TDM4 - How to Install the RS232 Service

Introduction

With TDM Digital Signage, you have the ability to send RS232 commands. This functionality allows you to power on or off displays connected to your Windows machine.

This manual explains how the RS232 software can be installed and configured.

Requirements

To install the RS232 service, you need to meet the following requirements:

• Have administrator access to the TDM Designer

• Have access to the Windows player that will be used to send RS232 commands

How To Install the RS232 Service

In this section, we explain how to install the RS232 service on your Windows machine. This requires an installation file, which you can download by logging into your TDM Designer.

1. Log in to the Designer with an administrator account on your Windows-based machine: https://designer.tdmsignage.com

2. Once logged in, select Administration > Downloads.
   

3. From here, download the setup file called ‘TDM RS232 Service’.

4. Launch the downloaded setup file on your Windows-based machine to install the RS232 service.

5. Read the instructions and click Next.
   

6. Select your preferred installation folder and click Next.
   

7. Click Next again to start the installation.
   

8. Select Close once the installation is finished.

9. Now that the installation has finished, we can start configuring the service.
   
   The first step is to copy the file called ‘Utils.dll’ from C:\TDMSignage to the installation folder of the RS232 service: C:\Program Files (x86)\Blue and Red\TDM RS232 Service
   

10. Next, we need to configure the COM port, baud rate, and data bits. These settings can be configured in the file called ‘RS232Service.exe.config’, located in the installation directory of the RS232 service. You can modify this file with a text editor such as Notepad.
    
    

11. Once the values have been configured, restart the RS232 service as follows: click Start and search for Services.
    
    

12. Locate the service called ‘TDM RS232 Service’. Right-click the service and select Restart.

13. If everything is configured correctly, the RS232 log file will confirm that the schedules have been found. The log file can be found here:
    
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Blue and Red\TDM RS232 Service
    
    It is the .txt file in the folder. When you open it, it should mention something similar to:
    
    03:17:11.547 PM INFO Getting new schedules from webservice

03:17:11.903 PM INFO 6 schedules found
    
    You have now finished configuring the RS232 service. The service will send commands at the configured time to the COM port specified in the configuration file.

How To Configure RS232 Schedules Inside the Designer

1. Log in to the Designer with an administrator account: https://designer.tdmsignage.com

2. Go to Config Panel.
   

3. Select the tab RS232 Schedules. From this tab, you can create new schedules.
   

4. When creating a new schedule, ensure it is set for at least 15 minutes in the future.

5. Use the commands below according to your display brand. If the commands do not work, please contact your manufacturer or hardware supplier, as your device type may require different commands.

Sony

LG

Samsung