Ayre Acoustics RS-232 User Manual

Ayre DX-5 Universal A/V Engine

RS-232 Control Protocol -- May 2010

Note: The Ayre DX-5 Universal A/V Engine comes with AyreLink connectors for system
communications. The advantage of AyreLink is that it utilizes opto-isolators to ensure that no
ground loops are formed, and that any RFI generated by the CPU in the system controller is
completely isolated from the audio and video systems.

To use an RS-232C controller link for wired system control, an external Ayre RS-232C-to­AyreLink adapter unit is required. The RS-232C port is configured as a DCE device using a
female 9-pin D-Sub type connector.

RS-232 Pin Configuration:

The pin out of the DX-5 RS-232C-to-AyreLink adapter unit port is as follows:

Pin

Signal

This pin configuration allows a PC running a serial terminal program (such as HyperTerminal) to
communicate with the player using a straight-through DB9 9-pin RS-232 serial cable. Do NOT
use a “Null-Modem” type cable for PC connection. For connection to a system controller (eg,
Crestron, AMX), please refer to the documentation that comes with the controller.

Communication Settings:

Baud Rate

9600

Command Structure:

Each command starts with a # sign (ASCII 0x23), followed by a 3-character command code. If
there are any parameters for the command, the parameters are given in text format, separated
by a space (ASCII 0x20) from the command code. The # character (ASCII 0x23) must never
appear in the parameters. A carriage return (ASCII 0x0D) indicates the end of the command.
Each command must not exceed 25 bytes including the start of command and end of command
bytes.

The illustration of the command structure is as the followings:

2 3 5

TXD

Data Bits Parity Stop Bit Flow Control

8 None 1 None

RXD GND

<Command> = <Start of Command><Command Code>[<sp><Parameters>]

<End of Command>

where:
<Start of Command> = # (ASCII 0x23)
<Command Code> = <byte><byte><byte> (three ASCII characters)
<sp> = space (ASCII 0x20)
<Parameters> = command-specific (ASCII characters)
<End of Command> = CR (ASCII 0x0D)

1

Response Structure:

Upon receiving a command, the player shall try to execute the command and send back a
response. Two response formats are supported: the short response and the verbose response.
The short response is used by default. If the verbose mode (See command reference for SVM)
is set, the verbose response will be used instead.

The response starts with an “@” sign (ASCII 0x23), (followed by the original command code and
a space (ASCII 0x20) if the verbose response is in use), and a result code, either “OK” or “ER”.
If there are any parameters or additional messages, these are given in text format, separated by
a space (ASCII 0x20) from the result code. The @ character (ASCII 0x40) must never appear in
the parameters or message. A carriage return (ASCII 0x0D) indicates the end of response. Each
response must not exceed 25 bytes, including the start of response and the end of response
bytes.

The illustration of the response structure is as the followings:

<Short Response> = <Start of Response><Result Code>[<sp><Parameters>]

<End of Response>

<Verbose Response> = <Start of Response><Command Code><sp><Result Code>

[<sp><Parameters>]<End of Response>

where:
<Start of Response> = @ (ASCII 0x40)
<Command Code> = <byte><byte><byte> (three ASCII characters)
<Result Code> = OK / ER (OK / Error)
<sp> = space (ASCII 0x20)
<Parameters> = command-specific (ASCII characters)
<End of Response> = CR (ASCII 0x0D)

Status Update Messages Structure:

If the verbose mode is set to “2“ or “3“, the player will send status update messages
automatically. These messages are not a response to any particular command. Any status
change caused by commands from RS-232, front panel buttons, IR remote control, or playback
progress may trigger status update messages.

The status update messages have the following structure:

<Update> = <Start of Update><Status Code>[<sp><Parameters>]<End of Update>

where:
<Start of Update> = @ (ASCII 0x40)
<Status Code> = <byte><byte><byte> (three ASCII characters)
<sp> = space (ASCII 0x20)
<Parameters> = status-specific (ASCII characters)
<End of Response> = CR (ASCII 0x0D)

2

Command Sequence:

Commands are executed in the order received. The host should wait for a response from the
player before sending the next command. If the player receives a new command before
executing the previous command, the player may discard the previous command. If the host
does not receive a response from the player 10 seconds after the command is issued, the host
may consider the command lost during transmission, and can retransmit the command.

Command List:

A. Command that maps to a remote control button

These commands map directly to the infrared remote control buttons and are handled in the
same way. No parameters are needed for these commands. For actions that require a multiple­key sequence, such as go to a certain chapter (GoTo command, numeric key commands, Enter
command), the player responds to each command individually. When the last command is
received the player shall respond with either OK or ER depending on the result of the action.

Command

Code

POW Power Toggle “Standby” and “On” OK ON

SRC Source Go to Home Menu OK
EJT Open Open/close the disc tray OK OPEN

PON On Discrete on OK ON
POF Off Discrete off OK OFF
SYS P/N Switch output TV system OK NTSC

DIM Dimmer Dim front panel display OK ON

PUR Pure Audio Pure audio mode (no video) OK ON

MUT Mute Mute audio OK MUTE

NU1 1 Numeric key 1 OK
NU2 2 Numeric key 2 OK
NU3 3 Numeric key 3 OK
NU4 4 Numeric key 4 OK
NU5 5 Numeric key 5 OK
NU6 6 Numeric key 6 OK
NU7 7 Numeric key 7 OK
NU8 8 Numeric key 8 OK
NU9 9 Numeric key 9 OK
NU0 0 Numeric key 0 OK
CLR Clear Clear numeric input OK

Remote Key Function Response Example

OK OFF

OK CLOSE

OK PAL
OK AUTO

OK DIM
OK OFF

OK OFF

OK UNMUTE

3

GOT Go To Play from a specified location OK
HOM Home Go to Home Menu OK
PUP Page Up Show previous page OK
PDN Page Down Show next page OK
OSD Display Show/hide on-screen display OK
TTL Top Menu Show BD top or DVD title menu OK
MNU PopUp Menu Show BD pop-up or DVD menu OK
NUP Up Arrow Navigation OK
NLT Left Arrow Navigation OK
NRT Right Arrow Navigation OK
NDN Down Arrow Navigation OK
SEL Enter Navigation OK
SET Setup Enter the player setup menu OK
RET Return Return to previous menu/mode OK
RED Red Function varies by content OK
GRN Green Function varies by content OK
BLU Blue Function varies by content OK
YLW Yellow Function varies by content OK
STP Stop Stop playback OK
PLA Play Start playback OK
PAU Pause Pause playback OK
PRE Prev Skip to previous OK
REV Rev Fast reverse play OK 1X
FWD Fwd Fast forward play OK 1X
NXT Next Skip to next OK
AUD Audio Change audio soundtrack OK
SUB Subtitle Change subtitle language OK
ANG Angle Change camera angle OK a/b (current angle/total angles)
ZOM Zoom Adjust zoom and aspect ratio OK (zoom ratio)
SAP SAP Secondary Audio Program OK (audio track information)

OK OFF

ATB AB Replay Repeat the selected section OK A-

OK A-B
OK OFF

RPT Repeat Repeat play OK Repeat Chapter

OK Repeat Title
OK OFF

PIP PIP Show/hide Picture-in-Picture OK (PIP program info)

OK OFF
HDM Resolution Switch output resolution OK
SUH Subtitle (hold) Activate subtitle shift feature OK
NOP No operation OK

4

B. Query Commands

This group of commands issues queries to the player. The player shall respond according to its
current status.

Command

Code

QVM Query verbose mode OK 0

QPW Query power status OK ON

QVR Query firmware version OK AYDX5-50-0424
QVL Query volume OK 100

QHD Query HDMI resolution OK 480P

QPL Query playback status OK NO DISC

Function Response Example

OK 1
OK 2
OK 3

OK OFF

OK MUTE

OK 720P50
OK 1080P60
OK AUTO

OK LOADING
OK OPEN
OK CLOSE
OK PLAY
OK PAUSE
OK STOP
OK STEP
OK FREV
OK FFWD
OK SFWD
OK SREV
OK SETUP
OK HOME MENU
OK MEDIA CENTER

QTK Query track/title OK 2/10
QCH Query chapter OK 3/3
QTE Query track/title elapsed time OK 0:1:34
QTR Query track/title remaining time OK 1:20:23
QCE Query chapter elapsed time OK 0:1:34
QCR Query chapter remaining time OK 0:12:22
QEL Query total elapsed time OK 0:5:12
QRE Query total remaining time OK 1:34:44
QAT Query audio type OK DD 1/1

OK DD 1/5 English
OK DTS 2/5 English
OK LPCM
OK DTS-HD 1/4 English

5

QDT Query disc type OK BD-MV

OK DVD-VIDEO
OK DVD-AUDIO
OK SACD
OK CDDA
OK HDCD
OK DATA-DISC

QST Query subtitle type OK OFF

OK 1/1 English

QSH Query subtitle shift OK -5

(valid returns are -5 .. 00 .. 05)

QOP Query OSD position OK 0

(valid returns are 0 .. 5)

QRP Query repeat mode OK 00 OFF

OK 01 REPEAT ONE
OK 02 REPEAT CHAPTER
OK 03 REPEAT ALL
OK 04 REPEAT TITLE
OK 05 SHUFFLE
OK 06 RANDOM

QZM Query zoom mode OK 00 OFF

OK 01 STRETCH
OK 02 FULL
OK 03 UNDERSCAN
OK 04 1.2
OK 05 1.3
OK 06 1.5
OK 07 2
OK 08 3
OK 09 4
OK 10 1/2
OK 11 1/3
OK 12 1/4

C. Advanced Commands

This group of commands instructs the player to perform an advanced operation in a
single step.

Command

Code

SVM 0

Parameters Function Response Example

1
2
3

0 – Set Verbose Mode to off
1 – Commands are echoed back in the response
2 – Enable unsolicited status update
Only major status changes are reported
3 – Enable detailed status update
When content is playing, the player sends out
playback time update every second

OK 0
OK 1
OK 2
OK 3

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SHD SDI

SDP
720P
1080I
1080P
SRC
AUTO

SPN NTSC

PAL
AUTO

SZM 1

AR
FS
US

1.2

1.3

1.5
2
1/2

SRP CH

TT
ALL
OFF
SHF
RND

SRH T3

C10
C 0:00:34
T 0:12:13
0:12:13

DPL Direct play OK
RST Reset RS-232 Command – Clean all command

SSH -5 .. 5 Set subtitle shift OK -5

SOP 0 .. 5 Set OSD position OK 5

Set HDMI output resolution
SDI – Standard definition interlaced (480i/576i)
SDP – Standard definition progressive (480p/576p)
SRC – Source Direct

Set output TV system OK NTSC

Set zoom ratio.
AR – Aspect ratio (Stretch, Letterbox or Pillarbox)
FS – Full Screen
US – Underscan

Repeat chapter
Repeat title or CD track
Repeat all
Repeat off
Shuffle
Random

Search to Title 3
Search to Chapter 10
Search to 0:00:34 of the current chapter or track
Search to 0:12:13 of the current title or disc
Search to 0:12:13 of the current title or disc

buffers, do not wait for any pending/executing
commands. Start over again.

OK 480P
(OK followed by the
original parameter)

OK PAL
OK AUTO

OK 1
(OK followed by the
zoom ratio)
ER INVALID

OK CH
(OK followed by the
repeat mode)
ER INVALID

OK
ER INVALID

OK

(OK followed by the
shift level)
ER INVALID

(OK followed by the
position value)
ER INVALID

7

Status Update Messages:

The following status update messages are sent by the player automatically when the
verbose mode is set to 2 or 3.

Verbose Mode 2:

- Power Status Update:

UPW

Sent when there is a change of power on/off status.
Possible parameters: 1 digit

1 – Player is turned on
0 – Player is going off

Example: @UPW 1

- Playback Status Update:

UPL

Sent when there is a change of playback status.
Possible Parameters: 4 chars

DISC – No disc
LOAD – Loading disc
OPEN – Tray is open
CLOS – Tray is closing
PLAY – Playback is starting
PAUS – Playback is paused
STOP – Playback is stopped
STPF – Forward frame-by-frame step mode
STPR – Reverse frame-by-frame step mode
FFWn – Fast forward mode. Where n is a number of 1..5 to indicate the

speed level

FRVn – Fast reverse mode. Where n is a number of 1..5 to indicate the

speed level

SFWn – Slow forward mode. Where n is a number of 1..5 to indicate the

speed level (1 = ½, 2 = ¼, 3 = 1/8, 4 = 1/16, 5 = 1/32)

SRVn – Slow reverse mode. Where n is a number of 1..5 to indicate the

speed level (1 = ½, 2 = ¼, 3 = 1/8, 4 = 1/16, 5 = 1/32)
HOME – in home menu
MCTR – in media center

Example: @UPL PLAY

UVL - Volume Level Update:

Sent when there is a change in volume level or mute status.
Possible Parameters: 3 chars

MUT – Mute is engaged
100 – Current volume level. Sent when mute is canceled.

Example: @UVL 100

8

- Disc Type Update:

UDT

Sent when a new disc type is detected.
Possible Parameters: 4 chars

BDMV - Blu-ray Disc
DVDV – DVD-Video
DVDA – DVD-Audio
SACD
CDDA
HDCD
DATA – Data disc
VCD2 – VCD 2.0
SVCD - SVCD

Example: @UDT DVDV

UAT - Audio Type Update:

Sent when a new audio track is encountered.
Parameters: Type (2 chars), space, number (01/99, 5 chars), space, language (3
chars), space, channels (2 chars)
Type code:

DD – Dolby Digital
DP – Dolby Digital Plus
DT – Dolby TrueHD
TS – DTS
TH – DTS-HD High Resolution
TM – DTS-HD Master Audio
PC – LPCM
MP – MPEG Audio
CD – CD Audio
UN – Unknown

Number: current audio track / available audio tracks in 2-digit number format.
For example, 01/99 means the first of 99 available tracks; 02/05 means the
second of 5 available tracks. If only one track is available, it is 01/01.
Language: Three-character language code: ENG for English, FRA for French,
and so on (ISO3166). UNK for unknown.
Channels: 1.0 for mono, 2.0 for stereo, 5.1 or 7.1 for 5.1-channel or 7.1-ch
surround, 0.0 for unknown.
Example: @UAT DD 01/05 ENG 5.1

- Subtitle Type Update:

UST

Sent when a new subtitle is selected.

Parameters: number (01/99, 5 chars), space, language (3 chars)
Number: current subtitle track / available subtitle tracks in 2-digit number format.

For example, 01/99 means the first of 99 available tracks; 02/05 means the
second of 5 available tracks. If subtitle is set to off, use 00/xx where xx is the
number of available subtitle tracks. If no subtitle is available, use 00/00.
Language: Three-character language code: ENG for English, FRA for French,
and so on (ISO3166). UNK for unknown.
Example: @UST 02/05 ENG

9

Verbose Mode 3:

UTC - Time Code Update:

Sent every second when the playback time advances. The time information is the
same as the front panel display. To switch to a different type of time information,
please refer to the STC command.
Parameters: Title (3 digits), space, Chapter (3 digits), space, Type (1 chars),
space, time (8 chars HH:MM:SS)
Title: Current title number. For example, 001. For discs without title numbers
(CD), 001 is always used.

Chapter: Current chapter or track number. For example, 003.
Type Code:

E – Total Elapsed time
R – Total Remaining time
T – Title Elapsed time
X – Title Remaining time
C – Chapter/track Elapsed time
K – Chapter/track Remaining time

Example: @UTC 001 001 C 00:01:23

UVO - Video Resolution Update:

Sent when the source content resolution or the output resolution is changed.

Parameters: Source resolution (7 chars), space, Output resolution (7 chars)
Resolution Names:

_480I60 – 480i 60/59.94Hz
_480P60 – 480p 60/59.94Hz
_576I50 – 576i 50Hz
_576P50 – 576p 50Hz
_720P60 – 720p 60/59.94Hz
_720P50 – 720p 50Hz
1080I60 – 1080i 60/59.94Hz
1080I50 – 1080i 50Hz
1080P60 – 1080p 60/59.94Hz
1080P50 – 1080p 50Hz
1080P24 – 1080p 24Hz
1080P23 – 1080p 23.97Hz

10

Examples:

The following are examples of playing a Blu-ray movie using the RS-232 control
protocol. The comments are placed after the semicolon.

Example 1 – No verbose mode in use. Backwards compatible to the original version of
the RS232 control protocol.

#PON ; Turn on power
@OK ON ; Player is turned on
#QPW ; Check power status
@OK OFF ; Player is still doing power-on initialization
(Wait for a while)
#QPW ; Check power status
@OK ON ; Player is powered on and ready
#EJT ; Eject the tray
@OK OPEN ; Tray opens
(Place a disc on the tray)
#PLA ; Start playback
@OK PLAY ; You may get “ER OVERTIME” message due to the

; mechanical delay. This is normal
#QDT ; Check disc type
@OK LOADING ; Player is still loading
(Wait for a while)
#QDT ; Check disc type again
@OK BD-MV : Disc is a Blu-ray disc.
#QPL ; Check playback status
@OK PLAY : Playback is in progress
(Watch the movie)
#STP ; Stop playback
@OK STOP : Playback has stopped
#EJT ; Eject the tray
@OK OPEN ; Tray opens
(Take out the disc)
#POF ; Turn off power
@OK OFF ; The player turns off

Example 2 – Verbose mode 2. The player provides important status updates.

#SVM 2 ; Set verbose mode to level 2
@SVM OK 2 ; Response to confirm the verbose mode. Notice the

; SVM command code is now included in the response.
#PON ; Turn on power
@PON OK ON ; Player is turned on
@UPW 1 ; Player provides a status update to indicate the new power status
@SVM OK 2 ; This is a repeat of the SVM response because the main

; processor comes on line.
@UPL DISC ; Player indicates that there is no disc
#EJT ; Eject the tray
@EJT OK OPEN ; Tray opens
@UPL OPEN ; Player indicates that the tray is open
(Place a disc on the tray)

11

#PLA ; Start playback
@PLA OK PLAY ; Player confirms playback action
@UPL CLOS ; Player indicates that the tray is closing
@UPL LOAD ; Player indicates that the disc is loading
@UDT BDMV ; Player indicates that the disc type is Blu-ray
@UAT DT 01/01 ENG 5.1 ; Current audio is Dolby TrueHD English 5.1ch
@UST 00/00 UNK ; Current subtitle is none
@UPL PLAY ; Current status is playing
(Watch the movie)
#STP ; Stop playback
@STP OK STOP ; Player confirms stop action
@UPL STOP ; Player indicates that playback has stopped
@UPL STOP ; It is normal to see repeated status update
#EJT ; Eject the tray
@UPL STOP ; It is normal to see repeated status update
@EJT OK OPEN ; Tray opens
@UPL OPEN ; Status update to show that the tray is open
(Take out the disc)
#POF ; Turn off power
@POF OK OFF ; Player confirms the action
@UPL CLOS ; The tray is closing
@UPL LOAD ; Player is trying to read the disc
@UPW 0 ; Player reports that the power is turned off

Example 3 – Verbose mode 3. The player provides more detailed status updates.

#SVM 3 ; Set verbose mode to level 3
@SVM OK 3 ; Response to confirm the verbose mode. Notice the

; SVM command code is now included in the response.
#PON ; Turn on power
@PON OK ON ; Player is turned on
@UPW 1 ; Player provides a status update to indicate the new power status
@SVM OK 3 ; This is a repeat of the SVM response because the main

; processor comes on line.
@UPL DISC ; Player indicates that there is no disc
#EJT ; Eject the tray
@EJT OK OPEN ; Tray opens
@UPL OPEN ; Player indicates that the tray is open
(Place a disc on the tray)
#PLA ; Start playback
@PLA OK PLAY ; Player confirms playback action
@UPL CLOS ; Player indicates that the tray is closing
@UPL LOAD ; Player indicates that the disc is loading
@UDT BDMV ; Player indicates that the disc type is Blu-ray
@UTC 000 000 T 00:00:00 ; Player indicates that the current counter is all 0 and

; play back is about to begin
@UVO 1080P23 1080P60 ; Player indicates that the source program resolution is

; 1080p 23.976Hz, and the output resolution is 1080p60

12

@UAT DT 01/01 ENG 0.0 ; Current audio is Dolby TrueHD English with unknown

; number of channels
@UST 00/00 UNK ; Current subtitle is none
@UTC 126 002 T 00:01:27 ; Playback resumes at Title 126, Chapter 2, title elapsed

; time 00:01:27
@UPL PLAY ; Current status is playing
@UAT DT 01/01 ENG 5.1 ; Current audio is Dolby TrueHD English 5.1ch
@UTC 126 002 T 00:01:28 ; Player provides continuous counter updates
@UTC 126 002 T 00:01:29
@UTC 126 002 T 00:01:30
@UTC 126 002 T 00:01:31
@UTC 126 002 T 00:01:32
@UTC 126 002 T 00:01:33
@UTC 126 002 T 00:01:34
@UTC 126 002 T 00:01:35
@UTC 126 002 T 00:01:36
@UTC 126 002 T 00:01:37
@UTC 126 002 T 00:01:38
@UTC 126 002 T 00:01:39
#PAU ; Pause
@PAU OK PAUSE ; Confirm pause operation
@UPL PAUS ; Current status is paused
#PLA ; Play again
@PLA OK PLAY ; Confirm play operation
@UPL PLAY ; Current status is playing
@UTC 126 002 T 00:01:40 ; Counter updates continue
@UTC 126 002 T 00:01:41
@UTC 126 002 T 00:01:42
(Watch the movie)
#STP ; Stop playback
@STP OK STOP ; Player confirms stop action
@UPL STOP ; Player indicates that playback has stopped
@UPL STOP ; It is normal to see repeated status update
#EJT ; Eject the tray
@UPL STOP ; It is normal to see repeated status update
@EJT OK OPEN ; Tray opens
@UPL OPEN ; Status update to show that the tray is open
@UVO 1080P60 1080P60 ; Resolution change – the background screen is 1080p60

; and the output is also 1080p60
(Take out the disc)
#POF ; Turn off power
@POF OK OFF ; Player confirms the action
@UPL CLOS ; The tray is closing
@UPL LOAD ; Player is trying to read the disc
@UPW 0 ; Player reports that the power is turned off

- - -

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