Extron Electronics MLS 506SA - Manual (Page 35)

4-7 MediaLink Switchers • Serial Communication
Control Software for Windows
The included Extron MediaLink Control Program for Windows offers another way
to control the Switcher via RS-232 connection in addition to the Simple Instruction
Set commands. The control program’s graphical interface includes the same
functions as those on the switcher’s front panel and some additional features that
are only available through the Windows-based software.
The control software is compatible with Windows 95/98, Windows NT, and
Windows 2000. Extron’s MediaLink Control Program is included with the MLS,
and updates can be downloaded from the Extron Web site
(http://www.extron.com).
Installing the software
The control program is contained on a set of 3.5-inch diskettes, and it requires
approximately 2 MB (megabytes) of hard disk space.
To install the software on the hard drive:
1 . Run SETUP.EXE from the floppy disk.
2 . Follow the instructions that appear on the screen.
By default the installation creates a C:\MediaLnk directory, and it places two icons
(MediaLnk Control Pgm and MediaLnk Help) into a group or folder named
“Extron Electronics”.
Using the control program
Many items found in the MediaLink Control Program are also accessible via front
panel controls and the LCD menus described in chapter three. Refer to that chapter
for details on features and settings. The MediaLink Help Program provides
information on settings and on how to use the control program itself. Some
features are only available via this control program. These features are described in
the sections of this chapter that correspond to the parts of the control program
where the features are found.
1. To run the control program, double-click on the MediaLnk Control Pgm icon
in the Extron Electronics group or folder. The Comm menu
appears on the screen.
2. Click on the comm port that is connected to the MLS’s RS-232 port.
The Extron MediaLink Control Program windows appear. The port and
firmware information are displayed at the bottom of the screen. There are
two views available: the User Mode screen,
and the Switcher (MLS)
Configuration screen.