MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Copyright © 2004 Electrosonic Media Networks Division All rights reserved No part of this documentation may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, without the prior written permission of Electrosonic Media Networks Division.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Table of Contents Preface About This User Guide The manual is comprised of the following chapters: Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Player Controls and Set-Up Chapter 3: Data Transfer Chapter 4: Serial Port Event Scheduler Chapter 5: Playing MPEG Files Chapter 6: Remote Control Protocol Chapter 7: Using the GPIO Control Interface Appendix A: TCP/IP Communications Appendix B: An Introduction to MPEG Appendix C: Encoding Guidelines Appendix D: Specifications
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Table of Contents FCC Compliance This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B Personal Computer and/or Peripheral device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. Documentation History This manual applies to the MS9400 HD FrEND Software Version 1.5.0 MANUAL VERSION DATE BY COMMENTS 1.0 10.03.03 SS/GC/AG 1.1 01.20.04 SS General Updates 1.2 03.22.04 SS Screen Updates 1.3 05.21.04 SS Software Update 1.4 08.26.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Table of Contents Table of Contents Preface....................................................................................................4 About This User Guide........................................................................................................................................4 CE Compliance ..................................................................................................................................................4 FCC Compliance ..
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Table of Contents Events.............................................................................................................................................................30 Start Date ......................................................................................................................................................30 End Date ..............................................................................................................................
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Table of Contents Getinput........................................................................................................................................................ 44 Getoutput..................................................................................................................................................... 44 Setoutput..................................................................................................................................
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Appendix D: Table of Contents Specifications........................................................... 60 Primary Video Output .....................................................................................................................................60 HD - Video Connector................................................................................................................................60 Secondary Video Outputs: .........................................
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Introduction Introduction The MediaSonic MS9400 HD FrEND is a simple to use, High Definition (HD) Video Player Appliance that supports numerous video formats and is designed to facilitate deployment of HD Media Networks in a wide variety of situations.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 1: Introduction Installation The MS9400 is designed for use in a variety of situations, the most common being ‘desktop’ use. Wall Mounting Alternatively, the unit may be mounted against a flat horizontal or vertical surface by means of the included mounting brackets. NOTE: Ensure that there are no impediments to the inlet and outlet vents on the sides of the case.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 2: Chapter 2: Player Controls and Set-Up Player Controls and Set-Up Front Panel The following diagram illustrates the MS9400 front panel layout: Front Panel Controls The front panel is equipped with a number of user interface and monitoring features; from left to right they are: • POWER LED – Glows when the main power switch (back panel) is ON. • SCREEN MENU CONTROL BUTTONS: Press the Right (>) and Enter buttons simultaneously to turn the screen menu On or Off.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide • Chapter 2: Player Controls and Set-Up STATUS LEDs (Refer to top diagram) - Indicate: 1. VIDEO active 2. RS232 TX (Transmit) active 3. RS232 RX (Receive) active 4. Network connected 5. Hard Disk active Rear Panel Interface The following diagram illustrates the MS9400 rear panel layout: The rear panel interface is as follows (from left to right): • POWER OFF/ON - Main power switch. • Power input jack (18.5VDC).
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 2: Player Controls and Set-Up NOTE: The Control Interface is an option purchased as an addition to the ‘base’ MS9400 unit. If not a part of your purchase the MS9400 will be supplied with an internally mounted blank plate covering the connector/LED cut-outs in the back panel. The silkscreen graphics will be visible. The Control Interface may be retrofitted to the MS9400 at any time.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 2: Player Controls and Set-Up Hand-held remote control Use the Hand-held IR remote control to access the HD FrEND’s on-screen user interface during player set-up or to control the player manually. NOTE: Press the light-purple button on the hand-held remote control before you begin set-up. This action ensures that the remote is configured for controlling the MS 9400. Press the
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 2: Player Controls and Set-Up Hand-Held IR Remote Control Button functions: BUTTON FUNCTION N/A N/A N/A Use in conjunction with numerical buttons to access factory presets. Press this button to prevent access to the number buttons on the IR.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 2: Player Controls and Set-Up “Quick Start” Assuming correct connection of the MS9400 into a display system, perform system steps 1-3 below to turn on the player and play a test file: 1. Turn on the main POWER OFF/ON switch at the rear of the player (the power LED on the front panel will glow). NOTE: Should the power Led not illuminate, toggle the power switch between OFF/ON. 2. The Hard Drive Led will flash whilst the MS9400 is completing its initialization.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 2: Player Controls and Set-Up Configuration Assuming correct connection of the MS9400 into a display system, perform system steps 1-3 below (same as in “Quick-Start”) to turn on the player and access the configuration menus: 1. Turn on the main POWER OFF/ON switch at the rear of the player (the power LED on the front panel will glow). NOTE: Should the power Led not illuminate, toggle the power switch between OFF/ON. 2.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 2: Player Controls and Set-Up Display Navigate to and click on the Display menu button. The following screen appears: Click the scroll button in the property window you wish to edit and choose the output mode that matches your display from the available options: • Output Mode: 1920 x 1080i @ 50 (Interlace). 1920 x 1080i @ 59.94 (Interlace). This is the Default output Mode. 1920 x 1080i @ 60 (Interlace). 1280 x 720p @ 50 (Progressive). 1280 x 720p @ 59.94 (Progressive).
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 2: Player Controls and Set-Up Refer to the section: Handheld Remote Control earlier in this chapter for more information on the IR remote control buttons. Playback Navigate to and click on the Playback menu button. The following screen appears: Click the scroll button in any property window and choose from the available options: • Audio Mode options are: Audio Off – No Audio output. Audio On – Analog and Digital Audio outputs active.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 2: Player Controls and Set-Up User Define – When PID is known, select User Define and use the scroll bars in the windows at the bottom of the display to enter the necessary PIDs. PID information must match that of the files in use; PIDs are set during file encoding process. Read From Index File – PIDs are read from a pre-written Index File Search From Stream – PIDs are read directly from the video file; this process will take a certain amount of time.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 2: Player Controls and Set-Up Remote Control – RS232 Navigate to and click on the RS232 menu button. The following screen appears: This menu allows setup of the MS9400 Comm Port for remote control with ESCAN or other control application. Click the scroll button adjacent to each window and highlight the necessary value. Click the value to select.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 2: Player Controls and Set-Up Remote Control – TCP/IP Navigate to and click on the TCP/IP menu button. The following screen appears: This menu allows the MS9400 to be set-up for use in a Network. NOTE: Numbers shown in the image above are illustrative only - your actual display will be different. • IP Address - Click on the scroll buttons to adjust the IP numbers as required for your network control system.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Data Transfer Data Transfer Loading MPEG (.mpg) data files: MPEG encoded HD or SD video clips (MPEG data) must be loaded on to the MS9400’s hard disk in order to be played (sent to a display device). Transfer all video files to the default folder in the MS9400 (a default test MPEG file is included with the MS9400); this is the /media folder.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 3: Data Transfer 2. At the command prompt enter: ftp XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX (where X…X is the IP address of the MS9400 from the ‘System Options’ menu: Set IP (Step 8 in the previous chapter). Press Enter/Return. The following will be displayed as soon as the local computer is connected to the MS9400: XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX 3. Enter the User Name: hdclipftp (case sensitive), press Enter/Return when prompted. 4.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 3: Data Transfer To Delete a file from the MS9400 using DOS If necessary you may remove files from the MS9400: 1. Open a DOS window and log on to the MS9400 as shown above. 2. Type: del filename enter/return in the command line. The file will be removed from the /media folder on the MS9400. To Up-Load data with Internet Explorer 1. Open Internet Explorer on the local computer.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 3: Data Transfer 3. Open a file manager window by clicking My Computer on the desktop. 4. Select the file(s) you wish to transfer and drag/drop from the My Computer window (local computer) to the Internet Explorer window (MS9400). NOTE: MPEG video file sizes may be very large. The time taken to up-load will be dependent on the file size as well as the bandwidth of the network connection.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 4: Chapter 4: RS232 (Serial) Port Event Scheduler RS232 (Serial) Port Event Scheduler The MS9400 HDFrend has the built in capability to run a simple scheduler that can issue serial commands out of the RS232 port relative to the time of day. This feature gives the MS9400 the ability to act as a local controller for a simple playback system.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 4: RS232 (Serial) Port Event Scheduler Events The script file can contain more than one event. Each event must be bracketed with the tags Start Date The Start Date uses the following format: Month/Day/Year. The start date must be bracketed with the tags. End Date The End Date uses the following format: Month/Day/Year. The end date must be bracketed with the tags.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 4: RS232 (Serial) Port Event Scheduler Example Script Files Example 1: Turn Display ON/OFF Below is an example script file that will switch an LCD panel display ‘ON’ every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8 AM, and OFF at 9 PM from 07/01/2005 to 07/31/2005. 07/01/2005 07/31/2005 0,1,0,1,0,1,0 08:00:00 outport 1 “op ZZ display.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Playing Files Playing Files MS9400 in a Stand-alone installation NOTE: Store all video data files and playlist files in the default folder (/media) of the MS9400. To play files resident on the MS9400 disk drive: 1. Press the
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 5: Playing Files Menu access during Playback: 1. Press the
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 5: Playing Files Creating a Playlist 1. Using the thumb-joystick on your hand-held remote control (previously described) click the New button on the menu. A basic “Keyboard” display appears: 2. “Type in” the Playlist Name by clicking the various characters on the keyboard – as they are selected the characters appear in the Playlist Name window. When finished click OK and return to the previous menu. Click Delete and then OK to remove a Playlist from the display. 3.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 5: Playing Files Startup Playlist The MS9400 control software is programmed to look for a “Startup” playlist. If one has been generated the playlist will begin running automatically anytime the MS9400 is turned on. To generate a Startup playlist 1. Using any text editor on your PC open a new text file called startup.lst (All text in this file is case sensitive). 2. Enter the line: /path filename.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Remote Control Protocol Remote Control Protocol Introduction: This chapter describes a generic control protocol for the MS9400 HD FrEND video playback device (“Player”). The protocol is a simple ASCII text based control method designed for easy implementation through a TCP/IP connection or a serial port. The MS9400 utilizes certain remote control commands drawn from the MediaSonic Remote Control Protocol set.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 6: Remote Control Protocol - a media-clip name. - a specific channel. - a list of channels or ‘all’ for every channel. A parameter is mandatory for commands that act on specific channels, but will be absent for generic player commands. Each section below will indicate whether a channel list is required.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 6: Remote Control Protocol CONFIGURATION COMMANDS: GetPlayerType This command requests the type of player. The player will respond with PlayerType Where String1 = A product from the MediaSonic Player Type list below. Number = software version. The software version will be a numerically increasing version number Player Type Description MS9300SD Single channel SD FrEND. MS9100HD 9100 series based HD players MS9200HD 9200 series based HD players.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 6: Remote Control Protocol MEDIA MANAGEMENT COMMANDS: GetMediaTree This command is used to retrieve the media storage tree from the player. This command doesn’t return a file listing but just the tree structure. The player responds with a series of path commands with the following structure. The tree is terminated with an empty MediaBranch command. MediaBranch The specifies the channels that can use the media.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 6: Remote Control Protocol PLAYLIST COMMANDS: The player protocol implements two different techniques for managing playlists. If the player responds to the “Supports LocalPlaylists” command the player must implement the playlist creation and replay commands. An additional interface is provided allowing a control system to manage playlists locally. ClearPlaylist This command clears all the entries from the playlist identified by .
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 6: Remote Control Protocol LoadPlaylist Loads the playlist identified by onto the channels specified in . The clips specified in the playlist must be available to all channels identified in . The loaded file will begin playing. The Player will respond with Fileplaying 1 /media/clipname.mpg or ERROR ListPlaylist Returns a list of the clips contained in the playlist identified by .
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 6: Remote Control Protocol PLAYBACK COMMANDS: LoadClip Load a clip to a channel list. This command provides an alternative interface to the playlist commands. The LoadClip and LoadNextClip interface allow a control system to remotely manage playback on the player. The loaded file will begin playing. The Player will respond with Fileplaying 1 /media/clipname.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 6: Remote Control Protocol Audiooff Mute the audio on the requested channel. The Player will respond with OK or ERROR Loopon Enable the Auto repeat mode. Channel will loop (auto-repeat) at the end of the selected files in the playlist. The Player will respond with OK or ERROR Loopoff Turn off the loop flag for the requested channel.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 6: Remote Control Protocol GPIO COMMANDS: When using the MS9400 with an optional GPIO Interface module additional commands are available that enable the MS9400 to control or be controlled by an external device. NOTE: Refer to Chapter 7: Using the GPIO Interface for more information. Getinput Verify the state of the four (4) GPIO Inputs. The Player will respond with inputstate 1(+ or -) 2(+ or -) 3(+ or -) 4(+ or -) where ‘+’ = ON ‘-‘ = OFF.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 6: Remote Control Protocol CONTROL PORT CONNECTIONS The MS9400 facilitates remote control with Serial and LAN connectors located at the rear. We recommend that you use commercially manufactured connecting cables. Should you wish to make your own cables, the MS9400’s control pin-outs are given below. Serial Port Pinout 9 WAY D TYPE (FRONT 1 6 PIN1 PIN2 PIN3 PIN4 PIN5 PIN6 PIN7 PIN8 PIN9 5 9 n/c Receive Data Transmit Data n/c Ground n/c n/c n/c n/c Figure 11.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Using the GPIO Control Interface Using the GPIO Control Interface GPIO Physical Interface Back view of the MS9400 with the GPIO Interface installed: The GPIO Control Interface offers opto-isolated inputs and relay change-over outputs that can be controlled via third party show-control software, ESCAN or directly from the MS9400.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 7: Using the GPIO Control Interface Input Circuit Wiring Configuration The opto-isolated input circuits provide for various connection scenarios, two common methods follow: Option 1 – Input switch contacts using the GPIO’s own power supply. This method is useful in the majority of applications when the current requirement is within the allowable limit of the MS9400 - 500mA available for external use. Option 2 – Input switch contacts using an external power supply.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 7: Using the GPIO Control Interface GPIO Command Protocol The protocol used to communicate with the MS9400 GPIO board from ESCAN will mirror the text protocol used from the MediaSonic FrEND range of products, with an important difference: § The commands will not have space separators in the command names. i.e. SET OUTPUT on the FrEND will become SETOUTPUT on the MS9400.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Appendix A: TCP/IP Communications Digital Inputs The number of Digital inputs available on the MS9400 is currently four (4) but the protocol allows for future expansion. The MS9400 will send out an inputstate (See description of GET INPUT) message whenever the state of an input changes. The input state message will contain the current state of all inputs. It is up to the control system to determine which input(s) changed and act accordingly.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Appendix A: TCP/IP Communications Programming the GPIO Functions Functions 10-17 (F10.mac - F17.mac) are user-defined sequences of control cues. Upon receiving a ‘change of status signal’ such as a switch connected to Input 1 being activated, the GPIO will call-up the corresponding sequence. F10.mac: Sequence runs if GPIO Input 1 High (transitions from Low to High) F11.mac: Sequence runs if GPIO Input 2 High (transitions from Low to High) F12.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Appendix A: Appendix A: TCP/IP Communications TCP/IP Communications An Introductory Note A full explanation of Ethernet communication is beyond the scope of this user guide. However, the following details should provide enough information to understand the basic concepts. Ethernet Communication The MS9400 HD FrEND can be controlled via RS-232 and Ethernet connections. Most users will be familiar with RS-232 communication.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Appendix A: TCP/IP Communications Dynamic Assignment Dynamic address assignment requires the use of a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) Player that automatically assigns an address to a network device each time it connects. When the device connects, it may be assigned an address that differs from the address it was last assigned. Static Assignment Static assignment allows the user to assign an IP address to a device.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Appendix A: TCP/IP Communications The most common IP Address classes are: Class Name Class A Class B Class C Valid Address 0.0.0.1 to 127.255.255.254 128.0.0.1 to 191.255.255.254 192.0.0.1 to 223.255.255.254 Range Identifier Arrangement NNN.HHH.HHH.HHH NNN.NNN.HHH.HHH NNN.NNN.NNN.HHH Where: NNN = Network identifier HHH = Host identifier Pinging a Device You can perform a simple test from your control computer to check that the MS9400 is responding correctly.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Appendix A: TCP/IP Communications A message of: • Request timed out - indicates that there has been no response from the specified address. Either the device is not receiving data from the computer or the device is sending data. Check the data cabling, power and setup of the affected device. • Reply from 208.132.180.48: Destination host unreachable- indicates that you are trying to ping an address with a different network identifier than your computer.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Appendix B: Appendix B: An Introduction to MPEG An Introduction to MPEG It is not an exaggeration to say there is a revolution in the world of television broadcasting, often referred to as the digital revolution. The ability of computers and related technology to process digital video, is leading to new possibilities of interactivity. MPEG is one of the key technologies driving this revolution.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Appendix B: An Introduction to MPEG • A profile is a subset of algorithmic tools • A level identifies a set of constraints on parameter values (such as picture size and bit rate). A Decoder that supports a particular profile and level is only required to support the corresponding subset of the full standard and parameter constraints. The MPEG compression standard is now in use throughout the television broadcast community.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Appendix B: An Introduction to MPEG Multiplexes And Elementary Streams So far the discussion has concentrated on audio and video as if they were completely separate entities. Most applications using MPEG require audio and video to be combined, somehow, in such a way that during playback they remain synchronized (i.e. Lip Sync).
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Appendix B: An Introduction to MPEG Transport Stream A transport stream is another MPEG 2 mechanism for combining audio and video elementary streams. It has the following two differences from Program streams: • The packet size is much smaller, therefore allowing easier recovery from bit errors in the stream. • The transport stream can contain any number of different audio and video stream pairs.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Appendix C: Appendix C: Encoding Guidlines Encoding Guidelines The following notes present encoding details required for the MS9400 High Definition Video Player. • MPEG files must be encoded as a Transport Stream. • Elementary Video stream must be Main Profile High Level MP@HL 4:2:0. • Elementary Audio Stream must be AC3 encoded. • Transport stream packet size is 188bytes. This is the standard size, although some encoders generate packets of 204 bytes.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Appendix D: Appendix D: Specifications Specifications Primary Video Output § Format: RGBHV / YPrPb to SMPTE274M and 296M § Tri level sync on YPrPb mode as specified by EIA770 HD - Video Connector 15 pin miniature D type socket Pin Number Name Pin Number Name 1 Red/Pr 9 No Connect 2 Green/Y 10 Sync Ground 3 Blue/Pb 11 No Connect 4 No Connect 12 No Connect 5 No Connect 13 H Sync 6 Red Ground 14 V Sync 7 Green Ground 15 No Connect 8 Blue Groun
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Appendix D: Specifications Digital Video Decoder § ISO/IEC 13818-2 MPEG2 Compliant Video Decoder supports MP@HL decoding. § ISO/IEC 13818-1 Transport stream compliant § All ATSC compliant decode formats supported § Better than ATSC quality using data rates up to 35Mbps § 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 720 x 480 § 16:9, 4:3, Aspect Ratio support Flexible Format Converter § High quality up / down converter of source video to selected display format.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Appendix D: Specifications Audio § Stereo analog audio output via L/R RCA phono line out connector. § Stereo Audio 100mV p-p § Front panel Volume control Audio Processing § Dolby Digital AC3 § Sampling Rates 44.1KHz, 48KHz § Audio Bit Rate 384Kbps SPDIF § Output via RCA phono connector § Digital Audio IEC – 61937 (SPDIF) § Audio Output Level 1V p – p § Audio Output Impedance 600 ohms Network RJ45 Ethernet 10/100Base T auto sensing.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Index Index Command String Day of Week End Date Events Example Start Date A Audio Format SPDIF/5.
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Index M Menu Display Playlists Remote-RS232 Remote-TCP/IP System MPEG GOP I, P & B Frames MPEG-1 MPEG-2 Level Profile Multiplex Program Stream System Streams Transport Stream MPEG data loading MPEG Encoding Guidelines AC3 Audio Bit Rates Common video resolutions GOP MP@HL PID Transport Stream Packet size Multiplex 18, 19 20 21 23 24 22 55 56 56 55 55 56 56 57 57 57 58, 59 25 59 59 59 59 59 59 59 59 57 N NTSC 32 21 22 57 Q Quick Start 18 R Rear Panel AUDIO ETHERNET POWER OF
MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Subnet Index 24 V Video Format Video Ourput Resoltion 20 W 11 65 Wall Mounting 12 Rev. 1.
