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Alcorn Mcbride TourTraXX User Manual

16 independent mono mp3 players with gps
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TourTraXX
16 Independent Mono MP3 Players with GPS
User's Guide

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  • Page 1 TourTraXX 16 Independent Mono MP3 Players with GPS User’s Guide...
  • Page 3 Customers using or selling Alcorn McBride products for use in such applications do so at their own risk, and agree to fully indemnify Alcorn McBride for any damages resulting from such improper use or sale.
  • Page 4 Page ii May 15, 2012 • Alcorn McBride TourTraXX User’s Manual • Rev 1.3...

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Discrete Input Control _________________________________________________________________ 22 Input Groups ________________________________________________________________________ 22 TraXX Configuration Software _________________________________________________________ 23 Playlist Control _______________________________________________________________________ 27 Overview___________________________________________________________________________ 27 Special Playlist Commands ____________________________________________________________ 28 Example Playlist _____________________________________________________________________ 29 May 15, 2012 • Alcorn McBride TourTraXX User’s Manual • Rev 1.3 Page iii...
  • Page 6 Schedule Builder _____________________________________________________________________37 GPS Control __________________________________________________________________________40 Overview ___________________________________________________________________________40 Using GPS Builder Software ____________________________________________________________40 Creating a GPS Playlist ________________________________________________________________45 Configuring the TourTraXX for GPS Operation _____________________________________________46 Overlapping GPS Routes _______________________________________________________________46 Command Protocol _______________________________________________________________________47 Playback Commands ___________________________________________________________________47 Play - PL ____________________________________________________________________________47 Loop Play - LP _______________________________________________________________________48...

  • Page 7: Welcome

    Welcome! Thank you for purchasing The Alcorn McBride TourTraXX™. The TourTraXX replaces CD and solid state audio players in permanent or mobile audio playback installations, providing hours of high-quality and maintenance-free digital audio. The TourTraXX lets you play sixteen independent mono tracks from a single, economical unit.

  • Page 8: Technical Support

    Technical Support You can obtain technical support or other information about specifying, installing, configuring, updating and programming your Alcorn McBride TourTraXX from several sources: For… Contact… When?… Firmware Updates http://www.alcorn.com/support Any Time Knowledge Base http://www.alcorn.com/kb Any Time E-mail Support support@alcorn.com...

  • Page 9: Getting Started

    Throughout this manual you will find detailed discussions on all the features of this product. However, you’re probably anxious to see your TourTraXX play some audio right away. We’ll start with a few easy steps to show you how to play audio from the...

  • Page 10: Playing A Test Sound

    To play test sounds, follow these step-by-step directions. Using the included Audio Output Cable Harness, connect channel 1 • of the TourTraXX to a set of powered speakers or to the input of an amplifier. Connect to amplifier or powered speakers Using either the included Discrete Input/Power cable harness or a •...

  • Page 11: Front Panel Controls And Indicators

    Front Panel Controls and Indicators The TourTraXX includes controls to accommodate a wide variety of installations. The front panel incorporates a 2x16 LCD display and Menu Knob, a blue power indicator, media status/error indicator, a GPS status indicator, and a Compact Flash slot covered by a security panel. All front panel controls can be locked using a PIN number for systems requiring tamper-free operation.

  • Page 12: Gps Status Led

    GPS data is valid. TourTraXX includes a female type-B USB connector on its front panel. This port can be used to control TourTraXX, using its standard command set, as a USB serial device. While many operating systems will detect and install the driver automatically, some operating systems such as Windows 7 64-bit will need the user to supply the appropriate driver.

  • Page 13: Lcd And Menu Knob

    LCD and Menu Knob The Menu Knob is used to navigate through an LCD menu in which you can configure your TourTraXX. Details of each of these parameters are explained in the sections that follow. Main Menu Audio Master Volume (0-100) Sample Rate (Auto, First Det, 44.1, 48KHz)

  • Page 14: Rear Panel Controls And Connectors

    DB-9 serial RS-232 control connector, 6-pin mini-DIN GPS connector, and RJ45 network jack. RS232 Connector Microphone Audio Output Power / Ethernet Jack Auxiliary Line Input Discrete Inputs Input Page 8 May 15, 2012 • Alcorn McBride TourTraXX User’s Manual • Rev 1.3...

  • Page 15: Audio Output Connector

    Ground Ch. 10 Ch. 9 Ch. 8 Ch. 7 Ground Ground Ch. 6 Ch. 5 Ch. 4 Ch. 3 Ground Ground Ch. 2 Ch. 1 May 15, 2012 • Alcorn McBride TourTraXX User’s Manual • Rev 1.3 • Page 9...

  • Page 16: Power And Discrete Control Input Connector

    1-8. For instance, input 3 will play file 3 to channel 3 when triggered. With 12-24vdc. the default input configuration, files will play and loop for as long as the input is maintained. The TourTraXX requires 9-36VDC at approximately 2 Amps. Input/Power Connector Pinout Function Function...

  • Page 17: Rs-232C Serial Connector

    The 6-pin mini-DIN connector is used for GPS connection. When a valid GPS source is connected and satellite lock is achieved, TourTraXX will use the GPS time to set the system clock once an hour. While using GPS to sync the system clock, make sure the time zone and daylight savings time mode is properly set on the unit.

  • Page 18: Aux Line Input

    Line-in Right Ground Line-in Left Ethernet RJ-45 This is a standard RJ-45 jack used to connect the TourTraXX to a network. UDP control uses port Control (UDP), file transfer (FTP), and time (NTP) protocols are supported. 2638. Network settings can be configured using the front panel menu.

  • Page 19: Configuration Dip Switches

    Discrete Input Control section of this manual for more details. Firmware Recovery Mode (DIP 3) This switch boots the TourTraXX in a recovery mode in which you can update the firmware in the case the unit is unbootable. Use this mode to update to a working firmware version if a regular firmware update fails (due to power failure during update, corrupt firmware file, etc.)

  • Page 20: Phantom Power Dip Switch

    Factory Defaults (DIP 4) Activating this switch while the TourTraXX is booted will return the unit to its default (factory) state. These defaults are listed below. Factory Defaults Parameter Default Value IP Address 192.168.0.254 Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0 Gateway 192.168.0.1 Nameserver (DNS) 127.0.0.1...

  • Page 21: The Compact Flash Card

    Alcorn McBride recommends SanDisk® brand of Compact Flash. For the latest list of compatible and recommended Compact Flash please visit: http://www.alcorn.com/library/appnotes/HowMuchFlash/index.html Supported File Formats The TourTraXX plays MP3 files which are compliant to the following specifications: Supported MP3 Formats Standard MPEG-1 Part 3 (or simply, MP3) defined in ISO/IEC-11172-3...

  • Page 22: File Naming

    File Naming A specific file naming convention is used so that the TourTraXX can identify It is sometimes easiest to use the “numbered” the file type, as well as associate the supported file types with a number. style of file naming for...

  • Page 23: Playback

    Stereo vs. Mono MP3 Playback TourTraXX is capable of up to 16 independent mono channels, but can also be used to play stereo MP3 files. When specifying playback of a stereo MP3 in a command, play the file to a channel pair (P1-P8) rather than an individual channel (C1-C16).

  • Page 24: Transferring Files Via Ftp

    PC, TourTraXX has a built-in FTP server allowing for quick file transfers over Ethernet. The nameserver setting Before using FTP, be sure that the network settings on your TourTraXX are is used to resolve configured correctly. Network settings can be configured using the front hostnames into IP panel menu of your TourTraXX.

  • Page 25: Additional Features

    Additional Features Microphone Paging Using the rear microphone input of TourTraXX, you can page to any channel, channel pair, or channel group. The channel/group of channels that TourTraXX will route the microphone to is called the paging zone. The paging zone can be changed with an Ethernet or serial control command, or a command triggered by a rear input.

  • Page 26: Spot Logging

    “log_old.csv” and a new “log.csv” file will be started. Once the new “log.csv” reaches the size limit, it will replace the current “log_old.csv”. This means that at any one time, TourTraXX can have up to 4MB of log data on its compact flash card. Depending on the length of your filenames, this is approximately 100,000 entries.

  • Page 27: Control Methods

    Control Methods For your convenience, Alcorn McBride distributes an application called AMI Terminal, which allows you to control the TourTraXX via RS-232 or Ethernet with the click of a button. This free application can be obtained at http://www.alcorn.com/support/software.html. Serial Control The TourTraXX can be controlled using the male DB-9 RS-232 connector on the rear panel.

  • Page 28: Discrete Input Control

    Discrete Input Control The TourTraXX has a total of 8 discrete inputs on the rear of the unit which can be set to accept Voltage Input (12-24VDC) or Contact Closure. Voltage Input or Contact Closure is selected by configuration dipswitch #2 on the side of the TourTraXX chassis.

  • Page 29: Traxx Configuration Software

    Manage Input Groups By default, the 8 discrete inputs on the TourTraXX act individually and are constrained to a total of 8 separate operations – one for each input. However, if you need to perform more than 8 operations using the parallel inputs, you can combine the 8 inputs into “Input Groups”...
  • Page 30 Select one of the Groups and click Edit Selected Group to assign inputs to that group. For this example we have assigned Inputs 1-4 to Group #1. Click OK to save the assignments. Page 24 May 15, 2012 • Alcorn McBride TourTraXX User’s Manual • Rev 1.3...
  • Page 31 Manage Channel Groups You can have a total of 13 Channel Groups in the TourTraXX. Channel Groups allow you to control multiple audio channels using a single input or Serial/Ethernet command. In the TraXX Config program select Channel Groups to open this window: Select a Group and click Edit Selected Group to assign channels to that group.
  • Page 32 Select “Device Powered On” to make event happen on bootup. The best way to make the TourTraXX to play a file on startup is to select the Device Powered On Trigger Type. Once you have chosen where the event is being triggered from, you can select either an Active On or Active Off Trigger Edge.

  • Page 33: Playlist Control

    Overview A playlist file is nothing more than a list of TourTraXX commands listed For an easy way to make a playlist, use in a text file. These commands, which are listed in the Command Protocol Playlist Builder section, are the same commands that are used by all of the TourTraXX’s...

  • Page 34: Special Playlist Commands

    Special Playlist Commands In addition to regular TourTraXX commands listed in the Command Protocol section, there are a few additional commands for the Playlist Control interface. These single-character commands further modify the behavior of the playlists to provide additional features that only apply to the Playlist Control interface of the TourTraXX.

  • Page 35: Example Playlist

    5P1PL < The first command, which is “1C1PL”, causes the TourTraXX to play file #1 to channel #1. If the user issues a Play command during the playback of file #1, it will be interrupted and the playlist will move on to the next command.

  • Page 36: Playlist Builder

    Click OK to add the event to the playlist Add as many commands as you like! Once you are done, you can save the playlist file and transfer it to the TourTraXX Compact Flash card! Page 30 May 15, 2012 •...

  • Page 37: Scheduler Control

    Schedule File Format The schedule.scl file itself is nothing more than a formatted ASCII text file. In this file, each line contains a TourTraXX command as well as data fields that specify when that command should be executed. This section covers these fields and how they are used to schedule command execution.
  • Page 38 2015. (same as Example 1) Event(E): COMMAND (same as Example 1) Parameter 1(1): The command string “C12RJ” will cause the TourTraXX to stop playback on channel pair 2. Using Example #1 and Example #2 together in a schedule file will cause file #1 to...

  • Page 39: Fields In Detail

    The Ending Time and Ending Date fields specify the time and date that the repeating will stop. In this example, the TourTraXX will play file #1 to channel pair 2 on 1/1/2015 at exactly 2:46PM. It will then play the file again 30 minutes later (3:16PM) and will continue to repeat until 3:00AM on 1/3/2010.
  • Page 40 The repeat number can be anywhere from 1 to over 4 billion. You can specify repeating a number of minutes, which is why this is so huge. Page 34 May 15, 2012 • Alcorn McBride TourTraXX User’s Manual • Rev 1.3...
  • Page 41 Repeat Number section for details. You can also specify sunrise or sunset. In order to take advantage of sunrise/sunset calculations in the TourTraXX, you need to determine you longitude, latitude, and time zone. All three of these settings can be configured remotely using the Command Protocol of the TourTraXX.
  • Page 42 One event executes per minute. If you want to execute more than one event, you should launch a playlist with the schedule event. Playlists can execute an unlimited number of commands once they are triggered. Page 36 May 15, 2012 • Alcorn McBride TourTraXX User’s Manual • Rev 1.3...

  • Page 43: Schedule Builder

    Builder. Open the Schedule Builder application Select the TourTraXX in the list of supported devices and click OK. The Add/Edit Event window will appear automatically. This is where you select the event you wish to insert into the schedule. Since “Play and Loop Clip”...
  • Page 44 For the sake of this example, we are going to repeat this command every hour. Page 38 May 15, 2012 • Alcorn McBride TourTraXX User’s Manual • Rev 1.3...
  • Page 45 In this screen, you are free to Add/Edit/Delete Scheduled events as needed. Once you are finished creating the schedule, all you need to do is save the schedule file as schedule.scl and copy it to the TourTraXX’s Compact Flash card. May 15, 2012 •...

  • Page 46: Gps Control

    The TourTraXX accepts The TourTraXX accomplishes this by reading a data stream from a GPS sensor. a standard NMEA-0183 This sensor is often in the form of a “GPS Mouse” or pod that outputs Longitude and data stream at 4800 Latitude data obtained from orbiting GPS satellites.
  • Page 47 TourTraXX Integration – This application contains a complete list of • built-in commands for the TourTraXX. There is no need to enter them manually, and all command parameters (i.e. File Name, etc.) are described in plain English.
  • Page 48 The Direction column specifies the direction the vehicle must be traveling in order for the trigger to occur. The TourTraXX allows for 45 degrees of tolerance for this field, so there’s no need to worry about the direction of the vehicle being absolutely perfect.
  • Page 49 Both the Approx Location and Comments field are solely for the purpose of describing the location and function of each GPS point within Playlist Builder. They are not used by the TourTraXX. Map Display If an Internet connection is present, you can view the location of your GPS point on a map.
  • Page 50 2) Use TourTraXX GPS USB Passthrough In this configuration, the GPS receiver is connected to the GPS port of the TourTraXX and the computer with GPS Builder is connected to the front USB port of the TourTraXX. When “GPS through USB” is enabled in the TourTraXX’s LCD menu, the TourTraXX will pass-...

  • Page 51: Creating A Gps Playlist

    Copy the playlist to the Compact Flash card you’re going to use in the TourTraXX, along with all of the audio files referenced in the playlist. Proceed to the next section to learn how to use this playlist in your TourTraXX. May 15, 2012 •...

  • Page 52: Configuring The Tourtraxx For Gps Operation

    GPS Connect the TourTraXX to the 12-36VDC vehicle power. Playlist by other means After applying power to the TourTraXX, wait for it to finish its power up (i.e. Playlist, Ethernet, etc.), make sure that routine. Shortly afterwards, the unit should indicate that it is receiving GPS your GPS playlist is data from the GPS sensor.

  • Page 53: Command Protocol

    Return character. This character is represented by the hexadecimal value of 0x0D. Playback Commands These commands control the playback operation of the TourTraXX. These commands can be directed at an individual Channel, Channel Pair, or Channel Group. Channel Group numbers range from 1 to 13 and are always preceded by the letter ‘G’.

  • Page 54: Loop Play - Lp

    Move the playlist on Channel Pair 1 to the next entry >P1PL Loop Play - LP Description: This command causes the TourTraXX to play a sound file, automatically looping it back to the start when the sound finishes. Command Bytes: <n><d><i>LP or "<filename>"<d><i>LP Parameters: <n>...

  • Page 55: Search - Se

    ‘*’. The TourTraXX will start playback of all channels at the same time, using the assigned files for each channel specified by a previous Search command.

  • Page 56: Play Directory - Pd

    Play Directory - PD Description: This command causes the TourTraXX to play the files located in a specified directory by automatically generating a playlist with the contents of the directory and starting the playlist on the specified channel, channel pair, or channel group.

  • Page 57: Pause - Pa

    Pause - PA Description: This command causes the TourTraXX to pause playback of the specified Channel, Channel Pair or Channel Group. Playback is resumed whenever a Play command is issued to the paused Channel Pair or Channel Group Command Bytes: <d>PA...

  • Page 58: Aux Input To Channels

    Aux Input to Channels Description: This command will route the audio being received on the TourTraXX’s auxiliary inputs to the specified channel, channel pair, or channel group. Command Bytes: CL<d>PL Parameters: <d> is either C followed by a channel number in ASCII, P followed by a channel...

  • Page 59: Playlists

    Playlists Play System Playlist Description: This command causes the TourTraXX to start a playlist as the system playlist (not tied to any particular channel). Command Bytes: <n>PL or “<filename>”PL Parameters: <n> is the ASCII playlist number between 0-99999 <filename> is the ASCII playlist file name...

  • Page 60: Paging Commands

    TraXXOS 1.2.4 Message Response: Examples: Set the microphone PTT button to be the paging trigger. TKZN Set rear input #3 to be the paging trigger. TI3ZN Page 54 May 15, 2012 • Alcorn McBride TourTraXX User’s Manual • Rev 1.3...

  • Page 61: Start Paging

    If using the paging trigger to initiate microphone paging, this command is not required. Command Bytes: Minimum OS Version: TraXXOS 1.2.4 Message Response: Examples: Stop paging to the selected paging zone. May 15, 2012 • Alcorn McBride TourTraXX User’s Manual • Rev 1.3 • Page 55...

  • Page 62: Control Commands

    Control Commands These commands control some of the operational modes of the TourTraXX. Other operational modes and unit configuration can be accomplished by using the LCD menu system on the front panel. LCD PIN Enable Description: This command is used to enable or disable the LCD PIN number lock. When enabled, a 4-Digit PIN number is required to access the front panel menu.

  • Page 63: Version Request

    To get the current name of the unit, send NM without the <n> parameter. Minimum OS Version: TraXXOS 1.2.5 Examples: Set unit name to “myTraXX”. myTraXXNM Get the current unit name. May 15, 2012 • Alcorn McBride TourTraXX User’s Manual • Rev 1.3 • Page 57...

  • Page 64: Mute/Unmute/Volume Control

    Mute/UnMute/Volume Control Description: This command causes the TourTraXX to mute, unmute, or set the volume level of the specified Channel, Channel Pair, or Channel Group. Command Bytes: <v><d>AD Parameters: <v> is one of the following (in ASCII): M - Mute...

  • Page 65: Send String

    Send String Description: This command sends an ASCII string from TourTraXX to the specified destination. Command Bytes: "<s>"<d><o>SS Parameters: <s> is the string to be sent <d> is the destination, one of: S – Serial U – UDP(over Ethernet) B – USB Serial <o>...

  • Page 66: Status Request

    Get Channel Pair 3 Status P3?C Example Response: 5|music1.mp3<h0d>6|music2.mp3<h0d> Get Channel Group 2 Status G2?C Example Response: 2|yell.mp3<h0d>3|sing.mp3<h0d>4|hi.mp3<h0d> Get Channel 12 Status C12?C Example Response: 12|soundfx.mp3 Page 60 May 15, 2012 • Alcorn McBride TourTraXX User’s Manual • Rev 1.3...

  • Page 67: Completion Acknowledge Mode

    There are 2 different completion acknowledge modes possible. This Completion Acknowledge Mode remains as long as the TourTraXX is powered. Note: The unit defaults to no completion acknowledge whenever the unit first powers up. Message Response: Command Bytes: <s>"<c>"<d>AK...

  • Page 68: How To Update Firmware

    How To Update Firmware Under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to update the TourTraXX’s firmware. Do not update the firmware unless there is a specific need to do so. Standard Firmware Update 1. Download the latest firmware for the TourTraXX product from http://www.alcorn.com/support/firmware.html...

  • Page 69: Troubleshooting Guide

    Microsoft FAT32. Q: Audio playback is too fast or too slow. A: All files played on the TourTraXX must be encoded to use the same sample rate (i.e all 44.1KHz or all 48KHz, etc.). You cannot mix and match sample rates.

  • Page 70: Specifications

    Size: 7” W x 1.719” H x 10.88” D (17.78 cm W x 4.44 cm H x 27.64 cm D) Weight: 4lbs. (1.8Kg) Environment: 0°C (32°F) to 38°C (100°F) 0-90% Relative Humidity Compliance: CE, UL, CSA, WEEE, RoHS Page 64 May 15, 2012 • Alcorn McBride TourTraXX User’s Manual • Rev 1.3...

  • Page 71: Index

    Troubleshooting, 63 interruptible, 17 uninterruptible, 17 IP Address, 14, 18 UnMute, 58 ISO/IEC-11172-3, 15 Update Firmware, 62 LCD display, 5 Version Request, 57 LCD PIN, 14 May 15, 2012 • Alcorn McBride TourTraXX User’s Manual • Rev 1.3 • Page 65...

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