OREI BK-808 HDMI Matrix - RS232 vs HTTP API Command Comparison

Overview

This document provides a side-by-side comparison of RS232 serial commands and HTTP/IP API commands for controlling the OREI BK-808 8x8 HDMI Matrix.

Connection Details

Control Method	RS232	HTTP/IP API
Port	RS-232 D-Sub 9	TCP/IP RJ45
Protocol	Serial	HTTP POST
Endpoint	N/A	`http://{ip}/cgi-bin/instr`
Baud Rate	115200, 8N1	N/A
Default IP	N/A	192.168.0.100
TCP Port	N/A	8000
Default Behavior	N/A	POST with no body returns `get video status`

System Commands

Power Control

Function	RS232 Command	HTTP API Command
Power On	`power 1!`	`{"comhead":"set poweronoff","language":0,"power":1}`
Power Off	`power 0!`	`{"comhead":"set poweronoff","language":0,"power":0}`
Get Power Status	`r power!`	`{"comhead":"get system status","language":0}` (check `power` field)

Examples:

RS232:

power 1!

HTTP API (Unix/Linux/Mac/PowerShell):

curl -X POST http://192.168.0.100/cgi-bin/instr \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"comhead":"set poweronoff","language":0,"power":1}'

HTTP API (Windows CMD):

curl -X POST http://192.168.0.100/cgi-bin/instr -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d"{\"comhead\":\"set poweronoff\",\"language\":0,\"power\":1}"

Beep Control

Function	RS232 Command	HTTP API Command
Enable Beep	`s beep 1!`	`{"comhead":"set beep","language":0,"beep":1}`
Disable Beep	`s beep 0!`	`{"comhead":"set beep","language":0,"beep":0}`
Get Beep Status	`r beep!`	`{"comhead":"get system status","language":0}` (check `beep` field)

Panel Lock

Function	RS232 Command	HTTP API Command
Lock Panel	`s lock 1!`	N/A (Web GUI only)
Unlock Panel	`s lock 0!`	N/A (Web GUI only)
Get Lock Status	`r lock!`	N/A (Web GUI only)

System Information

Function	RS232 Command	HTTP API Command
Get Model	`r type!`	N/A
Get Firmware Version	`r fw version!`	N/A (available in Web GUI Status page)
Get All Status	`status!`	Multiple API calls required
Reboot Device	`reboot!`	N/A (Web GUI only)
Factory Reset	`reset!`	N/A (Web GUI only)

Video Switching Commands

Route Input to Output

Function	RS232 Command	HTTP API Command
Route Input X to Output Y	`s output Y in source X!`	`{"comhead":"video switch","language":0,"source":[X,Y]}`
Route Input 3 to Output 1	`s output 1 in source 3!`	`{"comhead":"video switch","language":0,"source":[3,1]}`
Route Input to All Outputs	`s output 0 in source X!`	Multiple API calls required (loop outputs 1-8)
Get Output Routing	`r output Y in source!`	`{"comhead":"get video status","language":0}`

Comparison Example - Route Input 5 to Output 2:

RS232:

s output 2 in source 5!

HTTP API:

curl -X POST http://192.168.0.100/cgi-bin/instr \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"comhead":"video switch","language":0,"source":[5,2]}'

Output Control Commands

Video Scaler

Function	RS232 Command	HTTP API Command
Set Bypass	`s output Y scaler 1!`	`{"comhead":"video scaler","language":0,"scaler":[Y,0]}`
Set 8Kâ†’4K	`s output Y scaler 2!`	`{"comhead":"video scaler","language":0,"scaler":[Y,1]}`
Set 8K/4Kâ†’1080P	`s output Y scaler 3!`	`{"comhead":"video scaler","language":0,"scaler":[Y,2]}`
Set Auto	`s output Y scaler 4!`	`{"comhead":"video scaler","language":0,"scaler":[Y,3]}`
Get Scaler Mode	`r output Y scaler!`	`{"comhead":"get output status","language":0}`

Note: The scaler mode values differ between RS232 and HTTP API!

Mode	RS232 Value	HTTP API Value
Bypass	1	0
8Kâ†’4K	2	1
8K/4Kâ†’1080P	3	2
Auto	4	3

HDR Conversion

Function	RS232 Command	HTTP API Command
Set Bypass	`s output Y hdr 1!`	N/A (Web GUI only)
Set HDRâ†’SDR	`s output Y hdr 2!`	N/A (Web GUI only)
Set Auto	`s output Y hdr 3!`	N/A (Web GUI only)
Get HDR Mode	`r output Y hdr!`	`{"comhead":"get output status","language":0}`

ARC (Audio Return Channel)

Function	RS232 Command	HTTP API Command
Enable ARC	`s output Y arc 1!`	`{"comhead":"set arc","language":0,"arc":[Y,1]}`
Disable ARC	`s output Y arc 0!`	`{"comhead":"set arc","language":0,"arc":[Y,0]}`
Get ARC Status	`r output Y arc!`	`{"comhead":"get output status","language":0}`

Stream Control

Function	RS232 Command	HTTP API Command
Enable Stream	`s output Y stream 1!`	`{"comhead":"tx stream","language":0,"out":[Y,1]}`
Disable Stream	`s output Y stream 0!`	`{"comhead":"tx stream","language":0,"out":[Y,0]}`
Get Stream Status	`r output Y stream!`	`{"comhead":"get output status","language":0}`

HDCP Control

Function	RS232 Command	HTTP API Command
Set HDCP 1.4	`s output Y hdcp 1!`	N/A (Web GUI only)
Set HDCP 2.2	`s output Y hdcp 2!`	N/A (Web GUI only)
Follow Sink	`s output Y hdcp 3!`	N/A (Web GUI only)
Follow Source	`s output Y hdcp 4!`	N/A (Web GUI only)
User Mode	`s output Y hdcp 5!`	N/A (Web GUI only)
Get HDCP Status	`r output Y hdcp!`	`{"comhead":"get output status","language":0}`

Input Control Commands

EDID Management

Function	RS232 Command	HTTP API Command
Set EDID Mode	`s input X EDID Z!`	`{"comhead":"set edid","language":0,"edid":[X,Z]}`
Copy from Output	`s input X edid copy output Y!`	`{"comhead":"set edid","language":0,"edid":[X,24+Y]}`
Get EDID Mode	`r input X EDID!`	`{"comhead":"get input status","language":0}`
Set User EDID	`s user X edid 00 FF FF...!`	N/A (Web GUI only)
Get User EDID	`r user X edid!`	N/A (Web GUI only)

EDID Mode Values (Same for both RS232 and HTTP API):

Value	EDID Mode
1	1080P, 2.0CH
2	1080P, 5.1CH
3	1080P, 7.1CH
10	4K60(444), 2.0CH
21	4K60(420)_HDR, 7.1CH
36	FRL12G_8K_HDR, 7.1CH
37	user1_EDID
40	copy out1 (RS232) / 24 (HTTP)

Example - Set Input 1 to 4K HDR 7.1:

RS232:

s input 1 EDID 21!

HTTP API:

curl -X POST http://192.168.0.100/cgi-bin/instr \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"comhead":"set edid","language":0,"edid":[1,21]}'

Audio Extraction Commands

External Audio Control

Function	RS232 Command	HTTP API Command
Enable Ext Audio	`s output Y exa 1!`	N/A (Web GUI only)
Disable Ext Audio	`s output Y exa 0!`	N/A (Web GUI only)
Set Bind to Input	`s output exa mode 0!`	N/A (Web GUI only)
Set Bind to Output	`s output exa mode 1!`	N/A (Web GUI only)
Set Matrix Mode	`s output exa mode 2!`	N/A (Web GUI only)
Route Audio Source	`s output Y exa in source X!`	N/A (Web GUI only)

CEC Commands

Input CEC Commands

Function	RS232 Command	HTTP API Command
Power On	`s cec in X on!`	`{"comhead":"cec command","language":0,"object":0,"port":[array],"index":1}`
Power Off	`s cec in X off!`	`{"comhead":"cec command","language":0,"object":0,"port":[array],"index":2}`
Play	`s cec in X play!`	`{"comhead":"cec command","language":0,"object":0,"port":[array],"index":11}`
Pause	`s cec in X pause!`	`{"comhead":"cec command","language":0,"object":0,"port":[array],"index":14}`
Volume Mute	`s cec in X mute!`	`{"comhead":"cec command","language":0,"object":0,"port":[array],"index":17}`

Example - Send PLAY to Input 2:

RS232:

s cec in 2 play!

HTTP API:

curl -X POST http://192.168.0.100/cgi-bin/instr \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"comhead":"cec command","language":0,"object":0,"port":[0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0],"index":11}'

Output CEC Commands

Function	RS232 Command	HTTP API Command
Power On	`s cec hdmi out Y on!`	`{"comhead":"cec command","language":0,"object":1,"port":[array],"index":0}`
Power Off	`s cec hdmi out Y off!`	`{"comhead":"cec command","language":0,"object":1,"port":[array],"index":1}`
Volume Mute	`s cec hdmi out Y mute!`	`{"comhead":"cec command","language":0,"object":1,"port":[array],"index":2}`
Volume Down	`s cec hdmi out Y vol-!`	`{"comhead":"cec command","language":0,"object":1,"port":[array],"index":3}`
Volume Up	`s cec hdmi out Y vol+!`	`{"comhead":"cec command","language":0,"object":1,"port":[array],"index":4}`

Network Configuration Commands

IP Configuration

Function	RS232 Command	HTTP API Equivalent
Get IP Config	`r ipconfig!`	N/A (Web GUI only)
Set Static IP	`s ip mode 0!`	N/A (Web GUI only)
Set DHCP	`s ip mode 1!`	N/A (Web GUI only)
Set IP Address	`s ip addr 192.168.0.100!`	N/A (Web GUI only)
Set Subnet Mask	`s subnet 255.255.255.0!`	N/A (Web GUI only)
Set Gateway	`s gateway 192.168.0.1!`	N/A (Web GUI only)
Network Reboot	`s net reboot!`	N/A (Web GUI only)

Preset Commands

Function	RS232 Command	HTTP API Equivalent
Save Preset	`s save preset Z!` (Z=1-8)	N/A (Web GUI only)
Recall Preset	`s recall preset Z!`	N/A (Web GUI only)
Clear Preset	`s clear preset Z!`	N/A (Web GUI only)
Get Preset Info	`r preset Z!`	N/A (Web GUI only)

Connection Status Commands

Function	RS232 Command	HTTP API Command
Get Input Connection	`r link in X!`	`{"comhead":"get input status","language":0}` (check `inactive` field)
Get Output Connection	`r link out Y!`	`{"comhead":"get output status","language":0}` (check `allconnect` field)

Quick Reference - Most Common Operations

Switch Video Source

Operation	RS232	HTTP API
Input 1 â†’ Output 1	`s output 1 in source 1!`	`{"comhead":"video switch","language":0,"source":[1,1]}`
Input 3 â†’ Output 5	`s output 5 in source 3!`	`{"comhead":"video switch","language":0,"source":[3,5]}`
Input 8 â†’ All Outputs	`s output 0 in source 8!`	Loop: source [8,1] through [8,8]

Set EDID

Operation	RS232	HTTP API
Input 1 â†’ 4K HDR 7.1	`s input 1 EDID 21!`	`{"comhead":"set edid","language":0,"edid":[1,21]}`
Input 2 â†’ 1080P 5.1	`s input 2 EDID 2!`	`{"comhead":"set edid","language":0,"edid":[2,2]}`
Input 3 â†’ Copy Out 1	`s input 3 edid copy output 1!`	`{"comhead":"set edid","language":0,"edid":[3,24]}`

Control Power

Operation	RS232	HTTP API
Power On Matrix	`power 1!`	`{"comhead":"set poweronoff","language":0,"power":1}`
Power Off Matrix	`power 0!`	`{"comhead":"set poweronoff","language":0,"power":0}`

Key Differences Summary

HTTP API Limitations

The following features are ONLY available via RS232 or Web GUI:

Panel lock/unlock
Beep control (Web GUI only)
HDR conversion settings
HDCP mode settings
External audio routing
User-defined EDID upload/download
Preset save/recall/clear
Network configuration
Factory reset & reboot

RS232 Advantages

More comprehensive command set
Direct access to all features
Scriptable automation
No network dependency
Faster response for some operations

HTTP API Advantages

Network-based control
No serial cable required
Modern REST-like interface
Easy integration with web applications
Multiple simultaneous connections possible

Command Syntax Comparison

RS232 Format

<command> <parameters>!

Commands end with !
Space-separated parameters
Case-sensitive
Text-based responses

Example:

s output 1 in source 3!

HTTP API Format

{
  "comhead": "<command>",
  "language": 0,
  "<param>": <value>
}

JSON object
POST to /cgi-bin/instr
language always set to 0
JSON responses
Windows CMD Note: Use -d"{\"comhead\":...}" (no space, escaped quotes)

Example:

{
  "comhead": "video switch",
  "language": 0,
  "source": [3, 1]
}

Windows CMD curl syntax:

curl -X POST http://ip/cgi-bin/instr -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d"{\"comhead\":\"video switch\",\"language\":0,\"source\":[3,1]}"

Complete Workflow Examples

Example 1: Setup Display for Gaming (RS232 vs HTTP)

Goal: Route PS5 (Input 2) to TV (Output 1), set 4K120 HDR EDID, enable auto scaler RS232:

s input 2 EDID 30!
s output 1 in source 2!
s output 1 scaler 4!

HTTP API:

<h1>Set EDID</h1>
curl -X POST http://192.168.0.100/cgi-bin/instr \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"comhead":"set edid","language":0,"edid":[2,30]}'

<h1>Route video</h1>
curl -X POST http://192.168.0.100/cgi-bin/instr \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"comhead":"video switch","language":0,"source":[2,1]}'

<h1>Set scaler (Note: Web GUI only for scaler)</h1>

Example 2: Query System Status

RS232:

r type!
r fw version!
r output 0 in source!
r link in 0!

HTTP API:

<h1>Get system status</h1>
curl -X POST http://192.168.0.100/cgi-bin/instr \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"comhead":"get system status","language":0}'

<h1>Get video status</h1>
curl -X POST http://192.168.0.100/cgi-bin/instr \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"comhead":"get video status","language":0}'

<h1>Get input status</h1>
curl -X POST http://192.168.0.100/cgi-bin/instr \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"comhead":"get input status","language":0}'

Conclusion

Both control methods have their strengths:

Use RS232 for complete feature access, automation scripts, and direct serial control
Use HTTP API for network-based control, web integration, and basic video switching operations
Use Web GUI for EDID management, system configuration, and features not available in HTTP API

For maximum flexibility, implement both RS232 and HTTP API control in your integration.