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With the exception of USB and HDMI inputs, you've probably never given much thought to the ports and connections your TV offers, especially once your home theater system is set up. But the RS-232 serial port can be a valuable tool for more advanced tech users looking to create a truly custom home theater or who want total control over their smart devices.
Also: I changed 13 settings on my TV to dramatically improve its performance - here's how
With some patience and more than a little know-how, you can create a fully automated home entertainment system with timed content, simultaneous broadcasts to multiple rooms, and even diagnostic testing.
What is an RS-232 serial port, and what does it do?
Take a peek at the back of your TV, and you may see -- among the familiar HDMI and USB connections -- an odd 9-pin port that doesn't match any cable you have in the house (and may look familiar if you used a printer back in the 1990s). This is your TV's RS-232 serial port, normally reserved for connecting professional calibration and diagnostic tools.
Technicians at the factory or in a repair shop have special testing devices that plug into the RS-232 port to test signal transmission strength, debug software, and check for electrical damage.
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The RS-232 port can also be used in both smart home and commercial settings by enabling you to connect multiple TVs to a single source for custom broadcasts. Whenever you go to a doctor's office or an airport where multiple screens show the same reels of advertisements and safety announcements, you're seeing the RS-232 connection at work.
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