Visual Circuits Firefly User Manual

Firefly 2 & 4 Channel Media Player

Version 3.2

User Manual

Trademarks

The Visual Circuits and Firefly logos are registered trademarks in the United States and other countries. All other products, services or company names mentioned herein are claimed as trademarks and trade names by their respective companies.

No portion of this manual may be copied by any means without the prior consent of Visual Circuits.

Visual Circuits Corporation 5155 East River Road, Suite 401 Minneapol is, MN 55 421 USA http://www.visualcircuits.com

Visual Circuits Publication Number: 813-0050b

All specifications, notices and warnings are subject to change without notice.

Firefly Safety Requirements

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS:

The following safety instructions apply to Visual Circuits Corporation Firefly:

1. Read and follow all warning notices and instructions marked on the product or included in this manual. Opening or removing covers and/ or components may expose you to dangerous high voltage points or other risks. Qualified personnel should perform all servicing.

2. The maximum ambient temperature for the Firefly is 114 degrees Fahrenheit (45 degrees Celsius). Care should be given to allow sufficient air circulation or space between units when Firefly is installed in a closed or multi-unit rack assembly because the operating ambient temperature of the rack environment must be greater than room ambient temperature.

3. Slots and openings in the cabinet (chassis) are provided for ventilation. To ensure reliable operation of the product and to protect it from overheating, maintain a minimum of 1-inch (2.5-cm) clearance on the top and sides.

4. Installation of the Firefly in a rack without sufficient airflow can be unsafe.

5. If installed in a rack, the rack should safely support the combined weight of all equipment it supports. A fully loaded Firefly weighs 12 pounds (4.6 kg).

6. The connections and equipment of the Firefly should be capable of operating safely with the maximum power requirements of the Firefly. In the event of a power overload, the supply circuits and supply wiring should not become hazardous.

7. Models with AC power inputs are intended to be used with the threewire grounding type plug (a plug that has a grounding pin). This is a safety feature. Equipment grounding is vital to ensure safe operation. Do not defeat the purpose of grounding type plugs by modifying the plug or using an adapter.

8. If a three-wire grounding type power source is not available, consult a qualified electrician to determine another method of grounding the equipment.

9. Install only in restricted areas in accordance with Articles 110-16, 100-17 and 110-18 of the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70.

10. Do not allow anything to rest on the power cord and do not locate the product where persons will walk on or come in contact with the power cord.

POWER AND GROUND REQ UIREMENTS:

Determine that the cumulative power requirements of the Firefly plus other equipment in the rack do not overload the supply circuits and/or wiring.

CAUTION

If using a power strip or similar supply, make sure the power requirements of the chassis, plus the cumulative power draw of any other equipment in the rack, do not overload the supply circuit.

WARNING

For safe operation, this equipment must be properly grounded.

The chassis should be reliab ly earth grounded to the rack equ ipment. This earth ground connection must be maintained when supply connection is other than direct connection to the branch circuit.

RACK MOUNTING AND VENTILATION REQUIREMENTS:

If you are rack-mounting the Firefly base unit:

1. Always stack the rack from the bottom up to ensure a stable and safe rack.

2. The installation of the Firefly and other units within the rack should not reduce the airflow within the rack. The maximum recommended ambient temperature for the Firefly is 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius).

3. Determine that the cumulative power requirements of the Firefly plus the other equipment in the rack do not overload the rack supply circuit and/or wiring.

4. When installing, consider the location of the Firefly(s) in relation to other devices located in an adjacent rack. Ensure that the Firefly air intake is not drawing directly upon heated air from another unit. Rack Depth: The minimum rack depth required to install the Firefly is 16 inches (41 cm). If cables are used, the rack should be EMI/RFI shielded. Ensure that the cables used meet EMI/RFI requirements and are shielded if exposed. Side Rails: The Firefly has side rails provided for mounting. If different rail mounts or sliding rails are used, consult the original manufacturer of this equipment to confirm they meet the weight and stress requirements in order to support the Firefly chassis.

User Manual Regulatory Documentation

CAUTION

The CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive contains a laser system and is a ‘Class 1 Laser Product’ under a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Radiation Performance standard, according to the Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act of 1968.

Should a unit ever require maintenance, contact an authorized repair location .

CAUTION

There is danger of explosion if the battery is incorrectly replaced.

A lithium battery on the product provides backup power for the device’s timekeeping capability. The battery has an estim a te d life expectancy of ten years. When the battery starts to weaken, the date and time may become incorrect. If the battery f ails, the unit must be sent back to Visual Circuits for battery replacement.

WARNING

An improperly grounded power supply can result in electrical shock.

The AC power cord provided with y our system has a grounded plug. Always use a grounded power cord with a properly grounded wall outlet.

Class A Statement FCC Part 15 (EN61000-3-2)

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 (EN61000-3-2) of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with this instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his or her own expense.

The Firefly complies with Part 15 (EN61000-3-2) of the FCC rules.

Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. This device may not cause harmful interference.

2. This device must accept any interference that may cause undesired operation.

WARNING

Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance coul d void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

Industry Canada

This Class A digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.

Cet appareil numerique de la classe A respecte toutes les exigences du Regulement sur le materiel brouilleur du Canada.

EMC and Safety Directive Compliance

The CE mark is affixed to this Visual Circuits Corporation product to confirm compliance with the following European Community Directives:

Council Directive 89/336/EEC of 3 May 1989 on the approximation of the laws of Member States relating to electromagnetic compatibility.

And

Council Directive 73/23/EEC of 19 February 1973 on the harmonization of the laws of Member States relating to electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits:

Each amended by Council Directive 93/68/EEC of 22 July 1993 on the harmonization of CE marking requirements.

Class A Warning (EN55024, EN55022)

In a domestic environment this product may cause radio interference in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.

WARNING

Failure to provide adequate surge protection may cause damage to the Firefly.

Visual Circuits does not warranty damage caused by electrical surges to the system. Surge protection should be provided when connecting any peripheral device and power to the system.

All specifications are subject to change without notice.

OVERVIEW

Welcome to Firefly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Quick Start Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Encoding Requirements and Recommendations . 19

Remote Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Smart Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

WEBVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

Networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195

Updating Video Playback. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199

Log File Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221

External Control Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225

Front Panel Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263

Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269

Appendix. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281

Contents

CONTENTS

Welcome to Firefly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Quick Start Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

How to Plug & Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

How to Use the Remote Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Player Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Menu Functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

How To Put Media On Firefly From a CD or DVD . .11

How to Automatically Copy Media From a CD or DVD

for Playback- “Drop and Go” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Creating a Drop & Go CD/DVD. . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Playing a Drop & Go CD/DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

How To Create a Basic Playlist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Using the Remote Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Software Updating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Encoding Requirements and Recommendations . 19

Encoding Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Encoding Recommendations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Remote Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Remote Control Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Activating the Remote Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Activating and Deactivating the Remote Control on

a Specific Firefly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Contents

Globally Activating and Deactivating all Firefly’s . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Player Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Player Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Stop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Pause . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Scan Forward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Scan Reverse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Skip Forward. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Skip Reverse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Menu Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Firefly Main Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Exiting the Firefly Main Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Playlist Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Adding Videos to a Playlist . . . . . . . .33

Removing Videos from a Playlist . . . .34

Moving Videos within a Playlist. . . . .34

Viewing Media Information . . . . . . . .35

Shuffling Video Playback on a Channel.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Adding Graphic Overlays to Videos

within a Playlist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Removing Graphic Overlays from a

Playlist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Working with Graphic Overlays in a

Playlist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Creating an External A/V Playlist. . . .44

Contents

Adding External A/V Events to a Playlist

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Removing External A/V Events from a

Playlist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Moving External A/V Events within a

Playlist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

Editing External A/V Events within a

Playlist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

Exiting the Playlist Editor. . . . . . . . . .51

Schedule Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

To start creating a new schedule: . . . .53

To start editing an existing schedule: .54

To delete an existing schedule: . . . . . .54

Adding an Event to a Schedule. . . . . .57

Deleting an Event from a Schedule . .59

Editing an Event within a Schedule . .59

Assigning Dates for Video Playback .61

Exiting the Schedule Editor . . . . . . . .65

Playback Selector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65

Loading a Playlist or Schedule . . . . . .66

Media Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

Selecting Files to Copy or Delete . . . .69

Copying Selected Files . . . . . . . . . . . .70

Deleting Selected Files . . . . . . . . . . . .72

System Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

General Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

Site ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

Date/Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

iii

Contents

Time Zone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

IR Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

IR Timeout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

Version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

Uptime. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

Play Test File (Menu Only Available Via

Front Panel Interface) . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

Video Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

Video Standard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Channel 1, 2, 3, 4 Video Output . . . . .77

Audio Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Channel 1, 2, 3, 4 Audio . . . . . . . . . . .78

External A/V Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79

Genlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79

Channel 1, 2, 3, 4 Audio/Video . . . . .79

Control Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81

Accept TCP/IP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81

Baud Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

Data Bits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

Parity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

LCD Echo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

Network Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84

Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85

IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85

Netmask . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86

Gateway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86

Contents

Proxy Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87

Proxy Address. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87

Enable NTP (Network Time Protocol) . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87

NTP Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87

Enable SNMP (Simple Network

Management Protocol) . . . . . . . . . . . .87

SNMP Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88

SNMP Netmask . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88

Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88

Security Name. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88

Auth Passphrase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88

Priv Passphrase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88

Logging Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89

Run Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89

Diagnostic Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89

Log Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90

Log Default Playlist . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90

Max Log MBs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91

Upload Logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91

WebView Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92

WebView . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92

File Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92

Username . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92

FTP Auto-Update Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94

Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93

FTP IP Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94

FTP Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94

Contents

Username . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94

Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95

Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95

FTP Proxy Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95

Update Interval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95

Fixed Update Interval . . . . . . . . . . . . .95

FTP Update Now . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95

HTTP Auto-Update Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96

HTTP Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96

HTTP Port. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96

HTTP Proxy Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96

HTTP Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97

Update Interval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97

Fixed Update Interval . . . . . . . . . . . . .97

HTTP Update Now Button . . . . . . . . .97

Multicast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98

Client Enable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98

Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98

Listen Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99

Listen Port. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99

Transfer Order. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99

Reserves MBs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100

Delete Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100

Smart Card Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100

Advanced Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102

Load Config . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101

Save Config. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101

Eject Smart Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101

Contents

Audio/Video Sync. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102

Merge Playlists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102

Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103

Storage Settings (Menu Only Available Via Front

Panel Interface) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103

Usage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103

Copy From CD/DVD . . . . . . . . . . . .103

List Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104

Delete Media. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104

Delete Playlists/Schedules . . . . . . . .104

Smart Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105

Licensing Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105

Saving and Loading System Setting Configurations 106

Using Your Visual Circuits Smart Card . . . . . . . . . .106

Inserting The Smart Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107

Saving A Firefly Configuration To The Smart Card.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107

Using the Remote Control . . . . . . . .107

Using WebView . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108

Using the Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . .108

Loading A Firefly Configuration From The Smart

Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108

Using the Remote Control . . . . . . . .109

Using WebView . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109

Using the Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . .109

vii

Contents

Ejecting the Smart Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110

Using the Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . .110

Using the Remote Control . . . . . . . .110

Using WebView . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111

WEBVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

Accessing the WebView Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113

Setup Procedures: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113

Step 1: Connect to the Network . . . .113

Step 2: Determine the Address of the

Firefly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114

Step 3: Establishing Communication

with the Firefly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115

Step 4: Enter Your User Name and

Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115

Using the WebView Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116

Transferring Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117

Webview Software Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121

Reviewing, Previewing and Deleting Firefly Media.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122

Reviewing Media and Storage Usage on

the Firefly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122

Previewing Videos and Graphic

Overlays on the Firefly . . . . . . . . . . .123

Deleting Media from the Firefly . . . .124

Using the Playlist Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126

viii

Creating a New Playlist . . . . . . . . . .127

Adding Videos to a Playlist . . . . . . .127

Contents

Removing Videos from a Playlist . . .128

Moving Videos Within a Playlist . . .128

Shuffling Video Playback on a Channel.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129

Adding Graphic Overlays to a Playlist . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129

Working With Graphic Overlays in a

Playlist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131

Adding Scrolling Text to a Playlist. .134

Working With Scrolling Text in a

Playlist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135

Transparency Level. . . . . . . . . . . . . .136

Creating an External A/V Playlist. . .137

Adding External A/V Events to a Playlist

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139

Removing External A/V Events from a

Playlist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140

Moving External A/V Events within a

Playlist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141

Editing External Events within a Playlist

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141

Saving a Playlist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143

Playing a Playlist Quickly. . . . . . . . .144

Using the Schedule Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144

Creating a New Schedule . . . . . . . . .145

Adding an Event to a Schedule. . . . .147

Deleting an Event from a Schedule .148

Editing an Event within a Schedule .149

Contents

Saving a Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150

Additional Saving and Loading Methods

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151

Assigning Dates for Video Playback 154

Exiting the Schedule Editor . . . . . . .158

Using the Player Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158

Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159

Diagnostics - General . . . . . . . . . . . .160

Diagnostics - Video. . . . . . . . . . . . . .162

Diagnostics - Playback . . . . . . . . . . .163

Diagnostics - Logging. . . . . . . . . . . .164

System Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168

General Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168

Site ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169

Date/Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169

Time Zone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169

Version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169

Uptime. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169

Video Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170

Video Standard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170

Channel 1, 2, 3, 4 Video Output . . .170

Audio Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171

Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171

Channel 1, 2, 3, 4 Audio . . . . . . . . . .171

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172

External A/V Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172

Genlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172

Channel 1, 2, 3, 4 Audio/Video . . . .173

Contents

Control Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174

Accept TCP/IP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174

Baud Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175

Data Bits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175

Parity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175

Network Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176

Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176

IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177

Netmask . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177

Gateway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178

Proxy Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178

Proxy Address. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178

Enable NTP (Network Time Protocol) . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178

NTP Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178

Enable SNMP (Simple Network

Management Protocol) . . . . . . . . . . .179

SNMP Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179

SNMP Netmask . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179

Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179

Security Name. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179

Auth Passphrase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179

Priv Passphrase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180

Logging Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180

Run Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180

Diagnostic Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180

Log Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181

Contents

Log Default Playlist . . . . . . . . . . . . .181

Max Log MBs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182

Upload Logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182

WebView Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183

WebView Enable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183

File Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183

Username . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183

Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184

FTP Auto-Update Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185

Username . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185

Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186

Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186

FTP Proxy Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186

Update Interval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186

Fixed Update Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186

FTP Update Now Button . . . . . . . . .186

HTTP Auto-Update Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187

HTTP Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187

HTTP Port. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187

HTTP Proxy Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187

HTTP Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188

Update Interval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188

Fixed Update Interval . . . . . . . . . . . .188

HTTP Update Now Button . . . . . . . .188

Multicast Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189

xii

Client Enable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189

Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189

Listen Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .190

Contents

Listen Port. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .190

Transfer Order. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .190

Reserves MBs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191

Delete Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191

Smart Card Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192

Load Config . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192

Save Config. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192

Eject Smart Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192

Advanced Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193

Audio/Video Sync. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193

Merge Playlists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193

Reset Stats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194

Networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195

Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195

Media Messenger™ Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .196

Product Features:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .196

Benefits:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .196

Updating Video Playback. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199

Automatic Updating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200

Media Update Disc Updating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200

Creating a Media Update Disc . . . . .200

Drop & Go Disc Updating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202

Using a Media Update Disc . . . . . . .201

Firefly Storage Cleanup Routine . . .202

xiii

Contents

Drop & Go Basics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202

Creating a Drop & Go Playback Disc. . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203

Using a Drop & Go Playback Disc . .203

Firefly Storage Cleanup Routine . . .204

System Software Update Process . . .204

Content Update Processing . . . . . . . .205

Updating Routine Order . . . . . . . . . .206

Playlist Parsing Routine . . . . . . . . . .206

FTP U

PDATING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207

FTP Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208

Player Management . . . . . . . . . . . . .208

Creating a Firefly FTP Update Account .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .209

/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .209

/scripts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .209

/updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .209

FTP Update Process . . . . . . . . . . . . .210

FTP Updating Order . . . . . . . . . . . . .211

Playlist Parsing Routine . . . . . . . . . .211

System Update Check . . . . . . . . . . . .212

Firefly Storage Cleanup Routine . . .212

ULTICAST UPDATING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212

Manual Updating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216

WebView Updating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216

xiv

Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .213

Software Update Check . . . . . . . . . .215

System Settings for Multicasting . . .215

Contents

Standard CD/DVD Updating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .217

Direct File Access Updating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218

Log File Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221

Run Logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222

Diagnostic Logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222

Log Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .223

Run Logs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .223

Diagnostic Logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .223

DTDs (Document Type Definition) .223

Log Default Playlist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .223

Maximum Log File Sizes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224

Uploading Log Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224

External Control Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225

Connecting via RS232 . . . . . . . . . . .225

Connecting via TCP/IP . . . . . . . . . . .225

Basic Hyper Terminal Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .226

VCC Control Commands: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227

Playlist Playback Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227

Playing Individual Files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .228

Using Serial Commands To Create Playlists . . .233

Firefly System Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234

Callback Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234

Audio and Video Setting Changes . . . . . . . . . . .235

On-Screen Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .236

External A/V Switching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .238

Contents

Networking Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .244

LDV Control Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247

COM Port Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247

Getting Started: Understanding Command Language

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .248

Error Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .248

Command Syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249

Address Arguments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249

Command Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250

Playback Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250

External Control Commands Quick Reference

Guide:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262

VCC Commands: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262

LDV Commands: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262

Front Panel Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .263

Navigating the Front Panel Display Menu System . .263

Changing System Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .265

Changing a Menu Option Choice . . .265

Changing a Menu Option Value . . . .267

Front Panel Display Menu Descriptions . . . . . . . . . .268

Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269

General Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .269

Restoration Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .269

xvi

Contents

No Power to Firefly (No LCD light or fan noise) . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .269

No Video Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .270

Stuttering Files During Playback . . . . . . . . . . . .270

Picture Rolls or Other Video Problems Occur When

Using External Audio/Video Switching. . .272

"Latent Images" or "Flashing" During Playback.272

Some files in the playlist do not play . . . . . . . . .273

SMPTE time codes are not recognized properly.273

Test File Does Not Play Properly On All Channels .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .273

Test File Does Not Display On One Channel . . .274

File Copy Error Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .274

Filename Already Exists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .274

Insufficient Disk Space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .274

CD/DVD Update Disc Fails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .274

Update Fails. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .275

The Remote Control is not doing anything . . . . .275

The Smart Card will not eject . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .275

Preventing Cabling and Connection Problems . . . . .276

LCD Error Messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .277

Bad FPL/FSC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .277

Bad FTP Dir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .277

Bad IP Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .277

Bad User/Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .277

Cant List Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .278

Cant List Scripts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .278

Download Fail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .278

xvii

Contents

FTP Failed Networking Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .278

Invalid FTP IP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .278

Menu Disabled in Player Control Mode . . . . . . .278

Missing MPEG/Overlay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .278

No Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279

No IP Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279

No Local FPL/FSC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279

No Valid TAR/FPL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279

Proxy Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279

Transfer Error . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279

Returning Materials to Visual Circuits Corporation

(VAR/Distributor) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .280

Appendix. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281

Hardware Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .281

Index 1

xviii

WELCOME TO FIREFLY

Thank you for purchasing Firefly. Our design goal in the creation of Firefly was to develop a media player for A/V professionals that combines the ease and familiarity of an industrial DVD player with the flexibility and control of a disk-based, multichannel MPEG-2 decoder. To reach this end, Firefly incorporates the best of both types of players. From the world of DVD players you will find familiarity in Firefly’s IR remote control interface, standard player controls and the ease of “drop the disc in and hit play”. To these functions we’ve added 1, 2 or 4-channel playback, an on-screen graphical user interface, multichannel playlist creation, time/date scheduling, graphic & text overlay capability, remote content updating, network compatibility and a web-based “control and monitor” interface. In addition, Firefly is upgradeable by purchasing a pre-programmed Smart Card.

The result is a new-generation of commercial media players that fit into a wide variety of stand alone or network attached applications, from trade shows and exhibitions to retail merchandising, education and training, corporation communications and digital signage.

Firefly will continue to develop and evolve as a product, just as we know that the demands of A/V contractors will continue to evolve. Keep up with our latest product offerings by checking our all NEW website at www.visualcircuits.com.

Welcome to Firefly

QUICK START GUIDE

This Quick Start Guide is intended to provide a brief overview of the major features of the Firefly Media Player. Comprehensive user and technical information can be found in the main body of the Firefly User Manual.

How to Plug & Play

The Firefly comes loaded with sample videos that are useful as you become familiar with Firefly’s features and for diagnostic purposes. Video playback is typically controlled through a “playlist” that defines which videos are played on which channels and in what order. Only one playlist can be active at any time, though any number of playlists can be stored on Firefly for later use. Whenever Firefly is turned on, the playlist that was last used is reloaded and playback begins automatically.

The default active playlist for a new Firefly is called “factory.fpl”, which alternates between a spinning Visual Circuits logo and a demonstration video. The fastest way to test Firefly is to simply plug it in, connect the cables and turn it on.

1. Connect the power cable to the back of the Firefly and plug it in to your power source.

2. Connect your video cables to the back of the Firefly following the Firefly Video Connections Guide. on page 5.

Note that Firefly’s default factory setting plays composite and svideo NTSC and line-level audio on all channels. If your application requires you to setup Firefly using a different video standard and/or video output type, you will need to use the Front Panel Display to change the system settings as needed. Consult the section on Video Settings on page 76 within the main body of the user manual for more information about changing these settings.

Quick Start Guide

❏ For Composite monitors: Connect a BNC-ended

composite cable (not included) to the corresponding Channel 1 composite connector on the back of the Firefly. Connect additional video cables for Channels 2, 3 and 4 (if desired).

❏ For S-Video monitors: Connect a BNC-ended Y s-video

cable (not included) to the corresponding Channel 1 chroma (C) and luma (Y) connectors on the back of the Firefly. Connect additional video cables for Channels 2, 3 and 4 (if desired).

❏ For Component monitors: Connect BNC-ended

component cables (not included) to the corresponding Pr, Y and Pb connectors on the back of the Firefly. Connect additional video cables for Channels 2, 3 and 4 (if desired).

❏ For RGB monitors: Connect a a BNC-ended RGB cable

(not included) to the corresponding red (R), green (G) and blue (B) connectors on the back of the Firefly. Connect additional video cables for Channels 2, 3 and 4 (if desired).

NOTE

You can configure the Firefly video output type on an independent, channel-by-channel basis. (Example: CH1 & 2: Composite monitors; CH: 3: Component monitor; CH4: RGB monitor). Configuring the video output type(s) is f ound in Firefly System Settings: Video menu, which is accessible using the remote cont rol, front panel or WebView.

See Channel 1, 2, 3, 4 Video Output on page 77 in the main body of the user manual for information on selecting the video output type(s) using the remote control.

Quick Start Guide

Figure 1. Firefly Video Connections Guide.

Firefly Media Player Video Connections Guide

CH 1 CH 2 CH 3 CH 4

S-VIDEO

BLUE / Pb / COMPOSITE

S-VIDEO

BLUE / Pb / COMPOSITE

VIDEO IN

RED / Pr / C

GREEN / YRED / Pr / C

RED / Pr / C

GREEN / Y GREEN / Y

GREEN / Y

Only one video output can be used at a time on each channel (composite or s-video or RGB).

Firefly's default factory setting plays composite and s-video NTSC on all channels. If your application requires you to setup Firefly using a different video standard and/or vi deo mode, you will need to use the Front Panel Display to change the system settings as needed.

Quick Start Guide

IMPORTANT

Only one video output, compo site or s-video or RGB (sync on green), on each channel can be used on Firefly at a time. Using more than one will cause video playback to be dim with weak color.

3. Connect your audio cables to the back of the Firefly following the Firefly Audio Connections Guide on page 7.

❏ To create an unbalanced audio connection on channel 1,

connect audio cables with stranded wire ends to terminal 1 (CH 1 LEFT +) and terminal 4 (CH 1 RIGHT +), as well as to the designated ground terminals 3 & 6. Connect to the other corresponding LEFT + and RIGHT + terminals and ground terminals for Channels 2, 3 and 4 (if desired).

❏ To create a balanced audio connection on channel 1,

connect audio cables with stranded wire ends to the corresponding output terminals as noted in the Firefly Audio Connections Guide. Repeat for Channels 2, 3 and 4 (if desired).

❏ To create a S/PDIF digital audio connection on channel

1, connect a BNC-ended audio cable to CH 1 Digital Audio as noted in the Firefly Audio Connections Guide. Connect to the other corresponding Digital Audio connectors for Channels 2, 3 and 4 (if desired).

Quick Start Guide

Figure 2. Firefly Audio Connections Guide

For unbalanced audio, connect to terminals 1 & 4 for each channel.

TERMINAL DESCRIPTION

1 CH 1 LEFT +

2 CH 1 LEFT -

3 CH 1 GROUND

4 CH 1 RIGHT +

5 CH 1 RIGHT -

6 CH 1 GROUND

TERMINAL DESCRIPTI ON

1 CH 4 LEFT +

2 CH 4 LEFT -

3 CH 4 GROUN D

4 CH 4 RIGHT +

5 CH 4 RIGHT -

6 CH 4 GROUN D

CHANNEL 1

TIME CODE

(Future Release)

Firefly Media Player Audio Connections Guide

S/PDIF

DIGITAL AUDIO

CH 1 CH 2 CH 3 CH 4

CHANNEL 2 CHANNEL 3 CHANNEL 4 AUDIO INPUT

TERMINAL DESCRIPTION

1 CH 2 LEFT +

2 CH 2 LEFT -

3 CH 2 GROUND

4 CH 2 RIGHT +

5 CH 2 RIGHT -

6 CH 2 GROUND

TERMINAL DESCRIPTION

1 CH 3 LEFT +

2 CH 3 LEFT -

3 CH 3 GROUND

4 CH 3 RIGHT +

5 CH 3 RIGHT -

6 CH 3 GROUND

TERMINAL DESCRIPTION

1 AUDIO IN LEFT

2 GROUND

3 AUDIO IN R IGHT

4 GROUND

5 UNUSED

6 UNUSED

Quick Start Guide

4. Connect the video and audio cables from the back of the Firefly to the video and audio inputs on the video monitor(s) and audio components (if applicable). Note that Firefly’s default factory setting plays composite and s-video NTSC and line-level audio output on all channels.

5. Switch the power button on the back of Firefly to the ON position. Firefly will run through a short series of selfdiagnostics upon startup before beginning automated playback.

Quick Start Guide

How to Use the Remote Control

Player Controls

While Firefly is playing, point the remote control at the IR window on Firefly’s front panel. Whenever you press any of the Player Control keys (located at the bottom of the remote control) the “Player Control Graphic Overlay” will appear, by default, over the output of Firefly channel one. While in player control mode, the remote control affects only the channel(s) highlighted by the overlay. Pressing the EXIT key on the remote control will cause Firefly to exit player control mode and to return to playback mode.

You may move the overlay from channel to channel by pressing the Channel + and Channel – keys or by pressing the channel number on the remote control while it remains pointed at the Firefly IR window.

Figure 3. Firefly IR Remote Control

Quick Start Guide

While in player control mode, point the remote control at the Firefly IR window on Firefly and use the following keys:

1 = channel 1 2 = channel 2 3 = channel 3 4 = channel 4 5 = all channels

Symbol Description

Play Stop Pause Scan Reverse Scan Forward

On Menu

Navigation Keys

On Menu

Navigation Keys

Skip Reverse (Previous)

Skip Forward (Next)

Table 1. Firefly IR Remote Control Keys and Functions

NOTE

The Scan Rev erse and Scan F orward will not operate when all channels are selected for simultaneous control.

Quick Start Guide

NOTE

Whenever the IR remote control is in use (example: in player control mode), the front panel display menu six-button interface will not be available.

Menu Functions

Pressing the MENU/SELECT key on the remote control provides access to the additional Firefly functions listed below. The menu and sub-menus appear as full-screen graphic overlays on Firefly video channel one. Please refer to the appropriate sections within this user manual for instructions on each of the functions listed below.

1. Playlist Editor

2. Schedule Editor

3. Playback Selector

4. Media Maintenance

5. System Settings (General, Video, Audio, External A/V, Control, Network, WebView, FTP, Logging, Multicast, Smart Card & Advanced)

6. Exit Menu

How To Put Media On Firefly From a CD or DVD

1. Point the remote control at the IR window on Firefly and press the MENU/SELECT key. This will force the Main Menu options to appear as a full screen overlay on Firefly video channel one.

Quick Start Guide

2. Press 4 to enter “Media Maintenance”. The left side of the display will show the list of media that currently reside on the Firefly. The right side of the display will be blank.

3. Next place the CD or DVD into the Firefly. After the system scans the disc (be patient, scanning can take 30 seconds or so), the right side of the graphic display will show the list of media available on the CD or DVD.

Copy Button

CD/DVD ROM

/monthly videos january.mpg february.mpg march.mp2 april.mpg /seasonal videos spring.mp2 summer.mp2 /overlays superfly.bmp

Size: 257M

Delete Button

CD/DVD

Media List

Firefly

Media List

Loaded Media

test.mpg video1.mpg

video2.mp2 sample1.mpg scarecrow.mpg sample2.mp2 supersteaks.mp2 pony.bmp chimp.bmp

Free: 21039M

Exit Button

Exit

Figure 4. Media Maintenance Screen

Within the CD/DVD list, the entries may be organized by directories. These directories will be apparent because they will be proceeded by a forward slash (example: “/seasonal videos”). Each of the videos belonging to that particular directory will be listed immediately after the directory name.

NOTE

Firefly does not pla y standard DVD movies. DVD discs for Firefly are DVD-R discs used to transfer media.

Quick Start Guide

4. Use the menu navigation keys on the remote control to move up and down through the media lists and left and right between different portions of the graphic display. Note that the media lists may contain file directories. If directories exist, you will not need to open a directory folder to access the files within (like in a Windows application). Instead, the media files will be directly available immediately after each directory name.

5. Copy (<<) media from the CD to the Firefly or delete media (X) from the Firefly by highlighting the appropriate on-screen selection, first the media and then the action button, and pressing the MENU/SELECT key on the remote control.

How to Automatically Copy Media From a CD or DVD for Playback“Drop and Go”

The goal of “Drop and Go” is to allow you to place a CD or DVD into the Firefly tray and have the system automatically copy the media and then play it back on all four channels. No manual playlist creation or file copying is required.

Creating a Drop & Go CD/DVD

1. Create four root-level directories on the Drop & Go CD/DVD, named Channel1, Channel2, Channel3 and Channel4. The directories must be on the root level and named as shown.

2. Place MPEG files into each directory as required. Files within each Drop & Go directory are played in alphanumeric order. Be sure to name files accordingly to match your desired playback sequence.

Playing a Drop & Go CD/DVD

1. While Firefly is turned on and playing, open the CD/DVD tray.

Quick Start Guide

2. Place the Drop & Go CD/DVD in the tray and close the tray.

3. Firefly will scan the CD/DVD and will automatically copy the contents to its internal storage. Depending upon the amount of content on the CD/DVD, this process may take several minutes. During this time, the LCD on Firefly will display “Drop And Go”.

4. Once the media transfer is complete, Firefly will automatically play the contents within each directory on each channel in a continuous loop and will eject the CD/DVD.

How To Create a Basic Playlist

Playing media on Firefly requires (a) that the MPEG videos actually reside on the Firefly and (b) that a valid playlist, also resides on the Firefly. The playlist can be created either directly on the Firefly using its remote control or on a separate computer using the WebView interface program (see Using the WebView Interface on page 116).

Using the Remote Control

1. Point the remote control at Firefly’s IR window on the front panel and press the MENU/SELECT key. A graphical interface will appear on the output of Firefly video channel number one.

2. Use the navigation keys on the remote control to highlight “Playlist Editor” and press the MENU/SELECT key on the remote.

3. Move the highlight to “New Playlist” and press the MENU/ SELECT key. A dialog box will appear asking “Do you want to create a new blank playlist?”. Press the MENU/SELECT key to answer “Yes”.

4. Using the navigation and MENU/SELECT buttons on the remote, create a name for the new playlist from the alphanumeric screen.

Quick Start Guide

CH 1 CH 2 CH 3 CH 4 Loaded Media

video1.mpg

New Playlist Name:

loop5_

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 - _ [ ] BACK DONE

video2.mpg bikes.mp2 saturn.mpg

Clear

Save Cancel

Figure 5. New Playlist Name Entry Screen

Select a maximum of 14 characters as needed. If you wish to delete a character, move the highlight down to BACK and press the MENU/SELECT key. Continue pressing the MENU/SELECT key to delete characters as needed. When you are finished, move the highlight to DONE and press the MENU/SELECT key.

Quick Start Guide

5. The graphical interface will now display separate tabs for each of the four Firefly video output channels on the left side and the list of available media on the right side.

Channel Tabs

Pla yli st

Channel

CH 1 CH 2 CH 3 CH 4 Loaded Media

cookie.m2p demo6mb.m2p

Clear

[External AV] cookie.m2p demo6mb. m2p logospin.m2p memo . mpg synctest.m2p winter2. mpg

Save

Exit Options

Cancel

Figure 6. Playlist Editor Screen

a. Highlight the desired channel tab and press MENU/

SELECT on the remote to select that channel.

Media Window

Header

Avail able

Media

b. Use the navigation keys on the remote to move the highlight

to the right side of the display.

c. Use the navigation keys on the remote to highlight various

media. After each media file is highlighted, press the MENU/SELECT or LEFT arrow key on the remote to add that file, in order, to the playlist for the selected channel.

d. Continue this process until all channels (e.g., tabs) have

been populated with media, in the order in which they are to be played.

Quick Start Guide

6. When the playlist is complete, move the highlight to the Save option on the screen. Press the MENU/SELECT key on the remote. A dialog box will appear stating that the playlist is saved and will give you the option to “Select it to play” or to “Do not play it now”. Pressing the MENU/SELECT key on “Select it to play” will select the newly created playlist to be the active playlist (starting playback as soon as you exit). Pressing the MENU/SELECT key while the highlight is on “Do not play it now” will save the playlist for future use.

7. Press the EXIT key on the remote to exit and to begin automatic playback of a previously selected playlist or the newly created/selected playlist.

Software Updating

Visual Circuits is continuously looking for ways to improve and expand its features and product performance. We have provided you with a variety of simple methods in which to keep your Firefly updated with the latest software for your application. Software updates can be obtained from our website at www.visualcircuits.com or contact a Visual Circuits representative to obtain a CD/DVD or Smart Card media. Note that certain optional upgrades may only be availble on CD/DVD or Smart Card media.

Software updates and upgrades are processed with the following Five methods.

1. CD/DVD ROM: Inserting a CD/DVD Updater Disc that contains a .upd file extension will automatically upgrade & restart the system. See System Software Update Process on page 204

2. Multicast (optional) updating: An active update that finds a .upd file will automatically update and restart the system. See

ULTICAST UPDATING on page 212

Quick Start Guide

3. HTTP/FTP updating: An active update that finds a .upd file in the /updates folder will automatically update & restart the system. See Creating a Firefly FTP Update Account on page 209

4. Smart Card: Typically used for “Feature Upgrades”. System updates and current playlist restarts when card is inserted or ejected. See Smart Card on page 105

5. Webview Firefly Update: Used to manually select the .upd file from your PC through the Webview interface. System automatically updates and restarts. See Webview Software Update on page 121

ENCODING REQUIREMENTS

AND RECOMMENDATIONS

In order to ensure proper playback on the Firefly, the MPEG content must be encoded following a particular set of encoding requirements. The Encoding Requirements, as well as the Encoding Recommendations, listed below provide a brief set of criteria to create MPEG files that will be compatible with the Firefly playback system.

Encoding Requirements

1. Files must be program stream MPEG2 or system stream MPEG1 of audio/video, or elementary stream MPEG2 or MPEG1 of video only or audio only.

2. Use 4:2:0, not 4:2:2 encoding.

3. In MPEG-2, both audio and video fields should be encoded. This is the normal default.

4. Audio only (Dolby Digital or MPEG Layer 2) files cannot be mixed with files containing videos (MPEG, MPEG2 program stream, video only).

5. Firefly – Standard IDE Hard Drive): The total bit rate of a Firefly player must not exceed 40 mbps across four channels (i.e. averaging 10 mbps per channel). Channels may be encoded at different bit rates (up to 15 mbps on a given channel) as long as 40 mbps is not exceeded across a single hard drive (4-channel player).

6. The presentation time stamp (PTS) values contained in the audio and video streams in a file must be continuous and increasing. In particular, the PTS values should not reset to 0 at any point in the file. The time between the first and last time stamps in a file should reflect the actual duration of the file.

Encoding Requirements and Recommendations

7. Files should be no less than 4 megabytes in size. If some of your files are smaller than 4 megabytes, use an editor to combine the files to create a single file at least 4 megabytes in size.

8. Files should be no larger than 2 gigabytes in size.

Encoding Recommendations

1. Resolution: 720 X 480 or 704 X 480 in NTSC; 704 X 576 in PAL.

2. Closed GOP (Group of Pictures) with an “I-frame” every 15 frames is recommended.

3. The recommended audio bit rate is 384kbps and a sampling rate of 48khz. It is recommended to play back test files using the original source tapes to confirm audio levels prior to encoding an entire project. This will allow for calibration of the encoding system to obtain a standard audio level.

4. Program stream files should have one end code (00 00 01 b9) at the very end of the file. The Firefly can handle files without end codes, but it is still a good idea to include one.

5. The bit rate can affect the size and transferability of the files. The recommended bit rates for various types of video content are as follows:

Bit Rate Video Content

4 mbps Good quality with low motion 6 mbps Good quality with typical motion 8 mbps Good quality with high motion 10 mbps High quality with demanding content

Table 2. Bit Rate Encoding Recommendations for Firefly

Encoding Requirements and Recommendations

6. Although Firefly can transcode NTSC and PAL, it is recommended to encode to the video standard (NTSC or PAL) that you will be setting your Firefly to display.

7. When encoding files, annotate and store notes on the audio levels of both the source tape and input settings of the encoder. It will then be possible to verify audio levels of later encoding sessions. It is desirable to maintain a baseline audio level across all files of a presentation whether at single or multiple locations. If no encoding notes or data is available from previously encoded files, compare the files. When possible, measure audio levels of the source tapes and of the encoded files. At a minimum, listen to and compare files. Even if encoding is done at the same production facility, variances between sessions may occur. Once MPEGs are encoded, the audio level of a file cannot be changed unless the file is reencoded or a new audio track is mixed.

8. MPEG files are constructed from intertwined (i.e. multiplexed) audio and video streams. The length of video and audio stream segments within MPEG files should be identical if possible. Ending the audio segment at a .5 second interval (i.e., at an “Iframe”) will ensure identical stream lengths, providing smooth and seamless looping playback.

9. When encoding SMPTE tracks it is recommended to encode these tracks "hot"--at approximately +6db. This adjustment can compensate for some SMPTE information that may be lost during compression. Not all encoders will respond in the same way. Sample testing should be done with all SMPTE tracks.

10. Standard color bars and audio test tones: MPEG files may be encoded along with the content or source files for reference and calibration. These encoded display test/tuning files should be separate files--not headers or footers of the presentation.

Encoding Requirements and Recommendations

11. To play back still images or computer-based graphics, we recommend software encoders such as DVMPEG (www.darvision.com). Yet, whenever possible, hardware-based encoding systems are preferred.

NOTE

Multiplexing a blank audio track on all video only MPEG files is highly recommended.

REMOTE CONTROL

Remote Control Basics

Much like a TV or DVD remote control, the Firefly comes with its own easy to use remote control. The remote control provides for a wide variety of options.

Activating the Remote Control

In some situations there may be more than one Firefly in a given installation and there will be a need to control these players discretely even when they are all in range of a common remote control. In these instances, it is necessary to be able to individually activate and deactivate remote control response on each Firefly.

Activating and Deactivating the Remote Control on a Specific Firefly

You can activate the Remote Control of any Firefly within range of the remote by entering the IR Address of the desired Firefly and pressing the CHAN+ key on the remote control. You can also deactivate the remote control of any Firefly within range of the remote by entering the IR address of the desired Firefly and pressing the CHAN- key. For single digit addresses, you must type

the 0 in front of it (e.g. Type 01 and then press the CHAN+ key).

Globally Activating and Deactivating all Firefly’s

To command ALL Firefly’s within range of the remote control to begin responding, enter the address 00 followed by the CHAN+ key on the remote control.

Remote Control

To command all Firefly’s within range of the IR remote to cease responding, enter the address 00 followed by the CHAN- key on the remote control.

Player Controls

You are able to access DVD-like controls for each channel of the Firefly, essentially operating the Firefly like four conventional DVD players. Functions such as the NEXT and PREVIOUS found on DVD’s are available.

When you press either the RIGHT or LEFT player control keys on the remote control, a white border, channel identifier and playback status will be overlaid on the video. To change the border color, press the UP arrow key. Figure 7 on page 25 illustrates the overlay. This overlay will be continually maintained to represent the realtime conditions for that channel. The overlay will remain in place for as long as player control is active on that channel.

The initial overlay will appear on channel one by default. To change channels affected by the player controls, press the corresponding channel number (5 = all channels) or the CHAN + or - keys on the remote control.

NOTE

Whenever the IR remote control is in use (example: in player control mode), Webview & the front panel display menu six-button interface will not function.

Remote Control

TC: 00:03:28.12

CH 1

Figure 7. Player Control Display

Player Operation

Once a channel(s) has been selected for manual player control, the keys on the lower portion of the remote control designated for player control will be active. The following section describes the function and operation of each player control key. They are very similar to the player controls of a conventional DVD player.

NOTE

The Scan Forward and Scan Reverse keys only operate when controlling one channel at a time. All other player controls can be used when multiple channels are selected.

Remote Control

Play

Pressing the PLAY key will cause all selected channels to begin playing from the current video file position. If one or more of the selected channels are already playing at the time this command is received, these channels will continue playing and will be unaffected by the command.

Stop

Pressing the STOP key will cause all selected channels to cease playback and return to the beginning of their playlist, remaining that way until a further command is received. If one or more of the selected channels is already stopped at the time this command is received, these channels will remain stopped and will be unaffected by the command. If a selected channel is paused or scanning forward or backward at the time this command is received, that operation will be interrupted. That channel will be returned to the beginning of its playlist where it will remain until a further command is received. Moreover, once stopped, the selected channels will display a black screen.

Pause

If a channel is not presently paused and receives a pause command, it will enter the pause mode. If a channel is already paused at the time it receives a pause command, it will move forward a single step. Press play to resume normal playback.

Scan Forward

The scan forward command will be triggered by the F.F. (>>) key on the remote control and will sequentially advance the content forward at a rapid rate. The status of the scan forward operation will be displayed at the bottom of the screen via a status bar and a time/frame indicator. The background will be composed of a still image representing the exact place where the fast forward key was first pressed. Therefore, the advancing or fast forwarded video will

Remote Control

not be displayed. To resume normal playback, press the PLAY key or the F.F. key again. To reverse or rewind the content, press the REW key. Moreover, note that the fast forward function cannot go past the start or end of the current file and that it only operates on one channel at a time.

Scan Reverse

The scan reverse command will be triggered by the REW (<<) key on the remote control and will sequentially move the content backwards at a rapid rate. The status of the scan reverse operation will be displayed at the bottom of the screen via a status bar and a time/frame indicator. The background will be composed of a still image representing the exact place where the rewind key was first pressed. Therefore, the reversing or rewinding video will not be displayed. To resume normal playback, press the PLAY key or the REW key again. To advance or fast forward the content, press the F.F. key. Moreover, note that the rewind function cannot go past the start or end of the current file and that it only operates on one channel at a time.

Skip Forward

The skip forward command will be initiated by pressing the RIGHT arrow on the menu navigation keys section of the remote control and is similar to the skip forward function of a DVD player. When the skip forward command is received, selected channels will be stepped forward to the next video in the playlist.

Remote Control

Skip Reverse

The skip reverse command will be initiated by pressing the LEFT arrow on the menu navigation keys section of the remote control and is similar to the skip reverse function of a DVD player. When the skip reverse command is received, selected channels will be stepped back to the beginning of the video. As with CD and DVD players, there will be a “double-click” window that allows you to skip backward to the previous video by pressing skip reverse while within the first few seconds of a video.

Remote Control

Menu Options

The Firefly Main Menu is accessed by pressing the MENU/ SELECT key on the remote control while in either regular playback, Drop & Go or Player Control mode. When the MENU command is received, the menu will be displayed.

While in the menu options, the playback activity that was in progress will be suspended. Channel 1 will display the Firefly Main Menu.

Firefly Main Menu

The Firefly Main Menu includes six options:

1. Playlist Editor

2. Schedule Editor

3. Playback Selector

4. Media Maintenance

5. System Settings (General, Video, Audio, External Control, Network, Logs, WebView, FTP, HTTP, Multicast, Smart Card & Advanced)

6. Exit Menu

You can scroll through these options with the UP and DOWN arrow keys on the menu navigation section of the remote control. When you have highlighted the desired option, press the MENU/ SELECT key to select that option. You may also directly select any menu option by pressing the associated number key on the remote control.

Remote Control

Exiting the Firefly Main Menu

You can exit the Firefly Main Menu and return to normal video playback by scrolling to the “Exit Menu” option then pressing MENU/SELECT. You can also exit by simply pressing the EXIT key on the menu navigation section of the remote. Note that if there is no content selected or scheduled to play, the screen will be black.

Playlist Editor

Within the Playlist Editor, you will be able to arrange videos on the Firefly into a playlist. A playlist is essentially a group of videos arranged in a particular playback sequence. A playlist can be used for immediate playback or saved on the Firefly for future playback.

In addition, within the Playlist Editor, you will be able to utilize graphic overlays. A graphic overlay is a static image (.bmp, .jpg, .gif, .tif, .tga or .png) placed over an associated video. You can assign individual graphic overlays to specific videos within a playlist or to all videos within a playlist if desired. The graphic overlay feature provides an effective way to display a company logo, sale sign or any other image over your regular video playback.

Before going into the actual Playlist Editor, you will be routed to the Playlist Chooser screen.

Select a Playlist and Press MENU to Edit

Remote Control

[New Playlist]

local1.fpl

local2.fpl local3.fpl local4.fpl local5.fpl

Now Playing :

local1.fpl

Press 0

To Delete

Press EXIT

To Return

To Main Menu

Figure 8. Playlist Editor Chooser Screen

In this screen you will have the option to start creating a new playlist, start editing an existing playlist or to delete an existing playlist.

To start creating a new playlist:

❏ Use the UP and DOWN keys on the remote control to

highlight “New Playlist” and then press the MENU/ SELECT key. A dialog box will appear asking “Do you want to create a new blank playlist?”. Press the MENU/ SELECT key to answer “Yes”.

❏ Use the menu navigation keys and MENU/SELECT key on

the remote to create a name for the new playlist from the alphanumeric screen.

Remote Control

CH 1 CH 2 CH 3 CH 4 Loaded Media

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 - _ [ ] BACK DONE

video1.mpg

New Playlist Name:

loop5_

video2.mpg bikes.mp2 saturn.mpg

Clear

Save Cancel

Figure 9. New Playlist Name Entry Screen

The graphical interface will now display the main Playlist Editor screen comprised of separate tabs for each of the four Firefly video output channels on the left side and the list of available media on the right side.

To start editing an existing playlist:

❏ Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys on the remote control to

highlight the playlist you would like to edit and then press the MENU/SELECT key.

Remote Control

To delete an existing playlist:

❏ Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys on the remote control to

highlight the playlist you would like to delete and then press the 0 key on the remote.

The playlist will be deleted from the Firefly.

Channel Tabs

Playlist

Channel

CH 1 CH 2 CH 3 CH 4 Loaded Media

cookie.m2p demo6mb.m2p

Cl ear

Save

Exit Options

Figure 10. Playlist Editor Screen

Adding Videos to a Playlist

[External AV] cooki e.m2p demo6mb.m2p logospi n.m2p memo .mp g synctest.m2p winter 2.mpg

Canc el

Media Window

Header

Availabl e

Med ia

1. The Channel 1 (CH1) tab should be highlighted as well as selected. If it is not, you will need to press the RIGHT arrow key until the “Ch1” tab is highlighted and then press the MENU/SELECT key to select the playlist channel. You may also press the number of the channel on the keypad of the remote to highlight and select the channel at the same time.

Remote Control

2. To browse for videos for “CH1”, press the RIGHT arrow key until “Loaded Media” is highlighted. Then press the DOWN arrow key to scroll through the list of Loaded Media. Once you reach the last media file in the list, you can press the UP arrow to scroll back up through the list. In instances where there is

more than one page of “Loaded Media”, you can use the FF and REW keys to scroll up and down through the “Loaded Media” by page.

3. To copy a video to “CH1”, highlight the desired video and press the MENU/SELECT key or LEFT arrow key on the remote. You will then see the name of the video appear at the end of the list on the left side of the monitor in the Playlist Channel. Repeat this step to copy additional videos to “CH1”.

4. Once you have completed copying videos to “CH1”, you can move on to Channels 2, 3 and 4 to copy videos.

NOTE

While working in the Playlist Channel or the Loaded Media list, pressing the EXIT key on the remote control is a quick way to ju mp back up to the header of the list.

Removing Videos from a Playlist

Pressing the right arrow key while the highlight is on a video in the playlist channel for a channel tab (ex. “CH1”) will remove the highlighted video from the playlist (not from the Firefly entirely). Repeat this process to remove additional videos from the playlist.

Moving Videos within a Playlist

Frequently you may determine that you would like to change the order of the videos to be played in a given playlist.

To move the location of a video within a playlist:

Remote Control

1. Scroll through the Playlist Channel list using the UP and DOWN arrow keys to put the highlight on the video file to be moved.

2. When you have highlighted the desired video file, press the MENU/SELECT key on the remote. The text for that video file changes to green indicating that the video is selected. If you accidently select the wrong media file, press the MENU/ SELECT key again while the highlight is on that media file to de-select it.

3. Then, using the UP and DOWN arrow keys, move the highlighted video to your desired location in the playlist.

4. Once in the proper location, press the MENU/SELECT key to de-select the file. This will leave it in your desired “slot” within the playlist.

5. Continue this process to move additional videos within a playlist.

Viewing Media Information

Because the visible space in the Playlist Channel and Loaded Media lists is limited, you may not be able to see the entire name of a video or graphic overlay. The Media Information feature is available to help you view basic information about media loaded on the Firefly. This window will show up to 60 characters for the name, file type description (if available), size of the media (in bytes) and the date and time the media was transferred to the Firefly.

You may obtain information about any video or graphic overlay listed under the Playlist Channel and Loaded Media list by placing the highlight on the media and then pressing the 0 button on the remote control. After pressing the 0 button, the following window will be displayed:

Remote Control

CH 1 CH 2 CH 3 CH 4 Loaded Media

jackpots_first_birthday_celebrati

on_test123.mpg

MPEG system stream data

video1.mpg video2.mpg bikes.mp2 saturn.mpg

size: 10518424 bytes

date/time: 06/20/02 13:52

Clear

Save

Figure 11. Playlist Editor Media Information Window

Shuffling Video Playback on a Channel

Occasionally, you may want to vary the playback order of your videos for a given playlist. The Shuffle playback feature within the Playlist Editor allows you to do just that. By activating Shuffle playback, videos within the playlist you are working with will be played back in random order.

Cancel

In addition, keep in mind that Shuffle is set on a channel-bychannel basis. This means that if you would like the playlist’s videos to have randomized playback on all 4 channels, you will need to activate Shuffle for each individual channel. Alternatively, if desired, you may shuffle the playback order for any other combination of channels, while maintaining the regular playback order for the others.

To turn on Shuffle playback for a playlist on a specific channel:

Remote Control

1. (From within the Playlist Editor main screen) Place the highlight on the desired Channel number header (for example, on “CH 1”).

2. Press the UP arrow on the remote control. You will notice that [Shuffle] will appear on the bottom of the playlist channel indicating that Shuffle playback has been activated for that particular channel.

Media Window

Channel Tabs

Playlist

Channel

Shuffle

Playback

Enabled

CH 1 CH 2 CH 3 CH 4 Loaded Media

cookie .m2p demo6mb.m2p memo .mp g winter2.mpg monkey1.m2p train31.m2p carrie26.mpg jungl e_dark.mpg rainforest _rain.m2p demo1a.m2p

[Shuff le]

[External AV] cooki e.m2p demo6mb.m2p logospi n.m2p memo .mp g synctest.m2p winter 2.mpg monkey1.m2p train31.m2p carrie26.mpg jungl e_dark. mpg rainforest_rain.m2p de mo1a . m2p

Header

Availabl e

Med ia

Cl ear

Save

Exit Opti ons

Canc el

Figure 12. Playlist Editor Screen With Shuffle Playback Enabled

To turn off Shuffle playback for a playlist on a specific channel.

1. Place the highlight on the desired Channel number header (for example, on “CH1”).

2. Press the UP arrow on the remote control. You will notice that [Shuffle] will disappear from the bottom of the playlist channel indicating that Shuffle playback has been deactivated for that particular channel.

Remote Control

Adding Graphic Overlays to Videos within a Playlist

Using the graphic overlays feature in Firefly is a great way to add a company logo, sale sign or any other image (.bmp, .jpg, .gif, .tif, .tga or .png) on top of your video playback. Because the graphic overlays are video file specific, you will be able to assign individual graphic overlays to specific videos within a playlist, or to all videos within a playlist if desired. Moreover, as described in Working with Graphic Overlays in a Playlist on page 40, you will have the option to customize the transparency level, key color, fade in and out times and the position on the screen that the graphic overlays will appear in.

The process for adding graphic overlay files to a playlist is basically the same as the process of adding video files to a playlist. The one significant difference, however, is that graphic overlays are always linked to particular videos.

To add a graphic overlay to a video within a playlist, follow the steps below:

1. (In the Playlist Editor main screen) The tab of the channel you would like to start with should be highlighted as well as selected. If it is not, you will need to press the RIGHT arrow key until the channel tab is highlighted and then press the MENU/SELECT key to select the playlist channel. You may also press the number of the channel on the keypad of the remote to highlight and select the channel at the same time.

2. To browse for graphic overlays for your desired channel, press the RIGHT arrow key until “Loaded Media” is highlighted. Then press the DOWN arrow key to scroll through the list of Loaded Media. Once you reach the last media file in the list, you can press the UP arrow to scroll back up through the list. In

instances where there is more than one page of “Loaded Media”, you can use the FF and REW keys to scroll up and down through the “Loaded Media” by page.

Remote Control

3. To copy a graphic overlay to your desired channel, highlight the desired graphic overlay file and press the MENU/SELECT key or LEFT arrow key on the remote. When adding a graphic overlay, it will always appear at the bottom of the Playlist Channel.

4. Use the UP arrow key or EXIT key to move the highlight to the “Loaded Media” header. Then use the LEFT arrow key to move over to the Playlist Channel.

5. Scroll through the list using the UP and DOWN arrow keys to put the highlight on the graphic overlay file to be assigned to a video.

6. When you have highlighted the desired graphic overlay file, press the MENU/SELECT key on the remote. The text for that graphic overlay changes to a green indicating that the graphic overlay is selected. If you accidently select the wrong file, press the MENU/SELECT key again while the highlight is on the correct one to de-select it.

7. Then, using the UP and DOWN arrow keys, move the highlighted graphic overlay to your desired location in the playlist. The graphic overlay must be positioned directly below the video you wish to associate it with.

8. Once in the proper location, press the MENU/SELECT key to de-select the file. This will leave it attached to your desired video within the playlist.

9. Repeat steps 2 through 8 to copy and assign additional graphic overlays to videos on your initial desired channel.

10. Once you are done copying and assigning graphic overlays to videos within your initial channel, you can move on to the other three channels, if desired.

Remote Control

Removing Graphic Overlays from a Playlist

Pressing the right arrow key while the highlight is on the graphic overlay within a playlist channel for a channel tab (ex. “CH1”) will remove the highlighted selection from the playlist (not from the Firefly entirely). Repeat this process to remove additional graphic overlays from the playlist.

Working with Graphic Overlays in a Playlist

As previously noted, graphic overlays exist in a playlist as attributes of specific video entries. The only image types that are compatible with Firefly are .bmp, .jpg, .gif, .tif, .tga or .png.

Graphic Overlay Properties

Overlay Name:

Vertical:

Horizontal:

Key Color:

Key R:

Key G: Key B:

Transparency %:

Fade In Seconds:

Fade Out Seconds:

VCCdemo.bmp

Top

Right

None

0 0

Exit

Figure 13. Graphic Overlay Properties Screen

Remote Control

NOTE

While copying .jpg, .g if, .tif, .tga, .png or non 256color .bmp image files, Firefly con verts those files to a standard 8-bit, 256-color bitmap format and reduces the image sizes, if necessary, to the system maximum of 720 x 480 for NTSC. This is necessary to ensure that all image files used for graphic overlays are consistent in appearance and functionality. As a result, all image files listed under “Loaded Media” will appear with “.bmp” as their extension.

If you do not want your images to be converted by Firefly, create them according to the parameters outlined above before transferring.

To access the Graphic Overlay Properties screen, position the highlight on the desired graphic overlay file in the playlist channel and then press the MENU/SELECT key twice.

Within the Graphic Overlay Properties screen, you move from field to field using the UP and DOWN arrows key on the remote. Once within a field, you adjust the values using the LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys or the number keys (for applicable fields where a numerical value is required).

The process for altering the characteristics of a specific graphic overlay is as follows:

1. If desired, select the vertical position on the screen where you would like to have the graphic overlay located (top, center or bottom).

2. If desired, select the horizontal position on the screen where you would like to have the graphic overlay located (left, center or right).

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3. If desired, adjust the key color. The key color property deals with blocking out or cropping specified colors within the graphic overlays. For example, if the image you are using is your company logo (in color) and is placed on top of a white rectangular background, you may only want to display the company logo, instead of the logo on top of the white background. Within the key color property, there are three options: None, Auto Key or RGB. You can choose None to not use the key color option at all. You can choose Auto Key have the system automatically “make transparent” the background color. The system selects the color in the upper left most corner of the image to determine which color to remove. In most instances, Auto Key will be the easiest to use and most effective “make transparent” method. Or you can choose to manually set the RGB (Red, Green and Blue) key color level. The RGB option requires you to know the specific RGB value of the color you would like to “make transparent”.

NOTE

Use a solid background (one color) in your graphic overlays for the Auto key feature to work properly.

NOTE

Entering your own RGB values for the key color feature only works with 8 bit bitmap g raphics less than or equal to 720x480 resolution.

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4. If desired, select a level of transparency between 0 and 100%. This value will adjust to what extent the graphic overlay covers the video below. If you want the graphic overlay to blend in with the video, you may select a higher transparency level. Conversely, if you would like the graphic overlay to stand out, you may select a lower or zero-value transparency level.

5. If desired, adjust the rate (in seconds) at which you would like the graphic overlay to fade in on the screen.

6. If desired, adjust the rate (in seconds) at which you would like the graphic overlay to fade out on the screen.

7. You may exit and return to the Playlist Editor by pressing the MENU/SELECT key while the highlight is on “Exit” or by simply pressing the EXIT key on the remote control. If for some reason you are not satisfied with the changes you made, go back into the Graphic Overlay Properties screen to make the necessary changes or remove and reapply the graphic overlay to begin again.

After you have adjusted the graphic overlay properties, the specific graphic overlay you were just dealing with and all subsequent graphic overlays you add to playlists will be set according to these properties. This is, however, only until you adjust the properties for another graphic overlay. At that point, the newly adjusted properties will be applied to all subsequent graphic overlays.

NOTE

If your use of Firefly requires frequent changes to the graphic overlay properties, you may want to use the WebView interface (see Working With Graphic Overlays in a Playlist on page 131) to be able to more effectively manipulate these settings.

Remote Control

Creating an External A/V Playlist

Using the external audio/video feature is a great way to insert external programming and special events into your presentation mix using the Firefly Media Player network. This feature allows you to schedule live audio and video playback, such as a satellite or cable television broadcast, or switch to local or national programming in the event of breaking news or an emergency. The “scheduling” of the external A/V events is accomplished by inserting the external A/V event(s) into a playlist and then scheduling the playlist using the schedule editor.

NOTE

External Audio/Video is an optional feature enabled by a pre-programmed Smart Card.

If your Firefly does not have the External A/V f eature (menu items are “grayed out”) and you would like to purchase it, contact a Visual Circuits representative at 1-800-250-5533.

NOTE

Genlock must be turned on in the Firefly system settings for external audio/video switching to work properly. See Genlock on page 79 for details on how set this parameter.

If you do not genlock to the video input, the Firefly system will turn this parameter on temporarily for the duration of the playlist; however , note that this temporary setting switch may cause picture roll to occur at the beginning and/or end of the playlist.

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If you plan on having external audio and/or video playing for an extended period of time, the easiest way to set this up is as follows:

1. Create a new playlist and name it something descriptive, such as “External AV 1”.

2. (In the Playlist Editor main screen) The tab of the channel you would like to start with should be highlighted as well as selected. If it is not, you will need to press the RIGHT arrow key until the channel tab is highlighted and then press the MENU/SELECT key to select the playlist channel. You may also press the number of the channel on the keypad of the remote to highlight and select the channel at the same time.

3. Press the RIGHT arrow key until “Loaded Media” is highlighted. Then press the DOWN arrow key to scroll down to the listing [External AV].

4. To insert an external A/V event to your desired channel, highlight the [External AV] listing and press the MENU/ SELECT key or LEFT arrow key on the remote. When adding an external A/V event, it will always appear at the bottom of the Playlist Channel.

Media Window

Channel Tabs

External A/V

Event

Playlist

Channel

CH 1 CH 2 CH 3 CH 4 Loaded Media

[Ext 00:00:30]

Cl ear

[External AV] cooki e.m2p demo6mb.m2p logospi n.m2p memo .mp g synctest.m2p winter 2.mpg

Save

Canc el

Header

External A/V

Event

Availabl e

Med ia

Figure 14. Playlist Editor Screen With External A/V Playlist

Exit Opti ons

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5. Repeat steps 1 through 3 to add additional external A/V events to any of the other channels, if desired.

6. Save the playlist and exit the Playlist Editor.

7. Go into the Schedule Editor and schedule the “External AV 1” playlist for your desired time slot, such as from 12:00 to 17:00 (see Schedule Editor on page 52 for details on scheduling).

Adding External A/V Events to a Playlist

If your application for utilizing the external audio/video feature involves playing back regular internal videos with an occasional insertion of external audio and/or video, you may want to add external A/V events to an existing playlist.

The process for adding external A/V events to a playlist is similar to the process of adding video files to a playlist.

To add an external A/V event to a playlist, follow the steps below:

2. Press the RIGHT arrow key until “Loaded Media” is highlighted. Then press the DOWN arrow key to scroll down to the listing [External AV].

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3. To insert an external A/V event to your desired channel, highlight the [External AV] listing and press the MENU/ SELECT key or LEFT arrow key on the remote. When adding an external A/V event, it will always appear at the bottom of the Playlist Channel.

Media Window

Channel Tabs

Playlist

Channel

External A/V

Event

CH 1 CH 2 CH 3 CH 4 Loaded Media

cookie .m2p demo6mb.m2p memo .mp g winter2.mpg [Ext 00:00:30]

[External AV] cooki e.m2p demo6mb.m2p logospi n.m2p memo .mp g synctest.m2p winter 2.mpg

Header

External A/V

Event

Availabl e

Med ia

Cl ear

Save

Exit Opti ons

Canc el

Figure 15. Playlist Editor Screen With External A/V Event

4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 to add additional external A/V events to the playlist on your initial channel or any of the other channels, if desired.

See Moving External A/V Events within a Playlist on page 48 for details on moving the external A/V event(s) to a different location within the playlist.

See Editing External A/V Events within a Playlist on page 48 for details on editing the audio, video and duration properties of external A/V event(s).

Removing External A/V Events from a Playlist

Pressing the right arrow key while the highlight is on the external A/V event within a playlist channel for a channel tab (ex. “CH1”) will remove the highlighted selection from the playlist.

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Repeat this process to remove additional external A/V events from the playlist.

Moving External A/V Events within a Playlist

You may determine that you would like to change the location of an external A/V event within a given playlist.

To move the location of an external A/V event within a playlist:

1. Scroll through the Playlist Channel list using the UP and DOWN arrow keys to put the highlight on the external A/V event to be moved.

2. When you have highlighted the desired external A/V event, press the MENU/SELECT key on the remote. The text for that listing changes to green indicating that the external A/V event is selected. If you accidently select the wrong listing, press the MENU/SELECT key again while the highlight is on that listing to de-select it.

3. Then, using the UP and DOWN arrow keys, move the highlighted external A/V event to your desired location in the playlist.

4. Once in the proper location, press the MENU/SELECT key to de-select the listing. This will leave it in your desired “slot” within the playlist.

5. Continue this process to move additional external A/V events within a playlist, if desired.

Editing External A/V Events within a Playlist

The External A/V Event Properties screen is available for you to view and/or set the basic properties of an external A/V event. Within this screen, you will be able to set the external A/V event duration, select or deselect external audio and select or deselect external video.

Remote Control

You may obtain information or set the basic properties of any external A/V event listed under the Playlist Channel list by placing the highlight on the “[Ext 00:00:30]” listing and then pressing the MENU/SELECT key once on the remote control to select it and then a second time to enter the External A/V Event Properties screen.

After pressing the key sequence above, the following screen will be displayed:

External A/V Event Properties

Duration:

External Audio:

External Video:

Exit

00:15:30

Figure 16. External A/V Event Properties Screen

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Duration:

Set the external A/V event duration by using the UP, DOWN, LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys on the remote. Select the number of hours, minutes and seconds (HH:MM:SS) for the external A/V event to take place.

External Audio:

Turn this option on or off using the MENU/SELECT key on the remote. A checked box indicates that audio for the external event is selected and an unchecked box indicates that audio for the external video is not selected.

External Video:

Turn this option on or off using the MENU/SELECT key on the remote. A checked box indicates that video for the external event is selected and an unchecked box indicates that video for the external video is not selected.

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Exiting the Playlist Editor

At any point while working with the Playlist Editor you may exit and return to the main menu by pressing the EXIT key. If you are within the Playlist Selections list or Loaded Media list, you will need to press EXIT twice. The first time you press the EXIT key will bring you to the header of the list. When you press EXIT again, a dialog box will appear as shown below:

CH 1 CH 2 CH 3 CH 4 Loaded Media

[External AV] video2.mpg

Do You Really Want to Exit?

Continue Editing

bikes.mp2 saturn.mpg

Save Changes And Exit

Discard Changes And Exit

Clear

Save

Cancel

Figure 17. Exit Playlist Editor Dialog Box

❏ The “Continue Editing” option is highlighted as the default

answer when this dialog box appears. You may scroll between the options with the UP and DOWN arrow keys on the menu navigation section of the remote control. Once the desired option is highlighted, press MENU/SELECT to accept that selection.

❏ If you choose the “Save Changes & Exit” option, the edited

playlist is saved. You are then returned to the main menu.

❏ If you choose the “Discard Changes & Exit” option, all

changes made to the playlist during this editing session are discarded. You are then returned to the main menu.

❏ If you choose the “Continue Editing” option, the dialog box

is cleared from the screen and you are returned to the editor.

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Schedule Editor

Within the Schedule Editor, you will be able to work with playback schedules. A schedule is a group of one or more playlist events. An event is composed of a single playlist with adjustable playback properties. Beyond simple start and stop times, events can be set to play on certain days of the week, interrupt other events, play just once or at certain repeating intervals.

In addition, the Video Dates Editor (a feature within the Schedule Editor), allows you to assign a specific start date, end date or both a start and an end date for an individual video. This is especially useful when you have time sensitive media that you cannot have played before a certain date, after a certain date or outside a certain date range.

Before going into the actual Schedule Editor, you will be routed to the Schedule Chooser screen.

Select a Schedule and

Press MENU to Edit

[New Schedule]

sched1.fsc

sched4.fsc sched7.fsc sched8.fsc sched9.fsc

Now Playing :

sched1.fsc

Press 0

To Delete

Press EXIT

To Return

To Main Menu

Figure 18. Schedule Editor Chooser Screen

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In this screen you will have the option to start creating a new schedule, to start editing an existing schedule or to delete an existing schedule.

To start creating a new schedule:

❏ Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys on the remote control to

highlight “New Schedule” and then press the MENU/ SELECT key. A dialog box will appear asking “Do you want to create a new blank schedule?”. Press the MENU/ SELECT key to answer “Yes”.

❏ Use the menu navigation keys and MENU/SELECT key on

the remote to create a name for the new schedule from the alphanumeric screen.

Schedule Editor

Playlist

local3 --Default-- x x x x x x x - - - - : - -

file4 09:56 09:57 x x x - - x - x x - - : - -

Start Stop

New Schedule Name:

SMTWTFS

sched5_

I O

file4 12:00 12:01 x x x - - x - x x - - : - -

a b c d e f g h i j

file4 05:00 05:01 x x x - - x - x x - - : - -

k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z 0 1 2 3

[Add Event] [Delete Event]

4 5 6 7 8 9 - _ [ ] BACK DONE

Edit

Figure 19. New Schedule Name Entry Screen

Dates Help Save Cancel

Intvl

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The graphical interface will now display the main Schedule Editor screen.

To start editing an existing schedule:

❏ Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys on the remote control to

highlight the schedule you would like to edit and then press the MENU/SELECT key.

The graphical interface will now display the Schedule Editor screen.

To delete an existing schedule:

❏ Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys on the remote control to

highlight the schedule you would like to delete and then press the 0 key on the remote.

The schedule will be deleted from the Firefly.

Schedule Editor

Remote Control

Playlist

local3 --Default-- x x x x x x x - - - - : - -

file4 08:00 12:00 x x x - - x - x x - - : - -

Start Stop

SMTWTFS

I O

Intvl

file5 12:00 17:30 x x x - - x - x x - - : - file6 17:30 22:00 x x x - - x - x x - - : - [Add Event] [Delete Event]

Edit

Figure 20. Schedule Editor Screen

Once you are in the Schedule Editor screen, you will have to option to: add an event to a schedule, delete an event from a schedule, or edit an event within a schedule. In addition, using the Video Date Editor, you will be able to assign date rules to individual videos if desired.

Dates Help Save Cancel

Each of the major tasks in the Schedule Editor involve adjusting the event property fields. The following table provides basic overviews and examples for each of the event property fields:

Property Description

Playlist Designates which playlist to play.

Example: “I’d like to have my product demonstration playlist selected to play”.

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Property Description

Start Designates time to start playing playlist.

Example: “I’d like to have my playlist start playing at 9:00”.

Stop Designates time to stop playing playlist.

Example: “I’d like to have my playlist stop playing at 18:00”.

SMTWTFS Designates days of week to play playlist.

Example: “I’ d like to hav e my pla ylist pl ay only on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays”.

I (Interrupt) Option to cut off video pla ying in pre vious

playlist instead of waiting for video to finish playing.

Example: “I’d like to have the video in my sales promotion playlist interrupt the video in my product demonstration playlist”.

O (Play Once)

Option to play playlist exactly once and then return to previously scheduled playlist.

Example: “I’d like to play my one hour specials playlist just once during the business day”.

Intvl (Interval)

Option to repeat a “play once” event periodically at a specified interval.

Example: “I’d like to play my one hour specials playlist once every 2 hours throughout the b usiness day”.

Table 3. Event Property Field Examples

Remote Control

Adding an Event to a Schedule

To add an event to a schedule:

1. Using the LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys, position the highlight on the “Edit” option at the bottom of the screen and then press MENU/SELECT.

2. Using the menu navigation keys, position the highlight on the “Add Event” option and then press MENU/SELECT.

3. Edit the event properties as described below. a. Playlist: Press the MENU/SELECT key while the highlight

is on the playlist field. Then use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to highlight your desired playlist and press the MENU/ SELECT key to select it. When done, press the RIGHT arrow key to advance to the next field.

Schedule Editor

Playlist

local3 --Default-- x x x x x x x - - - - : - -

file4 08:00 12:00 x x x - - x - x x - - : - file5 12:00 15:30 x x x - - x - x x - - : - -

file6 15:30 22:00 x x x - - x - x x - - : - [Add Event] [Delete Event]

Start Stop

Playlist Select

file3.fpl file4.fpl

file5.fpl file6.fpl

SMTWTFS

I O

local9.fpl

Edit

Figure 21. Playlist Selector Window

Dates Help Save Cancel

Intvl

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b. Start: Use the number keys and RIGHT arrow key to set the

specific start time (24-hour clock) for the playlist. When done, press the RIGHT arrow key to advance to the next field.

c. Stop: Use the number keys and RIGHT arrow key to set the

specific stop time (24-hour clock) for the playlist. When done, press the RIGHT arrow key to advance to the next field.

d. SMTWTFS: Press the MENU/SELECT key to choose

which days of the week the playlist will play on. “x” indicates the day is selected and “-” indicates the day is not selected. When done, press the RIGHT arrow key to advance to the next field.

e. I (Interrupt): Press the MENU/SELECT key to choose to

have the first video in a scheduled playlist start playing precisely at its schedule time (interrupting or “cutting off” the video playing in the previously scheduled playlist). This is useful if you have a time sensitive playlist. “x” indicates that “Interrupt” is selected, interrupting the previous video and “-” indicates that “Interrupt” is not selected, allowing a smooth transition to the first video in the next playlist. When done, press the RIGHT arrow key to advance to the next field.

f. O (Play Once): Press the MENU/SELECT key to choose to

have the playlist played back only once (regardless of its time allotment). “x” indicates that “Play Once” is selected and “-” indicates that “Play Once” is not selected. When done, press the RIGHT arrow key to advance to the next field.

g. Intvl (Interval): Press the MENU/SELECT key to choose

to have a “Play Once” event played back once at a designated time interval. Use the number keys and RIGHT arrow key to set the interval time.

4. Using the menu navigation keys on the remote, move the highlight to “Save” at the bottom of the screen and press the MENU/SELECT key.

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5. A dialog box will appear stating that the schedule is saved and will give you the option to “Select it to play” or to “Do not play it now”. Pressing the MENU/SELECT key on “Select it to play” will select the newly created playlist to be the active playlist (starting playback as soon as you exit). Pressing the MENU/SELECT key while the highlight is on “Do not play it now” will save the playlist for future use.

Deleting an Event from a Schedule

To delete an event from a schedule, use the following steps:

1. Using the LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys, position the highlight on the “Edit” option at the bottom of the screen and then press the MENU/SELECT key.

2. Using the menu navigation keys, position the highlight on “Delete Event” and then press the MENU/SELECT key. The highlight will now be in “delete mode”, highlighting all event fields across a given event.

3. Using the UP and DOWN arrow keys, locate the event to be deleted. Position the highlight on the event line and press the MENU/SELECT key to delete it from the schedule.

4. Using the menu navigation keys on the remote control, move the highlight to “Save” at the bottom of the screen and press the MENU/SELECT key.

Editing an Event within a Schedule

To edit an event within a schedule, use the following steps:

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1. Using the LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys, position the highlight on the “Edit” option at the bottom of the screen and then press the MENU/SELECT key.

2. Using the UP and DOWN arrow keys, locate the event to be edited.

3. Edit any or all of the event properties, if desired, as described below.

a. Playlist: Press the MENU/SELECT key while the highlight

is on the playlist. Then use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to highlight your desired playlist and press the MENU/ SELECT key to select it. When done, press the RIGHT arrow key to advance to the next field.

b. Start: Use the number keys and RIGHT arrow key to set the

specific start time for the playlist. When done, press the RIGHT arrow key to advance to the next field.

c. Stop: Use the number keys and RIGHT arrow key to set the

specific stop time for the playlist. When done, press the RIGHT arrow key to advance to the next field.

d. SMTWTFS: Press the MENU/SELECT key to choose

e. I (Interrupt): Press the MENU/SELECT key to choose to

have the first video in a scheduled playlist start playing precisely at its schedule time (interrupting or cutting off the video playing in the previously scheduled playlist). This is useful if you have a time sensitive playlist. “x” indicates that

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“Interrupt” is selected, interrupting the previous video and “-” indicates that “Interrupt” is not selected, allowing the video to finish playing before the new playlist begins playing. When done, press the RIGHT arrow key to advance to the next field.

f. O (Play Once): Press the MENU/SELECT key to choose to

g. Intvl (Interval): Press the MENU/SELECT key to choose

to have a “play once” event played back once at a designated time interval. Use the number keys and RIGHT arrow key to set the interval time.

4. Using the menu navigation keys on the remote control, move the highlight to “Save” at the bottom of the screen and press the MENU/SELECT key.

Assigning Dates for Video Playback

The Video Dates Editor allows you to designate the actual date(s) a particular video is allowed to play. By selecting a start date, an end date or both a start and an end date you can establish a “date rule” for the playback of a particular video.

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Video Dates Editor

Video Name

Start Date

Stop Date

proddemo2.mpg 02/01/03 -- / -- / --

market31.mpg -- / -- / -- 05/31/03

janpromo.mpg 01/01/03 01/31/03 jackpot7.mpg 01/01/03 01/07/03

[Add] [Delete]

Figure 22. Video Dates Editor Screen

Depending on your application, you may have a need for using any or all of the three previously mentioned date rules. The table below provides some “real world” examples for using the Video Dates Editor:

Start Date

02/01/03 - -/- -/- - Start date with no stop date.

Stop Date

Description

Example: “I want my product demonstration video available to playlists the day the product is released, but no sooner than that”.

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Start Date

- -/- -/- - 05/31/03 No start date with stop date.

01/01/03 01/31/03 Both start date and stop date.

Stop Date

Description

Example: “I want my new marketing campaign video available to playlists from now until the end of the spring months”.

Example: “I’ want my January promotions video available to playlists only during the month of January”.

Table 4. Video Date Rule Examples

To add a date rule for a video, use the following steps:

1. (From the Schedule Editor main screen) Using the LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys, position the highlight on the “Dates” option at the bottom of the screen and then press the MENU/ SELECT key. The Video Dates Editor screen will be displayed.

2. Using the menu navigation keys, position the highlight on “Add” and then press the MENU/SELECT key. The Video Selector screen will appear.

3. Using the UP and DOWN arrow keys, position the highlight on the video you would like to assign a date rule to and then press MENU/SELECT.

4. If desired, use the number keys and RIGHT arrow key to set the specific start date for the video. When done, press the RIGHT arrow key to advance to the next field.

5. If desired, use the number keys and RIGHT arrow key to set the specific stop date for the video.

6. Repeat steps 2 through 5 to add date rules to additional videos if desired. When you are done, press the EXIT key to return to the Schedule Editor main screen.

Remote Control

To delete a date rule for a video, use the following steps:

2. Using the menu navigation keys, position the highlight on “Delete” and then press the MENU/SELECT key.

3. Using the UP and DOWN arrow keys, position the highlight on the video you would like to delete the date rule for and then press MENU/SELECT.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to delete date rules for additional videos if desired. When you are done, press the EXIT key to return to the Schedule Editor main screen.

To edit a date rule for a video, use the following steps:

2. Using the UP and DOWN arrow keys, position the highlight on the video you would like to edit the date rule for.

3. If desired, use the number keys and RIGHT arrow key to set or edit the specific start date for the video. When done, press the RIGHT arrow key to advance to the next field.

4. If desired, use the number keys and RIGHT arrow key to set or edit the specific stop date for the video.

5. Repeat steps 2 through 4 to edit date rules for additional videos if desired. When you are done, press the EXIT key to return to the Schedule Editor main screen.

Remote Control

Exiting the Schedule Editor

At any point while you are working within the Schedule Editor you may exit and return to the main menu by pressing the EXIT key on the remote control. When the EXIT key is pressed, a dialog box appears as shown below:

Schedule Editor

Playlist

local3 --Default-- x x x x x x x - - - - : - -

file4 08:00 12:00 x x x - - x - x x - - : - file5 12:00 15:30 x x x - - x - x x - - : - -

Do You Really Want to Quit?

file6 15:30 22:00 x x x - - x - x x - - : - -

Start Stop

Continue Editing

SMTWTFS

I O

[Add Event] [Delete Event]

Save Changes And Exit

Discard Changes And Exit

Edit

Figure 23. Exit Schedule Editor Dialog Box

Dates Help Save Cancel

Playback Selector

Intvl

The Playback Selector allows you to select a different playlist or schedule to play back on the Firefly.

After selecting the Playback Selector from the Firefly main menu, the following screen will be displayed:

Remote Control

sched2.fsc sched.fsc

local1.fpl local2.fpl local3.fpl local4.fpl

Select a Schedule or Playlist

Press MENU to Load

Now Playing :

sched2.fsc

Press EXIT

To Return

To Main Menu

Figure 24. Playback Selector Screen

Loading a Playlist or Schedule

A list of playlists and schedules located on the Firefly will be listed in the box located on the left.

Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to highlight the desired playlist or schedule and then press the MENU/SELECT key.

Once you have selected a playlist or schedule, you will be returned to the Firefly main menu. Once you exit the main menu, the loaded playlist will begin playing or the loaded schedule will begin playing (when scheduled).

Remote Control

NOTE

Playlists and schedules can not be deleted in the Playback Selector screen. The delete option will only be available while in the Playlist Editor or Schedule Editor screens.

Media Maintenance

The “Media Maintenance” screen enables you to manually copy media from a CD or DVD to Firefly, and to delete unwanted media. Upon selecting the “Media Maintenance” option from the main menu, the following screen will be displayed:

Copy Button

CD/DVD ROM

/monthly videos january.mpg february.mpg march.mp2 april.mpg /seasonal videos spring.mp2 summer.mp2 /overlays superfly.bmp

Size: 257M

Delete Button

CD/DVD

Media List

Firefly

Media List

Loaded Media

test.mpg video1.mpg

video2.mp2 sample1.mpg scarecrow.mpg sample2.mp2 supersteaks.mp2 pony.bmp chimp.bmp

Free: 21039M

Exit Button

Exit

Figure 25. Media Maintenance Screen

You will be able to move between “Loaded Media”, “CD/DVD ROM”, and the buttons on the screen using the LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys on the menu navigation section of the remote control.

You can scroll within the media lists and buttons using the UP and DOWN arrow keys on the remote control.

Remote Control

Within the CD/DVD ROM list, the entries may be organized by directories. These directories will be apparent because they will be proceeded by a forward slash (example: “/seasonal videos”). Each of the videos belonging to that particular directory will be listed immediately after the directory name.

In cases where there is more than one page of media located on either the “Loaded Media” or “CD/DVD ROM” windows, you can use the F.F. (>>) key on the remote to scroll down by page or the REW (<<) key to scroll up by page.

Because the visible space in the Loaded Media and CD/DVD ROM lists is limited, you may not be able to see the entire name of a video or graphic overlay. The Media Information feature is available to help you view basic information about media loaded on the Firefly or on a CD/DVD in the Firefly. This window will show up to 60 characters for the name, in addition to the size of the media (in bytes) and the date and time the media was transferred to the Firefly.

You may obtain information about any video or graphic overlay listed under the Loaded Media list or CD/DVD ROM list by placing the highlight on the media and then pressing the 0 button on the remote control. After pressing the 0 button, the following window will be displayed:

Remote Control

Loaded Media

jackpots.mpg sears.mpg

bikes.mp2 saturn.mpg newscipt1.glo starwars2.mpg oldscript.glo sony.mp2 sixflags.mpg supersteaks.mp2

Free: 21039M

MPEG system stream data

size: 10518424 bytes

date/time: 06/20/03 13:52

bellatlantic.mpg hitachi.mpg

Test123.mpg

Exit

ebay.mp2 radioshack.mpg chilis.mp2 mcdonalds.mp2 march2001.glo

CD/DVD ROM

Size: 257M

Figure 26. Media Maintenance Media Information Window

Selecting Files to Copy or Delete

To select a group of media files to copy or delete:

❏ Scroll through the CD/DVD media list to put the highlight

on the media file to be selected. Note that the media list may contain file directories. If directories exist, you will not need to open a directory folder to access the files within (like in a Windows application). Instead, the media files will be directly available immediately after each directory name.

❏ When you have highlighted your desired media file, press

the MENU/SELECT key on the remote control. The text for that media file changes to a green indicating that the media file is selected.

Remote Control

❏ Then continue to scroll through the list selecting other

media in the same fashion until all the media to be copied or deleted are green.If you accidently select the wrong media file, press the MENU/SELECT key again while the highlight is on that media file to de-select it.

Copying Selected Files

Once a media file or group of media files have been selected from the “CD/DVD ROM” window for copying to Firefly, you can copy by moving the highlight to the COPY (<<) button and pressing the MENU/SELECT key on the remote control. A dialog box will appear asking for confirmation of the copy operation:

Loaded Media

levis.mpg sears.mpg

bikes.mp2 saturn.mpg newscipt1.glo starwars2.mpg oldscript.glo sony.mp2 sixflags.mpg supersteaks.mp2

Free: 21039M

You have chosen to copy

from CD/DVD to the system

bellatlantic.mpg

5 media files

Is this correct?

Do Not Copy

hitachi.mpg ebay.mp2 radioshack.mpg chilis.mp2 mcdonalds.mp2 march2001.glo

Yes Copy

Exit

CD/DVD ROM

Size: 257M

Figure 27. Copy Confirmation Dialog Box

The 5 represents the number of media files to be copied. The highlight, by default, appears on the “Do Not Copy” option. You can move between the two options using the UP and DOWN arrow keys on the menu navigation section of the remote control. When your desired choice is highlighted, press the MENU/SELECT key on the remote control to confirm the selection.

Remote Control

IMPORTANT

Firefly cannot read or copy consumer DVD movies. Only non-encrypted MPEG videos stored on data DVD's can be copied.

If the “Yes Copy” option is selected, the confirmation dialog box is replaced with a copy progress dialog box as shown below:

Loaded Media

levis.mpg sears.mpg

bikes.mp2 saturn.mpg newscipt1.glo starwars2.mpg oldscript.glo sony.mp2 sixflags.mpg supersteaks.mp2

Media Copy in Progress

Now Copying 1 of 6:

bellatlantic.mpg hitachi.mpg ebay.mp2 radioshack.mpg

Press EXIT to abort

chilis.mp2 mcdonalds.mp2 march2001.glo

Time Left: 1:32

13% Done

Exit

CD/DVD ROM

Size: 257MFree: 21039M

Figure 28. Copy Progress Dialog Box

The <media name> field is updated as media are copied. “Time Left” and “% Done” allow you to see the progress of the file currently being copied (not all of the files selected to copy) to the Firefly.

Remote Control

NOTE

If you do not want your images to be converted by Firefly, create them according to the parameters outlined above before transferring.

At any time, you may abort the procedure by pressing the EXIT key. After all media have been copied, you will be returned to the “Media Maintenance” screen.

Deleting Selected Files

To delete media files from the Firefly, you will first need to select them. Follow Selecting Files to Copy or Delete on page 69 to select the files you wish to delete.

Once you have selected a media file or group of media files from the “Loaded Media” window, you can delete them by moving the highlight to the DELETE (X) button and pressing the MENU/ SELECT key on the remote control. A dialog box will appear asking for confirmation of the delete operation:

Visual Circuits Firefly User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual