Visual Circuits H-DVP User Manual

H-DVP System

User Manual

Visual Circuits Corporation

Trademarks

The Visual Circuits logo is a registered trademark in the United States
and other countries. All other products, services or compan y names
mentioned herein are claimed as trademarks and trade names by their
respective companies.

c Visual Circuits, 1999-2000. All rights reserved.
No porti on of this manual ma y be copied by any means without the pri or
consent of Visual Circuits.

Visual Circuits
5155 East River Road, Suite 401
Minneapolis, MN 55421

http://www.visualcircuits.com

Visual Circuits Publication Number: 813-0002a

Federal Communications Radio Frequency Interference
Statement

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

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limit s for a
Class A digi tal device, pur s uant to Part 15 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 the
instructional 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 own expense. However, if this
equipment does cause interference to radio or television equipment
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on,
the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of
the following measures

❏ Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
❏ Increase the separation between equipment and receiver.
❏ Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different

from that to which the receiver is connected.

❏ Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television

technicia n for help.

Compliance with Part 15 of the FCC Rules and
Regulations

This H-DVP system complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules and
regulations. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

❏ This device may not caus e harmful i nterference.
❏ This device m ust accept any interference that may cause

undesired operatio n.

NOTE

Changes or modifications to this device not
expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the userºs authority to
operate the device.

Industry Canada

This Class A digital appartus meets all requirements of the Canadian
Interference-Caus ing Equi p ment Re gu lati on s.

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 Di rective 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 Februa ry
1973 on th e harmonization of th e laws of
Member States relating to electrical equipment
designed for use within certain voltage limits:
Each ammended by
Council Directive 93/68/EEC of 22 July 1993
on the harmonization of CE marking
requirements.

Safety and Regulatory Requirements

CAUTION

The DVD and CD-ROM drives contain a laser
system and are ·Class 1 Laser Products¸
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

An incorrectly replaced battery can cause an
explosion.

A lithium battery on the product provides
backup power for the timekeeping
mechanism. Should the battery fail, contact
an authorized repair location.

WARNING

An improperly grounded power supply can
result in electrical shock.

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

CAUTION

Static electricity can harm delicate
components inside your server.

Discharge static electricity from your body
before you touch any of your computerºs
electronic components.

CONTENTS

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Installing the H-DVP System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Choosing an Appropriate Installation Location . . . . . .3

Installing the H-DVP System to a Rack . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Connecting Server Peripherals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Connecting Output and Power Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Connecting the Universal Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Connecting the Rackmount Breakout Box . . . . . . .7

Using the HDServe Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Testing the Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Playing MPEG Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Loading Files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Playing Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Using Cross-Channel Synchronization . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Controlling Playback. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Setting the Program ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Using the HDCom Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Setting Up a Serial Controller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Serial Command Reference. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Callbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Playback Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Cross-Channel Synchronization Commands. . . . .29

i

Contents

Informational Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Registry Editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Configuring the Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Common Parameters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Contacting Visual Circuits Corporation . . . . . . . 45

Contacting Technical Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Information for Value Added Resellers or

Distributors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

What You Should Have Ready When You Call . .45

What You Can Expect When You Call. . . . . . . . .45

Technical Support Contact Information . . . . . . . .46

Returning Materials to Visual Circuits Corporation

(VAR/Distributor) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

HD Software Developers Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

General API information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

File Playback Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Audio/Video Output Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Synchronization Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65

Callback Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

Information Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

ii

Contents

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

iii

Contents

iv

OVERVIEW

The H-DVP system is a high-definition digital video server that
can drive retail visual merchandising applications, location-based
entertainment, or any other type of video application.

The H-DVP system can play MPEG 1 and MPEG 2 video and
audio transport stream files on up to 4 channels. Through cross­channel synchronization, the H-DVP syst em can synchronize the
playback of any number of channels, even when individual
channels are temporarily stopped.

The H-DVP system ca n acce pt RS-23 2 commands in ASCII format
from standard show system controllers via a communication
application called HDCom.

Specifications

Table 1 lists the specifications of the H-DVP system.

Table 1. H-DVP System Specifications

Chassis 3U 19″ (48 cm) rack mount

18″ D x 17″ W x 5.25″ H

(46 cm D x 43 cm W x 13 cm H)

Weight 38µ42 lb (17µ19 kg)

Power
requirements

90µ240 V, 80 W, aH, UL/CSA/T
Switchable for 110/220 V

üV/CE

1

Overview

2

INSTALLING THE H-DVP
SYSTEM

Installati on inv o lv es the fol lowing steps:

❏ Choosing an appropriate installation location
❏ Mounting the H-DVP system to a rack (optional)
❏ Connecting server peripherals
❏ Connecting output and power cables
❏ Testing the installation

Choosing an Appropriate
Installation Location

When choosing a location to install the H-DVP system, consider
the following requirements:

❏ The ambient temperature of the installation environment

must remain below 104 °F (40 °C). Keep in mind that the
operating temperature of a rack will be higher than room
temperature.

❏ Maintain a mi nimum ai rflow clearance of 1″ (2.5 cm) on all

sides of the H-DVP system.

❏ Ensure that the air intake of the H-DVP system does not

draw directly on the hot air exhaust from another unit.

❏ If installed on a rack, the rack must safely support the

combined weight of all de vic es mounted on the rack. Install
devices on a rack from the bottom up.

❏ The H-DVP system requires a minimum rack depth of 19″

(48.3 cm).

❏ In restricted areas, install only in accordance with Articles

100-16, 100-17, a nd 110- 18 of t he Nation al Ele ctri cal Cod e
ANSI/NFPA 70.

3

Installing the H-DVP System

Installing the H-DVP System to a
Rack

The H-DVP system has side rails for installing into a rack. If you
use alternate rails for installing, consult the manufacturer of the
alternate rails to confirm that they meet the weight and stress
requirements to support the H-DVP chassis.

To mount the H-DVP system to a rack:

1. Position the H-DVP chassis in the lowest available slot on the
rack.

2. Verify that the rear panel of the H-DVP system is accessible.

3. Verify that all cables will reach their connectors on the rear
panel of the H-DVP system.

4. Tighten all fasteners for both front and rear mounting brackets
of the H-DVP system.

Connecting Server Peripherals

To easily use and configure the H-DVP system, connect a monitor,
keyboard, and mouse to the server. Ports for these peripherals are
clearly labeled on the rear panel of the server chassis.

Although peripherals such as a monitor and keyboard simplify the
use of the H-DVP system, you do not have to connect peripherals
to the serv er to monitor or adjust normal playback operation.

4

Installing the H-DVP System

Connecting Output and Power
Cables

The H-DVP system is shipped with either a Universal Cable or a
Rackmount Breakout Box, both of which are terminated with a 25­pin male D Sub connector. Each H-DVP channel corresponds to
one 25-pin female D Sub connector on the rear panel of the server
chassis. Therefore, one Universal Cable or Rackmount Breakout
Box will be necessary for each channel.

Table 2 on page 6 lists the pinouts of the 25-pin connectors.

5

Installing the H-DVP System

Table 2. H-DVP Pinouts

Pin Output

1Ground

2µ4 None

5 Audio sub woofer

6µ7 None

8 Audio left rear

9 Vertical sync

10 None

11 Audio left front

12 Blue/Pb

13 Green/Y

14µ17 None

18 Audio center

19µ20 None

21 Audio right rear

22 None

23 Horizontal sync

24 Audio right front

25 Red/Pr

6

Installing the H-DVP System

Connecting the Universal Cable

The Universal Cable terminates on the server side with a male D
Sub connector, and on th e output side with an 11-cabl e audio /video
breakout. The fi ve vi de o bre akout cables are shielded 75­cables with female RCA connectors. The six audio breakou t cab les
are standard audio cables with female RCA connectors. Each
breakout cable is labeled.

To connect the Universal Cable:

1. Verify that the Universal Cable will not inadvertently come
into contact with other electrical devices or cables. Follow all
guidelines pr oscribed for electr ical de vices conn ected to—or in
close proximity to—the H-DVP server.

2. Completely back out the set screws on both sides of the
Universal Cable’s male D Sub connector.

Ω coaxial

3. Orient the Universal Cable’s male D Sub connector to the
appropriate female D Sub connector on the H-DVP server.

4. Connect the two D Sub connectors by applying gentle, even
pressure. Do not force the connectors together, and do not use
the set screws to “pull” the connectors together.

5. When the two D Sub connector s are fully connect ed, secure the
Universal Cable in place with the set screws.

6. Connect the break out ca ble s on the out put end of the Uni v ers al
Cable to the appropriate output devices.

Connecting the Rackmount Breakout Box

The Rackmount Breakout Box terminates on the server side with a
male D Sub connector and on the output side with a row of audio
and video breakout connectors. The video breakout connectors are
female BNC. The audio breakout connectors are terminal post
(“Phoenix” type) connectors. Each breakout connector is labeled.

To connect the Rackmount Breakout Box:

7

Installing the H-DVP System

1. Verify that the Rackmount Breakout Box and the cables
connected to it will not inadvertently come into contact with
other electrical devices or cables. Follow all guidelines
proscribed for electrical devices connected to—or in close
proximity to—the H-DVP server.

2. Completely back out the setscrews on both sides of the
Rackmount Breakout Box’s male D Sub connector.

3. Orient the Rackmount Breakout Box’s male D Sub connector
to the appropriate female D Sub connector on the H-DVP
server.

4. Connect the two D Sub connectors by applying gentle, even
pressure. Do not force the connectors together, and do not use
the setscrews to “pull” the connectors together.

5. When the two D Sub connector s are fully connect ed, secure the
Rackmount Breakout Box’s connector in place with the
setscrews.

6. Connect output equipment to the breakout connectors on the
Rackmount Breakout Box.

8

USING THE HDSERVE
APPLICATION

The HDServe application is a sample program that you can use as
a model for your own application, or to test your H-DVP system
installation. The H-DVP application calls most of the functions of
the application programming interface (API) documented in the H­DVP software developer’s kit (SDK).

Figure 1 shows the main HDServe window and its components.

Figure 1. Main HDServe Window

9

Using the HDServe Application

Testing the Installation

You should test the installation of the H-DVP system to verify that
you have set it up properly. Refer to Troubleshooting on page 41
for solutions to setup, installation, and testing problems.

To test the installation:

1. Start the HDServe application.

2. In the Card group (bottom left), click the number of a card to
which equipment has been connected.

3. Select the Color Bars checkbox.

4. If a test pattern appears on the appropriate monitor, then clear
the Color Bars checkbox and go to Step 6.

5. If a test pattern does NOT appear, then the monitor is not
hooked up correctly to the H-DVP server. Troubleshoot the
problem, then test the installation again.

6. Click Browse. Locate the /samples/mpeg directory, choose a
file, then click Open in the dialog box.

7. Click Open in the HDServe main window.

8. Click the play button .

9. If the file plays correctly, then the system is installed properly.

10. If the file does NOT play correctly, then the system may have
software or hardware problems. Refer to Troubleshooting on
page 41, or contact Visual Circuits according to the
instructions under Contacting Visual Circuits Corporation on
page 45.

Please refer to the following section for more detailed information
on using HD Serve .

Playing MPEG Files

Playing files in the HDServe application involves two stages:

❏ Loading files
❏ Playing files

10

Using the HDServe Application

Loading Files

You can load one file on each channel. To load a file onto a
channel:

1. In the Card group, select a playback card.

2. Click Browse. Use the file browser to locate and select the fil e

you want to play.

3. Click Open.

Playing Files

You can start playback on the current channel, or you can start
playback on all channels simultaneously.

To start playback on the current channel, click the play button

.

To start playback on all channels simultaneously, click the play all
button .

Using Cross-Channel
Synchronization

The H-DVP system has the ability to synchronize playback across
multiple channels (cro ss-cha nnel synchr onizat ion ). When ch annels
are synchronized, the H-DVP system will speed up or slow down
the playback of each channel to maintain identical playback
positions on every channel.

NOTE

All of the files that you want to synchronize should
have the same length and the same time stamp
information.

To use cross-channel synchronization:

11

Using the HDServe Application

1. Load the desired MPEG file onto every channel.

2. On the Parameters menu, select Sync All Channels.

3. Click the play all button .

NOTE

The files may not be entirely synchronized until
after the first few seconds of playback.

12

Using the HDServe Application

Controlling Playback

You can control the playback of a file by selecting some of the
checkboxes tha t appe ar in the HDServe mai n wi ndow. T abl e 3 lists
the playback features that are controlled by these checkboxes.

Table 3. Playback Control Checkboxes

Checkbox Behavior

Auto Loop Causes the current file to restart when

it reaches the end

Color Bars Turns on color bars

Mute Turns off audio

Setting the Program ID

You can manually set the audio and video program IDs (PIDs).
You should not need to set these values manually unless the H­DVP system fails to automatically detect the correct PIDs.

To set the audio and video PIDs:

1. Type a hexidecimal PID value in the VideoPID box.

2. Type a hexidecimal PID value in the AudioPID box.

3. Click Set PIDS.

Set them each back to -1 to use the PIDS detected by the system.

13

Using the HDServe Application

14

USING THE HDCOM
APPLICATION

The HDCom application provides a way to send text commands
into the H-DVP server to load, play, and synchronize MPEG files.
You can set up a serial controller to send commands to the
HDCom application and direct the operation of the H-DVP server
remotely.

Setting Up a Serial Controller

A serial controller can exchange ASCII text messages with the
HDCom application. Before you can use a serial controller to
direct the H-DVP server, however, you must configure the
controller and the HDCom application to communicate using the
same settings. Consult the instructions for your serial controller for
information about modifying the controller’s communication
settings.

To modify the communication settings in the HDCom application:

1. Click the Settings menu.

2. Click the arrow in the Port box and select the appropriate

COM port from the list.

3. Click the arrow in the Baud Rate box and select a baud rate

from the list.

4. Click the arrow in the Data Bits box and select 7 or 8 from the

list.

5. Click the arrow in the Parity box and select Even or Odd from

the list.

6. Click the arrow in the Stop Bits box and select 0 or 1 from the

list.

7. In the Flow group, select the checkbox that matches the flow

control protocol used by the serial controller.

8. Click OK.

15

Using the HDCom Application

Serial Command Reference

Using HDCom, you can send serial commands to the H-DVP
server, and you can receive callbacks from the server when certain
events are completed. Commands are in ASCII text and are
terminated with a decimal 13 character (carriage return).
Commands are not case sensitive.

NOTE

Card numbering starts at zero (i.e., the first card is
number 0, the second card is number 1). The
channel number is always 0.

Serial commands include:

❏ Callbacks
❏ Playback commands
❏ Cross-channel synchronization commands
❏ Informational comm ands

Callbacks

The server will issue callbacks whenever certain events occur.
Callbacks allow serial controllers to repond to server conditions.
Serial controllers are responsible for parsing callbacks and
reponding appropriately.

Callbacks are in the following format:

PHVVDJH.

❏ FDUG—The playback card
❏ FKDQQHO—The channel on the playback card
❏ PHVVDJH—A numerical message

&%FDUGFKDQQHO

The possible callback messages are listed in Table 4 on page 17.

16

Table 4. Callback Messages

Message Meaning

1 File Read Complete

The server sends this callback when a
channel completes loading an MPEG file.
Playback of the file is not yet complete.

2 Playback Complete

The server issues this callback when a
channel finishes playing an MPEG file. This
callback will not be issued if the channel is in
auto-repeat mode, or if a new MPEG file has
already started loading in response to an
mpgLoadNext command.

5 File Read Start

The server issues this callback when a
channel begins loading a new MPEG file.
After this callback has been issued, an
mpgLoadNext command may be sent to the
channel.

Using the HDCom Application

17