EPSON ESC, VP21 Command User Guide

: July 27, 2024
: Epson

Table of Contents

Introduction of ESC/VP21
Communication specification
ESC/VP21 Command Format
Sending command
Error Status
FAQ
References
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EPSON ESC, VP21 Command

Introduction of ESC/VP21

ESC/VP21 is a control command and protocol for Epson projectors, which is used for the A/V controller to control and monitor Epson projectors.
The command codes are comprised of ASCII codes. Therefore the command codes can be understood very easily and you can easily control projectors using a PC with a terminal emulator such as Microsoft Hyper terminal.
Since ESC/VP21 is independent of communication protocols. Serial, USB, or TCP/IP network can be used to transmit the commands to projectors. Please check the command list for available terminals.

Serial connection

Control a projector by connecting to an external device such as an AV system controller via serial communication (RS-232C).
USB connection
Control the projector by connecting to an external device such as an AV system controller via USB.
Network connection
Control projectors by connecting to a network-compatible AV system controller via a network. After establishing a TCP session, ESC/VP21 commands can be sent to projectors. Refer to ESC/VP.net protocol manual.

Communication specification

A projector and a computer can be connected using a serial or USB port. The projector can be remotely controlled by sending commands to the projector.

Serial connection

Connector shape: D-Sub 9-pin (male)
Projector input part name: RS-232C
Cable type: Crossover (null modem) cable

In the following illustration, a projector side is shown on the left, and a computer side on the right.

EPSON-ESC,-VP21-Command -FIG-4 EPSON-
ESC,-VP21-Command -FIG-7

USB connection
Install the USB communication driver (EPSON USB-COM Driver) on a computer. For information about the EPSON USB-COM driver, contact Epson.
Support OS
The supported OS of EPSON USB COM Driver is as follows.

Windwos10 32bit
Windwos10 64bit
Windows8.1 32bit
Windows8.1 64bit
Windows7 32bit
Windows7 64bit

Communications protocol

Default baud rate setting: 9600bps
Data length: 8 bits
Parity: None
Stop bit: 1 bit
Flow control: None

Communication software
Terminal software (please use a commercially available one)

ESC/VP21 Command Format

Set command format

A set command consists of a command and a parameter. The projector returns a colon after executing the command. There are two types of parameters. One is fixed such as ON, OFF, or 21. Other is a step parameter such as INC, DEC or INIT.

INC: increments the parameter by one.
DEC: decrements the parameter by one.
INIT: initializes the parameter

EPSON-ESC,-VP21-Command -FIG-5

Get command format

A get command consists of a command and ?. Projector returns a response parameter after executing the command

EPSON-ESC,-VP21-Command -FIG-6

Null command

The null command is as command code of the return key code (Hex 0D). Projector returns a colon. The null command can be used to confirm that the projector is in operation.
Illegal commands

The projector returns “ERR” and a return key code (Hex 0D) and a colon when it receives invalid command

Sending command

Projector system status

The commands that can be executed by the projector differ depending on the system’s status. Refer to the following table to send the executable command.
In the warning state (lamp life warning, high-temperature warning, etc.), the command can be executed in the same way as in the normal state.
Not all commands are supported by the projector. See the command list on the target projector sheet.

System status	Executable command	Remarks
Standby	PWR ON
AMX
PWR?
LAMP?
SNO?
Standby Mode (Network ON) / Communication Standby (1) AV Standby (2)	PWR
ON
PWR OFF	Colon reply only
AMX
LAMP?
ONTIME?
ERR?	Home model only
SNO?
VOL	AV Standby status only

VOL?
KEY 56/KEY 57

(Volume+/Volume-)

(Initialization in progress)

| LAMP?|
---|---|---
REVERSE?|
VREVERSE?|
SOURCE|
SOURCE?|
PWR ON| Colon reply only
SNO?|
ERR?| Only when an error occurs in an Auto Iris (Home model)
PWR?
Warm-up

(Lamp lighting process in progress)

(* Home model indicates a system outage.)

(Volume+/Volume-)

HDBASET?|
SOURCE LIST?|
SOURCE LIST?|
Error status| AMX
---|---
| PWR?
| SNO?
| ERR?

*1 Standby Mode (Network ON) / Communication Standby

With the projector setting menu “Standby Mode” set to “Communication On”, can communicate with the projector via the network even in the standby state. Standby power is higher than “Standby Mode: Communication Off”.
*2 AV Standby|
With the projector setting menu, “A/V Output” set to “Always On”, video and audio signals can be output (including speaker output) even in the standby state. Compared to “Standby Mode: Communication On”, the standby power is even higher.

The setting method may differ depending on the product.

4.2. Command transmission timing
The first command can be sent anytime and the subsequent commands should be set after receiving a colon from the projector.
After receiving the “PWR ON” command, the next command cannot be responded to for a certain period of time due to the initialization process of the projector. Therefore, if you send the following command before receiving the colon from the projector, the projector may not respond.
“SOURCE” command when the input video sync signal is stable, a colon is returned within 5 seconds. However, it may take more than 5 seconds when the input video sync signal is unstable.
Projectors execute the “PWR OFF” command after they start completely.
If you want to send the following command without checking the colon from the projector, refer to the command execution time in the table below. The execution time is a reference value, so if the projector does not work as intended, increase the time until the next command is sent.
Command| Execution time
PWR ON| Please see the execution time of the target product sheet.
PWR OFF| Please see the execution time of the target product sheet.
SOURCE| 5 seconds
All others| 3 seconds

If the projector fails to turn on the light source after receiving the “PWR ON” command, the execution time may be longer.

Error Status

When the projector is in an error state, get the error state of the projector by sending the “ERR?” command.
The following table shows the acquisition code and the contents of the error state.
Not all return codes are supported by the product. Please see the return code of the target product sheet.

Command| Return

code

| Error content
---|---|---

ERR?

Revision History

Revision	Issued date	Description
A	26-Jan-22	New release as a consolidated version of business/home
B	2-Feb-24	Added the support OS for EPSON USB COM Driver.
C	14-Feb-24	Added information about available terminals.

FAQ

What is the supported OS for the EPSON USB-COM Driver?
The supported OS for the EPSON USB-COM Driver are Windows 7/8.1/10 (32-bit and 64-bit).
What is the default baud rate setting for communication?
The default baud rate setting is 9600bps.
How can I confirm that the projector is in operation?
You can use the null command, which returns a colon to confirm that the projector is operational.