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Chapter Two • LD-V8000 Level II
into the player. The simplicity and overall low cost of updating the entire
interactive network in this manner is noteworthy.
Level II applications have saved developers and system integrators thousands of
dollars in hardware costs by allowing applications to be used in multiple settings
without an expensive computer at every workstation. Level II applications provide,
in effect, "stand-alone systems". When Level II programs are carefully planned and
efficiently developed, companies find that cost savings using Level II program
delivery are substantial, primarily because a computer is not required to control
each videodisc player kiosk or station. Level II delivery systems are often
comprised entirely of "off the shelf" components. This can lower the cost, allow for
faster system delivery and simplify set-up for customers.
When a Level II encoded videodisc spins-up on the LD-8000, program code on
Audio Channel 2 of the disc can be automatically loaded or "dumped" into the
LD-V8000's 7K of RAM. The program information is written into one of seven
"pages", where each page can contain 1022 bytes of information.
Earlier Pioneer Industrial Videodisc Players (the LD-V6000 series, the LD-V3000,
and the PR-V7820-3) are also capable of loading and executing Level II programs.
However, they all have slightly different hardware capabilities. Thus, the available
Level II commands also vary from player to player to reflect these differences.
(See Section 2.4, CAUTION: Differences Between the LD-V8000 and the
LD-V6000A. See also Appendix A, Comparison of Level II Commands
Available on Different Pioneer Industrial Laserdisc Players.)
The succession of players has been generally upward compatible. Usually discs for
the PR-V7820-3 run on the LD-V6000, LD-V6000A, and on the LD-V8000. In
order to take advantage of the latest hardware features, we urge developers to
write Level II programs for use with specific players. Note that other players in the
current Pioneer Industrial Videodisc product line: the LD-V2000, LD-V2200,
CLD-V2400, LD-V4400, and the LC-V330 (Autochanger), are not "Level II" players
and do not contain an internal microprocessor that will execute Level II programs.
When new LD-V8000 players are purchased, Level II programs written for and
tested on LD-V8000 players containing older EPROMs (Erasable Programmable
Read Only Memory chips) should be thoroughly tested with the newer EPROMs
that may contain improvements and additional features. (See Technical Bulletin
#131, LD-V8000 Version Upgrade.)
All Level II programs should be thoroughly tested, preferably with a proof disc,
before the master stamper is made and replicates are pressed. A proof disc is a
pre-replication test disc containing all program video, audio, and Level II program
information. It is used to verify and confirm both the video and audio material
and the disc's interactive programming functions.
Pioneer LD-V8000 Level II User's Manual
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