Specifications

Software Crestron SIMPL Windows
which sometimes find their way into control system applications, use MIDI control.
From a programmer’s viewpoint, MIDI does not differ from RS-232, RS-422, or RS-
485. From a hardware standpoint, the CNX-MIDI card is required to generate the
proper control signals.
Crestron MIDI Equipment
CNX-MIDI
The CNX-MIDI interface card is a MIDI IN, OUT and THRU interface. It is used
with mixers and lighting equipment.
Analog Voltages
Certain devices, typically units such as camera pan-tilt heads, lighting control
systems, or voltage-controlled attenuators (VCAs) can be controlled with an analog
voltage. Programmable analog voltages can be generated using the CNXAO-8 card
or C2I-IO8. The latter card contains 8 Versiports capable of being programmed for
digital input/output or analog output.
Custom Crestron Interfaces
Certain devices have control interfaces that do not fall neatly into one control method
or category. In these instances Crestron has developed custom modules (either plug-
in control cards or network modules) to offer control. Examples of these include:
Line-level audio attenuation (volume control)
Pan/Tilt and Zoom/Focus control
Slide projector control
Keyboard/Mouse interface
Lighting (dimmed and non-dimmed) and motor control
modules
For detailed information regarding the above, see the Crestron Catalog for exact
model names, and reference the User Guide for each module.
Cresnet
The Crestron network, or Cresnet, refers to the network topology that is used by
Crestron. The RS-485 bus is used to connect the control system to Crestron
‘network’ devices such as a CNECI-4A (electric control interface for AC powered
devices) or a CNSC-1A (slide projector interface). The RS-485 bus should be used to
locate devices remotely when the limitations of IR and RS 232 restrict the
installation plans. For example, IR must have line-of-sight to the device being
controlled. Serial communications (RS-232) is limited to 50ft. The Cresnet RS-485 is
a proprietary cable connection that can be connected to devices with up to 5,000 feet
of cable.
Cresnet cable consists of:
Pair A #22 AWG, twisted pair with shield for data lines
Pair B #18 AWG, twisted pair for power and ground
PVC jacket
12 Crestron SIMPL Windows Primer – DOC. 6253