Technicolor DCI401MCS Command Set Primer

DCI401MCS

Command Set Primer

© 2013 Technicolor. All Rights reserved

Technicolor MCS
101 W. 103rd St
Indianapolis, IN 46290
www.technicolor.com/mcs

Introduction

This document outlines some basic command set features of the DCI401MCS which can be
implemented from the COM1000 system. These features are intended to be used by system
operators in order to achieve a centralized control and command of these boxes when
deployed throughout a property. This document will explain a few of the more useful
features. Not all features are explained here. Full documentation of all command features
will be introduced in the next release of the COM1000 Integrator’s Manual.

The DCI401MCS was designed to be used specifically with the COM1000 head-end and all of
these features have been thoroughly tested to work within this system, in particular, the
QAM24/QAM6 product. While some features may work using other head-end sources, if a
Technicolor QAM is not a part of the system, there is little chance that these features will
work.

Because the COM1000/DCI401MCS system does not have a back channel, correct execution of
a command by a DCI401MCS can only be verified by inspection of the 401.

401 Link

You may access the DCI401MCS control tab in the COM24 web page by clicking on “401”. If
your COM24 web management page does not have a 401 link, please update your COM24
software to the latest available from Technicolor.

Technicolor MCS
101 W. 103rd St
Indianapolis, IN 46290
www.technicolor.com/mcs

From this page, you may select 13 different commands from the MessageType: pulldown
menu which can control the DCI401MCS in a variety of different ways. The Receiver_ID field
is used to route command messages to the right DCI401MCS box or boxes

Receiver_ID:

For every option, you may choose to broadcast the control message to a specific receiver, or
to the entire network of receivers. When you first access the control page, you will see the
Receiver_ID field set to 0xffffffff. This setting will broadcast the control message to every
DCI401MCS powered on in the network and tuned to a channel originating from the COM1000.
If you desire to send messages to a specific receiver, you may replace the 0xffffffff with the
10 digit Unit Identifier located on the bottom of the receiver or on the product packaging.

Technicolor MCS
101 W. 103rd St
Indianapolis, IN 46290
www.technicolor.com/mcs

MessageType: 0 = Download

This feature is used to update the software of the DCI401MCS. Using a TFPT server such as
TFTPd32, put the file name of the new software in the Filename field, enter the correct
TFPT_IP: address for the TFTP server, then press SUBMIT. You should notice the software
transfer on the TFTP server, then the broadcast of the software to the network. Connected
DCI401MCSs eligible for this software update should immediately begin the update process.

MessageType: 3 = Feature

This allows operators to turn on or off specific features of the DCI401MCS including the
remote power button, function buttons and menu access. Nearly every menu item or

feature in the DCI401MCS can be controlled, but for this document’s purpose, only a few key

items will be provided. Specific features are controlled by a 32 bit field entered as an 8 digit
hex number.

Select 3 = Feature,

Set your desired Receiver_ID,

In the Major_Number field, enter the desired code to turn on or off device features.

Hit Submit to broadcast this feature.

Example: Disable channel change

In this example, entering hex value 0x20000000 in the Major_Number field, will turn off the
ability of each DCI401MCS to change from the channel the device is currently tuned to,
essentially locking the DCI401MCS to a specific channel.

Technicolor MCS
101 W. 103rd St
Indianapolis, IN 46290
www.technicolor.com/mcs

Reset device to original configuration – Remove any disabled features

0x00000000

Disable Power Key from the Remote

0x01000000

Disable the Menu Key from the Remote

0x02000000

Disable the Guide Key from the Remote

0x04000000

Disable the Close Caption Key from the Remote

0x08000000

Disable the Zoom Key from the Remote

0x10000000

Disable channel change from the Remote

0x20000000

The below table lists some features commonly used in controlling a DCI401MCS

If several of these features are desired, they can be combined such that one number can be

entered to disable several features. For instance, if you’d like to turn off both the menu and

power buttons from the remote, you can combine the numbers to be 0x03000000. Sending
this feature command, both features will be disabled.

MessageType: 5 = Tune

You can force tune each of the DCI401MCS’s to a desired channel. Enter the Major_Number

and Minor_Number for the desired channel, then press Submit. This will either change
channels for a specific unit or the entire network of DCI401MCS’s.

MessageType: 6 = Scan

This will force one or more DCI401MCS’s to do a channel scan. No other fields are required to

be filled in.

MessageType: 7 = Display

This feature allows for an Alert Message to be presented on the DCI401MCS as a pop-up
message for users. Simply type the desired alert message into the Filename/Text: field,
then press SUBMIT. An Alert Message will be viewable for 20 seconds or until the user selects
OK from their unit.

MessageType: 9 = Guide Channel

This feature allows you to select the guide channel which will be associated with the GUIDE
button on the remote control. Simply enter the Major_Number and Minor_Number of the
desired channel, then press SUBMIT.