RS-232 Option for Oppo BDP-83?

[audiofox]

I am planning to purchase a second BDP-83 and am trying to decide if I need to add the optional RS-232 port to the unit. I don't currently have a RS-232 controller, but I do have a Denon AVR-3808ci that also has a 232 port and may want to pursue future options that utilize these interfaces. I'm not sure I will ever spend the money for such a control system (not clear at this point of the benefits of a wired RS-232 system vs a high end IR or RF remote with onscreen displays from the HT components), but I thought I would ask the forum membership their learned opinion of this option before I pull the trigger on BDP-83 #2. TIA.

 

[adk highlander]

I kind of went throught the same questions in my head. I'm always thinking of better ways to control my gear and be prepared for the future changes. Here is my take on the RS-232 option.

If you are going to get into Crestron or AMX then having the RS-232 is a real need but if you are not a programmer and don't want to become one then it is not worth it. The BD-83 has an IR input so if you are using a distributed IR or RF system you should be able to control most functions. The advantage to the RS-232 type systems is what is called status feedback where the controller "knows" if a piece of gear is on or off and will send the proper commands based on the sources state.

For most of us using a harmony or URC remote control we can get out of sync if a piece of gear is left on but the help guides usually will get you back on track if that does happen.

What other pieces of gear are you trying to control? Is you gear stored out of site?

 

[audiofox]

I kind of went throught the same questions in my head. I'm always thinking of better ways to control my gear and be prepared for the future changes. Here is my take on the RS-232 option.

If you are going to get into Crestron or AMX then having the RS-232 is a real need but if you are not a programmer and don't want to become one then it is not worth it. The BD-83 has an IR input so if you are using a distributed IR or RF system you should be able to control most functions. The advantage to the RS-232 type systems is what is called status feedback where the controller "knows" if a piece of gear is on or off and will send the proper commands based on the sources state.

For most of us using a harmony or URC remote control we can get out of sync if a piece of gear is left on but the help guides usually will get you back on track if that does happen.

What other pieces of gear are you trying to control? Is you gear stored out of site?

The other two controllable items are the receiver (Denon AVR-3808ci) and the projector (Panasonic PT-AE900u), although the projector has a round serial jack instead of the standard RS-232 "D" jack (9 pin?). The system is now on an open stand, but I plan to relocate the components to an Ethan Allen oak armoire (with doors that will be closed during operation of the system) that I will be customizing for that purpose. I had deduced that the main benefit was the feedback aspect of the components as you pointed out, but since I now get a significant amount of "telemetry" for these components onscreen, it is not clear to me that an RS-232 system is worth the effort (ie, hard-wired interconnects between the controllable components, etc). The $90 might be better spent on a high end remote or a few nice out-of-print HD audio disks. The programming task is not a concern (the cost of my labor is free to me!), but I am not convinced that the final result is worth the effort required for the physical installation (primarily cables).