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Alcorn Mcbride Digital Video Machine HD User Manual

Including the dvmhd-pro
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Digital
Video
Machine HD
Including the DVMHD-Pro
User's Guide
by Alcorn McBride Inc.

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Summary of Contents for Alcorn Mcbride Digital Video Machine HD

  • Page 1 Digital Video Machine HD Including the DVMHD-Pro User’s Guide by Alcorn McBride Inc.
  • Page 2 Errors sometimes can go undetected, however. If you find one, please bring it to our attention so that we can correct it for others. Alcorn McBride Inc. reserves the right to make changes to these products, without notice, in order to improve their design or performance.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    Contents Welcome .................. 1 Using this Guide......................1 Specifications ....................1 Getting Started ....................1 Front Panel.......................1 Rear Panel .......................1 Detailed Command Summary................1 General Command Summary ................2 Ethernet Control ....................2 Serial Control ....................2 Playlists ......................2 Schedules ......................2 Networking Your DVMHD ................2 Transferring Files to the DVMHD..............2 Creating DTV Clips ..................2 Updating Operating System................2 Troubleshooting ....................2...
  • Page 5 Ethernet Control..............17 Hardware and Software Requirements ..............17 AMINet Protocol ......................17 Control Message Format .................... 17 Control Message Checksum ..................18 UDP Message Layer ....................18 Control Message Response ..................18 Detailed Command Summary ..........19 Pioneer / AMI Protocol....................19 Addressing Commands .................
  • Page 6 Logging ........................40 Networking Your DVMHD ............. 42 Connecting to the DVMHD via Ethernet ..............42 Connecting to the DVMHD directly from a PC..........42 Connecting to the DVMHD Over a Local Area Network (LAN)/The Internet .44 Transferring Files to the DVMHD ......... 46 Removable Hard Drive....................46 FTP Connection ......................46 Transferring files via FTP with Internet Explorer..........46...

  • Page 8: Welcome

    Welcome Thank you for purchasing the Alcorn McBride Digital Video Machine HD, the world’s first intelligent Digital Television (DTV) video playback unit. Building on the strengths of our award-winning DVM line of digital video players, Alcorn McBride engineers have created the first truly affordable solution for...

  • Page 9: General Command Summary

    General Command Summary Don’t need all the details? Here is a simple table of all supported Pioneer / AMI commands supported by the DVMHD. Ethernet Control Here, you will find the details associated with controlling the DVMHD via Ethernet using simple UDP packets. Serial Control This section describes how to use RS-232 to control and communicate with the DVMHD.

  • Page 10: Obtaining Technical Support

    For… Contact… When?… Telephone Support (407) 296-5800 M-F 9am–6pm (EST) Fax Support (407) 296-5801 M-F 9am-6pm (EST) E-Mail Support support@alcorn.com M-F 9am-6pm (EST) Software Updates http://www.alcorn.com/support Any Time International Please contact your local Alcorn McBride distributor for technical support. Welcome...
  • Page 11 Welcome...

  • Page 12: Specifications

    Specifications Video Decodes and Displays all ATSC DTV Formats: 720p, 1080i, 480p, etc. Supports multiple data rates including 8/16vsb (see Playback Time section) and able to playback 24p encoded material at up to 1920x1080i @ 30fps or 1280x720p @ 60fps MPEG-2 MP@HL at up to 50Mbps (gross bitrate) Analog Audio Unbalanced (+4 volts max.
  • Page 13 Control RS-232 Serial (DB-9) Ethernet (RJ-45) Scheduler Playlists On-Screen Control Connectors YPbPr or RGB-HV (Software Selectable) Output (HDB-15) HD-SDI (BNC – DVMHD Pro Only) Unbalanced Audio Outputs (2xRCA) Digital Audio Output (XLR) Blackburst Sync Input (BNC) 10/100Base-T Ethernet (RJ-45) Specifications...

  • Page 14: Getting Started

    To determine the cause, connect a VGA compliant monitor to the VGA output located next to the RS-232 connector. If you are unable to correct the error based on the on-screen information, please contact your Alcorn McBride distributor for technical support.
  • Page 15 This easy-to-use application can be downloaded from www.alcorn.com in the support/software section. It is also available via the DVMHD’s Web and FTP interfaces. Let’s make the DVMHD play a test clip! 1. Connect the RS-232 cable (supplied with the DVMHD) to the port on the DVMHD and your Windows PC.

  • Page 16: Front Panel

    Front Panel LED Indicators The Digital Video Machine HD provides three (3) LED indicators. Color Behavior Description Idle Status Green Playing Slow Blink Paused/Stilled 2 Blinks, Pause Waiting within Playlist Fast Blink System Booting Sync Yellow No External Sync present Locked to External Sync Blink Locking to External Sync...
  • Page 17 Front Panel...

  • Page 18: Rear Panel

    Rear Panel The Digital Video Machine HD rear panel provides connections for audio/video outputs, control cables, and power. Power Switch The DVMHD is “ON” when this switch is in the UP position (labeled “|”). NOTE: When power-cycling the DVMHD, please wait 5-10 seconds before turning the unit ON.

  • Page 19: Hd Video Out Connector

    HD Video Out Connector This HDB-15 Female connector provides video in either the RGB or YPbPr color space. In addition to the H and V-Sync signals, composite sync is present in the “G” and “Y” signals. The pinout of this connector is as follows: RGB-HV Mode Pinout (Non-Pro version only) Component (YPbPr) Mode Pinout HD-SDI Output (DVMHD-Pro only)

  • Page 20: Rs-232 Serial Control Port

    RS-232 Serial Control Port This male DB-9 connector provides an RS-232 serial control connection. The DVMHD will communicate using the Pioneer/AMI protocol. For information about this using protocol, see the Pioneer / AMI Protocol section. The pinout of this connector is as follows: Signal Ethernet Connector This RJ-45 connector provides connection for a standard 100-Base TX Ethernet...
  • Page 21 Rear Panel...

  • Page 22: Serial Control - Rs232

    Serial Control – RS232 The unit may be controlled using serial RS-232 (9600 baud rate, 8 data bits, No Parity , and 1 Stop bit -- 9600 8N1) messages via the 9-pin serial port located on the back panel of the machine. The protocol is ASCII-based, and many commands are similar on structure to Pioneer Disc protocol.
  • Page 23 Serial Control – RS232...

  • Page 24: Ethernet Control

    The user data sent in the UDP packet follows our AMINet Ethernet protocol. AMINet was originally developed for use with our Ethernet Machine which provides an Ethernet backbone for communication between Alcorn McBride Show Controllers. Now the same, easy to use protocol can be used to control the unit.

  • Page 25: Control Message Checksum

    Control Message Checksum The Checksum is the summation of the hexadecimal value of all of the bytes in the Control Message except the first byte (0xF1), the last byte (0xF2) and of course the Checksum itself. The value of the checksum may easily increase to a value that cannot be represented by one byte.

  • Page 26: Detailed Command Summary

    Video or Audio products, learning this protocol will be a snap. This section discusses the most commonly used commands in detail, and then lists the entire Pioneer/Alcorn McBride Inc. protocol for the DVMHD in tabular form.

  • Page 27: Get Ip Address

    Get IP Address Description: This command causes the Digital Video Machine HD to return its IP address. Command Bytes: IP<CR> Message Response: nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn <CR> Examples: 192.168.0.254<CR> Select File Description: This command causes the Digital Video Machine HD to select the specified A/V clip.

  • Page 28: Stop

    Play Next Description: This command causes the specified file to be "queued" for playback at the completion of the current activity. If a file is currently playing, the queued transition to the selected file will be seamless. If a file is currently looping, the seamless transition will occur at the next loop point.

  • Page 29: Video Mute

    Video Mute Description: This command causes the Digital Video Machine HD to output black video. Command bytes: 0VD<CR> for Mute on (black output) 1VD<CR> for Mute off (standard video output) Message Response: R<CR> Audio Mute Description: This command causes the Digital Video Machine HD to output silent audio. Command bytes: 0AD<CR>...

  • Page 30: Audio Pid Set

    Audio PID Set Description: This command causes the Digital Video Machine HD to hard code the audio PID to the new value for this search and play. At the same time this was implemented, PID auto-detect was implemented as well. Command bytes: nnnAP<CR>...

  • Page 31: Video Output Format

    Video Output Format Description: This command causes the Digital Video Machine HD to change its video output format. Command bytes: “<format>”VD<CR> where <format> is one of the following: Format Standard Aspect Ratio Frame Rate 1080i 1080i 16:9 29.97 1080i25-16:9 1080i 16:9 1080i29-16:9 1080i...
  • Page 32 Detailed Command Summary...

  • Page 33: General Command Summary

    General Command Summary The following table shows the complete Digital Video Machine HD control protocol. Using these commands, an external controller or PC can accomplish extremely complex tasks. Throughout the following table, <CR> means carriage return, a byte with the hexadecimal value of 0D. Brackets, [ ], denote optional message bytes.
  • Page 34 Subnet Mask Request SM<CR> xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx<CR> Gateway Request GW<CR> xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx<CR> Unit ID Request ID<CR> Unit ID<CR> Set IP Address xxx.xxx.xxx.xxxIP<CR> R<CR> Set Subnet Mask xxx.xxx.xxx.xxxSM<CR> R<CR> Set Gateway xxx.xxx.xxx.xxxGW<CR> R<CR> Set Unit ID R<CR> n=Unit ID (0-126) Set Time Zone [<ID>@]nTZ<CR> R<CR>...

  • Page 35: Playlists

    Playlists Playlists provide a mechanism for the DVMHD to automatically execute a series of commands in a predefined sequence. Playlists often allow the unit to be used to perform complex functions that would normally require an external controller. Playlists can perform functions as simple as cycling through a list of videos, or more complex functions like launching schedules or other playlists.

  • Page 36: Example Playlists

    Char Meaning All commands AND’ed together will be implemented at the same time. Without the AND operator, a command will not be executed until the previous command is completed. The playlist will go no further until all commands in this set have been completed. See Examples AFTER[dd:hh:mm:ss] Make the following command wait the time defined in the brackets before executing.

  • Page 37: Playlist Example Using 'And' Operator

    interprets this command according to the table in the General Command Summary section and causes Video #1 to play. Now that Video #1 is playing, the playlist will not advance to the next command until that video is done playing. When the video is complete, the playlist will advance to the next command (2PL) and do the exact same thing.

  • Page 38: Playlist Example Using 'After' Operator

    Playlist Example using ‘AFTER’ operator ;play a video and issue a Loop Next 15 seconds later 1PL AND AFTER[00:00:00:15] 2LN The AFTER operator can be very useful when you want to time the execution of events in a playlist. An example of this would be have a Loop Next command issued after a video has started.

  • Page 39: Scheduler

    Scheduler The DVMHD has a down-to-the-minute scheduler based upon its internal real time clock. According to the time of day and date of year, the DVMHD can start a video or playlist at 3pm on January 1 2005, for example. This functionality is built into a feature called the Scheduler.

  • Page 40: Fields In Detail

    Parameter 1 for the event – The command string you wish to issue Repeat Number: repeat after this number of periods has expired Repeat Period: Time to wait between executions, used with Repeat Number and Set when necessary Repeat Set: special case usage described below Although not a field, this marks a comment Now that we have seen a table of the event fields, let’s look at the event in Example 1: Here are its fields:...
  • Page 41 T: Start Time The Start Time is the hour and minute your event becomes active. For most cases being active simply means “gets executed”. You specify it in military time 00:00 is midnight, 23:59, 11:59pm, is last minute of the day something can be scheduled.
  • Page 42 Examples: :1.1.00 :1/1/00 D:1-1-00 D:01.01.2001 D:01/01/2001 D:01-1-2001 R: Repeat Number The Repeat Number acts in one of two ways: • With no Repeat Set field present. • With a Repeat Set field present: With no Repeat Set field present: This is the most common usage of the Repeat Number. It acts as a multiplier of the Repeat Period.
  • Page 43 Periods can be one of the following: Sunrise, Sunset Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday Minute Hour Year Boot Notes: Month is not a valid period. If you want to make a monthly schedule, use a combination of repeat number, period and set to do so. See the example in the Repeat Number section for details.

  • Page 44: Restrictions

    Restrictions Since the Scheduler is very flexible, it is easier to explain what you cannot do, than to explain what you can. 1. When using BOOT as the Repeat Period, the Repeat Number can only be one. The unit does not keep track of the number of times it has rebooted. You can put in other numbers, but it will ignore them.

  • Page 45: Double Occupancy: When Two Events Occupy The Same Slot

    Double Occupancy: When Two Events Occupy the Same Slot If you plan on having a fairly complicated show, you may want to be sure you don’t have events competing with each other for execution when their time and date come around. This discussion looks at what happens when to events end up on the same time and date.

  • Page 46: Loading New Schedules On The Dvmhd

    Scheduler Rules Precedence: If two events occupy the same slot, this is the precedence: 1. StartTime Bootups take ultimate precedence during the bootup minute, and are treated as normal events afterwards ( if they repeat). 2. Repeating Bootups take second precedence during the bootup minute. 3.

  • Page 47: Logging

    Logging Schedulerlog.txt will be kept in SCHEDULES directory, if the DVMHD is configured to do so. This option can be configured by sending commands to the DVMHD or modifying the DVMHD.INI file directly. Scheduler...
  • Page 48 Scheduler...

  • Page 49: Networking Your Dvmhd

    Networking Your DVMHD The Ethernet connection is a useful tool for transferring video and other files to and from the unit. It is also useful for transferring feature updates and controlling and monitoring the DVMHD. Ethernet is a physical medium for transferring data.
  • Page 50 2. Plug the other end of the red “Null-Ethernet” cable into the Ethernet port on your computer. 3. Using Windows 2000 or XP, Right-click on My Network Places and select Properties. A list of available Ethernet connections on your PC will appear.

  • Page 51: Connecting To The Dvmhd Over A Local Area Network (Lan)/The Internet

    12. Upon hitting the Enter key on your keyboard, you should be presented with the introductory Web Page from your DVMHD. This is proof that you have successfully established an Ethernet connection with your DVMHD. Connecting to the DVMHD Over a Local Area Network (LAN)/The Internet Note: This process can only be accomplished once you have already connected to the DVMHD directly and have changed the default IP address...
  • Page 52 Networking Your DVMHD...

  • Page 53: Transferring Files To The Dvmhd

    (i.e. Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, or Windows XP). Support for NTFS under Windows 95/98 or DOS may be purchased from www.winternals.com, but is not supported by Alcorn McBride Inc. FTP Connection DTV clips may also be transferred using an FTP connection. FTP is a way of copying files over an Ethernet Cable.
  • Page 54 NOTE: It’s a good rule of thumb to keep the demo clip(s) on your DVMHD. You can rename them and then, if ever necessary, use them later to debug potential problems in the field. Internet Explorer always comes preloaded on a Windows PC, which is why we provide this guide.
  • Page 55 To copy a new video onto the DVMHD, Double-Click Videos folder. Using Windows Explorer or My Computer, find the file you wish to transfer. Right-Click on that file and select Copy. Re-select Internet Explorer window containing the FTP session with the DVMHD. Right-click in the blank area and select Paste.

  • Page 56: Cd's, Dvd's, And Usb Devices

    CD’s, DVD’s, and USB devices The Digital Video Machine HD has the ability to automatically detect media files located on devices connected to it. You can connect a media device that is natively supported under Windows XP (meaning that no additional drivers are required), like a USB key, USB Hard Disk, Compact Flash adapter, or CD/DVD drive.

  • Page 57: Multiple Dvmhd's With Same Ip Address

    The DVMHD will copy any files to its MEDIA folders that do not match files already located in its MEDIA folders. If it finds a match, it compares the date & time stamp and file size. If any of these are different, it overwrites the one on its hard disk with the one from the device.
  • Page 58 Transferring Files to the DVMHD...

  • Page 59: Updating Operating System

    2. Compare the Operating System version on the Alcorn McBride Website to the version on the DVMHD. 3. If the version on the Alcorn McBride page is the same, there is no need to download. If the version on the Alcorn McBride page is newer, click the Download Now button.
  • Page 60 Updating Operating System...

  • Page 61: Creating Dtv Clips

    For a list of post-production companies that have experience encoding material specifically for the DVMHD, please visit our website or contact an Alcorn McBride representative. What is DTV? The Digital Television (DTV) standard was created to replace the current analog television standards with a suite of high and standard definition formats based on new digital transmission, imaging and display technologies.

  • Page 62: Audio Format

    The DVMHD supports all of the following Main Profile High Level DTV video formats: Format Size Chroma Aspect Scan Frame Rates Format Ratio Type 1080i 1920x1080 4:2:0 16x9 Interlaced 23.976,24, 25 (Note 1) 29.97, 30 1280x720 4:2:0 16x9 Progressive 50, 59.94, 60 720p (Note 2) 480p...

  • Page 63: Encoding Your Content

    Encoding Your Content The following sections describe the specifications and constraints for DTV clips on the DVMHD. Transport Stream The transport stream should be created according to ISO/IEC 13818-1 and within the following constraints: Parameter Value Minimum Bitrate 10Mb/s Maximum Bitrate 50Mb/s NOTE: There can only be one transport stream within the multiplex.
  • Page 64 Creating DTV Clips...

  • Page 65: Dvmhd.ini

    DVMHD.INI The DVMHD.INI file may be found in the MEDIA folder (where you are located by default when you log in via FTP). It contains settings that you can use to setup default behavior of the unit on power-up. Below, you will find an example of this file containing all of the entries and descriptions.
  • Page 66 DVMHD.INI...

  • Page 67: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting I can play the Alcorn McBride promo clips and see them on my monitor’s output, but I cannot see my own files playback. I believe I have encoded everything correctly, but I am still getting no video from the DVMHD. When I send the search and play command, it responds with an ack. I even see that the green LED comes on solid, and the hard drive is blinking steadily, just like the unit behaves when playing the Alcorn McBride promo clips.

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