Issued by:
Electrosonic Media Networks Division
3420 North San Fernando Blvd
Burbank, CA 91504
Tel: + 1.818.566.3054 Fax: + 1.818.566.3053
E-mail: information@mediasonic.com
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PMS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Preface
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
Index
A full contents list appears after this preface.
HD FrEND MS9400
Tested To Comply
with FCC Standards
CE Compliance
This Information Technology Equipment has been tested and found to comply with the following European
directives:
IEMC Directive 89/336/EEC amending directive 92/31/EEC & 93/68/EEC as per EN55024: 1998
EN55022: 1998 Class B
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PMS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Preface
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.
Document History
MANUAL VERSION DATE BY COMMENTS
1.0 10.03.03 SS/GC/AG PRELIMINARY Release
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 08.26.04 SS Software Update – Serial Port Event Scheduler; Pass
Through mode/Port 4001; Reset Menu display. Physical
layout
1.41 09.03.04 SS Mounting information
1.42 12.14.04 SS Menu Button Functions; IR mute
1.43 01.07.05 SS Update Serial Port Event Scheduler
1.44 03.18.05 SS GPIO Features, Menu Updates, IR Soft Function Keys
1.50 04.08.05 SS Default Gateway, Command Protocols
1.51 05.16.05 SS GPIO Input wiring, Option 2.
1.52 07.18.05 SS Enable Scheduler Options Protocol; Modify Startup
Playlist; Spaces in File/Playlist names note; New IR Remote
1.53 09.30.05 SS General Updates
1.54 10.06.05 SS Add ‘GetState’ command
Trademarks
MEDIASONIC ®, MS ® and the MEDIASONIC ® logo are registered trademarks of ELECTROSONIC LTD.
ELECTROSONIC
LTD.
WINDOWS
All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
®, ES ® and the ELECTROSONIC ® logo are registered trademarks of ELECTROSONIC
® is a registered trademark of MICROSOFT CORPORATION.
About This User Guide ....................................................................................................................................3
CE Compliance...............................................................................................................................................3
Main features:..................................................................................................................................................9
Chapter 2: Player Controls and Set-Up...........................................11
Front Panel .....................................................................................................................................................11
Front Panel Controls .................................................................................................................................11
System Configuration ...................................................................................................................................13
Start Date ..................................................................................................................................................29
End Date....................................................................................................................................................29
Day of Week ............................................................................................................................................. 29
Example Script Files......................................................................................................................................30
Example 1: Turn Display ON/OFF ...........................................................................................................30
Example 2: Load and Play a Playlist ..................................................................................................... 30
Chapter 5: Playing Files.................................................................... 31
MS9400 in a Stand-alone installation.........................................................................................................31
To play files resident on the MS9400 disk drive:...................................................................................31
Menu access during Playback:............................................................................................................. 32
Creating a Playlist ....................................................................................................................................33
Local Control ............................................................................................................................................36
Play <Channel list>................................................................................................................................... 41
CONTROL PORT CONNECTIONS .................................................................................................................44
Serial Port Pinout .......................................................................................................................................44
Digital Outputs ..........................................................................................................................................47
Digital Inputs..............................................................................................................................................47
Programming the IR Remote Functions.....................................................................................................48
Programming the GPIO Functions..............................................................................................................49
An Example GPIO Control sequence:...................................................................................................49
An Introductory Note....................................................................................................................................50
Ethernet Communication ............................................................................................................................50
The IP Address................................................................................................................................................51
Network and Host Identifiers...................................................................................................................51
Class Names ..............................................................................................................................................51
Pinging a Device...........................................................................................................................................52
Performing a Ping .....................................................................................................................................52
Example 1: A successful Ping..................................................................................................................52
Example 2: Unsuccessful Pings................................................................................................................52
Appendix B: An Introduction to MPEG..........................................54
Digital and Compre ssion Video .............................................................................................................54
What is MPEG?..........................................................................................................................................54
I, B and P frames. ......................................................................................................................................55
Groups Of Pictures - GOP........................................................................................................................55
Multiplexes And Elementary Streams ....................................................................................................56
System Stream...........................................................................................................................................56
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PMS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Table of Contents
Program Stream ....................................................................................................................................... 56
Transport Stream ......................................................................................................................................57
Primary Video Output..................................................................................................................................59
HD - Video Connector ............................................................................................................................59
Secondary Video Outputs:.........................................................................................................................59
Physical Features ..........................................................................................................................................61
Index ...................................................................................................... 62
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MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 1: 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.
Main features:
• Support for 1920 x 1080i, 1280 x 720p and 720 x 576/480p as well as other formats
• Remote management with TCP/IP interface
• Simultaneous HD and SD output
• Composite and S-Video outputs
• Compact size for easy installation close to display devices
• Analog and Digital audio
• Linux OS
• Support for ESCAN and iMediate
• IR Hand-Held Remote Control for easy access to the on-screen menu
• Programmable Function buttons on the IR Remote
• Optional GPIO Interface
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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.
NOTE: Prepare the mounting surface to accept 6-32 hardware; the mounting brackets are designed for 6-32
hardware.
1. Remove two screws (A&B in illustration) from each side of the unit.
2. Attach the angle brackets to the sides of the case using two 6-32 x 3/8” screws per side in the same
locations as shown in the following diagram.
3. Position the MS9400 with brackets attached, mark the locations for mounting screw holes (C & D).
4. Remove the MS9400 and drill the mounting holes where marked.
5. Reposition the MS9400 and secure to the mounting holes.
6. Make the necessary connections to the rear of the MS9400.
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Chapter 2: 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.
Press a particular button (direction of movement is indicated by the arrow next to it) to move the cursor
on the screen.
Press the ENTER button to make a selection.
•RESET – Press this switch to reset the MS9400. The switch is recessed behind the front panel to prevent
inadvertent activation. Use a paper clip to access the switch through the hole.
•IR WINDOW – Allows remote control from an IR source (wireless hand-held or wired)
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•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). This is accepts a locking plug from the outboard power supply adapter.
• USB – (Future) These ports facilitate data transfer to the MS9400 from portable data storage devices;
also, the user may connect a USB keyboard for accessing player functions.
• ETHERNET – Access the LAN for TCP/IP control capability and data transfer.
• CONTROL – RS232 I/O port for local computer control.
• AUDIO – Stereo ANALOG Left, Right and/or SPDIF 5.1 audio outputs.
• VIDEO, HD – High Definition Video output. (Component Video)
Connection for a High Definition Video display device.
• VIDEO, Y/C – Y/C video output (S-Video)
• VIDEO, COMPOSITE – Composite video output.
NOTE: Any of the video outputs may be used. Resolution and image quality will vary depending upon
the output selected.
•CONTROL INTERFACE Refer to Chapter 7: Using the GPIO Control Interface.
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System Configuration
Use the HD FrEND in simple stand-alone configurations consisting of the player, an HD display and an audio
system, or in more complex network integrated systems.
The following diagram illustrates a generic system utilizing an HD FrEND player. Your actual system
configuration may be different but will be some variant of that shown. The Show Control Computer is only
necessary when using the HD FrEND in a network (LAN) controlled system, or locally controlled through the
RS232 port.
Refer to Chapter 5: Remote Control Protocol, for more details.
MS9400 Generic System Interface diagram:
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MS9400 HD FrEND User Guide Chapter 2: Player Controls and Se t-U p
“Quick Start”
Assuming correct connection of the MS9400 into a display system, perform system steps 1-3 below to turn on the
player:
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, verify that the power supply is securely
connected then toggle the power switch between OFF/ON.
2. The Hard Drive Led will flash during initialization (this could take up to 1 minute).
3. Once initialization is finished, a pre-loaded file will begin playing. Video will appear on the display and
audio will be heard from the speakers - this confirms the correct system ‘hook-up’. Default play mode is
‘Loop Play’; the file will continue playing repeatedly until the MS9400 receives a ‘Stop’ command from
the remote control.
To play a different Test File:
The user may wish to view other Test File(s) present on the MS9400:
1. Press the <MENU> button on the remote control (having first, pressed the <PC> or <MS9400> button).
The on-screen menu appears with a list of the Test Files pre-loaded in the Clips folder on the MS9400:
2. Use the joystick to navigate to the desired file. Press <SELECT> on your hand-held remote control (the
file will be highlighted).
3. Navigate to and Click <Play> on the menu; the chosen file will begin loop-play until it receives a stop
command.
4. Press the <STOP> button on your hand-held remote control. The player display will go black.
5. Press <MENU> to return to the main menu
Refer to Chapter 4: Playing Files for more information
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Hand-held IR 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.
IR Remote Control Version 1
The Remote Control provided with initial versions of the MS9400 is shown in the image below:
*NOTE: Press the light-purple <PC> button on the remote control before you begin set-up. This action
ensures that the remote is configured for controlling the MS 9400.
IR Remote Control Version 2
The Remote Control provided with current versions of the MS9400 is shown in the image below:
*NOTE: Press the light-purple <MS9400> button on the remote control before you begin set-up. This action
ensures that the remote is configured for controlling the MS 9400.
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IR Remote Control Features
NOTE: Button functions on the two remote control versions are identical; only the button legends are different.
Press the <MENU> button to activate the on-screen menu.
Navigate the MS9400 screen menus by using the thumb-joystick on the hand-held remote control:
•Rock the joystick left/right/up/down as needed to move the cursor around the menu as you would a
mouse on a computer screen
• Press <SELECT> on the joystick to “Click” on the appropriate screen menu buttons.
• Press <MENU> to exit the screen menu at any time.
The <FUNC>/<LAST> button
Press the FUNC button (Version 2) or the LAST button (Version 1) and then any of buttons 1 through 9 on the
keypad to implement a number of preset control features (macros). These macros are stored as ‘FX.mac’ files in
the /media folder on the HD FrEND.
FUNC/LAST +1: Sets video output 1 mode to RGBHV
FUNC/LAST +2: Sets video output 1 mode to YPrPb
FUNC/LAST +3: Sets video output 1 resolution to 1920 x 1080i 59
FUNC/LAST +4: Sets video output 1 resolution to 1280 x 720p 59
FUNC/LAST +5: Sets video output 1 resolution to 720 x 480p 59
FUNC/LAST +6: Sets video output 1 resolution to 1920 x 1080i 50
FUNC/LAST +7: Sets video output 1 resolution to 1280 x 720p 50
FUNC/LAST +8: Sets video output 1 resolution to 720 x 576p 50
FUNC/LAST +9: Load Playlist 1 and play once
The above combinations may be customized (re-programmed) by the user to activate any of the MS9400’s control
commands (from the MS9400 Control Protocol).
NOTE: In the event that you should select a video output format that is not supported by the monit or i n use - the
screen will go black and you will lose the menu display.
To ‘reset’ the menu display i.e. return to the default video output mode (1080i29, RGBHV), press FUNC/LAST
then ‘3’ on the remote and the menu display will re-appear.
Refer to the section ‘Configuration, Display’ later in this chapter for more information on display formats
supported by the MS9400.
Refer to Chapter 7: Using the GPIO Interface for more information on customization of the ‘FX.mac’ files.
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Hand-Held IR Remote Control Button functions:
BUTTON
(Version 2)
<TV> N/A
<POWER> N/A
<CABLE> N/A
<MS9400> <PC> Sets the Remote in HD FrEND control mode.
<FUNC> <LAST> Use in conjunction with numerical buttons to access factory presets.
<LOCK> <LOCK> Press this button to prevent access to the number buttons on the IR.
<MENU> <MENU> Toggle the Screen-Menu ON/OFF
<NEXT> <TV/VCR> (Future) Skip to the next Clip in a Playlist
<1-0> <1-0> Numeric Buttons. Use these buttons with the <LAST> button to access factory
<MUTE> <MUTE> Turn off the Audio output
<ENTER> <ENTER> (Future)
<HOME> <MOUSE> (Future) Skip to the first Clip in a Playlist
<-VOL+> <-VOL+> Adjust Audio Output levels
<SELECT> <SELECT> Select an option and/or initiate an action from the Screen-Menu
BUTTON
(Version 1)
FUNCTION
presets
<-CH+> <-CH+> (Future) Scroll the media Clips list
<PL> <BUY> (Future) Open the Screen-menu on the Playlist page
<CL> <WWW> (Future) Open the Screen-Menu on the Clips page
<STOP> <STOP> Stop a file during Playback (the display will go to black)
<PAUSE> <REW> Pause during Playback (the frame will freeze on the display)
<FF> <FF> (Future) Fast-Forward to a new location in a file during Playback
<PLAY> <PLA/PAU> Play a file.
<TEST> <GUIDE> (Future) A Test-Pattern Clip appears on the display
<INFO> <INFO> Display Information about the Hard Drive usage
<IMP> <EXIT> (Future) Import data from a USB Drive
<HELP> <HELP> (Future)
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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. The Hard Drive Led will flash whilst the MS9400 is completing its initialization. This could take up to 30
seconds. Once the hard drive Led has stopped flashing the unit is ready for configuration.
3. Press the <MENU> button on the remote control (having first, pressed the <PC> button). The on-screen
menu appears:
The up-coming sections give information on how to the edit the configuration settings within the MENU.
NOTE: You may wish to press the <INFO> button on your Remote Control to display:
System Info: Disk Capacity and Disk space in use
Or, Select a File (.mpg) and press the ‘Info’ button on the Screen-Menu to display:
System Info: Disk Capacity, Disk space in use.
File Info: File name and PID information.
Check this data before file transfer to avoid exceeding the Hard Disk capacity.
NOTE: The HD FrEND Serial and Software Version Numbers are displayed at the top of the System Display.
Refer to the section ‘System’ later in this Chapter.
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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).
1280 x 720p @ 60.00 (Progressive).
720 x 480p @ 59.94 (Progressive).
720 x 480LB @59.94 “Letterbox”, progressive.
720 x 576p @ 50 (Progressive).
720 x 576LB @ 50 “Letterbox”, progressive.
• Output Format: Choose between RGBHV and YprPb. RGBHV is the Default output format.
NOTE: In the event that you should select a video output format that is not supported by the monit or i n use - the
screen will go black and you will lose the menu display.
To ‘reset’ the menu display, i.e. return to the default video output mode (1080i29, RGBHV), press LAST then ‘3’
on the remote and the menu display will re-appear.
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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.
NOTE: These settings do not affect a file during playback. To mute audio output during
playback use the MUTE button on the IR Hand Control.
•Playlist Mode options are:
Normal - Use this setting to allow the HD FrEND to process a Playlist comprised of
files with differing PIDs (there will be a slight delay between the end of one file and the
beginning of the next).
Smooth Transition – Use this setting to smoothly transition between files in a Playlist
comprised of MPEG files having the same PID (recommended).
NOTE: Playlist Mode options may be set remotely if required.
Refer to Chapter 6: Remote Control Protocols for more information.
•Loop Mode options are:
Loop On – File or Playlist plays continuously
Loop Off – File or Playlist plays through once and stops
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