Remote control of SD HxC

[jmayes]

Hi, I am using the HxC (Sd version) with a Mirage keyboard. I would like to automate which image is being used via midi. I know that the HxC can be operated via a host program (via floppy connector). I am wondering if there is maybe a terminal hookup (serial) that could also be used for image selection. (debug port?). Hardware conversions are no problem for me (TTL>RS232, etc). If there are no other control options then is the protocol of the existing host control via the floppy cable available?

Thankx for any help that can be offered,
Jmayes

[Jeff]

Hi, I am using the HxC (Sd version) with a Mirage keyboard. I would like to automate which image is being used via midi. I know that the HxC can be operated via a host program (via floppy connector). I am wondering if there is maybe a terminal hookup (serial) that could also be used for image selection. (debug port?). Hardware conversions are no problem for me (TTL>RS232, etc). If there are no other control options then is the protocol of the existing host control via the floppy cable available?

Thankx for any help that can be offered,
Jmayes

To "remote" control the HxC you can use the floppy interface. In fact the host computer can access it at a special track.

More details there :
https://hxc2001.com/floppy_drive_emulat ... s_mode.pdf

https://hxc2001.com/floppy_drive_emulat ... G_file.pdf

You can find some implementations examples here :
http://hxcfloppyemu.svn.sourceforge.net ... _selector/

What do you want to do exactly ?

[jmayes]

Hi Jeff, Thank you for the info!

I have reviewed the doc's you provided and don't think I will be able to go the host route. I do not have the means to change the firmware in the keyboard and trying to connect via the drive cable would require a full disk controller system. Wow, you have put alot of work into this project!

What I need is to be able select the slot in a very simple way like sending a number from 0-255 via serial or 8 bit buss. I was hoping that perhaps you left a hook for such a thing via a debug port. I will be wiring a 3rd party midi controller into the keyboard and that is what I hoped could control the HxC. I could of course connect straight to the buttons but the scroll method of selection requires some eye balls in the process. (or to monitor the LCD data lines but that would be somewhat complicated too)

If you have any suggestions I am all ears.

BTW, Jeff is a good name, that's mine too

Thankx again for the help!
J

[Jeff]

Hi Jeff, Thank you for the info!

I have reviewed the doc's you provided and don't think I will be able to go the host route. I do not have the means to change the firmware in the keyboard and trying to connect via the drive cable would require a full disk controller system. Wow, you have put alot of work into this project!

What I need is to be able select the slot in a very simple way like sending a number from 0-255 via serial or 8 bit buss. I was hoping that perhaps you left a hook for such a thing via a debug port. I will be wiring a 3rd party midi controller into the keyboard and that is what I hoped could control the HxC. I could of course connect straight to the buttons but the scroll method of selection requires some eye balls in the process. (or to monitor the LCD data lines but that would be somewhat complicated too)

If you have any suggestions I am all ears.

mhhh i think that the button trick should works. You can monitor the buzzer line and/or a led line.

The other solution is to use a the buttons line as a synchronus serial line. But this will need some firmware modification.

BTW, Jeff is a good name, that's mine too

In fact this is only a nickname for me