Uploading And Upgrading; Communication Settings - Crestron ST-1700C Operation Manual

Crestron ST-1700C

Uploading and Upgrading

Operations Guide – DOC. 6225A
Indirect text on a button is entered in VT Pro-e and the actual string to be displayed
is entered in SIMPL Windows. You must use VT Pro-e 3.0 or later to guarantee that
the full set of characters in the font is stored on the touchpanel. You must use SIMPL
Windows 2.03.11 or later to enter Chinese characters directly. As of this publication
date, only completely single-byte or completely multibyte strings may be entered or
they will not be compiled correctly in SIMPL Windows. In other words, you cannot
enter Chinese character interspersed with numbers. You can enter Chinese characters
or numbers in separate strings. Crestron is scheduling time to fix this in the near
future and the release notes for SIMPL Windows will mention it.
Of course, you can always use the workaround of showing a graphic that displays the
string, but it is not dynamic.
Assuming a PC is properly connected to the entire system, Crestron programming
software allows the programmer to upload programs and projects after their
development to the system and network devices. However, there are times when the
files for the program and projects are compiled and not uploaded. Instead, compiled
files may be distributed from programmers to installers, from Crestron to dealers,
etc. Even firmware upgrades are available from the Crestron website as new features
are developed after product releases. In those instances, one has the option to upload
via the programming software or to upload and upgrade via the Crestron Viewport.
NOTE: The Crestron Viewport utility performs multiple system tasks, primarily via
an RS-232 or TCP/IP connection between the control system and a PC. It is used to
observe system processes, upload new operating systems and firmware, change
system and network parameters, and communicate with network device consoles and
touchpanels, among many other tasks. Viewport can also function as a terminal
emulator for generic file transfer. All of these functions are accessed through the
commands and options in the Viewport menus. Therefore, for its effectiveness as a
support and diagnostic tool, the Crestron Viewport may be preferred over
development tools when uploading programs and projects.
The following sections define how one would upload a VT Pro-e project or upgrade
the firmware of the ST-1700C. However, before attempting to upload or upgrade, it
is necessary to establish communications.

Communication Settings

NOTE: For laptops and other PCs without a built-in RS-232 port, Crestron
recommends the use of PCMCIA cards, rather than USB-to-serial adapters. If a
USB-to-serial adapter must be used, Crestron has tested the following devices with
good results:
Belkin (large model) F5U103
I/O Gear GUC232A (discontinued)
Keyspan USA-19QW (discontinued)
Other models, even from the same manufacturer, may not yield the same results.
The procedure in this section provides details for RS-232 communication between
the PC and the control system. If TCP/IP communication is preferred, consult the
latest version of the Crestron e-Control Reference Guide (Doc. 6052) or the
1-Way Wireless RF Touchpanel
1-Way Wireless RF Touchpanel: ST-1700C • 23