THE SONY CONTROL-L SOCKETS

The DIN 5-pin Control-L socket seen on the left is included with this Beta VCR. It provides an dedicated connection for using various external devices. These can include an optional editing controller, external infrared device, or another VCR. It sends and receives a digital language developed by Sony called LANC. The "L" after the word Control indicates an acronym for LANC (Local ApplicatioN Control bus). This language is the same as that used in Sony's infrared remotes. LANC uses digital words sent over a serial bus (bus is short for omnibus, meaning: for all). the communication is bidirectional and sent in bundles of 8 (8-bit) bytes containing various coded functions. It is sent using a 5-pin mini-DIN cable, which can also includes circuits for providing a switched DC power supply linked to the VCR's on/off button; pin 2 is not connected. For some applications an adapter cable turns the 5-pins into a mini-jack cable that has just two or three connectors. It might only have the serial bus, ground, and/or the power on/off. Only two pins are necessary for communication to take place: the serial bus and a ground. The LANC language is also used for Control-S connections. For a list of VCRs with control-L sockets, click here. ©Misterßetamax go to homepage