Escient FireBall MP-150 User Manual
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Escient FireBall MP-150 User Manual

Escient fireball mp-150 media players: user guide
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MP-150 USER'S MANUAL
P/N: M22007-01A3

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Summary of Contents for Escient FireBall MP-150

  • Page 1 MP-150 USER’S MANUAL P/N: M22007-01A3...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    THANK YOU The team at Escient would like to take this opportunity to thank you for purchasing an Escient FireBall product. Escient is committed to providing our customers the most technologically advanced, yet easier- than-ever to use products that converge the power of the Internet with home entertainment.
  • Page 3 CONNECTING TO FIREBALL SERVER CONNECTING TO A DIFFERENT FIREBALL SERVER LISTENING TO MUSIC BROWSING YOUR MUSIC LIBRARY SHOW AND HIDE TRACKS PLAYING THE CURRENT TITLE SELECTING A DIFFERENT SONG CHANGING THE GUIDE VIEW View By Artist View By Title View By Song View By Cover CHANGING THE CURRENT PLAY MODE VIEWING BY GENRE...
  • Page 4 SERVERS CLIENTS LOCATING THE FIREBALL CLIENTS AND SERVERS Central Distributed CONFIGURING A FIREBALL SERVER CONFIGURING A FIREBALL CLIENT Networking Server Selection ESCIENT TECHNICAL SUPPORT TROUBLESHOOTING NETWORK PROBLEMS SOFTWARE UPDATE PROBLEMS RECORDING PROBLEMS PAGE 4 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SPECIFICATIONS Video Specifications Audio Specifications...

  • Page 5: Product Introduction

    ABOUT THIS MANUAL This FireBall User’s Manual is intended to provide the reader with an overview of the main features and benefits of the Escient FireBall Media Management Systems. For more information, please refer to the Escient web site (www.escient.com) or contact your Escient dealer.

  • Page 6: Warnings And Precautions

    • A three prong grounded outlet is required. • You are cautioned that any change or modification not expressly approved in this manual or approved in writing by an authorized representative of Escient could void your warranty and/ or your authority to operate this equipment.

  • Page 7: Trademarks & Service Marks

    TRADEMARKS & SERVICE MARKS Escient®, the Escient logo, and FireBall® are trademarks of Digital Networks North America. FireBall and Physital are trademarks of Escient®. Other product names mentioned herein are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective companies.

  • Page 8: Warranty Information

    What is Covered - The goal of this warranty is to cover operational problems that might arise with your product during normal use. This includes failure to start, improper operation, or intermittent failures. As part of the warranty, Escient will pay for all labor and materials used in the repair of the system.
  • Page 9 Escient shall not be liable for damage or loss of data including but not limited to music recorded to storage devices. It is the customer’s responsibility to maintain the original media and/or appropriate backup copies within the specific rights of the media’s copyright holder.

  • Page 10: Escient Privacy Policy

    ESCIENT PRIVACY POLICY Escient is committed to providing you with a product that you enjoy and are confident in using, and are committed to providing services in a private and secure environment. We recognize and respect each individual user’s privacy and have created this Privacy Policy to demonstrate our commitment to your privacy.

  • Page 11: Terms And Definitions

    TERMS AND DEFINITIONS Following are terms used throughout this manual: • Button - refers to a graphic item on the display screen. • Group - a collection of similar music titles. Standard genre groups are provided and custom groups can be created by the user. •...

  • Page 12: Setup

    SETUP This manual assumes that you followed the printed “Quick Setup Guide” that came with your FireBall. If you have not properly connected your FireBall to your audio/video system, please go back and follow the “Quick Setup Guide” guide before continuing with this User Manual. POWER STATES After the FireBall unit is plugged in, the Standby LED located next to the power button will flash red until the startup process is complete.

  • Page 13: Front Panel Overview

    FRONT PANEL OVERVIEW 1 - POWER PAGE 13...

  • Page 14: Rear Panel Overview

    REAR PANEL OVERVIEW 1 - POWER 2 - IR IN 3 - DIGITAL AUDIO COAX OUT 4 - DIGITAL AUDIO OPTICAL OUT 5 - ANALOG AUDIO OUT 6 - VIDEO OUT 7 - COMMUNICATION PORTS 8 - ETHERNET PAGE 14...

  • Page 15: Remote Overview

    REMOTE OVERVIEW PAGE 15...

  • Page 16: Entering Text With The Remote Control

    ENTERING TEXT WITH THE REMOTE CONTROL The remote control can be used to enter text in all text fields. This text entry capability is provided to allow you to fill out short text fields – such as those that occur in the setup and edit screens. FireBall’s wireless keyboard should be used when extended typing is required.
  • Page 17 display a “C”. The fourth key press displays a lower case “a”, the fifth key press displays a lower case “b”, and the sixth key press displays a lower case “c”. Lastly, pressing the “2” key a seventh time displays the number “2”. When entering the second character in a text field or the second character following a space, FireBall assumes that lower case is preferred and the character entry cycles in the following pattern –...

  • Page 18: Additional Connection And Hookup Information

    ADDITIONAL CONNECTION AND HOOKUP INFORMATION AUDIO OUTPUTS The optical, coax, and analog audio outputs are all active when playing media from the internal hard drive or Internet Radio. Both digital and analog connections must be made from the changer to the FireBall for the FireBall to output both digital and analog outputs. This table shows which audio outputs are active for each type of audio source.

  • Page 19: Video Outputs

    One of the S-Video outputs is typically used for the optional Escient ETP-1500 touch panel to provide the user interface directly on the touch panel. The other S-Video output can be used if the installation has an available S-Video input or for a distributed multi-room installation.

  • Page 20: Rs-232 Connections

    RS-232 CONNECTIONS COM ports 1 or 2 may be used for connecting an Escient ETP-1500 wired touch panel, external modem or to interface with a third party control system such as AMX or Crestron. Note: You should use the Ethernet control system for controlling FireBall from a third party control system whenever possible. Using the Ethernet control system frees up the COM ports for other purposes, allows much longer distances between FireBall and the control system, and provides a much faster path for data transfer.
  • Page 21 Straight-through cables are used for connecting computers to a hub. Crossed cables are used for connecting a hub to another hub (there is an exception: some hubs have a built-in uplink port that is crossed internally, which allows you to uplink hubs together with a straight cable instead).

  • Page 22: Registration

    Registering your FireBall is accomplished automatically when you go through the Quick Start process described in the User’s Manual. Registration includes properly configuring your FireBall for Internet access and then connecting to the Escient servers to register your serial number and download the latest Internet Radio stations.

  • Page 23: Connecting To Fireball Server

    CONNECTING TO FIREBALL SERVER FireBall MP-150 streams audio from a FireBall Server over an Ethernet network. Your FireBall MP-150 Music Player must be on the same Ethernet network as your FireBall server. This section will assume that you have properly connected your FireBall client to the same network as your FireBall server.

  • Page 24: Listening To Music

    LISTENING TO MUSIC BROWSING YOUR MUSIC LIBRARY If you have CDs loaded into your external changers or if you have a FireBall Music server on the same network as your DVDM, the Music Guide is used to access your entire music collection. The Music Guide allows you to browse, locate, and play all of your music in one easy to use on-screen guide.

  • Page 25: Playing The Current Title

    PLAYING THE CURRENT TITLE Playing the currently highlighted Title is the same as playing a CD in a conventional CD player. Simply press the PLAY key on the remote control and it begins to play from track 1. Note: If you press SELECT with a Track highlighted, you will start playback from the selected Track.

  • Page 26: Changing The Guide View

    PAGE 26 CHANGING THE GUIDE VIEW The GUIDE button on the remote control is used to switch between the Music Guide and Music Player screens. When you are viewing the Music Player screen, press the GUIDE button to return to the Music Guide. The Music Guide provides you with several ways to view the contents of your Music Library.

  • Page 27: Changing The Current Play Mode

    PAGE 27 CHANGING THE CURRENT PLAY MODE The default Play Mode will play the current Title from Track 1 to the last track in order, then stop. If you want to change the order of how tracks are played, there are six different Play Modes to choose from: •...

  • Page 28: Viewing By Genre

    VIEWING BY GENRE In addition to the current Guide View, the Music Guide automatically organizes your Music into default “Genres” also called “Groups”. The Group Bar displays a horizontal scrolling list of Genres corresponding to the music in your library. Five Genres or Groups are visible at one time. The “All” genre is the default, which displays all Titles in your Music Library.

  • Page 29: Listening To Internet Radio

    LISTENING TO INTERNET RADIO BROWSING INTERNET RADIO STATIONS The Radio Guide displays a scrolling list of Internet Radio Stations. Using the remote control, you can navigate up and down the list. As each Station is highlighted, you will notice that the Information Area and Cover Art changes to reflect the currently highlighted Station.

  • Page 30: Playing The Current Station

    Internet access problems, busy networks, etc... • Internet Radio Stations are not hosted by Escient and may not be available at all times. You can update your Internet Radio Stations list by running Tune Stations.

  • Page 31: Managing Your Media

    PAGE 31 MANAGING YOUR MEDIA CREATING PLAYLISTS FireBall allows you to organize your favorite songs into custom “Playlists”. A Playlist is simply a group of songs that you choose from your Music Library. Common uses for Playlists are: • Collections of your favorite songs •...

  • Page 32: Creating Groups

    PAGE 32 CREATING GROUPS In addition to Playlists, FireBall allows you to create custom “Groups” of Movies, Music Titles or Radio Stations. User created Groups appear in the Group Bar along with the automatically created Genre Groups and System Groups (All, CDs, Internal, and Playlists). Some uses for custom Group are: •...

  • Page 33: Adding Internet Radio Stations

    PAGE 33 ADDING INTERNET RADIO STATIONS FireBall comes preloaded with several high quality streaming Internet Radio Stations from around the world, but that may not be enough for you, so FireBall also let’s you add your own Internet Radio Stations. Internet Radio stations must conform to these specifications: •...

  • Page 34: Updating The Internet Radio Stations List

    UPDATING THE INTERNET RADIO STATIONS LIST Escient makes every attempt to insure that the preloaded Internet Radio Stations are alive and well, but due to the dynamic nature of the Internet and the third parties who actually serve up these radio streams, sometimes you will not be able to play a station.

  • Page 35: Editing Music Information

    PAGE 35 EDITING MUSIC INFORMATION FireBall has access to over 2.5 million CD titles, but you may still encounter a CD that does not return a custom cover or the correct disc information. You can edit the disc information for any Music Title using the Edit Disc and Edit Tracks screens.

  • Page 36: Editing Track Names

    PAGE 36 Editing Track Names You can also manually edit the Track/Song names of the currently highlighted Title in the Music Guide. Follow these steps to edit the track information for the current Music Title: 1. Highlight the Music Title you want to edit in the Music Guide. 2.

  • Page 37: Editing Radio Information

    PAGE 37 EDITING RADIO INFORMATION Similar to editing Music Information, you can also Edit the Radio Information. Follow these steps to edit the station information for the currently highlighted Internet Radio Station: 1. Make sure you are in the Radio source mode by pressing the RADIO key on the remote.

  • Page 38: Editing Playlists

    PAGE 38 EDITING PLAYLISTS You can change the name and add or remove tracks from any Playlist you created. Follow these steps to edit a Playlist: 1. Press the MUSIC key to make sure you are in the Music source mode. 2.

  • Page 39: Editing Groups

    PAGE 39 EDITING GROUPS As with Playlists, you can also edit the name of a Group, add Music Titles or Radio Stations to the Group, or remove Music Titles or Radio Stations from the Group. Follow these steps to edit a Group: 1.

  • Page 40: Deleting Music

    PAGE 40 DELETING MUSIC You can remove any music you have recorded to the FireBall by using the Delete Music feature. You may want to do this if you have filled up your FireBall and you can not record any more music or if you want to remove songs that you just don’t listen to.

  • Page 41: Deleting Playlists

    PAGE 41 DELETING PLAYLISTS You may delete entire Playlists from the Music Guide. Follow these steps to permanently delete one or more Playlists from the Music Guide: 1. Press the MUSIC key to make sure you are in the Music source mode. 2.

  • Page 42: Deleting Groups

    PAGE 42 DELETING GROUPS Deleting Groups from the Group Bar is very similar to deleting Playlists. The contents of the Group (the Music Titles, Movie Titles, or Radio Stations) are not deleted. They are still available in any other Groups they may be assigned to and in the All Group. Follow these steps to delete Groups.

  • Page 43: Setting User Preferences

    PAGE 43 SETTING USER PREFERENCES User preferences are available to specify global configuration options and preferred system settings. Press the SETUP key on the remote control to display the Setup Menu. Use the navigation keys on the remote control (up, down, left, and right) to highlight and select any menu item. SETTING THE SCREEN SAVER PREFERENCES Screen Savers are provided for each source mode.

  • Page 44: Retail Demo Mode

    PAGE 44 Retail Demo Mode FireBall has a Retail Demo Mode for use in retail display environments. The Retail Demo Mode (RDM) is a special screen saver that is activated during idle time. The RDM continuously displays key features and benefits of the FireBall product on the attached TV. Pressing any button on the remote will temporarily disable the RDM and allow the user to demo the product.

  • Page 45: Setting Your Time Zone

    PAGE 45 SETTING YOUR TIME ZONE Specify which US time zone your FireBall is located in. Follow these steps to set your Time Zone: 1. Press the SETUP key on the remote to display the Setup menu. 2. Select the GENERAL Menu 3.

  • Page 46: Customizable User Interface

    PAGE 46 CUSTOMIZABLE USER INTERFACE In addition to the Escient Classic user interface theme, the FireBall allows you to select custom background images for each Guide, Player, Options, Setup, and Message screens. You can import your own background images into the Backgrounds shared directory using Windows Networking.

  • Page 47: Enabling Password Protection

    PAGE 47 ENABLING PASSWORD PROTECTION Optional Password Protection enables you to limit user access to the Setup Menus. This is useful to lockout the ability to change the global user settings and preferences. Setting a System Password – Follow these steps to setup a new system password: 1.

  • Page 48: Choosing Your Network Connection

    If you have a broadband Internet connection such as a cable modem, DSL, or ISDN line, select Ethernet and connect FireBall to your Ethernet network. You may need additional networking hardware(like an Ethernet hub) to join your FireBall to your Ethernet network. See your Escient dealer for more information about home networking.

  • Page 49: Testing The Your Connection

    PAGE 49 Testing the Your Connection It is a good idea to verify that your selected network connection is functioning properly before exiting the Network Connections screen. Follow these steps to test your selected network connection: 1. Select the TEST CONNECTION button on the Network Connections screen. 2.

  • Page 50: Ethernet Settings

    PAGE 50 Ethernet Settings Ethernet is the preferred networking choice which provides you with the best network performance and allows your FireBall to act as a “server” to deliver your music collection throughout your home network using the optional FireBall Music Players. Ethernet networks require that you configure each device on the network with a valid “address”.

  • Page 51: Dialup Settings

    PAGE 51 Dialup Settings If you are going to use a dialup ISP to connect your FireBall to the Internet, you must provide information for your selected ISP. This information can be obtained by contacting your ISP or from your PC, if you already use it to connect to the Internet. Connect you phone line to a Hayes compatible modem and connect the modem to COM PORT 4 on the back of your FireBall, then follow these steps to specify your Dialup Modem settings:...

  • Page 52: Setting The Fireball Server Settings

    PAGE 52 SETTING THE FIREBALL SERVER SETTINGS FireBall’s server allows you to control it remotely using a web browser on your PC. The FireBall Name allows you to easily locate and connect to your FireBall by name. Follow these steps to enter a name for your FireBall: 1.

  • Page 53: Video Output Preferences

    PAGE 53 VIDEO OUTPUT PREFERENCES Video Format Allows you to select 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratios on your TV screen. Follow these steps to center the FireBall screen: 1. Press the SETUP key on the remote to display the Setup menu. 2.

  • Page 54: Centering The Fireball Screen

    PAGE 54 Centering the FireBall Screen Allows you to center the FireBall user interface horizontally on your TV screen. Follow these steps to center the FireBall screen: 1. Press the SETUP key on the remote to display the Setup menu. 2.

  • Page 55: Adjusting Your Tv's Brightness

    PAGE 55 Adjusting your TV’s Brightness Follow these steps to adjust the brightness on your TV: 1. Press the SETUP key on the remote to display the Setup menu. 2. Select the VIDEO menu. 3. Select the BRIGHTNESS menu. 4. Turn your TV’s brightness control all the way up then lower it to the point where the vertical black bar on the left just disappears.

  • Page 56: Adjusting Your Tv's Contrast

    PAGE 56 Adjusting your TV’s Contrast The Contrast or Picture Adjustment control allows you to optimize the contrast (which is sometimes called Picture) of their TV, using the TV’s Contrast or Picture controls. This setting helps reduce video “blooming” and create a clearer, more readable user interface. Follow these steps to adjust the contrast on your TV: 1.

  • Page 57: Adjusting Your Tv's Sharpness

    PAGE 57 Adjusting your TV’s Sharpness The Sharpness adjustment allows you the set the Sharpness or Detail control of their TV so that onscreen text is as readable as possible. Proper adjustment of the Sharpness control (sometimes called the Detail control) on your TV, allows you to see video and on screen menus more accurately. Follow these steps to adjust the sharpness on your TV: 1.

  • Page 58: Adjusting Your Tv's Color And Tint

    PAGE 58 Adjusting your TV’s Color and Tint Color Bars are used to test the TV monitor’s ability to reproduce the proper color values. Follow these steps to adjust the Color and Tint on your TV: 1. Press the SETUP key on the remote to display the Setup menu. 2.

  • Page 59: External Control

    EXTERNAL CONTROL INSTALLING THE ETP TOUCH PANEL The optional Escient Touch Panel is an external 15” flat LCD color display that offers full control of a FireBall via it’s integrated touch sensitive surface. Follow these steps to connect the ETP-1500 to a FireBall: 1.

  • Page 60: Calibrating The Touch Panel

    When the calibration procedure is complete, you can operate the FireBall by touching the buttons around the perimeter of the screen. Although these buttons duplicate the functionality of the FireBall remote, you can still use the wireless IR remote and Escient keyboard even when the ETP- 1500 is in use.

  • Page 61: Changing The Touch Panel Button Overlay

    Overlay The Button Overlay feature places button controls onto the FireBall user interface for use with the Escient ETP-1500 touch screen and third-party touch panels. The ETP-1500 is automatically detected on the FireBall serial ports and the select overlay is enabled.

  • Page 62: Ir Remote Control

    PAGE 62 IR REMOTE CONTROL FireBall is preset from the factory to operate from the FB1 source button, however, the FireBall can be configured to use any one of the four source buttons using the on screen Setup menus. This is useful when there are multiple FireBalls installed at the same location, so all FireBalls don’t respond to the same IR commands.

  • Page 63: Direct Access Codes

    PAGE 63 DIRECT ACCESS CODES Direct Access Codes are used in conjunction with the MACRO key on the remote control to provide an IR code sequence to access just about any media in your FireBall server. This is useful for programming third-party external control systems and programmable IR remote controls such as the Marantz RC9500.
  • Page 64 The following table is used to determine the button sequence for direct access code sequences from the Escient IR remote and IR keyboard. Direct Media Access IR Remote Definitions Function Multi-Key Combinations Direct Play Mode Macro, 1, [play mode number], Enter...
  • Page 65 The following table is used to determine the button sequence for direct access code sequences from the Escient IR remote and IR keyboard. Direct Media Access IR Remote Definitions Function Multi-Key Combinations Direct Play Mode Macro, M, [play mode number], Enterr...

  • Page 66: Playlist Hot Keys

    PAGE 66 PLAYLIST HOT KEYS Playlist Hot Keys provides a Keyboard Macro sequence to directly access any five Playlists in your Music collection from any of these five keyboard combinations: • Control + Backspace • Control + Insert • Control + Delete •...

  • Page 67: Serial Com Ports

    PAGE 67 SERIAL COM PORTS The Serial Control COM Port setting is used to specify which RS-232 serial COM port is to be used for two-way external control communications with a third party control system. If there are no available COM ports, you must use the Ethernet based external control for two-way external control communications with a third party control system.

  • Page 68: Controlling Fireball From Other Devices

    CONTROLLING FIREBALL FROM OTHER DEVICES In addition to the Escient ETP-1500 wired touch panel, FireBall provides the user and custom A/V installer with many options for control and integration into any home theater or home automation system using direct IR codes, two-way RS-232 serial control, two-way Ethernet control, and wireless web pad control.

  • Page 69: Fireball Utilities

    PAGE 69 FIREBALL UTILITIES GETTING INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR FIREBALL Information about your FireBall hardware and software is available under the Utilities menu. This information is useful for troubleshooting any problems you may encounter with your network connection or verifying the current software versions. Follow these steps to view the FireBall system information: 1.

  • Page 70: Restarting The System

    PAGE 70 RESTARTING THE SYSTEM There are two ways of manually performing a full restart or reboot of the FireBall system, one using the front panel power button and the other using the Restart System menu. Follow these steps to restart the system using the front panel Power Button: 1.

  • Page 71: Updating The Software

    PAGE 71 UPDATING THE SOFTWARE FireBall will automatically check the Escient server once a week for any FireBall software updates, and automatically install them. You can also manually check for a software update. Follow these steps to manually update the software: 1.

  • Page 72: Controlling Fireball From A Web Browser

    (Mac OSX) using TCP/IP addressing over your home network. You can use a wireless or wired Ethernet network, as long as you have a DHCP router or if you have assigned static IP addresses. Please contact your Escient dealer if you need assistance with setup a home network.

  • Page 73: Networked Audio Using Fireball Music Clients

    A FireBall Client is a FireBall that can play media from a FireBall Server over a network. Currently there are three different FireBall products that can play media from FireBall servers: • FireBall MP-150 • FireBall DVDM-100 • Client-Server networking is limited to the same local subnet. You can not stream over the Internet unless you have a VPN setup between the two FireBalls.

  • Page 74: Locating The Fireball Clients And Servers

    LOCATING THE FIREBALL CLIENTS AND SERVERS Central If you locate your FireBall clients and servers in a central location such as an equipment or utility room, you will need to use a third party audio/ video distribution system to deliver sound and picture to each room.

  • Page 75: Distributed

    Distributed A distributed FireBall installation means that your FireBall Servers and Clients are physically distributed or located in different rooms. Distributed FireBalls communicate over a wired or wireless network to share access to your media. The biggest advantage of a distributed client- server system over a central system is that everything you need is built into FireBall.

  • Page 76: Configuring A Fireball Server

    Each FireBall client must be on the same network as the server. This document will assume that you have properly connected your FireBall client to the same network as your FireBall server. Please refer to the HomeNetworkingPrimer support document on the Escient web site for more information about home networking.

  • Page 77: Escient Technical Support

    Phone: 800-372-4368 Press “2” for Sales, or “3” for Support Fax: 317-616-6790 Internet: www.escient.com Email: support@escient.com Please have the following information ready for the Escient Customer Support technician: • Product Serial Number • Model Number • Date of Registration or Purchase •...

  • Page 78: Troubleshooting

    If you experience problems registering a FireBall or connecting to the Internet to lookup disc information, try these possible fixes before calling Escient Tech Support: • Make sure that your FireBall is properly connected to your home network and that all cables are in working order.

  • Page 79: Additional Information Specifications

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SPECIFICATIONS Specifications are subject to change without notice. Please check the Escient web site for any changes to the specifications. Video Specifications • NTSC • 10 bit Video DACs • Frequency Response: • Composite: -2 dB @ 5MHz •...

  • Page 80: Gracenote® End-User License Agreement

    GRACENOTE® END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT USE OF THIS PRODUCT IMPLIES ACCEPTANCE OF THE TERMS BELOW. This product contains technology and data from Gracenote of Emeryville, California (“Gracenote”). The technology from Gracenote (the “Gracenote Embedded Software”) enables this product to do disc identification and obtain music-related information, including name, artist, track, and title information (“Gracenote Data”), which is included on the Gracenote Database (the “Gracenote Database”).

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