SONY-VISCA protocol/RS485 directly from Bomebox?

Hi,

I’m just getting started with my first BomeBox and first have to say thanks/good job on creating a really great product/ecosystem. Having used a Kiss Box for years, I really appreciate the flexibility/programability + self discovery and network connection recovery/auto connect.

As I was going through the menus I was intrigued by seeing a serial port option. I have been hoping to create a method to control a Marshall camera via QLab which I had thought would be an R-pi project via OSC. However I would love to instead build this on the Bomebox since I expect it would already be used for other functions in that setup. Given these two threads:

I gather (but please confirm) that I should be able to receive a midi message from QLab, and with Translator Pro, have that be a trigger to send out a serial sequence to a serial adapter connected directly on the bomebox.

Two questions that remain or I’m looking to also be confirmed are:
1- Can a translator pro project be run/hosted on a bome box? I’m hoping that is the meaning of ‘Hardware Version: BomeBox’
2- Are there recommended serial adapters or types or specific driver needs to be used directly on a BomeBox or can any usb serial adapter be used?

Many thanks,
Brian

Hi and welcome to the Bome community!

Yes, as long as you have purchased Bome MIDI Translator Pro as projects created with the free trial version of Bome MIDI Translator Pro will not work on BomeBox.

This is what I use. You will likely need to attach it to the BomeBox USB through a MIDI hub.

I believe it also works with the FTDI serial chipset.

I think RS485 has a different voltage spec than RS232 but if the chips set used for the USB adapter is the same, you should be OK. Here is a web site that discusses the differences between RS232 and RS485.

Steve Caldwell
Bome Customer Care


Also available for paid consulting services: bome@sniz.biz

Through a Midi hub or a USB hub? Is that for power or does the hub somehow package the data in a necessary way? That’s an unfortunate addition of a failure point if it is really necessary. I don’t have the camera back until new year but I will report any progress or findings, thanks,
Brian

USB hub. Not sure why but usually needed so I think it has to do with the USB protocol for serial communications.

Steve Caldwell
Bome Customer Care


Also available for paid consulting services: bome@sniz.biz

Very few, specific, USB devices do not work when plugged directly into the BomeBox USB host port, but they do work when (any) USB hub is plugged in between device and BomeBox.

We don’t know why. So far, I’ve only been aware of some USB QWERTY keyboards (or number pads), and one other special MIDI touch controller. I’ve tested half a dozen RS-232 USB adapters plugged directly into the BomeBox without any problems.

Steve, can you confirm that your mentioned USB-serial adapter does not work directly? If yes, then it’s probably not a good choice for use with the BomeBox.

And btw, such a USB hub can be as simple as such a small one:

There used to be a 2-port version, too.

Or a splitter cable with built-in hub:

(NB: we don’t endorse any of these specific products, or Amazon, for that matter)

I just verified that the cable I referenced works fine. Here is a project file I tested with. I actually have 2 of these. One on my BomeBox and One on my Windows computer. There is a crossover adapter so that the pins are correct.

I’ve attached the project file I tested with.

Here is a screenshot of what the BomeBox sees.

I did not need a USB hub to make it work. I set the serial port to 9600 8n1. I plugged it directly into BomeBox with no USB hub required.

Serial-BomeBox-test-2024-11-25.bmtp (2.7 KB)

Steve Caldwell
Bome Customer Care


Also available for paid consulting services: bome@sniz.biz