Mayah Communications Merk II Audio Codec/Mixer User Manual Order-No.
MAYAH, CENTAURI, FLASHCAST are registered trademarks. All other trademarks used are acknowledged with this. © Copyright by MAYAH Communications GmbH in 2007 For copying this manual, even by extract, an explicit written permission of MAYAH Communications GmbH is required.
Table of Contents Table of Contents 1 Introduction................................................................................................................................. 6 1.1. Overview ............................................................................................................................... 6 1.2. Merk II Features .................................................................................................................... 7 1.2.1. The Function Keys.................
Overview 5.1.5. 5.1.6. 5.1.7. 5.1.8. 5.1.9. 5.1.10. 5.1.11. 5.1.12. 5.1.13. 5.1.14. 5.1.15. 5.1.16. 5.1.17. 5.1.18. 5.1.19. 5.1.20. 5.1.21. 5.1.22. Set Communication Basic Conditions ........................................................................... 34 Set Device Address ...................................................................................................... 35 Configure ISDN Adapter ...............................................................................................
Table of Contents 8 Troubleshooting ....................................................................................................................... 72 8.1. Monitor Device Condition..................................................................................................... 72 8.2. Update Device Software ...................................................................................................... 73 8.2.1. Request of the Current Version Status .....................................
Overview 1 Introduction The devices of the CENTAURI series are audio gateways; in other words they are audio codecs with extensive network ability (Internet, Intranet, LAN, WAN). They support all common coding procedures and transmission protocols. 1.1. Overview The new MAYAH MERK II is a portable Codec and Mixer. It is based on the well known and introduced CENTAURI product family.
Table of Contents 1.2. Merk II Features 128 x 64 LCD for transprarent user communication 8 digital controllers for various purposes, such as level, pan, gain, send/receive headphone mix, etc., 4 peak level indications 4 function keys for flexible purposes and applications Well known MAYAH navigation circle 4 headphone outputs with 2 different mixes Figure 2: Centauri Keypad 4 MIC/LINE inputs with switchable phantom power, limiter, compressor, filter etc.
Merk II Features • F1: Phones-Screen • F2: Input-Screen (optionally front or rear, indicated as long as the function key is pressed) • F3: Gain-Screen • F4: Mute-Screen NOTE: The 4 red peak-LEDs, each for every input channel on the front side, are only relevant while operating with microphones! They will be lit, if an overmodulation of the A/D-converter occurs. In this case the gain of the entrance amplifier has to be lowered until the LED expires.
Table of Contents The block diagram shows how the Merk II works: Figure 3: Merk II block diagram Event-dependent Control CENTAURI Gateways can be programmed such that they react to particular, pre-determined events in a set way. Events can thus be linked with actions. The event-dependent control is described in the Centauri Communication Reference Manual and several Application Notes. Please take note of our notifications (also in the Internet under http://www.mayah.com).
First Steps / Quick Start 1.3. First Steps / Quick Start The Merk II Portable Audio Codec/Mixer has a display and a keyboard on the front of the device. You can therefore set up a connection to another communication partner immediately as soon as you have unpacked such a device and connected it up to the mains and ISDN. The information shown on the display of the Merk II can appear in different languages (can be pre-set, see section "Set Display Language").
Table of Contents In both cases you can follow the establishment of the connection on the display or in the program window: Figure 6: Establishing a connection If the establishment of the connection is successful, the device automatically synchronizes itself with the partner at the other end of the line. If speakers are connected to the device, you too can hear the audio signal from the other end.
Controls on the Device 1.4. Controls on the Device 1.4.1. Switching On and Off All Merk II is switched on and off at the rear of the device (see Figure 12). After switching on and in rest mode the display (only available on the 2001/3001) shows the start mask (see Figure 4). 1.4.2. Controlling using the Front Keys Figure 7: Merk II control elements Despite the 4 function keys which are explained in chapter 1.2.
Table of Contents 1.4.3. Mask Display and Key Controls The mask representation and key controls follow the following rules: 1) 3) 2) Figure 8: Mask display 1) The mask title is top left (in Figure 11 : “Analog Levels”). It is shown inverse. The action description is found to the right of the mask title. In Figure 11 1) the request is SELECT ITEM, since no selection has been made.
Controls on the Device 1.4.4.
Table of Contents 1.5. Remote Control using Software The Merk II can be remote-controlled using a PC with the Windows 95/ 98/ME/ NT/2000 operating systems. For this purpose special PC remote control software is included in the scope of delivery. Figure 9: The main window of the MERK II remote control software There must be a connection between PC and MERK II – either via a serial RS232interface or via Internet Protocol (IP). 1.5.1.
Remote Control using Software Steps for the Merk II • Set SETUP NETWORK ADDRESS on the front of the device and then enter '192.168.1.101'. • Boot the Merk II anew (switch off and then on again) Enter MERK II for Controlling via IP • In order to enter a MERK II in the remote control software, select SETTINGS REMOTE SETTINGS (manual).
Table of Contents 1.5.3. Automatic UDP-Scan • With selecting SETTINGS REMOTE SETTINGS (automatical)it is possible to examine the LAN or the serial interfaces for other Merk IIs. The following dialog window opens: Figure 11: Automatic UDP-Scan • Enter the Number of com ports for setting the number of serial interfaces that are to be examined or • Select UDP Scan ‘Yes’ for scanning the LAN for other Merk IIs. • Click on ‘OK’ for activating the scan.
Scope of Delivery 2 Installation 2.1. Scope of Delivery – – – – – – 2.2. 1 Merk II 1 Zero modem cable for remote control 1 mains cable (suitable for the country concerned) optional: 1 ISDN cable per ISDN line 1 CD this handbook Environment and Operating Conditions Attention! Do not subject the device to damp (e.g. proximity to humidifiers etc.), heat (e.g. proximity to radiators, direct sunlight) or mechanical stress (e.g.
Table of Contents 2.5. Start Remote Control Software • To start the remote control software, click on the program icon or double-click on the name of the program file in the program list in Explorer. The remote control program automatically starts the COM interface after it is called up. If a Merk II is connected to one of the COM interfaces, the program recognizes the gateway and synchronizes itself with it automatically. 2.6.
Set Display Language 3 Basic settings 3.1. Set Display Language The displays on the Merk II Audio Codec/Mixer can appear in various languages. On delivery the devices are set to English. This is why all the respective illustrations in this handbook show the display in English. The language used in the display can be set using the keys on the front of the housing: • • Select the SETUP option in the start mask (see Figure 4). The Setup mask appears. Select MISCELLANEOUS.
Table of Contents 3.2. Set Time, Date and Date Format CENTAURI Gateways have an internal clock that is supplied with a battery in the event of a power cut etc. This is why it is only rarely necessary to set the internal clock. To set the Merk II’s internal clock and/or date and/or the format for time displays, proceed as follows: a) Via the front panel: • • Select the SETUP option in the start mask (see Figure 4). The Setup mask appears. Select DATE & TIME.
Enter Identification Number 3.4. Enter Identification Number At the factory each MERK II is assigned a unique serial number. This identifies each MERK II during communication. In addition the operator can give a Merk II an identification number consisting of numbers and letters (maximum 128 characters). This number can also be assigned identically several times where several MERK IIs are involved (e.g. company name etc.). This identification number is exchanged both ways during communication.
Table of Contents 4 Phonebook You can enter the numbers of partners you often call in a phone book. These entries can be activated by simply pressing a key. Every entry in a phone book is administered by name and contains the respective communication profile. The entries appear sorted alphabetically by name. They can be shifted up and down on the LC display with the and the keys. An *) entry is always shown inverted. This is selected as soon as you press the key.
Create Entry 4.3. Create Entry To create a new phone book entry proceed as follows: (a) Via the front panel: • • Select the SETUP option in the Start mask (see Figure 4). The Setup mask appears. Select NEW PHONEBOOK ENTRY and press the Figure 18: • • key. The following mask appears: The NEW ENTRY mask Select one line after another using the , and keys and enter the desired data.
Table of Contents (b) Via the remote control software: • Click on the ”Phone book” button or press the ”P” key. The following dialog window opens: Figure 19: • Click on “New” or press the “Insert” key on the keyboard. The following dialog window opens: Figure 20: • The PHONE BOOK dialog window The NEW PHONE BOOK ENTRY dialog window Enter name, number of the ISDN line or network address and select a communication profile and the interface. • To enter, click on “OK”.
Edit Entry 4.4. Edit Entry Existing phone book entries can be edited at any time. (a) Via the front panel: • • • • • Select the SETUP option in the Start mask (see Figure 4). The Setup mask appears. Select EDIT PHONE BOOK and press the phone book. . A list appears that contains all the entries in Select the desired entry with the and keys and the press . The selected entry appears in the same style as for new entries (see Figure 18) and can now be edited.
Table of Contents 4.5. Delete Entry Existing phone book entries can be deleted at any time. (a) Via the front panel: • • • • Select the SETUP option in the Start mask (see Figure 4). The Setup mask appears. Select DELETE PHONE BOOK ENTRY and press book entries. .
Individual Parameters 5 Configuration 5.1. Individual Parameters If you use the built in phone book function for dialling a communication partner (selecting an already entered communication partner), you do not have to set individual parameters since each phone book entry already contains all the necessary data regarding the individual parameters. If however you dial a communication partner without using the phone book function, i.e.
Table of Contents Special features for encoder / decoder settings with regard to dependency and format in combination with devices from other manufacturers Encoder Decoder Dependency = Remote Format = Auto Dependency = Remote Format = Auto Dependency = Remote Format = CDQ/H.221 Bit rate = 384 kbit/s stereo 192 kbit/s mono Dependency = Remote Format = CDQ/H.
Individual Parameters To set the encoder, proceed as follows: (a) Via the front panel: • • Select the SETUP option in the Start mask (see Figure 4). The Setup mask appears. Select AUDIO ENCODER and press Figure 21: • • • • . The following mask appears: The ENCODER mask Select the parameter to be changed with the key. A list of all possible values appears. Select the desired value with the and and keys and then press the keys and then press the key.
Table of Contents 5.1.2. Set Decoder You can pre-set the decoder with 2 operational modes: – – Dependency: ”remote”; to this the decoder sets itself to the parameter that it receives from the distant encoder when the connection is made; Dependency: ”local”; with this the decoder uses the locally set parameters; To set the decoder, proceed as follows: (a) Via the front panel: • • Select the SETUP option in the Start mask (see Figure 4). The Setup mask appears.
Individual Parameters 5.1.3. Set Inverse Multiplexer („Format“) If a data stream is greater than the capacity of a transmission channel, it is then necessary to use two or even more ISDN B channels to ensure delay-free transmission. The transmitter must therefore split the data over the individual B channels and the receiver must put them back together again properly after the transmission. In the context of MPEG coded audio signals this procedure is often called inverse multiplexing (IMUX).
Table of Contents 5.1.4. Set Communication Interface You can determine via which communication interface a connection is to be established. The following are available – – ISDN, Loop (for test purposes) and when the MERK II is correspondingly configured, – NET To set the communication interface, proceed as follows: (a) Via the front panel: • • Select the SETUP option in the Start mask (see Figure 4). The Setup mask appears. Select COMMUNICATION INTERFACE and press Figure 27: • • Press .
Individual Parameters 5.1.5. Set Communication Basic Conditions You can set the subordinate data transmission parameters (baud rate, handshake procedure, number of data bits, parity, stop bits) manually using the front panel of the MERK II. • • Select the option in the device Start mask (see Figure 4) die Option SETUP. The Setup mask appears. Select ANCILLARY and press .
Table of Contents 5.1.6. Set Device Address You can assign the MERK II an address. Attention! For operational security reasons an IP address should only be entered manually in agreement with the network administrator. Setting the IP address yourself can lead to system disturbance. To enter the address, proceed as follows: (a) Via the front panel: • • Select the SETUP option in the Start mask (see Figure 4). The Setup mask appears.
Individual Parameters 5.1.7. Configure ISDN Adapter If necessary you can set the ISDN adapter. This includes for example the dialling code if the device is used on an extension system. To set the ISDN adapter, proceed as follows: (a) Via the front panel: • • Select the SETUP option in the Start mask (see Figure 4). The Setup mask appears. Select ISDN and press .
Table of Contents 5.1.8. Setting Dial Protection and ISDN Service Protection Undesired calls and network queries can be blocked from the MERK II if necessary. Two parameters are provided to this end: – – “Dial protection” and “ISDN service protection” Dial protection allows you to determine whether or not the MERK II will accept all calls and network queries, or only calls and network queries from callers who have already been entered to the phone book.
Individual Parameters • • • Select “on” or “off” and then press the key; Repeat this procedure for each parameter which needs to be changed. End the setup procedure by pressing the key (twice if necessary). (b) Via the remote control software: 1) Activating Dial protection • Select SETTINGS OTHERS. The following dialog box appears: Figure 35: • • The OTHER SETTINGS Dialog Box Select the appropriate parameter setting under “Dial in protection” (“On” or “Off”).
Table of Contents 5.1.9. Set Quantization Procedure for G.711 Depending on the country, it can be necessary to set quantization procedure G.711 for ISDN telephony. This setting must be made when setting up operation and when the procedure used is changed (e.g. when the location of the device is changed). To set the quantization procedure, proceed as follows: (a) Via the front panel: • • Select the SETUP option in the Start mask (see Figure 4). The Setup mask appears.
Individual Parameters 5.1.10. Set Time Limit (Timeout) For particular transmission procedures (e.g. UDP) it is necessary to set a time limit. To set the time limit, proceed as follows: (a) Via the front panel: • • Select the SETUP option in the Start mask (see Figure 4). The Setup mask appears. Select TIMEOUTS and press . The TIMEOUTS mask appears. Figure 39: • The TIMEOUTS mask Select the appropriate parameter (“Disconnect” or “Stat. framing”) with the keys and press the and key.
Table of Contents 5.1.11. Switch Dual Mode On/Off Dual Mode must be switched on if bilingual sound is to be transmitted or if a completely separate transmission is to be made to different destinations over two channels. To switch Dual Mode on or off, proceed as follows: (a) Via the front panel: • • Select the SETUP option in the Start mask (see Figure 4). The Setup mask appears.
Individual Parameters (a) Via the remote control software: • Select SETTINGS AUDIO in the remote control software. The following dialog window opens: Figure 43: • • 5.1.12. The AUDIO SETTINGS dialog window Set the desired level with the mouse under “Input Clipping” or “Output Clipping”. To make the new level effective, click on “OK”. Set sources for the input channels Here you can choose the input source for the 4 channels. Also the Directors Channel can be set to appropireate input.
Table of Contents 5.1.13. Set Microphone Settings Here you can adjust different settings for the microphone channels on the front side. This setting is only possible via the front panel, and not via the remote software: (a) Via the front panel: • • Select the SETUP option in the Start mask (see Figure 4). The Setup mask appears. Select Microphone Settings and press mask appears. Figure 45: • • • 5.1.14.
Individual Parameters 5.1.15. Headphone Settings Here you can adjust different settings for the headphone channels on the front side. This setting is only possible via the front panel, and not via the remote software: (c) Via the front panel: • Select the SETUP option in the Start mask (see Figure 4). The Setup mask appears. • Select Line IN and press Figure 47: • • • 44 Headphone Select Item Select the appropriate item with the Select the desired parameters with the To end press the .
Table of Contents 5.1.16. Line Out Settings Here you can adjust different settings for the line out channels on the rear side. This setting is only possible via the front panel, and not via the remote software: (d) Via the front panel: • • Select the SETUP option in the Start mask (see Figure 4). The Setup mask appears. Select Line Out and press Figure 48: • • • 5.1.17. . The Line Out mask appears.
Individual Parameters 5.1.18. Mixer Profiles Here you can handle the profiles for the mixer settings. Mayah preset profiles can not be changed or deleted. This setting is only possible via the front panel, and not via the remote software: (f) Via the front panel: • • Select the SETUP option in the Start mask (see Figure 4). The Setup mask appears. Select Mixer Profiles and press Figure 50: • • • 5.1.19. . The Mixer Profiles mask appears.
Table of Contents 5.1.20. Display Hardware Equipment at Program Start After the program starts, the remote control software automatically displays the hardware equipment available in the MERK II if the corresponding option has been set. To switch the display option on and off, proceed as follows: • Select EXPERT OPTIONS in the remote control software.
Individual Parameters 5.1.21. Switch Progress Display On/Off If the main window of the remote control software contains the input focus, the encoder and the decoder are usually requested. The progress of this check is displayed in a dialog window. This progress display can be switched off. To switch this display option on or off, proceed as follows: • Select EXPERT OPTIONS in the remote control software.
Table of Contents 5.1.22. Release Software Module The following software modules can be released: – – – – SNMP: Order Number CSW01 Linear Audio via IP (CSW02) MPEG 4 AAC Low Delay ADPCM 4SB (Micda) You can obtain the respective release codes on order from Mayah Communications after stating your MERK II serial number. When you have received the release key code for the desired software module, enter it as follows: • Select EXPERT SET KEY CODE in the remote control software.
Communication Profiles 5.2. Communication Profiles A communication profile contains several settings for the encoder/decoder, like sample rate, bit rate etc., that are, besides the destination address, necessary for establishing a connection. These settings are described in more detail in section "Individual Parameters". The complete encoder/decoder settings can be stored in the profile list under any name you wish.
Table of Contents 5.2.2. Edit communication profiles To edit a communication profile, proceed as follows: (a) Via the front panel: • • • • • Select the SETUP option in the Start mask (see Figure 4). The Setup mask appears. Select EDIT PROFILE and press . A list appears that contains all the profiles from which the profile to be edited can be found. Select the communication profile to be edited and press appears as in Figure 53. . Then the same mask Alter the desired setting values using the arrow keys.
Communication Profiles 5.2.4. Save communication profile on the PC The communication profiles are saved along with the phone book entries (see section "Saving Phonebook on a PC "). 5.2.5. Transfer communication profile file to the CENTAURI You can also transfer the communication profiles along with the phone book entries from the PC to a MERK II again and use the entries there (see section "Transfer phone book to MERK II ").
Table of Contents 6 Connections/Transmissions Merk II can set up connections to other communication partners on their own. They can also accept incoming calls automatically. 6.1. Automatic Acceptance of Calls Merk II accepts incoming calls automatically and synchronize themselves with the station calling corresponding to the configuration. When a call comes in, the “Connection Setup” mask appears in the display for a short time.
Prepare Connection/Transfer 6.2. Prepare Connection/Transfer 6.2.1. Mix Input Signals and Adjust Level Before you set up the connection to your communication partner, we recommend that you set the signals to be transmitted suitably. 6.2.2. Select the correct bit rate Merk II supports the procedures G.711, G.722, Layer 2, Layer 3, AAC, MPEG 4 AAC Low Delay and ADPCM 4SB (see table below), which behave very differently as far as quality and the required bit rate is concerned.
Table of Contents 6.3. Set up Connection (a) Via the front panel: Connections can be established with communications partners in two different ways: either via the start mask and the connect function, or by means of abbreviated dialling.
Set up Connection (b) Via the remote control software: • Click on CONNECT or press the “C” key (enter phone number direct) or click on PHONE BOOK or press the “P” key (select subscriber from the phone book). One of the following dialog windows opens, depending on the selected data interface: Figure 60: • • The CONNECT DIALOG window with various selected interfaces Select the desired parameter in the dialog window. Click on OK.
Table of Contents 6.4. Execute and Monitor Transmission During the transmission you can check and monitor the status of the connection at any time. (a) On the LC Display on the front panel • To check and monitor the status of a connection, select STATUS in the Start mask (see Figure 4) and press Figure 62: . The modulation display then appears: Modulation display: The right-hand edges of the bars indicate the current value.
Execute and Monitor Transmission (b) In the remote control software window The status of the current existing connection is always displayed in the window of the remote control software: Number of remote terminal Black: time Name of phone book entry Green: connection time without synchronization (if exists) Lines used Red: connection time with synchronization Connection Status Name of local Centauri Local setting Dependency Synchronization display Figure 66: 58 Remote control software status display
Table of Contents 6.5. Indications The Merk II is able to react to internal and external events. There is more about this topic on page 9. 6.6. Cut Connection You can cut an existing connection at any time. (a) Via the front panel: In order to break off an existing connection, proceed as follows: 1) Via the start mask • • Select CONNECT in the start mask (see Figure 4) and press the Now select DISCONNECT and press the key. key once again. 2) Via the speed dial key • Press the *) key.
Connection Protocol 6.7. Connection Protocol You can cause the connection protocol (Journal) to be displayed on the display. (a) On the LC display on the front panel • • Select MISC in the Start mask (see Figure 4) and press Select JOURNAL and press . . The journal now appears on the display: Figure 69: Journal The connection direction is displayed well as date and time (for display format see section "Set Time, Date and Date Format ").
Table of Contents 7 Internet Protocol So that this handbook is not more extensive than absolutely necessary, we assume basic knowledge about the Internet Protocol (IP). If you are not familiar with the topic “Internet Protocol”, we recommend you refer to the appropriate literature on the subject. Every Merk II has a network interface card with a 10Base-T/100Base- TX-RJ-45 connection. The connection configures itself to the existing network speed (10 or 100 MBit/sec).
Digital Audio via IP 7.2.1. One IP-packet carries more than one frame This would be the normal way of audio transport in a situation described above. As you can see in the following figure, the first IP-packet carries not only the first audio frame but also parts of the second one. The second IP-packet carries the rest of Audio 2 and parts of Audio 3. IP-packet 3 carries the rest of Audio 3 and Audio 4 etc..
Table of Contents 7.3. Header information The structure of the headers for MPEG Layer2/3, AAC/CT-aacPlus and AAC Low Delay are described in the following chapters. 7.3.1.
Header information LENGTH_MASK_AAC_LD 64 = $001FFF00;{0000 0000 0001 1111 1111 1111 0000 0000} © MAYAH Communication GmbH
Table of Contents 7.4. HTTP streaming over IP 7.4.1. HTTP Streaming In loop-mode operation the Merk II is able to generate one audio stream (encoder) which can be executed by HTML command files stored in the WWW directory of the Merk II. It can be activated from any web client or media player. . 7.4.2. Structure of HTTP Command Files The HTML command files have a strictly defined structure (see also sample files): Syntax:
