Ex-Link Cable for C/D/E Series and BD players

2011-01-21T23:12:56Z

Jjgignac: Indicated that some C-series TVs have a 3.5mm ex-link jack (eg, LN46C610)

*On most C-Series the Ex-Link port is located at the VGA connector of the TV.
This page explains how to access the serial console on C-Series TVs with no 3.5mm Ex-Link jack.

== Step 1: Enable Debug mode in service menu ==
Prerequisite: Set the RS232 Jack to "Debug" in the [[Service_Menu]].

== Step 2: Cabling ==
As the TV has TTL level serial output (3.3V) a TTL-level to RS232-level adaptor is needed,
normal RS232 Level is up to 15V which can cause seriously damage at your TV! MAX232 is such an adaptor.

*Pin 4 at the VGA connector is RX (from the TV's point of view)
*Pin 11 at the VGA connector is TX (from the TV's point of view)
*Pin 5,6,7,8 and the case at the VGA connector are GND

=== MAX232 adaptor circuit V1 ===
Here is a simple circuit using a MAX232 chip to convert the signal from TTL to RS232 level.
The Pinout of the connectors is shown at the circuit:

[[File:circuit.jpg]]

And a picture of the completely assembled board:

[[File:Board.jpg]]

=== MAX232 adaptor circuit V2 ===
See here [http://www.mikrocontroller.net/articles/AVR-Tutorial:_UART]

=== Warning ===
As written before, do never connect your TV directly to the serial port of your PC, as the TV has TTL-level (3.3V) and the PC has normal RS232-level your TV could seriously get damaged by dircet connection!

=== Connection chain over USB ===
Recent PCs do not have a RS232 port anymore, but there are USB adaptors available. Most of them use a PL2303 chip for converting the RS232 signal to USB.

The following figure shows the connection chain:
[[File:Samsung_tv_serial_console_connections.jpg]]

This could look like:

[[File:Picture_of_cabling.jpg]]

== Step 3: Start the terminal ==
On a Linux PC, install 'cu' (call up) tool from the ''uucp'' package and run
<pre>cu -l /dev/ttyUSB0 -s 115200</pre>

On a Windows PC, use Hyper Terminal or Putty.

Settings are: Speed 115200, 8N1, no flow control.

== Step 4: Turn on TV ==

== Step 5: Read output ==
Output should be human readable, like in the following listing. If you get nothing, then your cabling/settings are incorrect. If you get garbage, then you have problems with the MAX232 circuit.
<pre>
================================================================================
SAMSUNG: v2.6.24_SELP_4.3.x_GA(P20)
(Detailed Information: /sys/selp/vd/lspinfo/summary)
================================================================================
2.0 : 0 : 256
init started: SELP-BusyBox v1.6.0-VD Linux SELP.4.2.1.x (2010-01-21 19:31:50 KST ) multi-call binary
starting pid 29, tty '/dev/ttyS1': '/etc/rcS'
/etc/rcS start!!!!
=====================================================
ROOTFS VERSION : 65-1G-65
=====================================================
it's not dev!
starting pid 43, tty '/dev/ttyS1': '/bin/sh'
-sh: id: not found
1st partition!!
/dtv/PART_FLAG_0 is detected...
1st Partition is selected....
</pre>

== Step 6: Enabling serial input ==
*Turn on your TV set, if everything is connected like described at the steps before the serial log should be shown at the serial terminal.

*Enter '''10041004''' (when typing the digits '''No Imput is shown''' at the serial terminal) and confirm with '''Enter'''.

after that you should see:
<pre>
[SERIAL INPUT MANAGE] serial input ENABLE!!!!!
</pre>

*So far there is no info on how to enable the Debug Menue at the serial console from the C-Series. The only thing which can be done/executed so far is switching the channels from the serial input.

*Just type a digit like 2 and confirm with Enter. The TV should switch to channel #2.

SamyGO - User contributions [en]

Ex-Link Cable for C/D/E Series and BD players