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JoeCo BLACKBOX User Manual

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BLACKBOX PLAYER

User Manual
V 3.1 rev 2
Date: June 2014
Congratulations on your purchase of the JoeCo BlackBox Player. This
document will lead you through the basics of how to set up and use the
product. The BlackBox Player has been designed to be as simple as possible
to set up and operate but there are some relatively detailed concepts that
have to be understood to enable you to have a successful event. You will
find that this user manual is not a long document and can be read from
cover to cover in a short while. However, we strongly recommend that you
do read it just in case there are some aspects of the product that are not
immediately obvious.
This manual covers all variants of the BlackBox Player: BBP1U; BBP1B;
BBP1D; BBP1A; BBP64MADI and BBP64Dante.
Also remember that the BlackBox Player functionality can be temporarily
turned off leaving you with a fully functional BlackBox Recorder.
© JoeCo Limited 2009 - 2014. E&OE. All rights reserved. All trademarks and names are
recognised as the property of their respective owners
BLACKBOX PLAYER - User Manual v 3.1
Page | 1

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Summary of Contents for JoeCo BLACKBOX

  • Page 1: Blackbox Player

    Also remember that the BlackBox Player functionality can be temporarily turned off leaving you with a fully functional BlackBox Recorder. © JoeCo Limited 2009 - 2014. E&OE. All rights reserved. All trademarks and names are recognised as the property of their respective owners BLACKBOX PLAYER - User Manual v 3.1...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Opening the Box ....................... 5 Box Contents ......................5 Controls and Interfaces .................... 6 Front Panel ......................6 Rear Panel of 24 channel BlackBox ..............7 Normal Operation ....................8 The Audio Files ..................... 8 File and Folder Names ..................9 The Playlist File ....................

  • Page 3: Important Safety Information

    Avoid drinks spillage, tobacco ash, smoke, and exposure to rain and moisture. If the equipment becomes wet, remove power immediately. Allow to dry out thoroughly before using again. BLACKBOX PLAYER - User Manual v 3.1 Page | 3...

  • Page 4: Copyright Warning

    Copyright Warning JoeCo BlackBox Player products are designed to enable you to reproduce material to which you own the copyright, or material which the copyright owner has granted you permission to reproduce.

  • Page 5: Opening The Box

    User Manual  Quick Start Guide The BlackBox Player has been designed specifically for Live applications and will not necessarily be appropriate for use in other situations. It will typically be used to replay from an external USB2 drive multi-channel audio material that has been created or edited using a DAW.

  • Page 6: Controls And Interfaces

    PFL bus. There are also indicators for Disk activity and Playback Lockout (which is only relevant to the BlackBox Recorder application). To the right of the JoeCo logo is the control wheel which has a number of functions explained later.

  • Page 7: Rear Panel Of 24 Channel Blackbox

    Rear Panel of 24 channel BlackBox The rear panel will look slightly different depending on which style of audio interface you have on your BlackBox Player. The areas indicated in the diagram below are explained in more detail later in this manual.

  • Page 8: Normal Operation

    Normal Operation The most important information needed to use your BlackBox Player can be broken down into a few key points: the individual audio files; the playlist file; the control mechanism you want to use and how you want to wire it into the rest of your system.

  • Page 9: File And Folder Names

    Once you’ve decided on the above criteria, you can start to create the playback files you will require. File and Folder Names As a bare minimum, the BlackBox Player requires its audio files to be named as follows: nnn-tt.wav Where nnn is the song number (between 001 and 999) and tt is the track number (between 01 and 24).
  • Page 10 001-01.Herringbone Waltz-Bass.wav 001-02.Herringbone Waltz-Kick.wav 001-03.Herringbone Waltz-Snare.wav 001-04.Herringbone Waltz-HiHat.wav 001-23.Herringbone Waltz-Daf stringsL.wav 001-24.Herringbone Waltz-Daf stringsR.wav Page | 10 BLACKBOX PLAYER - User Manual v 3.1...
  • Page 11 –track number and song name – track name Folder Names The BlackBox Player insists that all audio files are stored in folders with an extension of “.bbr” So for example, if your USB2 disk appeared on your computer as drive E:\ You could store all your broadcast wav files in a folder called: E:\Elvis.bbr...

  • Page 12: The Playlist File

    The file should be called “playlist xxxxxxxxx.txt”, where xxxxxxxxx can be any name you want. There is one special file called “playlist default.txt” which will load automatically on plugging the disk into the BlackBox Player. But you can always load a different playlist file from the menu.
  • Page 13 <c>N.B. Songs can be repeated in the same playlist</c> <s>009</s> <c>The end of this playlist file</c> The following tags are optional and will normally only be relevant when syncing to a source of external timecode BLACKBOX PLAYER - User Manual v 3.1 Page | 13...
  • Page 14 XML tag and examples Explanation <tc>timecode override</tc> By default, the BlackBox Player will use the embedded timecode inside the e.g. <tc>10:02:39.21</tc> Broadcast WAV file when triggering to timecode. This field, when placed after the song name, will substitute and override the timecode embedded in the file.
  • Page 15 XML tag and examples Explanation <srate>sample rate</srate> This field will change the sample rate setting in the BlackBox Player. It can e.g. <srate>48000</srate> only appear once and must be called before any song is loaded. Valid entries for <srate> are: 44100 (=44.1kHz)

  • Page 16: Control Methods

    Wiring and control using a footswitch To enable footswitch control, a footswitch must first be connected to the Footswitch/ LTC input on the back of the BlackBox Player. You will need a momentary contact closure footswitch (not an on/off switch) and it needs to be wired between the Ring and the Sleeve of a ¼”...
  • Page 17 By using the numeric keypad to enter a cue number while playing a cue, the BlackBox Player will override the playlist sequence. The Player will jump to the newly selected cue when the current cue finishes and will continue to the following cue thereafter.
  • Page 18 Tip of a TRS ¼” (6.35mm) jack plug with the Sleeve acting as the ground return. The BlackBox will indicate on screen how long it is before the next song is to be loaded and played. A few seconds before the start time is reached (determined by the Preroll time setting), the BlackBox will load the audio files for the next song into memory and will then commence replay exactly as the timecode is reached.

  • Page 19: Installation

    Full details of the pin outs of each audio connector are available in the visitor area of the JoeCo website www.joeco.co.uk The analogue connections on the BlackBox Player provide audio that can be switched between Low and Pro levels in the Setup Menu (page 33). Setting...
  • Page 20 Deciding on a disk drive The BlackBox Player is not particularly fussy about its Disk Drive. We cannot guarantee that every drive in the world will work, but the ones we’ve tried and approved so far have done. The core criteria that you need to follow are: ...
  • Page 21 Connecting a disk drive Plug the disk drive into the USB2 socket on the back of the BlackBox Player and then power up the drive. The drive will be scanned, logged and ready to use in a matter of seconds. If it takes more than 20 seconds to log the drive or the BlackBox reports “WRONG DISK FORMAT”, check that the disk is...

  • Page 22: Enabling The Blackbox Player Software

    Enabling the BlackBox Player Software If you have bought a BlackBox Player from your local dealer it will normally have been configured for you already, but if not you will need to follow this simple procedure. The BlackBox Player is built around the same hardware as the BlackBox Recorder but adds a specific layer of additional software to facilitate the player functions.

  • Page 23: Blackbox Player - In Use

    Playback Manage... menu and choosing “Select Playlist”. This will list all the playlist files that the BlackBox finds in the root folder of the drive and you can scroll up and down and select the relevant file.

  • Page 24: Preloading Songs

    Preloading Songs The core facility of the BlackBox Player is its ability to preload the next Song in the playlist so that it can start replay instantaneously. When the playlist file has satisfied all of the criteria detailed above and all the audio files have been found, the BlackBox Player is ready to go.
  • Page 25 Play As soon as the BlackBox Player receives its trigger, it will instantly start playing back the cued song. This screen provides a solid green background and also displays the CUE number of the cue being played.

  • Page 26: Headphone Monitoring

    Next / Previous Song When the BlackBox Player is CUED or LOADING the next Song, the MARK and LOOP buttons allow the user to override the next cue and load the previous or next song respectively in the current playlist.

  • Page 27: Summary Of Combined Front Panel Controls

    Using the Menu The following section discusses the menu in more detail. This section should be read in conjunction with the Menu section of the BlackBox Recorder User Manual, which discusses some areas in more detail. Throughout the menu operations, the MENU button moves forward through the structure and also acts as a CONFIRM button;...

  • Page 28: Menu Structure And Operation

    To enter the menu, press the MENU button in the Control section of the front panel. Setting up Adjustable Parameters This list may not be exhaustive as JoeCo is constantly improving its products and may have added features to the software since this document was authored. However,...
  • Page 29 Auto play next song feature If the Auto play next song feature is selected in the song select menu, then after the current song is finished the BlackBox will start playing the next song automatically without having to receive a command.
  • Page 30 Timeline All Broadcast WAV (BWAV) files include a timecode stamp, which exactly marks the time of the first sample within the file. The BlackBox Player can play back Broadcast WAV files synchronised to a source of Linear Timecode (LTC), MIDI timecode (MTC), or to the real-time clock built into the unit itself.
  • Page 31 STOP buttons alternately. If you need to use this facility with LTC timecode you’ll need to make up a special cable, but if you’re just using a standard footswitch push the jack in half way. JoeCo also sell converter boxes to help wire standard footswitches into one or more BBP units.
  • Page 32 More details of the allowable parameter numbers are available in the End User section of the JoeCo website (see page 52 for details of how to register) Line-In Mon: This sets how the unit monitors the Line-In signals on all channels.
  • Page 33 Display Song TC on Play This option can be very useful when using timecode or when calculating timecode trim values. It does not affect the operation of the BlackBox, only what you see in the main time display. Adjusting the real-time clock Select Date/Time from the Setup menu.

  • Page 34: Playback Manage

    Playback Manage... The Playback Manage menu page is where the BlackBox Player can be configured and where specific Playlists can be loaded and reviewed. After enabling Playback Mode (see below) the Playback Manager Screen will look like this. Select Playlist allows the selection of any valid Playlist residing in the root folder of the drive.
  • Page 35 Auto start playlist causes a playlist to automatically start playing without the BlackBox Player having to receive any commands. For this function to work, a playlist must have been created and named “Playlist default.txt”. When the Player is turned on it will automatically load this playlist and start playing it from the beginning.
  • Page 36 When a system is set to Main, the BlackBox Player will output a continuous tone from the channel selected under Failover Channel. When set to Backup, the unit monitors this channel for the tone generated by the Main system and automatically switches the relays to the Backup unit’s...
  • Page 37 The Main system outputs feed into the BACKUP system inputs;  The BACKUP system outputs feed into the console  If using a footswitch to trigger the playback, then use a JoeCo Splitter Box to feed the footswitch into both BlackBox Players simultaneously. ...

  • Page 38: Software Updates

    The Name Manager is most relevant to the BlackBox Recorder software and is explained further in that User Manual Disk Manage... Similarly, use of the Disk Manager is explained in the BlackBox Recorder User Manual. Software Updates It should be noted that JoeCo may release software upgrades from time to time, either to add features or to cure bugs that have been found in the software –...
  • Page 39 Having uploaded the new file the BlackBox will automatically reboot into the new software version. Connect your main disk drive and you’re ready to use the new software. The BlackBox can be set back to “No updates” in the update menu after you’ve loaded the new software, to avoid checking for updates on future boot-ups.

  • Page 40: Troubleshooting

    Licence... This allows you to licence certain chargeable options, more details of which are available on the JoeCo website. You will need to advise JoeCo of the machine key along with your payment details before JoeCo can enable any optional software. You will then receive a non-transferable enabling code for your BlackBox which can be entered into the unit using the Enter key: feature.

  • Page 41: Summary Of Alert Messages

    "CHECK/SELECT DISK"; displayed if PLAY or RECORD is pressed but the disk returns an error "GENERAL ERROR"; displayed if there is an internal error, e.g. out of memory BLACKBOX PLAYER - User Manual v 3.1 Page | 41...
  • Page 42 A source of digital audio is not correctly plugged in “DIGITAL SLIP” A source of Digital audio is not properly synchronised with the BlackBox and is slipping with respect to the chosen clock source “REF CLOCK MISSING” The external reference clock is not providing a valid...

  • Page 43: Joeco Conditions Of Use

    PLEASE READ THESE CONDITIONS OF USE (THE "CONDITIONS") CAREFULLY BEFORE USING YOUR JOECO PRODUCT. BY USING YOUR JOECO PRODUCT YOU ARE AGREEING TO BE BOUND BY THESE CONDITIONS. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH THESE CONDITIONS, DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT.
  • Page 44 JoeCo Products must not be used for purposes that could infringe a copyright held by a third party or could, in any other way, be illegal. Any such use is entirely at the risk of the User and JoeCo and its authorised distributors and resellers have no responsibility or liability whatsoever for any claim arising from such use.

  • Page 45: Software Licence Agreement

    Any product designed, manufactured, distributed or resold by JoeCo including the BlackBox Recorder (which may be abbreviated to “BBR”) and the BlackBox Player (which may be abbreviated to “BBP”). The term “product” includes both the hardware and its associated software, as defined below.
  • Page 46 JoeCo software or services could lead to death, personal injury, or severe physical or environmental damage. Any such use is entirely at the risk of the user and the user must hold JoeCo harmless for any claim arising from such use.
  • Page 47 Upon termination you will cease all use of the Software and destroy or return any copies of the Software to JoeCo. Sections 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11 of this Licence shall survive any such termination.

  • Page 48: Warranty Information

    You acknowledge that, in agreeing to the terms of this Licence, you have not relied on any representation, undertaking or promise given or implied from anything said or written by JoeCo or by an authorised JoeCo distributor, reseller or representative prior to entering into this Licence except as expressly stated in this Licence.
  • Page 49 The purchaser will have the option (exercisable within thirty days of notification by JoeCo) to pay this fee and have the Product repaired and returned, or not pay this fee and have the Product returned un-repaired at their expense.

  • Page 50: Product Returns

    A waiver by JoeCo of any default shall not constitute a waiver of any subsequent default. No waiver by JoeCo of any of the terms of this Warranty shall be effective unless it is expressly stated to be a waiver and is communicated to you in writing.
  • Page 51 Any Product which is returned to JoeCo or to one of its distributors or resellers without authorisation, i.e. one for which an RMA number has not been issued by JoeCo, will be returned to the purchaser at the purchaser’s expense.

  • Page 52: Product And End User Registration

    Product and End User Registration It is recommended that you register yourself as an End User of the JoeCo BlackBox product on the JoeCo website at your earliest opportunity. This completes your warranty registration, allows you access to software updates which JoeCo may release from time to time and a lot of additional information.

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