” Mode status string
SS
Request Mode status
Unit sends “S” Mode status string
ST
Request Channel status
Example: ‘>ST’
Unit sends “T” Channel/Source status string
Returns Channel/Source status response string
SV
Request Audio status
Unit sends “V” Audio status string
Q
Q-series Commands
Captioning, Text and Video
Q0=
Caption Mode Off (0-2)
Example: ‘>Q0=0’ or ‘>Q00’
Sets captioning mode
0=Captioning off (default)
1=Captioning on
2=Captioning active when volume is muted
Captioning off
Q1=
Captioning Type (1-8)
Turns on captioning type, no functionality in 232-STA
1=Caption 1 (default)
2=Caption 2
3=Caption 3
4=Caption 4
5-8= Text 1-4 (rarely used)
Q2=
Video Loss Detection (0-3)
Selects response when a loss of video signal is detected
0=Both audio and video muted (default-blue screen for video)
1=Audio mute only
2=Video muted, audio active
3=No AV mute
Audio is always unmuted when external AV inputs are selected
Q4=
Label Mode with Status (0-3)
Sets on-screen channel label mode. Same as TM, current mode
reflected in status, setting TM will also change Q4. (Ver 3.1)
0=None
1=Alpha only
2=Numeric only (default)
3=Both alpha and numeric labels
Channel labels are displayed overlaying the video in the top-left corner
of the screen for about 10 seconds after each channel change.
Tuner displays the channel number only.
A carriage return is required at the end of each command and is assumed in all examples. The ‘=’ sign for
parameters may be omitted if desired, though it is helpful for clarity in checking programming.